India celebrates National Education Day 2020

India is observing the National Education Day 2020 today.

Every year since 2008, November 11 is celebrated as education day to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.

Azad was independent India's first education minister.

Azad, a freedom fighter, served India in the capacity of minister of education from 1947 to 1958. He is known for making several significant contributions in the field of education.

India's HRD ministry had institutionalised this practice starting 2008 after it decided to honour the famous reformer's contribution to nation building.

Although the day is celebrated nationwide, there is no holiday to mark the occasion.

The day is usually observed by schools with various functions and programmes, but this year the celebrations are muted because of the pandemic.