By Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net,
Sir Syed Ahmed Nagar (Ahiran), Murshidabad: Aligarh Muslim University’s (AMU) campus was officially inaugurated yesterday in Ahiran, rechristened as Sir Syed Ahmed Nagar, in Murshidabad district of West Bengal. Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and VC P K Abdul Azis included dignitaries who featured the opening ceremony.
Addressing the gathering CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharya said: “This is the most memorable day in my life. In West Bengal there are 18 universities, but none in West Bengal. This new AMU campus has been added to the list. I think that in future a full-fledged university campus will be set up.” He also said this Murshidabad campus of AMU will help in spreading education in West Bengal. It will help in upliftment of the Muslim society of Murshidabad. AMU is imparting modern & secular education to 30000 students at 95 departments. He hoped that with the AMU campus in West Bengal backward Murshidabad will come forward.
The CM Bhattacharya recalled: “When I heard about AMU concern to open its campuses around the country, I wrote a letter to the Prime Minister urging him to establish a campus in Murshidabad also. I also contacted Mr Pranab Mukherjee and requested him to help the state for this. He was always with us and for his active support AMU campus has been opened here.”
Beside the CM, at the inaugural ceremony were present renowned personalities including Central Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Minister of State of Central Human Resource Department D Purandeswari, Central Minister Mr Bansal, State Higher Education Minister of West Bengal Prof. Sudarshan Roychowdhury, Member of Rajyasabha Moinul Hasan, MP Mannan Hossain MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, local MLA Moinul Haque and others along with AMU VC P K Abdul Azis and Registrar V K Abdul Jalil.
Earlier, the program began with the recitation of verses from Holy Quran by Maulana Saud Alam Qasmi. This was perhaps the first time in West Bengal when a program started with the recitation of Holy Quran in the presence of CM of West Bengal Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and Union Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
Speaking as Chief Guest Union Finance Minister Mr Pranab Mukherjee said: “AMU campus of Murshidabad would be significant in the North-East. The whole project has already been approved and his department initially sanctioned Rs 50 crores. Union HRD also sanctioned Rs 25 crores.’
“Murshidabad was once the capital of united Bengal, Bihar & Orissa. But now Murshidabad is far behind in education and economic development. AMU may play a role to recover the lost pride of the area,” he added. Mukherjee represents a Lok Sabha constituency in Murshidabad.
He also said that the establishment of AMU campus in Murshidabad was the right of Muslims of this district and that is to be fulfilled now.
Pranab Mukherjee said AMU is exceptional in India where one can study from Nursery to Doctoral degree. It will be helpful to spread education among women in Murshidabad.
He announced that initially form January AMU will start academic session from a rental house whose owner is his friend and businessman Mr Sajahan Biswas.
Vice Chancellor of AMU P K Abdul Aziz said he is proud of AMU campus in Murshidabad with the help of both state & Union Govt. He also expressed gratitude to the local people for their cooperation.
Beside the Ahiran Railway Station 265 acres of land have been earmarked for the campus. Due to AMU campus this area will now on be called Sir Syed Ahmed Nagar.