By TCN News
Aligarh: The Centre for Professional Development of Urdu Teachers (Urdu Academy), Aligarh Muslim University in collaboration with National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), Ministry of Human Resource Development today started a three-day national seminar on ‘Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and his Vision’ at the Strachey Hall. The starting day of the seminar coincides with the day when Lord Lytton, the then Viceroy of India laid the foundation stone of MAO College in 1877.
On the occasion, AMU Vice Chancellor, Professor Tariq Mansoor said the university stands committed to the mission of Sir Syed.
“Let us carry forward the message of Sir Syed and work as a catalyst for the needs of Indian states which are educationally backward,” said Prof Mansoor pointing out that a ‘Sir Syed Endowment Fund’ to carry forward activities under Sir Syed’s Bicentenary Celebrations beyond 2018 has been established.
“The Department of History will organise an international seminar in February, which will have Sir Syed Excellence Award recipient, Prof David Lelyveld as a special guest,” said Prof Mansoor.
While felicitating AMU Pro-Chancellor, Nawab Ibne Saeed Khan of Chhatari and Nawab S M Raza Ali Khan of Pandrawal, the Vice-Chancellor said that the Chhatari and Pandrawal families have contributed immensely in the establishment and development of MAO College which later became Aligarh Muslim University.
Delivering presidential remarks, AMU Pro-Vice Chancellor, Prof Tabassum Shahab said that Sir Syed took ordinary Indians to empowerment through modern education in the post-1857 situation when there were utter dismay and depression.
“Sir Syed introduced several innovative Bills in the Viceroy’s Legislative Council which later became laws administering significant aspects of Indian social life,” said Prof Shahab.
Prof Shan Mohammad in his keynote address said that when Sir Syed was looking for a place to establish the MAO College, the noble families of Chhatari and Pandrawal offered him to consider Aligarh for the educational institution. “The MAO College foundation stone was laid on January 8, 1877, which had contributions from Raja Shambhu Narayan of Banaras,” said Prof Mohammad.
In the inaugural address, Prof Irtiza Karim (Director, NCPUL) said that Sir Syed was an architect of modern India who foresaw the need to acquire proficiency in the English language and perfection in modern sciences for progress. He informed that NCPUL will organise an international seminar on Sir Syed this year during the October 17, Sir Syed Day celebrations in Delhi.
Prof A R Kidwai (Director, UGC-HRDC, AMU) said that Sir Syed in his time worked on interfaith dialogue for communal harmony. “Sir Syed’s works and his movement even have relevance in modern times,” he said.
In the welcome address, Dr. Rahat Abrar (Director, Urdu Academy and Director of the seminar) said that Sir Syed was the biggest opinion maker during his lifetime. “Sir Syed opposed cow slaughter and brought various religious leaders on a common platform to work for progress,” said Dr. Abrar.