West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday paid rich tributes to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on his birth anniversary, recalling his immense contribution to India’s freedom struggle and his enduring legacy as a champion of education and communal harmony. Taking to social media platform X, the Chief Minister wrote: “I pay my heartfelt tributes to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, a symbol of Hindu-Muslim harmony, a great freedom fighter, educationist and former Union minister, on his birth anniversary.” Miss Banerjee described Azad as one of the foremost leaders who not only played a pivotal role in India’s Independence movement but also laid the foundation of the country’s education system in the formative years after Independence.
“His vision for inclusive education and his belief in national unity remain a guiding light even today,” she noted. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India’s first education minister, was among the architects of modern India who emphasised the importance of scientific temper, rational thought, and cultural integration. As the first president of the Indian National Congress after its reorganisation in 1923, he stood firmly against communal divisions and worked relentlessly to strengthen the secular fabric of the nation. Azad’s contributions led to the establishment of key educational institutions such as the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). His efforts in promoting universal education and women’s empowerment are still regarded as milestones in India’s academic evolution.
Born in 1888, Maulana Azad’s birthday on 11 November is observed across the country as National Education Day, in recognition of his lasting impact on India’s education policy and his vision of harmony, knowledge, and progress.