Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

Why is in news? PM Modi pays tribute to Maulana Azad on his birth anniversary

Abul Kalam Azad (11 November 1888 – 22 February 1958) was an Indian independence activist, Islamic theologian, writer and a senior leader of the Indian National Congress.

Following India's independence, he became the First Minister of Education in the Indian government.

His contribution to establishing the education foundation in India is recognised by celebrating his birthday as National Education Day across India.

He was a proponent of Hindu Muslim unity, opposed to Partition.

In 1912, he started a weekly journal in Urdu called Al-Hilal which played an important role in forging Hindu-Muslim unity.

Azad supported the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22) started by Gandhiji and entered the Indian National Congress in 1920.

In 1923, he was elected as the president of Indian National Congress. At an age of 35, he became the youngest person to serve as the President of the Indian National Congress.

Maulana Azad was arrested in 1930 for violation of the salt laws as part of Gandhiji’s Salt Satyagraha. He was put in Meerut jail for a year and a half.

He again became the president of Congress in 1940 and remained in the post till 1946.

In the field of education, Maulana Azad had been an uncompromising exponent of universalism, a truly liberal and humanitarian educational system.

Azad’s ideal was a fusion of the Eastern and Western concepts of man, to create a fully integrated personality. Whereas the Eastern concept dwelt on spiritual excellence and individual salvation, the Western concept laid stress on worldly achievements and social progress.

He was one of the founding members of the Jamia Milia Islamia University, originally established at Aligarh in the United Provinces in 1920.

His Works: Basic Concept of Quran, Ghubar-eKhatir, Dars-e-Wafa, India Wins Freedom, etc.

The first IIT, IISc, School of Planning and Architecture and the University Grants Commission were established under his tenure as the education minister.

Indian Council for Cultural Relations, for introduction of Indian culture to other nations.

Following three academics were formed: Sahitya Academy for development of literature; Sangeet Natak Academy for the development of Indian music and dance; Lalit Kala Academy for the development of painting.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was posthumously awarded India's highest civilian honour, Bharat Ratna in 1992.