Noted film-maker Muzaffar Ali will be the chief guest on Sir Syed Day programme
ALIGARH : Noted film-maker and writer, Mr Muzaffar Ali will be the chief guest at 207th birth anniversary commemoration of AMU founder, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, scheduled to be celebrated on October 17.
He will arrive at the Gulistan-e-Syed, the venue of the programme, at 11 am, in an iconic four-wheel Victorian-era horse-drawn chariot with splendour and pomp. AMU Vice Chancellor, Professor Naima Khatoon will accompany the chief guest to the venue, where they will be received by Riding Club members.
Ms Snehlata Shrivastava (Retd. IAS and Former Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice and Secretary General, Lok Sabha), Ms Jaya Varma Sinha (Retd IRTS and Former Chairperson, Railway Board of India) and Mr Ajay Chaudhry, IPS (Special Commissioner (Traffic), Delhi Police and Author) will be the guests of honour.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Khatoon will deliver the Presidential address, while the Chief Guest will also speak during the function.
AMU Registrar, Mr Mohammad Imran (IPS) will deliver the welcome address.
Prof Zehra Mohsin, Chairperson, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaechology and Prof Shafey Kidwai, Director, Sir Syed Academy will deliver the English and Urdu speeches respectively on the vision, philosophy and educational mission of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. Two AMU students will also speak on the occasion.
The Chief Guest, Mr Muzaffar Ali will confer the Sir Syed Excellence Awards, International and National, respectively, on Prof Frances W. Pritchett and the Ghalib Institute, New Delhi.
He will also hand over the prizes to the winners of the All India Essay Writing Competition organized by the Public Relations Office on “Bridging Communities: Sir Syed’s Efforts to Promote Religious Harmony in India”.
Prof Rafiuddin, Dean, Students’ Welfare will extend the vote of thanks followed by the University Tarana and the National Anthem.
The proceedings of the day will begin with a Quran Khwani (Quranic Recitation) after the Fajr (Day Break) prayer at the University Mosque at 6 am, following the traditional ritual of ‘Chadar Poshi’ at Sir Syed’s grave.
Prof Khatoon will also inaugurate an ‘Exhibition of Books and Photographs’ pertaining to Sir Syed Ahmad Khan at the Sir Syed House at 9 am.
The traditional Sir Syed Day dinners to mark the occasion will also be held at all the halls of residence.