The dais for the National Education Day celebrations at Gandhi Maidan is modelled on the ruins of Nalanda University. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, Nov. 9: The National Education Day celebrations kick off at Gandhi Maidan from Monday when chief minister Nitish Kumar will inaugurate it.

The government has organised the three-day event to mark the birth anniversary of the country’s first education minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.

A science exhibition, documentary and children movies and a camp of Inspire awardees will be the highlight of the event.

The dais of the event has been designed on the ruins of ancient Nalanda University. State Council of Educational Research and Training director Hasan Waris said: “The replica assumes much importance as the construction of the ancient Nalanda University at Rajgir has gained momentum.” The university plans to start the academic session from July or August next year.

There would be seven pavilions for the event. Around 280 students from various government schools will exhibit their creations on agriculture, energy, environment and its protection and others.

The Inspire awardees would exhibit their models, which include those of the eight awardees who have won gold medals at the national level. Inspire (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) is a programme of Government of India to attract talents towards science.

The chief minister will release a book on the occasion illustrating models by the Inspire awardees. A pavilion will be dedicated to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and present a collection of his books, writing and pictures.

The state education department has decided to award schools on the basis of their performances.

In the wake of the recent serial blasts at Gandhi Maidan, there will be elaborate security arrangements. Police personnel and private security guards will be deputed; CCTV cameras and metal detectors will be installed. The videograpy of the entire event will also be done.

There will be two entries at Gandhi Maidan — one from the State Bank of India end and another from the SK Memorial Hall end.