By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net
New Delhi: Vice President of India Muhammad Hamid Ansari today released “Saiyid Hamid – Muslim Face of India” a book covering various aspects of the life of renowned educationist and Chancellor of Hamdard University Saiyid Hamid at India Islamic Cultural Centre in New Delhi.
There are many in the Muslim community who could be described as guftar ka ghazi (it means: one who believes in talks and speeches) but he is kirdar ka ghazi (a man who believes in action), said VP Hamid Ansari referring to octogenarian educationist Saiyid Hamid who was described as second Sir Syed by speaker after speaker. His contributions to educational uplift of the community can be classified in three categories: in institutions of higher learning (AMU and Hamdard), in schools like Hamdard Public School and in educational awareness like the historic Taleemi Caravan, Hamid Ansari said.
(L-R): P A Inamdar, Justice A M Ahmadi, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Saiyid Hamid and Mushtaque Madni [TCN Photo]
Commenting on the title of the book in which Saiyid Hamid is described as Muslim face of India, the Vice President said: Saiyid Hamid is an important aspect of the face of India. Whatever he did for the community ultimately helped the entire society. Muslims are an important part of the society and the polity.
Former Chief Justice of India Justice A M Ahmadi said few people gave so much empowerment to the Muslim community through scientific instrument of education as Saiyid Hamid did in the post-Independence era. “He is soft spoken but firm in convictions and amenable to persuasions,” said Ahmadi. The compared him with Sir Syed in how the two worked in very difficult situation for the education of the community.
Starting the program, publisher of the book P A Inamdar said the main idea behind the book is to thank on behalf of the community the man who helped change psyche of the community post-Independence. He said he is the Sir Syed of Independent India.
Speaking on the occasion, Saiyid Hamid offered thanks to the contributors of articles in the book but said: “I have no passion for publicity. I have nothing to be publicized.”
Both Justice Ahmadi and Hamid Ansari took autograph of Saiyid Hamid on their copy of the book.