Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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).

• 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.

• Authored India Wins Freedom, Basic Concept of Quran, and Ghubar-e-Khatir.

• Recognition: Posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna in 1992.

• Posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna in 1992.

Insta links:

• Freedom fighters