The Legacy Of Dr. Zakir Husain - Aligarh Muslim University Leaves Lasting Impression : By Syed Waris Shere

Author's father SYED AHSAN SHERE with DR. ZAKIR HUSAIN

My four years of study at this great institution have produced memories and emotions which is beyond description. Aligarh Muslim University gives me a sense of wanting to leave a lasting impression, a legacy equivalent to that of the University's own cultured and physical being. Surrounded by such rich history, one is given the urgent sense of needing to carve out a future for yourself, if only metaphorically. This world renowned institution was founded by a great Muslim social reformer, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. He patterned this higher institution of learning after Oxford and Cambridge universities. It was he who felt the need for modern education and started a school in 1875 which later became the Mohammedan Anglo Oriental College and finally Aligarh Muslim University in 1920. His primary objective was to build a college in tune with the British education system but without compromising its Islamic values and at the same time providing modern education to the people of India in general and Muslim's in particular. A number of prominent leaders, and Urdu writers and scholars of the Indian subcontinent have graduated from Aligarh Muslim University. During my time at this institution, Dr. Zakir Husain was the vice-chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University. He served as the fifth Vice-Chancellor from December 1st, 1948 to September 15th, 1956. He bcame the third president of Republic of India in 1967 and winner of "Bharat Ratna", the nation’s highest civilian honor. He was a great educationist and played a significant role organizing vocational educational system. While still in college, he translated Plato’s "Republic"( The "Republic" is the supreme product of Plato's most mature years, thought, and style and it contains virtually the entire universe of Plato's philosophy). Dr. Zakir Husain was one of the chief participants at the educational conference Mahatma Gandhi called in Wardha in 1937. He supported strongly Mahatma Gandhi's idea of vocational education and was entrusted with the task of drafting a syllabus for the new educational movement. He was later called upon to serve the University Education Commission, University Grants Commission, World University Service, the UNESCO and several other top educational establishments. His status among the intellectuals of the country became undisputed. During his three years of stay in Germany, he acquired a love for European art, literature and music. He was awarded a doctorate in economics from the University of Berlin. It was his experience as well as his deep study of the philosophy of education, which enabled him to take charge of the scheme of Basic National Education when it was launched in 1938. Dr. Zakir Husain was an imposing embodiment of culture and refinement. He had an intense passion for excellence. His varied tastes and hobbies, his collection of fossils, paintings and specimens of calligraphy, objects d'art, and curios and above all, his rich library ,critical to reading, research are evidence of his versatile personality. He was a personal and valued friend of my historian father and Museum Curator Syed Ahsan Shere an Algarhian in his own right. Both of them developed a common bondage and on regular basis discussed matter of mutual interest. Under his leadership, Aligarh Muslim University became a worldwide university, hiring well-known scholars from home and abroad. During his vice- chancellor - ship, the university vastly expanded its facilities, with laboratories, libraries, classrooms, and athletic facilities. Undoubtedly, Dr. Zakir Husain was a fearless crusader not only for educational reform, but for many of the goals of the progressive movement. As leader of the nation's best-known university, Dr. Zakir Husain was a celebrated figure whose opinions were sought and respected world - wide on a wide variety of matters. Aligarh Muslim University does not train you to be any one thing. At this great institution "you learn to learn", and to be really good at whatever you decide to do.
Source "Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia"


About the Author: WARIS SHERE was educated at the Aligarh Muslim University, University of London and Technische Hochschule, Aachen Germany. He has authored eight books in the field of Applied Mathematics, International Affairs and Academic Futures: Prospects for Post-Secondary institution. He has taught Applied Mathematics at the University of Manitoba, Canada and Red River College, Canada for several years. His work on critical issues of International Affairs has been published globally. His main interests are Emerging International Order, Security and the Prospects for East-West relations and Dilemmas in Policy-Making for Education.

