Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: India’s First Education Minister and His Enduring Legacy

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: India’s freedom struggle produced many leaders who dedicated their lives to the freedom and progress of the nation. Among them, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad is notable not only as a nationalist and freedom fighter but also as a visionary who laid the foundation of the education system of modern India.

As the first Education Minister of independent India (1947-1958), his ideas, policies, and reforms shaped the future of millions of Indian students. His life journey is a fascinating story of scholarship, patriotism, and service.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: Early Life and Background

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was born on November 11, 1888, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, where his father, Maulana Khairuddin, had migrated after opposing British rule in India. His family returned to Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1890 when Azad was just two years old. He came from a deeply religious family of Islamic scholars, but Azad’s brilliance enabled him to transcend conventional education.

From an early age, he mastered Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and Hindi. Later, he studied English, philosophy, world history, and science, developing a broad outlook that blended Eastern and Western thought. By the age of 16, he had become a distinguished writer and thinker. His nickname “Azad“, meaning “independent“, symbolised his ideological independence and his rejection of orthodox bonds. Through his writings and speeches, he inspired many young Indians in the freedom struggle.

Role in India’s Freedom Struggle:

Maulana Azad’s commitment to the freedom struggle grew even stronger after he met Mahatma Gandhi in 1920. He joined the Non-Cooperation Movement and became an influential voice of the Indian National Congress.

+ In 1923, at the age of just 35, he became the youngest president of the Indian National Congress.

+ He was imprisoned several times by the British for his participation in the freedom struggle.

+ He strongly opposed the partition of India and worked tirelessly for Hindu-Muslim unity.

From 1940 to 1946, he was the president of the Indian National Congress, a crucial period that included the Quit India Movement and the final negotiations for independence. Azad’s vision of a united, secular India made him a respected leader among all communities.

Contribution to Journalism and Nationalism:

Azad believed in the power of ideas and communication. In 1912, he founded the Urdu weekly newspaper Al-Hilal, which criticised British colonial policies and promoted nationalist ideas. The newspaper became widely popular, but was banned by the British in 1914. He later started another newspaper, Al-Balagh, which was also banned.

His journalism was not limited to political criticism; it was a platform for promoting Hindu-Muslim unity, social reform and education. He strongly opposed communal division and believed that India’s independence was possible only through unity among the various communities.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: First Education Minister of India

After independence in 1947, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru appointed Maulana Abul Kalam Azad as the first Education Minister in the Government of India. He held the post until his death in 1958, making him the longest-serving education minister in the history of India.

Azad firmly believed that “a nation that does not educate its people can never progress.” He considered education to be the foundation of democracy and economic development.

Major Contributions in Education:

1. Universal Primary Education:

+ Azad emphasized the importance of free and compulsory education for all children up to the age of 14.

+ He strove for the right to education in India decades before it became a constitutional right.

2. Promotion of Higher Education

+ He played a key role in the establishment of the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 1953, which still regulates higher education institutions in India.

+ His efforts strengthened India’s university system and research institutions.

3. Establishment of IITs and other institutions

+ Azad laid the foundation of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), beginning with IIT Kharagpur in 1951. Today, the IITs are globally recognised centres of excellence.

+ He also encouraged the development of institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and later AIIMS for medical education.

4. Focus on Scientific and Technical Education

+ Understanding the role of science in nation-building, Azad promoted research and training in science, technology and engineering.

+ He established the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and other bodies to promote innovation.

5. Adult and Women’s Education

+ Azad worked to reduce illiteracy and promoted adult education programmes.

+ He emphasised women’s education, believing that “no country can make true progress unless its women are educated.”

6. Cultural and Literary Contributions

He founded institutions like Sahitya Akademi, Lalit Kala Akademi, and Sangeet Natak Akademi to promote literature, art, and culture. He strongly believed that education should not only prepare individuals for jobs but also enrich their cultural and moral values.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: Education Philosophy

+ Azad’s education philosophy was holistic. He believed that education should:

+ Develop both scientific temper and moral values.

+ Promote national integration and secularism.

+ Modern scientific knowledge should be balanced with India’s rich cultural heritage.

+ Be accessible to every citizen, regardless of caste, religion, or gender.

He once said, “Education imparted from the heart can revolutionise society.”

Maulana Azad died on February 22, 1958, but his legacy lives on. For his invaluable services, he was awarded India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1992. In honour of his contributions, November 11, i.e. his birthday, is celebrated as National Education Day in India since 2008.

It commemorates his vision of inclusive and quality education. His works, especially his autobiography “India Wins Freedom”, are important historical documents that reflect his deep understanding of India’s freedom movement and his role in shaping independent India.

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