L to R: Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons)

Every year in India, 11th November is celebrated as National Education Day in the memory of countrys first Education Minister ? Maulana Abul Kalam Azad ? The Architect of Independent India’s education system.

Maulana Azad was a leader of the masses or The Caravan leader? said late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

On Azads 64th death anniversary today, here are 15 lesser known facts, the man of the same calibre as Plato, Aristotle and Pythagoras once said by Mahatma Gandhi. 

1. He is popular as an Indian scholar but very few know that he was born in Mecca (Saudi Arabia) in 1888. His family relocated to Calcutta (now Kolkata).

2. Azad’s real name was Abul Kalam Ghulam Muhiyuddin who eventually became known as Maulana Azad.

3. Not only India but also the world had witnessed his genius. One could believe the saying ‘it was in the genes’ as both his parents were great scholars of their time.

4. Most of us ran our bicycles at the age of 12. In the case of Azad, he was running a library and a debating society!

5. Being an avid reader, Azad had command over several national and international languages such as Arabic, Bengali, Hindustani (Hindi), Persian, Urdu and English.

6. Between 1919-1926, he became the leader of ‘Khilafat Movement.’ It was then he came into close contact with Mahatma Gandhi.

7. His passion for journalism led him to establish an Urdu weekly newspaper Al-Hilal. He worked as an editor for many other newspapers, which were published across the country.

8. As a freedom fighter, Azad was even jailed and his newspaper Al-Hilal? was also banned by the Britshers in 1914 under the Press Act as he wrote fearlessly about them.

9. He adopted Azad as his pen name.

10. Maulana Azad was the first Education Minister (MHRD) of Independent India. His contribution in shaping our education system was remarkable. In India more than 20 National Institutes are named after him. He even established institutions such as the Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi.

11. Azad refused to accept Bharat Ratna (India’s highest civilian honour). The same was awarded to him posthumously in 1992.

12. He served as the youngest President of Indian National Congress at the age of 32. Quit India Movement gained momentum under his leadership.

13. He was the man who go gave India its first IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) in 1951 and also set up UGC (University Grants Commission) in 1953. He was one farmer who sowed the seeds of modernisation in India’s education system.

14. Azad was the most prominent Muslim leader to oppose the creation of Pakistan.

15. He died on February 22, 1958.

Azads literature was as wide as an ocean; his life was a legacy and a source of motivation to all Indians. World knows him as a leader, politician, educationist, poet, writer and much more.

India and the world will forever remember him for his service to his people and country.