Hyderabad: Glowing tributes were paid to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, legendary Freedom icon and first education minister of free India on his birth anniversary today at Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU). The Government of India has declared the occasion as National Education Day. The University is named after him. Eminent Historian Prof. Rizwan Qaiser, Dept. of History and Culture, Jamia Millia Islamia described Maulana Azad as an idealogue of Hindu-Muslim Unity, who opposed partition of the country tooth and nail.
Delivering the Azad Memorial lecture on the last day of Azad Day Celebrations at MANUU, Prof. Qaiser, compared the genius of Maulana Azad with Aristotle & Plato. Maulana Azad’s footprints on the political, literary & cultural canvas of India are indelible, he remarked. Presenting a vivid picture of Maulana Azad’s ideological & political evolution, the noted scholar declared that the personality of his statute inspires generations. Prof. Rizwan Qaiser’s lecture “Siasat, Taleem aur Saqafat: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad aur Hindustani Qaumiyat ky tameer” (Politics, Education and Culture: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and the Making of the Indian Nation) was well received by the audience with rapt attention.
Speaking about Maulana Azad’s contribution as Education Minister, Prof. Qaiser, reminded that he established the network of Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in 1951. Founded Sahitya Academy, Sangeet Natak Academy & Lalita Kala Academy to provide a common platform to the diverse literary & cultural heritage of India. This, in fact, is a celebration of diversity, Prof. Qaiser quipped.
Maulana Azad also started Indian Council for Cultural Relations, specifically for Middle Eastern & Muslim countries to tell them about the presence of a large number of Muslims in India. Prof. Ayub Khan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, presiding over the lecture, described Maulana Azad as an epitome of humanity & sacrifice. Maulana Azad’s life and political leadership give us the lesson to assimilate with different shades of opinions, he said. Earlier, the program organized by the Centre for Urdu Culture Studies (CUCS) started at 10.30 at the DDE auditorium with the recitation of the Quran by Mr. Atif Imran. Prof. Mohd Zafaruddin, Director, Centre & Chairperson, celebrations committee welcomed &; introduced the guest and also presented a report on Azad Day celebrations 2019.
An audiovisual tribute by Instructional Media Centre was also part of the program.
Prof. Noushad Husain, Incharge Registrar, proposed vote of thanks. Anis Azmi, Chief Consultant, CUCS, conducted the proceedings.