A Night To Remember! Urdu Markaz International Mushaira And Award Night, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A

NAIYER JAHAN BEGUM ADDRESSING THE GATHERING

PARVIN SHERE RECEIVING THE "BEST BOOK" AND "POET OF THE YEAR" Ahmad Adaya Urdu INTERNATIONAL AWARD

LUDMILA VASILYEVA RECEIVING Fakhr-e-Urdu INTERNATIONAL AWARD

The 2010 International Mushaira / Awards was organized by Urdu Markaz International, Los Angeles on October 30th,2010. Urdu Mrakaz International has won many laurels from all International world literary societies and was founded by Naiyar Jehan begum, and her husband, Syed Zahanet Hussain. The entire event was a historic occasion. The proceedings in the packed hall served to furnish proof of the popularity of the Urdu language. The mushaira tradition in the United States was planted by the Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association,
which today in collaboration with Urdu Markaz International of Los Angeles, has made mushairas an integral part of the cultural life of the Urdu speaking communities in North America. The program began with a welcome address by Nayyar Jahan Begum. She has been organizing International Mushairas/Awards yearly, since 1987. In her address Nayyar Jahan Begum stressed the need to bring people together rising above the narrow divisions and develop common bonds by sharing our life experiences for which literary work is the best medium. It was a night to remember for hundreds of Urdu lovers who packed the hall for a grand "AWARD CEREMONY" followed by "MUSHAIRA".
Urdu Markaz Internationa was pleased to announce the award winners:

The three major recipients were:

LUDMILA VASILYEVA, Russia

Winner of Qazi Mohammad, Fakhr-e-Urdu International Award, 2010(Plaque and Cash prize of $2000.00)

Professor Dr. Ludmila Vasilyeva is a distinguished professor of literature, Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia. She is the author of "The Righteous Mutineer, Altaf Hussain Hali(19th Century to 20th Century) and "Faiz Ahmad Faiz", Life & Works. Professor Ludmila Vasilyeva has written numerous essays and articles in both Urdu and Russian and has participated in international conferences for the last ten years. She played a leading role in the memory of Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Allama Iqbal the international setting.


PARVIN SHERE, Canada

Winner of Ahmad Adaya Urdu International Award for "Best Book" - "RAINDROPS ON PARCHED LAND" (NIHAL - E - DIL PAR SAHAB JAISE) and "Poet of the year", 2010(Plaque and Cash prize of $5000.00).

Parvin Shere has been acknowledged as a born artist and versatile poetess. Based on a single theme of 'MOTHER', NIHAL - E - DIL PAR SAHAB JAISE has a myriad of enthralling universal implications, and is a unique example in Urdu Literature. "Adabi Culture", Varnasi, India has awarded her book "KIRCHIAN"("FRAGMENTS") the best book for 2008 and "Duniyae Sher-o-Adab-United kingdom" for a unique creation in Urdu literature. She is the recepient of eight awards in paintings and her works has been exhibited internationally.



ANWAR MASOOD, Pakistan


Winner of Asar Lucknawi, Living Legend Urdu International Award, 2010(Plaque and Cash prize of $5000.00)

Anwar Masood is the distingished author of several books in Urdu Poetry, Punjabi Poetry and Urdu Prose. He has won several Honors & Awards which includes - Pride of Performance Award by the Government of Pakistan on best dedicated services to Urdu language & Literature, Nishan-e-Gugrat Award on overall performance in Urdu literature, Waris Shah National literary award,Punjab Writers Guild Award and Ajami award for his book "Ik Dareecha ik Charagh".

The winner of SS Day Online Quiz Announced

We are extremely delighted to announce the winner of SS Day Online Quiz conducted on amunewsandview.com. It is heartening to acknowledge the fact that it generated a tremendously huge response from Aligs, both students as well as old boys. However, only a few attempted the quiz in accordance with terms and conditions.
The winner is Janab Shahbaz Sahab and he is requested to send his address to us for the shipment of the 4 GB Kingston Data Traveller 2.USB Pen Drive as the announced prize. Kindly use the same email id to send the address that was used for logging in the site to answer the quiz. If you have answered using an openid (Yahoo, Facebook etc.) then kindly paste your openid link in the body of the email.
We will soon announce more such quizzes.
Thanking You all for your participation

