Narinder
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders on Friday paid tributes to India's first education minister 'Maulana Abul Kalam Azad' on his 134th birth anniversary.
PM Modi wrote, "Azad is widely admired for his scholarly nature and intellectual prowess. He remained at the forefront of our freedom movement, working closely with other leading lights. He was also passionate about education."
Also Education Minister 'Dharmendra Pradhan' paid homage on this occasion and wrote “He will be remembered for his invaluable role in India’s freedom struggle and for his contributions towards our education sector.”
The theme of this year is "Changing Course, Transforming Education." This theme indicates that there is a need to reform the education system and make it adaptable to the current times.
Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad was an Indian Independence activist, Islamic theologian, writer and a senior leader of Indian National Congress. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, as the first education minister, primarily focused on educating the rural poor and girls. He also took initiatives towards adult literacy which he made free and compulsory for all children up to the age of 14.
The establishment of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the School of Architecture and Planning can be attributed to Azad. He was the man behind setting up of University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council For Technical Education (AICTE), Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Sahitya Academy, Lalit Kala Academy, Sangeet Natak Academy, and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) as well.