TCN NewsDesk
New Delhi : Hakim Ajmal Khan was such a unique ambassador of unity in diversity and communal harmony that nobody doubted his character, credibility or intention and that’s why he presided the sessions of Muslim League and Hindu Mahasabha, said Dr Najma Heptulla, Hon’ble Union Minister of Minority Affairs.
She was inaugurating a two-day national seminar on ‘Hakim Ajmal Khan’s Multidimensional Personality and Enduring Contributions’ organised by Hakim Ajmal Khan Institute for Literary and Historical Research in Unani Medicine of the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine Janakpuri, Delhi, in collaboration with Jamia Millia Islamia.
She further said that Hakim Ajmal Khan left behind a legacy of developing and promoting our indigenous knowledge and science and we need to extend that legacy. “It would be a great tribute to Hakim Sahib if we update our indigenous medicine system according to the current needs and take his Tibbi mission forward by conducting scientific and need-based research,” she said. She also advocated for inclusion of Hikmat in school curriculum.
Professor Talat Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia said that Hakim Ajmal Khan was a multifaceted personality and a versatile genius who played pivotal role in the establishment and development of Jamia Millia Islamia and other academic institutions. He emphasised that Jamia and CCRUM should jointly initiate research in such areas where the two institutions could establish themselves as leaders.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. G.N. Qazi, Vice-Chancellor, Jamia Hamdard said that Hakim Ajmal Khan has been one of the pioneers of Unani Medicine. He laid a great path for modern scientists to look into the chemical constituents of various herbs used in traditions medicine in India. He was not only a Hakim and a freedom fighter, but also a great institution builder and it was Hakim Abdul Hameed who accomplished many of his works that he could not complete in his life.
In his keynote address, Professor Altaf Ahmad Azmi mentioned that besides being a great healer, Hakim Ajmal Khan was a renowned scholar of Arabic and Persian literature and a prolific writer. He made immense contribution to educational advancement of the Indian Muslims and upliftment of Unani Medicine.
The dignitaries also released souvenirs & Book of Abstract of the seminar and a special issue of CCRUM’s scientific Urdu journal Jahan-e-Tib on Hakim Mazhar Subhan Usmai, along with three other publications. A special book entitled ‘Nishan-i Ajmal’ by Dr Mohammad Fazil and Dr Fakhre Alam was also released on the occasion.
Recognising their contributions to the causes of Unani Medicine, the CCRUM also conferred posthumous lifetime achievement awards on Hakim Mazhar Subhan Usmani and Professor Isthiyaq Ahmad. The lifetime achievement Award was also conferred on Professor Abdul Jabbar Khan whereas Hakim Khurshid Ahmad Shafqat Azmi, Hakim Wasim Ahmad Azmi and Doctor Shariq Ali Khan were felicitated with appreciation awards.
Dr. Mohammad Fazil, organising secretary of the seminar, extended a vote of thanks to the dignitaries and participants.
During the two-day deliberations, over 50 papers would be presented on different aspects of multidimensional personality of Hakim Ajmal Khan.