On the eve of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad anniversary, a portal on him goes missing

For past two days, minority affairs ministry is celebrating 125th birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, lining up various programmes, but without noticing that ministry's portal on Maulana Azad has disappeared. The portal- www.maulanaazadheritage.org- was launched last year to begin 125th birth anniversary, with his rare pictures, videos and information about him as a freedom fighter, Islamic scholar and a journalist. But a click on the site now reads a notice: "This domain name expired on 06-11-2014 and is pending renewal or deletion."

This has happened, notwithstanding the current union minister for minority affairs Najma Haptulla claims herself grand-niece of India's first education minister Maulana Azad.

Over past two days, Minority affairs ministry has lined up several programmes to remember Azad. On Monday Najma Haptulla unveiled the Foundation Stone for launching of activities of Maulana Azad National Skills Academy (MANAS) set up by National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC). She described Azad as a towering figure on the Indian political scene and a scholar rated high in the realms of Urdu Literature. On Tuesday, in presence of three central ministers, she also launched a pilot training program by Maulana Azad National Academy of Skills.