By Rahat Abrar,
Addressing a meeting at Aligarh Muslim University on the occasion of Republic Day Celebrations which was held to felicitate students and staff who have brought laurels to AMU, Mr. E. Ahmed, Minister of State for External Affairs said that no nation can aspire to greatness if large section of its population is excluded from benefits of national achievement and progress.
He added that the challenge before the nation is to ensure that the fruits of development are shared in equal measure by all communities, particularly those excluded and deprived.
Expressing his deep concern over people relating terrorism to Islam he said that it was quite unfortunate and unjust that some people wanted to link terrorism with the Muslim community and thereby make it suspected.
Mr. Ahmed also paid tribute to Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, founder of AMU, and said that Syed was a champion of communal amity and religious harmony and that his memorable words describing India as a beautiful bride and Hindus and Muslims as the two beautiful eyes of hers, will always be remembered.
He maintained that AMU from its inception played very significant role in nation building by its great contribution in the fields of education, culture and art. He also accepted that the contribution of the university in India’s freedom struggle is invaluable.
While welcoming the decision of Academic Council and the University authorities to open five special Centers of AMU Mr. Ahmed hoped that this will replicate the AMU model and would be the richest tribute the nation can pay to Sir Syed Ahmad Khan for the outstanding services he has rendered for spreading education among Indians.
In his presidential address, AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof. P.K. Abdul Aziz said that AMU is celebrating Republic Day as a mark of recognizing the talent of students and teachers for their outstanding contribution in their respective field.
He said that we are felicitating one student who had remarkable achievement of 100% attendance in classroom and hoped that next year more and more students will fall under this category.
He said that 2008 was declared as academic rejuvenation and this year our target is to provide better environment for pursuit of excellence.
On this occasion Prof. Iqtidarul Hasan Zaidi, Dean, Faculty of Unani Medicine, Prof. Ahtisham A. Nizami, Dean Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Dr. P.V. Jagan Mohan, Commissioner, Aligarh Division, Mr. Zameerullah Khan, MLA also addressed the University community.
University Registrar Prof. V.K. Abdul Jaleel welcomed the dignitaries and Prof. Abu Qamar Siddiqui, Dean Students’ Welfare proposed a vote of thank.
About eighty eminent teachers, research scholars and students were presented with mementoes in recognition of their outstanding contribution to academic, corporate and co-curricular life of the University community during 2008.
Mr. Shahpar Nazeer Khan, Research Scholar was given certificate of honour as most active research scholar for his outstanding contributions towards research activities while Dr. Owais Muhammad, Lecturer, Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit was awarded the ‘Most Active Teacher’. Prof. S. Alim Husain Naqvi was felicitated for securing the largest grant for Nanotechnology.
Prof. Jamal Ahmad, Director, Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology was honored for his selection as a fellow of prestigious Royal College of Physicians (FRCP), London.
Dr. Masarrat Ali Khan, President of Federation of Aligarh Alumni Associations (USA) and Mr. Hasan Kamal were also felicitated for their significant contribution to their alma mater.