ALIGARH, April 13: *Professor P.K. Abdul Azis, Vice Chancellor of the
Aligarh Muslim University exhorted Indians to re-launch the Aligarh Movement
initiated by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the pioneer of Modern Education in India,
who founded the Mohammadan Anglo Oriental College in 1877 to attain 100%
literary and enrollment in schools, creating an educational revolution in
India.
H.E Ali Al Bemani, H.E. Anil Wadhwa & Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis:: Photograph curtsey Janab Pushkin Agha Sb.
Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis:: Photograph curtsey Janab Pushkin Agha Sb.
H.E. Anil Wadhwa to Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis:: Photograph curtsey Janab Pushkin Agha Sb.
He was addressing an impressive gathering consisting of eminent Oman
citizens, leading NRIs including a large number of AMU Alumni working in the
Sultanate of Oman. The function was arranged in the Indian Embassy
Auditorium. Professor Azis was in Oman at the invitation of the AMU Alumni
Associaiton of Oman. Mr. Anil Wadhwa, the Indian Ambassador was the Chief
Guest. Dr. Ali bin Saud Al-Bimani, Vice Chancellor, Sultan Qaboos
University, Mr. P. Mohammadali (Galfar…), Mr. Ameer Ahmed, President of the
Alumni Association of Oman were present on the occasion.
In his Sir Syed Memorial Lecture entitled "Educational Challenges in India",
Professor Azis told the audience that despite impressive growth and
expansion attained by India, in the area of education, the given enrollment
ratio was lower that the national average of 11% in the states like –
Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Rajasthan,
Sikkin, Tripura and Jharkhand. Of the total 373 educationally backward
districts, 3% had GER of less than 3%, 21% had GER between 3 and 6, 38% had
GER between 6 and 9% and remaining 37% had GER between 6 and 11%.
Prof. Azis lauded the initiative taken by MHRD, Government of India for
creating greater access, equity and social inclusion by sending a national
goal of 15% GER during the XI Plan. Professor Azis mentioned, in absolute
numbers, India has to achieve of about 7 million students by 2012. He
welcomed the establishment of 15 new Central Universities, 8 new IITs, 20
NITs, 20 IIITs, 3 IISERs, 7 IIMs and 2 SPAs, besides the community colleges.
The rural – urban gap in GER is a disturbing trend, Prof. Azis said. The GER
is only 6.73% in rural areas, whereas it is 19.8% in urban areas. The
Inter-caste disparity was seen to be a matter of great concern, demanding
careful social engineering by the State and Central Governments. The GER for
Christians is 16.68% and for Hindus it is 11.94% whereas for Muslims it is
only 6.84%. The lowest GER for Muslims should open the eyes of every one,
particularly the intelligentsia and leaders of the community. The
deprivation suffered by Muslim in 21 minority concentration distracts in UP
is startling, he said. The literacy rate of Muslim is very poor in states
like Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Haryana, wherein
lived 60% of Indian Muslims.
Prof. Azis felt that panacea for addressing is deprivation will be the
re-launching of the Aligarh Movement. The `Aligarh Declaration on Education'
approved by the National Seminar on Minority Education held by AMU during
March 7th 2009 should be the National Agenda for Muslims for the next
decade. He wanted the Muslims to observe a `Dead for Education'.
The successful Model of Educational initiatives sees in the South Indian
states should be replicated in the North. He wanted the Alumni of AMU to
create a synergy and be in the for-front of the Aligarh Movement and work
for the Educational Advancement of the deprived segments of Indian
population.
Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis, during his short stay in the Sultanate of Oman, took
time to visit the Sultan Qaboos University, the premier Educational
Institution in Oman. He was received at the University by its Vice
Chancellor, Dr. Ali bin Saud Al-Bimani. Both Vice Chancellor evinced keen
interest in evolving collaborative programmes and Dr. Al- Ahmad and Mr.
Ameer Ahmad were present during the discussion.
(Dr. Rahat Abrar)
Public Relations Officer
Photographs of the event courtesy of Mr. Pushkin Agha.
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