By TCN News,
Aligarh: “Gandhi Ji sacrificed his life for the Hindu-Muslim unity in the country and worked all his life for the strengthening of a pluralistic society”, said Brig. (Retd.) S. Ahmad Ali, officiating Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University while delivering presidential address at the Commemorative Meeting held to celebrate the birth anniversary of father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi. The meeting was held at the Convention Hall of Maulana Azad Library.
An exhibition of books, photographs and letters of Gandhi Ji written to AMU students, was also organized by the Maulana Azad Library, which was inaugurated by Brig. Ahmad Ali. The exhibition will remain open for public viewing till October 4, 2013.
AMU Acting VC Brigadier S. Ahmad Ali administring Oath of Allegiance to the constitution of India
Paying rich tributes to the great leader, Brig. Ali said that Mahatma lead a very simple life and was always available for the service of the people with full dedication. Country’s freedom became the only motive of his life, however, his message of Ahimsa and tolerance still bears the relevance and has become a need of the hour.
Brig. Ali said that Gandhi Ji’s sons also made sacrifices for the country but their services are not popularly known to the people.
Addressing on the occasion, Prof. Qazi Afzal Husain, former Dean, Faculty of Arts, said that Gandhi Ji stressed on the making the education a medium to transform people into good human beings and constituted a committee for elementary education under the leader of Dr. Zakir Husain. He said that education has lost its purpose in modern times and has become a commodity used for commercial purposes.
AMU Acting VC Brigadier Ali inspecting the Book Exhibition
Prof. M. Shabbir, Chairman, Department of Law said that Mahatma Gandhi was a great Saint and he worked for the Swaraj, Swadeshi and Sarvodaya in India. He was against the British education system and wanted an indigenous system in people’s own mother tongue that would make the people self-reliant and ethically sound.
Students of BA (Final), Amin Ahmad and Amna Zaidi also delivered speeches highlighting the importance and relevance of ideals of Gandhi Ji like Ahimsa, truth, women’s emancipation and empowerment.
Dean, Students’ Welfare, Prof. Anis Ismail proposed a vote of thanks and remembered Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri who was also born on this day. Dr. Preeti Saeed conducted the programme.
AMU Acting Vice Chancellor Brigadier S. Ahmad Ali along with other AMU Official at the Gandhi Jayanti Celebration
AMU Registrar, Group Captain (Retd.) Shahrukh Shamshad was also present on the occasion. Brig. Ali administered an oath for the unity and integrity of the country and allegiance to the Constitution of India.