RIYADH — National Education Day of India, which is celebrated on Nov. 11 every year, was observed with a great zeal by the NRIs in Riyadh. Paying glowing tribute to the ambassador of communal harmony Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Hindustani Bazme Urdu organized a public discourse to mark the National Education Day wherein the historical role of Azad in framing national education policy was highlighted. The event comprising of two sessions saw the first part hosting an inter-school speech competition in English and Urdu languages. In Urdu speech Nuha Fatimia of Modern Middle East Int'l School won the first prize whereas Ayesha Siddique of ISSR secured 2nd position. In English category, Aswin Siva Prasad of Yara Int'l School was declared first and Maria Denny of the same school won 2nd prize. Taqiuddin Mir in his opening remarks said, "Undoubtedly Maulana was a giant in the shadows of other giants. Although he lived in an in an age dominated by Gandhi, Jinnah and Nehru, Azad nonetheless left his own imprint on the history of South Asia." "Maulana Azad was a man of great vision and thought," said A. R. Saleem paying rich tribute to Azad. He also made a comprehensive and informative presentation on life and works of Azad focusing on his illustrious contributions in journalism, politics, literature and other prominent aspects of his life. Mohammad Qaiser of Tanzeem Hum Hindustani said that it is our responsibility to let our younger generation know about the great sacrifices and contributions made by our predecessors during the freedom struggle and thereafter for the nation building. "I never tried to follow the footsteps of another but have always sought out a path for myself and left my footprint for those who come next," he recalled Azad's golden words for the audience. "There is none other than Abul Kalam Azad in the subcontinent history who was par excellence in wisdom, erudition and clarity of thought. His contribution to Indian nationalism and Hindu-Muslim unity in India, and to the idea of universal humanism is remarkable," he added. Guest speaker from Dammam Nayeem Jaweed shed light on the contributions of Azad in formulation of country's far-sighted education policies. "It was his wisdom to universalize the elementary education, emphasize adult education with equal emphasize on female education countrywide ensuring that education is not based on class or caste divides," he said. Mir Ahmed Ali said that Maulana's vision was not limited to the borders of his own country or the confines of his own community. It embraced all of humanity. "He did not believe in unity of Hindus and Muslims but in the brotherhood of man," he said. "The tragedy of mankind is that it not only forgot the universal relationship of its creation but instead established its relationships on the basis of plots of land and divisions of lineage," he quoted Maulana as saying. Hifzur Rahman Azmi, the second secretary at Embassy of IndiaRiyadh, was the chief guest. Azmi fascinated the audience with a number of relevant quotes of Maulana Azad on secularism, education, and political vision etc. He stressed on the need to follow Maulana's legacy and apply his visions and thoughts for the development of the community. The program was conducted by Mir Taqi Mir and vote of thanks was proposed by Secretary of Bazme Urdu Muhammad Shabaz Farooqi. Notably, National Education Day is an annual observance in India to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first education minister of independent India, who served from Aug. 15, 1947 until Feb. 2, 1958.
