Chief Minister K Rosaiah on Thursday lauded the services of freedom fighter Maulana Abul Kalam Azad by paying rich floral tributes on his 122nd birth anniversary at Gandhi Bhavan, and said that the birth anniversary of the great leader would be observed as Minority Welfare Day from next year onwards.
Talking to media persons, the Chief Minister recalled the services of the country's first education minister Abul Kalam Azad to the nation, and praised his foresight in implementing educational reforms with modern outlook.
The government observes the Maulana's birthday as National Education Day across the country.
Rosaiah also praised the freedom fighter's courage when the nation was facing difficult times during freedom struggle.
The CM called upon party workers to follow Abul Kalam's footsteps in taking forward his educational reforms.
The Chief Minister assured that his government would make efforts for the development of Urdu language, and implementation of reservation for Muslims and minority community sections.
Rosaiah said that the government would celebrate Kalam Jayanthi as 'Minorities Welfare Day' from next year officially across the state.
On the occasion, the chief minister felicitated prominent Urdu journalists in the city. He presented awards to Anees-ur-Rahman Khan (ETV Urdu), Nayeem Wajahat (Siasat Urdu Daily), and senior journalist Ayub Ali Khan.
Recalling the services of Maulana Abul Kalam, Primary Education Minister D Manikya Vara Prasad said that the freedom fighter played crucial role when the nation was facing communal disharmony during the fight for freedom.