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Aligarh: The 194th birth
anniversary of the founder of the Aligarh Muslim University, Sir
Syed Ahmad Khan was observed with traditional gaiety and fervor at
AMU. The highly indebted nation paid rich tributes to the one of
the most-towering personalities of the 19th century India and to
mark the occasion, all the residential halls at AMU were decorated
with colourful light and convivial dinners were organized at the
halls graced by eminent personalities as chief guests from India
and abroad.
Addressing an impressive commemorative meeting at the University
Athletics Ground, AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis said
that the University is making all efforts to scale new heights in
research and academics to fulfill the dreams of great visionary,
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. He said that the very ideals of secularism,
universal brotherhood and scientific approach vigorously pursued
by Sir Syed are the cardinal principles of the University.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Azis said that the University,
expanding its wings, has established two centres at Murshidabad of
West Bengal and Malappuram of Kerala and a new light of knowledge
has been lit that will wipe out the miasma of ignorance in these
educationally backward areas. He said that efforts are on to open
new centres in Bihar and Maharashtra in order to provide
opportunities to the deprived and marginalized sections of the
society in remote areas to help them catch up with the lost
avenues. He said that this expansion is a turning point for the
University.
Prof. Azis said that to cope with the challenges of information
technology in the new age, the University has laid down a web of
computer and internet facilities in all the departments of studies
and residential halls and a hub of computer facilities has been
installed in the Women’s College. He said that the process of
installation of WiMax has been completed and soon the students,
teachers and other staff will be able to use the WiMax facility
for high speed internet connectivity.
Prof. Azis said that no moment has saddened him more in the last
four years than today’s event when the birth anniversary of Sir
Syed is being celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout the
world, it is opposed in the University. The gate of his residence
has been blocked to restrict him from participating in the
commemorative meeting and he was compelled to get out of his
residence from backdoor. A bunch of self-seekers is determined to
cause incalculable loss to the University and this is highly
regrettable, he added.
Vice Chancellor, Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis thanked the students,
faculty members and the general public who gathered in thousands
at the Athletics Ground to participate in the Sir Syed Day
commemorative function waiting patiently with extreme discipline
for more than three hours.
He expressed his unhappiness and condemned the obstacles created
by a group of teachers and suspended students by blocking the
roads and the Vice Chancellor’s lodge forcefully. He however said
that the public meeting is a reflection of respect and regard the
University has for its founder.
AMU Vice Chancellor expressed unhappiness on the non-cooperative
attitude of the district police administration towards the
Proctor’s team despite several request made for crowd management
and traffic control for the smooth passage of Mr. Salman Khursheed
to attend the function as chief guest. He said that showing black
flags or ‘Not Welcome’ banners to the chief guest is against the
great traditions of AMU. The University considers Mr. Salman
Khursheed as the ‘Most Welcome’ guest and honours his association
with it as his birthplace, which would remain an important
emotional bookmark in the story of Mr. Salman Khursheed’s life.
The Vice Chancellor appealed to AMU community to forget minor
differences and work for the development of the University and the
community.
In his welcome address, Prof. V. K. Abdul Jaleel, Registrar said
that AMU is celebrating the 194th birth anniversary of Sir Syed
Ahmad Khan, the founder of this historic institution and the torch
bearer of Aligarh Movement. He was not only the first Renaissance
Indian Muslim of the 19th century, but was also the architect of
modern India.
He said that Sir Syed explored the possibility of modernity for
the Muslims and cultivated a modern approach towards ever changing
social realities. His vision and mission is highly relevant today
in the Indian context.
Prof. Qazi Afzal Husain, Dean, Faculty of Arts made it clear that
Sir Syed movement was certainly more than a reformative campaign
as Sir Syed propounded a new world view that would eventually
empower the Muslims. For him education was the bedrock of ultimate
progress. “No reformist of 19th and 20th century could vie with
him as he was not mere a founder of an educational institution but
was instrumental in shaping the future of new generations. He
urged students to live up to the demands of the contemporary world
and only then they could be described as the true heir of Sir
Syed’s legacy.
Prof. Ali Mohammad Naqvi, Dean, Faculty of Theology highlighted
the awe-inspiring attributes of Sir Syed’s personality and said
scientific approach, deep rooted human concern, freedom of
expression and concern for national duties summed up his
personality.
On the occasion, two students expressed their views and termed the
University as the fortress of the great Indian culture.
Prof. Ainul Haq Khan, Dean, Students’ Welfare, proposed vote of
thanks and Dr. Shakeel Samdai conducted the programme.
Earlier, a Quran Khwani (Quran reading) was organized at the
University mosque after Fajr Namaz. AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof. P.
K. Abdul Azis, Registrar, Prof. V. K. Abdul Jaleel and other
staff, teachers, students and retired employees participated in
the Quran Khwani in a large number. After Quran Khwani, a floral
tribute was also paid at the grave of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.
Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis also inaugurated a three-day exhibition of
books and photographs on Sir Syed at the Sir Syed House at 8 am
where he spent an important part of his life during 1876-1898. The
exhibition was organized jointly by the Maulana Azad Library and
Sir Syed Academy. P
Prof. Shan Mohammad, Director, Sir Syed Academy and Prof. Shabahat
Husain, Library Incharge, Maulana Azad Library welcomed the guests
at Sir Syed House. A large number of visitors came to see the
exhibition on Sir Syed.
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