 Hello. I welcome you all on the occasion of National Education Day 2023. I am Dr. Rashmi Singh, Assistant Professor, Department of Education, SS Khanna Girls to be College, University of Allahabad. So what is the history of National Education Day? National Education Day is annually celebrated in India on 11th of November to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad who was the first Education Minister of the Republic of India and served from the long duration of 15th August 1947 to 2nd of February 1958. Bihar in fact became the first state in the country to initiate a move to celebrate Education Day in his memory in 2007. Later on 11th September 2008, the Ministry of Human Resource Development, MHRD, announced to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad for his great contribution to the education system of India. This day reminds the youth, our students, about the contributions of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad in the development of India's education system and the poor literacy rate. So what are the contributions of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad so that we have celebrated the National Education Day on his memory? So Azad was among the core founders of Jami Amilya, Islamia in Delhi and contributed to the foundation of Indian Institute of Technology Campuses, IITs across the country. He also paved the way for India's highest education regulator which we are known as UGC, the University Grants Commission. It was said that it was Azad's efforts made India realize the importance of education and why it is every citizen's basic right. As the first Indian Education Minister, Azad's main focus was on the imposed independence India was educating the rural poor and girls. Other key areas very focused were adult literacy, free and compulsory education for all children up to the age of 14, universal primary education and diversification of secondary education and vocational training. As a result, Azad is often regarded as the India's primary architect of education. So what is the theme of this year, 2023? The theme of National Education Day was every year set up by MHRD, Ministry of Human Resource Development. This MHRD every year releases a unique theme for this day where educators are encouraged to teach moral messages to their students. The National Education Day 2023 theme is education provided from the heart may revolutionize society. Means if we provide education from heart to our students that it must make change in society. It can revolutionize society. This is the theme of the present year that is 2023. Some previous year themes were on 2022 the theme was changing course transforming education. When in 2021 we are suffering from COVID then the theme was recover and revitalize education for the COVID 19 generation. In 2020 the theme was stresses the core values and principles that education must develop not only cognitive skills. So these are some themes which the previous year National Education Day we have celebrated and the present year theme is education provided from the heart may revolutionize society. What is the significance of this day? This day reminds us about the fundamental right to education for all citizens irrespective of their socioeconomic background. It was said that it was Azad's efforts made India realize the importance of education and why it is every citizen's basic right. This day is dedicated to honoring its foundational contributions to India's educational system and to assess and enhance the country's current educational performance. It serves as an opportunity to address the challenges related to illiteracy and promote initiatives for enhancing literacy rates across the country. This day encourages the development of educational infrastructure, policies and practices that foster inclusive and equitable education. It aims to inspire the creation of an enabling environment that promotes life-round learning and skill development. It is also a source of inspiration for our students, motivating them to recognize the transformative power of education and encouraging them to actively participate in the pursuit of knowledge and learning. In this way, we can say that yes, this day is highly significant in the educational field. So this is a picture representation of significance of National Education Day. First of all, honoring Maulana Bulkala Amazad's legacy, advocating universal access to education, promoting a knowledge-based society, empowering individuals for a brighter future, preserving cultural heritage and national identity, lifelong learning in India, addressing educational challenges in India and aligning with global educational goals. We all have known about this fact that sustainable development goals in which SDG4 is directly related to the quality education and all. So these are some significance of National Education Day. So how we celebrate this? On November 11, the entire nation celebrates National Education Day like a festival. Students in all schools, colleges and universities prepare special performances and activities to give their view to Maulana Bulkala Amazad. This commendable contribution to the education sector. MHRE has urged that the educational institutions at all levels would be involved in the celebration of the National Education Day in organizing seminars, symposia, essay writing, vocution, competitions, workshops and rallies, banners, cards and slogans on the importance of education and the nation's commitment to all aspects of education. So in this way, we can say that in the memory of our first education Prime Minister, Maulana Bulkala Amazad and remember his contributions through the India's educational sector, the MHRE has urged all the educational institutions to celebrate the day 11th of November in his memory and motivate students to recall, regain about the importance of education and become a participating agent in the pursuit of education and learning. So this is all about the National Education Day and you must know now that the theme of this year is Education from Heart May Revolutionize Society. What a brilliant theme it is. So thank you all. Thank you. Once again, Happy National Education Day.