Source: PIB
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on his birth anniversary, recognizing his contributions to India’s freedom movement and his legacy as a beacon of knowledge and education reform.
About Maulana Abul Kalam Azad:
- Birth and early life:
- Born in 1888 in Mecca, Saudi Arabia; original name: Muhiyuddin Ahmad.
- Known as “Abul Kalam” for his eloquence and debating skills.
- Role in Journalism and Nationalism:
- Founded Urdu weekly Al-Hilal (1912) and Al-Balagh (1914) to promote Indian nationalism and Hindu-Muslim unity.
- Both journals were banned by the British for their revolutionary content.
- Political contributions:
- Strong advocate for Hindu-Muslim unity and opposed Partition.
- Joined the Indian National Congress in 1920 and became its youngest President in 1923.
- Imprisonment:
- Arrested in 1930 during Gandhiji’s Salt Satyagraha and detained in Meerut jail for 1.5 years.
- Educationist and Reformer:
- First Education Minister of Independent India (1947-58); emphasized universal and liberal education.
- Played a major role in founding IITs, IISc, and UGC.
- Cultural and Academic Contributions:
- Helped establish Jamia Millia Islamia University.
- Founded Sahitya Akademi, Sangeet Natak Akademi, and Lalit Kala Akademi.
- Initiated the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
- Literary works:
- Authored India Wins Freedom, Basic Concept of Quran, and Ghubar-e-Khatir.
- Recognition:
- Posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna in 1992.
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