By TCN News,
New Delhi: Sir Syed Mission with the aim of bringing Sir Syed contribution to the focus of the people in India held a symposium on 8th February at Constitution Club in New Delhi. The event was planned keeping the occasion of his forthcoming bicentenary as an opportunity to revive and re-strengthen his Mission. Sir Syed’s emphasis on free enquiry, large-hearted tolerance, pure morality, spirit of knowledge and education, harmony and integration were the guiding principles and point of discussions of the Sir Syed Mission Symposium apart from his great contribution towards India as Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
While the rest of India was fighting its freedom struggle with weapons and guns during the mutiny of the nineteenth century, one man believed in fighting the moment from within. Sir Syed was one revolutionist who supported the freedom movement with main focus on reformation in the Indian society. A pioneer of Urdu press and an activist for Muslim rights to education and modernism, the legend has not received his due recognition in the Indian history, yet.
Arif Mohammad Khan, Ex-Union Minister speaking at symposium on Sir Syed while Gajanand Prasad, Railway Board, Prof Jaspal Singh, VC, Punjabi University, Kuldeep Nayar and Bhim Singh of Panthers Party.
While the Aligarh Movement motivated not only Muslims but other communities as well, many an educational institution came into existence being inspired by his thoughts and ideas. This awakened the Indian middle class from their deep slumber and infused social and political awareness among them which later paved the way for many other political and social activities to be revived.
Eminent personalities like Kuldip Nayar, Senior Journalist, Prof. Jaspal Singh, AMU Alumni and Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala, Prof. Bhim Singh, AMU Alumni and Chief Patron, National Panther’s Party, Shri Gajanand Prasad, AMU Alumni and Charmain, ED- Railway Board, Ch. Mateen Ahmed, MLA, Seelampur, Delhi and Shri Arif Mohammad Khan, Author & Former Union Minister spoke on the leader’s achievements and contribution to the society during the nineteenth century, which still guides many a reformation.
Husain Waheed, Secretary, Sir Syed Mission said, “Sir Syed recognized the critical role of education and social reform and started preparing a roadmap for the formation of a University by founding various schools. Aligarh Muslim University, was one of his visions to bridge the gap between the old and the new, the East and the West. At Sir Syed Mission we aim to bring his vision to life and give this reformist its due recognition.”
Kuldip Nayar, Senior Journalist, said “Sir Syed wasn’t just a reformist but also a visionary who taught India the importance of education and the importance of using scientific system to education. Where India was busy fighting for the freedom Sir Syed made sure it had a strong backbone through education and social reforms.”
Arif Mohammad Khan, AMU Alumni, Author and Former Union Minister said, “Sir Syed was a great personality and his great legacy has to be brought forward to the current generation as well. We have to forcefully negate the propaganda by some Pakistani sources which hails him as the pioneer of the ‘Two-Nation Theory’. For this a complete movement has to be started.”
About Sir Syed Mission Symposium:
Sir Syed Mission organized a symposium aimed at spreading the ideas of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, a great reformist and educationist of 19th century. Sir Syed was a strong votary of nationalism, Indian identity and foremost champion of harmony between religion and nature. The Mission is committed to reclaiming the legacy of Sir Syed, attempting to instilling peaceful coexistence amongst the citizens of the country, besides creating awareness about the need of education. The symposium shall endeavour to discover the means and ways to achieve the objectives and devise the roadmap to unify the nation despite much diversity.