By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: Today was 113th birth anniversary of Late Dr. Zakir Husain, former President of India and former Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia. Union Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khursheed and Jamia Millia Vice-Chancellor Najeeb Jung offered floral tribute to the leader and read Fatiha. Khursheed was at the mausoleum inside the university premises since morning with his family members for Fatiha. Dr Hussain was his maternal grand-father.
Apart from dignitaries from various educational institutions, locals, students of schools and madrasas also visited the mausoleum having the graves of Dr Zakir Hussain and his wife Shahjahan Begum. They read from the Quran for the departed soul.
At the occasion, some local girls’ schools took out a rally highlighting the importance of women education.
Dr Zakir Hussain was born on February 8, 1897. He obtained MA from Aligarh Muslim University and PhD in Economics from the University of Berlin, Germany. He rendered his services as Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia for 22 years (1926-48). His was the second longest term as V-C of Jamia. Prof Muhammad Mujeeb served the university in that capacity for 25 years. Dr Zakir Hussain was the third V-C of Jamia. The first one was Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar. Currently Najeeb Jung is the 13th V-C of the university.
Dr Zakir Hussain left Jamia in 1948 to serve Aligarh Muslim University as its Vice Chancellor. Later he became the governor of Bihar, Vice President of India and the President of India.
Dr Zakir Hussain again served Jamia as Chancellor for six years (1963-1969). He was the 4th Chancellor of Jamia. Hakim Ajmal Khan was the first Chancellor. Currently Fakhruddin T. Khorakiwala is the 8th Chancellor.