By Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net,
Kolkata: The contribution and sacrifice of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to the nation will always be remembered, said Governor of West Bengal M K Narayanan in a programme on `A tribute to Maulana Azad on his 125th Birth Anniversary’ on 8th January, 2014 at Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata.
He added that his depth of Islamic knowledge, patriotism and initiatives for education made him one of the paramount nation-makers.
Aamir Khan and M K Narayanan in a programme on `A tribute to Maulana Azad on his 125th Birth Anniversary’ in Kolkata.
Photos: Sandip Saha
This programme also marked the beginning of six days long Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival, 2014, jointly organised by Victoria Memorial Hall, Apeejay Kolkata Festival and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies.
M K Naryanan added that the policies of Maulana Azad maybe very useful in educating the masses, particularly the women.
He said that he had the fortune of meeting India’s first education Minister and was really impressed by his outlook and personality.
AKLF, running till Jan 13, will celebrate the secular views of Azad to coincide with his 125th birth anniversary.
Film actor Aamir Khan, great grandnephew of the Islamic scholar and nationalist, spoke on `Maulana Azad: His belief in secularism and his foresight’. He said that it is his dream to make a film on Maulana Azad.
“I hope that someday I can use my capabilities, and through the art form that I practise, to make a film on Maulana Azad. It’s a dream to bring his life to a larger populace of India,” he said.
Dr. Syeda Hamid, Aamir Khan and WB Governor M K Narayanan releasing the book ‘Maulana Azad, Islam and the Indian National Movement’ written by Dr. Syeda.
Dr. Syeda Saiyidain Hamid’s new book Maulana Azad, Islam and the Indian National Movement, was also released on the occasion. She said on the occasion that if we spread the vision of Maulana Azad properly then the propaganda of terrorism surrounding Islam can be shunned easily.
Chairman of the Executive Council of the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies Sitaram Sharma welcomed the Bolywod Actor’s idea of making film on Azad and extended all kinds of support and assistance.
Wife of Governor of West Bengal Ladmini Narayanan, Former Member of Parliament Krishna Bose, Bharati Ghosh, Artist Shubhaprasanna, Sherin Paul and many others distinguished personalities were also present in this programme.