Aligarh: The Department of Education at Aligarh Muslim University organized a programme to observe National Education Day, commemorating the birth anniversary of the distinguished freedom fighter and the first education minister of India, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.

The chief guest, Prof Mirza Asmer Beg, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, stressed the need for launching a mass awareness programme to promote secularism and nationalism among common people which were the core principles of Maulana Azad’s life.

The guest of honour, Prof. Zia-ur-Rahman, Deputy DSW, gave a brief introduction to education policies of 1935, 1968 and 2020 and described how Maulana Azad got the pen name "Azad". He discussed the idea of composite nationalism, Ummah, Qaumiyat and Millat that frequently appeared in the writings of Maulana Azad.

Earlier, welcoming the guests, Prof. Mujibul Hasan Siddiqui, Chairman of the department, gave a brief introduction to the day and highlighted the anecdotes of the life of Maulana Azad.

Dr Aftab Ahmad Ansari, the Convener, delivered a lecture on "Maulana Abul Kalam Azad as an Architect of Modern Indian Education" and highlighted his contribution to the field of education.

Dr. Mohd. Shaheer Siddiqui spoke on "Education after Independence and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad", and presented a documentary on the life of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.

The winners of various programmes, including Swachhta Pakhwada, Jal Shakti Abhiyan and Jan Jatiya Gaurav Diwas were felicitated with the certificate by the chief guest, Prof. Mirza Asmer Beg.

Former Chairperson of the department, Prof. Nasrin extended a vote of thanks. Shafiya Waseem and Abu Maaz conducted the programme.