By TCN News,
Aligarh: The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) celebrated the 66th Republic Day showcasing a splendid display of NCC Parade; the unfurling of the tricolour by Lt Ganeral Zameeruddin Shah, the Vice Chancellor, and playing of the national anthem.
As the parade marched, a large number of spectators including University’s academics, students and non-teaching staff gathered to join in the celebrations on January 26.
AMU VC and PVC taking guard of honour on Republic Day
Shah said the University is in full motion and we have achieved a lot in the development of the University. Highlighting the role of its alumni worldwide in the growth of its alma mater, Shah said that US-based Moosa Dakri has donated Rs 60 lakh for the establishment of a new museum.
The Vice Chancellor added that Professor Asad Ahmad’s widow has written a letter for providing Rs one crore to the establishment of new labs in the Botany Department in memory of her late husband.
Another US-based AMU alumnus Frank Islam assured to donate Rs 12 crore to the School of Management. Afshan Hashmi donated a gold necklace to the University and it is available on the University’s website for bidding, a release from AMU PRO said.
Referring to a news item published in local Hindi dailies, Shah clarified that the Lok Sabha has every right to elect members for AMU Court and that the University cannot oppose it. “There has been opposition against these members (MPs) by members of AMU Teachers Association (AMUTA) and AMU students Union. They should not use derogatory language, which is against AMU tehzeeb,” he said but stressed that freedom of speech cannot be contained in an educational institution.
General Shah further said: “We respect these members elected by the Lok Sabha and opposition against them would dissipate if they did good work for AMU.”
Professor Razaullah Khan
Kulsoom Salahuddin, student of BSc (Geography) and Ali Raza, BSc (Biochemistry) also addressed the Republic Day function. Dr Asfan Ali Khan conducted the programme, the release from Dr Rahat Abrar added.
In another function, the students and the staff of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the AMU also celebrated the Republic Day with traditional gaiety and joy. The national flag was hoisted by Professor NAK Durrani, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences and the national anthem was recited with enthusiasm by one and all, another release said.
Professor Durrani exhorted people to meaningfully contribute to uphold the golden ideals enshrined in Indian constitution and relentlessly work for the emergence of a strong, free and secular India. He said the Republic Day is a golden day for every Indian citizen, as on this day the common men and women of India became really free. The Constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1950, thereby bringing into vogue true democracy, equality and freedom for all and consigning to posterity inhuman, feudalistic, dictatorial system that prevailed in India since time immemorial.
Professor Ghazala Paveen, Provost, Abdullah Hall, unfurled the national flag along with her team of wardens. Senior Hall, Shafia Khan urged the students to focus on their studies and contribute meaningfully to nation’s prosperity.
The girl students of the Hall organized a Prabhat Pheri and paid homage to the nation through patriotic songs. Senior Secondary School (Girls) Principal Naghma Irfan was also present on the occasion, the release said.
Apart from the educational institutions, socio-cultural organisations too held Republic Day functions. Flag hoisting ceremony was held at Jamia Urdu Aligarh wherein the speakers stressed upon to protect the spirit of the constitution for maintaining communal harmony.
Elaborating on the discussions in the Constituent assembly on various issues, AMU Court member Professor Razaullah Khan said the Constitution was drafted with a view to develop religious tolerance and communal harmony and the government should function under that spirit alone, a release from Jamia Urdu Aligarh said.
Professor Humayun Murad said that Presidential Order on the Article 341 of the Constitution contradicts another Constitutional provision of equal opportunities to people of all faiths and so that Order must be withdrawn immediately.
NCC Cadets taking out a parade on Republic Day
Farhat Ali Khan, OSD of Jamia Urdu Aligarh, said Mahatma Gandhi had carried on our freedom struggle in a non-violent way but presently some political groups and individuals are indulging in dividing the society on the religious grounds. He said that the Constitutional secularism must be translated on ground level into reality.
Director of Jamia Urdu Dr Jasim Mohammad said India is a multi-lingual country and the government should develop all recognised languages including Urdu equally.
Earlier, the teachers of Jamia Oxford Public School hoisted the national flag and sang national anthem. The students of school also presented colourful cultural programmes, the release added.