Welcoming the Chief Guest, the Vice Chancellor, IGNOU and other faculty members of the university, Prof. Saroj Pandey, Director, School of Education, said that the credit of streamlining and providing vision and a direction to the education policy after independence realizing its long-term role in development of a country, Maulana played a key part. It was Maulana’s vision which has translated to education being a fundamental right today, she said. She also highlighted the fact that Maulana Azad was instrumental in setting up of the initiations like IIT, UGC, etc.
 

Prof. Mohd. Akhtar Siddiqui in his lecture elaborated on the vision that was envisioned by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad as minister of education for the country at that time. Talking about Maulana’s early days where he was given education at home by his father only in Islamic Sciences and other subjects, Prof. Siddiqui said that though Maulana never received formal education and only was given education in traditional manner, he embraced western and modern education as a policy maker and was a bridge between the old and the new. In his 11 years as education minister of the country, Maulana Azad initiated many new projects in universal elementary education, secondary and higher education, Prof. Siddiqui informed. He also talked about the committees and commissions set up by him for fact-finding so to plan accordingly. Maulana was well aware of the importance of education for a new country like India at that time and fought for greater intervention by the Center though education was largely a provincial subject, Prof Siddiqui said while highlighting the fact that the education was not accorded the importance that it should have.
 

Prof. Siddiqui said that Maulana advocated education for democracy through social education where liberty, rights/duties are instilled along-with the other subjects for an educated mind. Prof. Siddiqui also highlighted the fact that Maulana Azad recognized that for quality education or for bringing changes in the system, the agents would have to be the teachers, and he pitched for more institutions in teacher training for capacity building.

Prof. Nageshwar Rao, VC, IGNOU in his presidential address, thanked the chief guest, Prof. Mohd. Akhtar Siddiqui for his very insightful presentation of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s vision and its critique putting them in today’s perspective. He said that the Maulana’s vision on teacher’s participation in implementation is very relevant and we should take that as a learning and put it in to practice. He also reiterated that education system should be encompassing all the three elements viz., knowledge, Skill, and values and should not get restricted to knowledge attainment. He also stressed on the need of social relevance of education in today’s context.
 

Dr. Niradhar Dey, School of Education proposed vote of thanks. Registrar (Admn.), Finance Officer, Many Directors, Heads of Divisions, Senior Professors, Faculty and staff members attended the function.
 

National Education Day is being celebrated in India on Birth Anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on 11 November every year.  IGNOU also celebrates the day every year.