Dr. Hamid Raihan Ansari BDS (AMU), MBA HCS
Jaipur Dental College
Jaipur

Sir Syed Day Quiz, Win 4 GB Pen Drive

Kindly read the terms and conditions before participating.
Answer the following questions:

1. Sir Syed Built Gulshan School In Moradabad before building
a. Muslim Anglo Oriental College
b. Banaras Hindu Univeristy
c. IIM
d. NIIT

2. Asbab-E-Baghawat-E-Hind Written by Sir Syed Highlighted the policies of
a. British Government
b. Pakistan Government
c. Bangladesh Government
d. Srilankan Government

3. Sir Syed was born on October 17, 1817 in
a. Delhi
b. Chennai
c. Mumbai
d. Kolkata

4. In 1889, he received an honorary LLD degree from the University of
a. Edinburgh
b. New York
c. New Delhi
d. Karachi

 Instructions For Writing Answers
Answer in the following format. Copy and paste the following text and write down the correct answer besides each question number. Replace the alphabet x with the correct answer a, b c or d.

The correct answer to the quiz on Sir Syed given above is
1. x
2. x
3. x
4. x

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Maintain Peace And Harmony, Appeals AMU VC

ALIGARH, September 19: A consultative meeting of all Provosts, Wardens, Proctorial team and senior university officials was held here on Sunday under the chairmanship of AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof P.K. Abdul Azis to discuss the matter relating to security measures in the university campus in view of the expected judgment of Babri Mosque case by the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on September 24,2010.

In an appeal to staff and students, Prof. Azis stated that in a land where many faiths have been co-existing for centuries, communal harmony remains key to our shared aspirations and dreams. Whatever be the nature of the verdict, he appealed to all students, teaching and non-teaching staff, their family members and fellow citizens to maintain equanimity, and desist from any form of reaction that would destroy trust between the communities and allow troublemakers to exploit the situation.

Prof. Azis pointed out that the Aligarh Muslim University has a great tradition of maintaining communal harmony and peace. The University administration is taking all measures to ensure a secure and peaceful environment in and around the campus. All resident and non-resident members of the AMU fraternity are required to co-operate with the University and assist the Administration. All Provosts and Wardens are requested to maintain strict vigil in the respective Halls instilling confidence and guiding the students in the right way. The Chairmen of the Departments are requested to advise, the students regarding the need to maintain peace and annuity. None should believe rumours and spread the same he added.

He further urge to us celebrate the diversity of this nation in a proud and mature way.

AMU Gets 288.74 Acres For Campus At Murshidabad

ALIGARH September 4: The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) moved yet another milestone forward in its effort to establish a centre at Murshidabad in West Bengal. The Water Resource Ministry, Government of India has transferred 288.74 acres of land to the Aligarh Muslim University out of the Farakka Barrage land in Jungipura division.

The General Manager of Farakka Barrage Project, Mr. Kashinda Yadav was authorized by the Water Resource Ministry to sign the land transfer papers on behalf of the Ministry. Prof. V. K. Abdul Jaleel, Registrar of Aligarh Muslim University received the land transfer documents on behalf of the Aligarh Muslim University.

The SDM of Jungipura, Mr. Vinay Sikpar has been appointed the Nodal Officer by the State Government of West Bengal to facilitate and supervise the land transfer to AMU.

The Finance Officer of Aligarh Muslim University, Mrs. Yasmin Jalal, Prof. N. A. K. Durrani, Media Advisor and Prof. M. M. Ashhar, OSD, Murshidabad Centre and other officials of Jungipura division and Farakka Barrage Project were present on the occasion. The prominent citizens of the area including Mr. Shahjahan Biswas and Mr. Haroon Rasheed were also a part of the historic event that bears promises for an educational transformation of the development deficit Muslim concentrated area of West Bengal.

Digital Typography Art Dedicated to AMU By Dr. Hamid Raihan Ansari

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By: Dr. Hamid Raihan Ansari