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Hyderabad, November 11 (IANS) Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday paid tribute to eminent freedom fighter and India’s first Education Minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on his birth anniversary. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy praised Maulana Abul Kalam Azad for laying a strong foundation for the country’s education sector as the first Education Minister. On the occasion of Abul Kalam Azad’s birth anniversary, which is also observed as National Education Day and Minority Welfare Day, the Chief Minister recalled the leader’s contribution to the development of the education sector by initiating various policies such as adult literacy, universal primary education, compulsory free education for all children below 14 years of age, vocational training, establishment of the University Grants Commission and chairmanship of the Central Education Advisory Board. CM Revanth Reddy said that the state government took inspiration from the first education minister of India and brought revolutionary changes in the education sector. According to the Chief Minister, Young India Integrated Residential Schools are being built in each constituency to provide free quality education at international level to the poor. He also mentioned that the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIS) have also been upgraded to Advanced Technology Centers (ATCs) with state-of-the-art technology. The government established the Young India Skill University and appointed teachers and lecturers. The Chief Minister also appreciated the invaluable services of Maulana Azad as President of the All India Congress Committee during the freedom struggle. Recalling Maulana Azad’s active participation in the Khilafat movement and the fight against British imperialism, the CM said that the freedom fighter opposed the partition of the country and stressed on Hindu-Muslim unity in the national movement. After India got independence, Azad was the voice of the minorities, hence his birth anniversary is being celebrated as Minority Welfare Day. Saying that the welfare of minorities has been given top priority in the people’s government, the CM said the government has started new schemes – Indiramma Minority Mahila Scheme and Revanthanna Sahara – by allocating adequate funds. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu paid heartfelt tribute to Maulana Azad. He said that Maulana Azad laid the foundation of the country’s education system with reforms and served as the first Education Minister of India. CM Naidu recalled the contribution of Maulana Azad in the development of education, science and technology sectors. He wished the people on National Education Day and Minority Welfare Day. Human Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Nara Lokesh said in his message that Maulana Azad made special efforts for the development of education in the country through new reforms. He said that the services rendered by him in the field of education are invaluable. –IANS MS/SVN