Mon Nov 11 05:23:54 UTC 2024: ## India Celebrates National Education Day Honoring Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
**New Delhi, India** – India is celebrating National Education Day on November 11th to honor Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the country’s first education minister and a pivotal figure in shaping modern India. Azad, a prominent scholar, freedom fighter, and educationist, is credited with laying the foundation for the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and the University Grants Commission (UGC), both of which continue to play a vital role in the country’s educational landscape.
Azad, also the youngest president of the Indian National Congress (INC), prioritized education for the rural poor and girls in post-independence India. His vision included promoting adult literacy, ensuring free and compulsory education for all children up to the age of 14, expanding universal primary education, and diversifying secondary education with an emphasis on vocational training.
“Azad’s contributions went far beyond the freedom movement,” said [Name of official/expert], [position/affiliation]. “His vision for an educated, secular, and unified India continues to shape the country’s progress.”
The day also marks the anniversary of Azad’s birth, and events are held across the country to commemorate his legacy. The Jamia Millia Islamia University, founded in 1920 with Azad as a founding member, stands as a testament to his commitment to education. The university’s main gate bears his name.
In other news, former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has made a highly anticipated return to The Great Indian Kapil Show after a five-year absence. His wife, cricketer Harbhajan Singh, also made a special appearance. While Sidhu is currently a weekly guest, his permanent return to the show remains uncertain.
First Piper 