By Salman Sultan, TwoCircles.net Special Correspondent,
Azamgarh: Shibli National College, Azamgarh, was established by Allama Shibli Nomani as “National School” in the year 1883. It is interesting to note that the School was named “National” two years prior to the establishment of Indian National Congress. Allama, the great scholar and visionary, had the foresight to introduce English and Sanskrit (Bhasha) in Darul-Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow, which was actually his brainchild. When the teacher insisted on teaching at least five students and there were only four students, Allama Shibli offered himself as the fifth student.
The School established more than a century ago has come a long way to be regarded as the premier Muslim Minority institution in the northern part of our country. It now offers graduate as well as postgraduate courses in Science and Arts discipline. Professional courses in Education and Law were started in late 1950s and the College has been catering to the needs of this region as far as teachers and lawyers are concerned. The Education Department of this College acted as feeder to Urdu medium institutes of Maharashtra. Shibli National College has a congenial atmosphere where students are encouraged to learn and talent is the criterion for recognition. Though a Muslim Minority institution, this College is preferred by non-Muslims especially by parents of girl students. A non-Muslim alumni of the College studying in Banaras Hindu University remembered the College as an “Oasis” and was highly appreciative of Department of Military Science (now know as “Department of Defense and Strategic Studies”) and the Head of Department, Captain Ashfaque Ahmad Khan.
Being a minority institution, Shibli National College, Azamgarh, has reserved seats for Muslims but percentage wise non-Muslim students exceed Muslim students especially in Science discipline. A glimpse of majority presence among non-teaching and teaching faculty of the College is being given:
Non-teaching Staff
Rajendra Maurya and Roop Chand were efficient gatekeepers but Rajendra Maurya recently expired and his son has taken his place. Roop Chand left for employment to some other place. Dinesh, Manoj, Kamlesh, Gama and others from their community are caretakers for different departments of the College. Dinesh and Kamlesh were appointed in place of their fathers. The College has a well-maintained landscape with flowerbeds and lawns. Manicured lawns, trimmed shrubs and assorted flowers are due to gardeners shown in the photograph:
Gardeners (L-R): Prahlad Yadav, Ram Bachan Ram, Surinder Kumar Maurya, Kailash Maurya, Shyam Narain Singh
Apart from these fourth class employees, there are quite a few amongst clerks and Lab boys.
Teaching Staff
Dr. Binod Kumar Singh, a native of Sasaram (Bihar), is working as Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy. He is a B.A., M.A. and obtained Ph.D. from Banaras Hindu University. His colleague Dr. Govind Narain is M.A., M.Phil. (Kashi Vidya Peeth, Varanasi) and Ph.D. (Banaras Hindu University). Dr. Binod mentioned increasing intake of students in M.A., Philosophy while the strength in B.A. has almost gone up ten times thus emphasizing renewed interest of students in Philosophy as a subject. Dr. Binod is satisfied with the functioning of the Department but wishes to have a good Departmental Library and classrooms adjacent to the Department. As far as social life of Dr. Binod Singh is concerned, earlier he felt lonely away from home but now spends his off hours with neighbouring College colleagues.
Dr. Binod Kumar Singh, Lecturer Department of Philosophy
Mr. Shailendra Yadav is a part time Lecturer in Department of Chemistry. He is also doing research for the award of Ph.D. and is quite cheerful and active in Departmental activities.
Mr. Shailendra Yadav, Department of Chemistry
Mr. Rahi Prasad Maurya was a student in the Computer Department and has been absorbed in the Department to work as Instructor. He is an energetic young man who is constantly encouraged and guided by Department Head to author a book on courses taught in the Computer Department.
Mr. Rahi Prasad Maurya, Computer Department
Dr. Ramji Srivastava is the Head, Department of Psychology as well as the Chief Proctor. He joined the College as Lecturer in August 1972. He is M.A. (1968, Gorakhpur University) and Ph.D. (1972, Gorakhpur University). Dr. Srivastava was assigned the duty of Chief Proctor, an important administrative responsibility, in the year 1984 when his mentor Qazi Ghaus Alam, former Head Psychology Department became the Principal of the College. Dr. Srivastava edits a biannual journal “Perspectives in Psychological Researches” which was started in the year 1978 under the able guidance of the then Head of Department, Qazi Ghaus Alam. Dr. Srivastava is active academically and has published over a century of research articles in national journals. Nine research projects (UGC, ICSSR funded) has been completed in his supervision and he has guided 40 research scholars.
Dr. Ramji Srivastava, Head Department of Psychology
Dr. Ramji Srivastava has also authored 12 books. In the beginning Dr. Srivastava felt isolated because of religious differences and had not a social life even outside the campus but slowly developed interest in academic activities and the College campus became so endeared that he even refused a lucrative offer of D.A.V. Degree College, Azamgarh City. Dr. Srivastava had no problem in releasing of grants from College administration and faced no hindrance in his work. As a matter of fact he found the College administration cooperative and sympathetic to his departmental needs. Dr. Srivastava suggested modern Computer/Internet facilities as well as a good Library. He also wished holding Seminars to improve academic environment of this illustrious College.