By Dr. Syed Ahmed for TwoCircles.net,
Imphal: All Manipur Muslims (Meitei Pangal) Welfare Association (AMPWA), an apex body of the Muslims in Manipur, observed National Education Day on 11th November 2013 to mark the birth anniversary of the great freedom fighter, eminent educationist and visionary Maulana Abul Kalam Azad at Imphal.
The function, held at the Head Office of AMPWA at Babupara, in Imphal, was graced by Chairperson of Manipur State Minorities Commission, A. Halim Choudhury, IAS (Retd.) and Former Member of Manipur Public Service Commission, M.A. Sattar, IAS (Retd.) as Chief Guest and Guest of Hounor respectively. President of AMPWA Professor M.A. Janab Khan presided the function.
M.A.Sattar speaking on the life and works of Maulana Azad.
The function was attended by the members of the Association, Muslim leaders and students.
Assistant Professor of Lilong Haoreibi College, Dr. Syed Ahmed (the author of this report) delivered the key-note address. The role of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad during the freedom struggle, and the contributions he made after Independence as the first Union Education Minister were highlighted in the key-note address. “Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was one of the foremost builders of modern India. He established the education system of modern India. During his tenure as the Education Minister he established many of the leading educational and cultural institutes, namely University Grants Commission, many of the National Academies, like Sahitya Akademy, Sangeet Natak Akademy, Lalit Kala Akademy, Indian Institute of Technology – Kharagpur and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, among others. He was the symbol of secularism. He stood for Hindu-Muslim unity all his life. As an eminent Islamic scholar and philosopher he worked for reforming the socio-religious outlook of the Muslims…. AMPWA observe the day to remember the rich contributions made by the Maulana. Today’s generation should know the contributions he had made during the freedom struggle and after Independence as India’s first Education Minister. We are planning to observe the day in a grand way next year. We will also invite scholars to discuss some of the key issues relating to the education of Muslims in the State,” the key-note address mentioned.
Distributing awards.
M.A. Sattar also spoke at length on the life and works of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
An elocution competition for college students was the main highlight of the function. Many college students took part in the competition. They spoke on the life and contributions of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. Th. Zingo of Dhanmanjuri College of Arts stood first position, while K. Miraj Shah and U Ningthoukhomba of the same college stood second. Konsam Nirmala was placed in the third position. Cash prizes and books were distributed to them.