Aligarh Muslim University celebrates Independence Day celebrates Independence Day

Aligarh : As India completes three fourth of a century as an independent democratic republic with the Nation-wide ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mohatsav’ and a host of exercises to add to the verve around the celebration; Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Vice Chancellor, Prof Tariq Mansoor hoisted the National Flag and addressed a gathering a students, faculty members and guests at the Strachey Hall.

In his address for the 76th Independence Day, Prof Tariq Mansoor called for recalling the struggles and sacrifices of great freedom fighters and the arduous journey of the Indian Nation towards achieving self rule.

“Heroes like Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi and the other great visionaries and freedom fighters continue to inspire us even today. I am particularly honoured and humbled by the sterling contributions of the luminaries of the Aligarh Movement in the struggle for freedom”, said the Vice Chancellor.

He pointed out: “When the slogans of AZADI sounded high; the annals and portals of this institution also reverberated with these slogans. Such shining names of the Freedom Movement as Frontier Gandhi, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan; our third President Janab Zakir Hussain and the revolutionary Urdu Poet, Hasrat Mohani who emblazoned the torch of Azadi, have been our students”.

“Recently the University has honoured an old boy of the MAO College, Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh. He was a prominent activist of the Freedom Movement. We all feel satisfied to have named our historic AMU City School for boys after Raja Mahendra Pratap”, emphasised Prof Mansoor.

He highlighted: “We are one of the strongest democracies of the world and our democratic traditions have been indefatigable so far. Our unflinching commitment to the rule of law by the people, for the people is an example the whole world looks up to”.

“India made phenomenal strides in the areas of science, technology and industry and we occupy a substantial chunk of the world market and are a rising global economy. We have satellites in space, our ships and submarines sail through the oceans and the Indian diaspora with its talent qualification is conspicuous on the stage of the world. If it was not for the likes of Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella and Indra Nooyi springing out from homegrown public education institutions of India, many world MNCs would have ended up poorer”, Prof Manoor pointed out.

He stressed: “India’s policies and programs for the good of humanity have always been in the right earnest. Our focus is on equality, inclusivity and equanimity in education. Gender parity is big on our agenda and we address health, hygiene and environmental protection substantively. India offers all that it takes to be the Vishva Guru, the world needs in these times of war, climate change and global viral pandemic”.

“I am sanguine that the framework provided by the National Education Policy 2020 will take India closer to acquiring the role of Global Education Leadership. Such themes of the NEP 2020 like multidisciplinary higher education, academic depository and Digilocker and academic integrity for research should be appreciated and implemented”, said Prof Mansoor adding that it is indeed, for the sake of raising our academic standards and overall performance improvement in a fast changing higher education environment.

Speaking on the AMU’s diligent work for higher education, research and nation building; the Vice Chancellor said: “We have started new courses, registered patents and expanded our extension and outreach activities. Commensurate with the themes of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, the Aligs (alumni) are full of ideas, resolve, action and achievements to celebrate this solemn festival”.

Prof Mansoor stressed that AMU Administration is committed to provide all available facilities to the students and teachers for the academic advancement and appealed to the students to come forward for various literary, cultural and sports activities at their residential Halls/ Faculty/University Level for personality and cognitive development.

He also congratulated the AMU Roller Skating Team for winning the All India Intervarsity Tournament held in July 2022 at Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh and lauded the performance of Indian Athletes in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games.

“During COVID 19 pandemic we lost many of our loved ones, but our resilience is exemplary. Today, we are back to in-person classrooms, laboratories and libraries. Our sports grounds, reading rooms and hostels are abuzz with student activity. Nevertheless, the way online lessons were conducted during Covid times is now regarded as the new normal. It conforms to the mission of Digital India”, said Prof Mansoor .

He pointed out, “Recently about two thousand of our deserving students have been given laptops by the Uttar Pradesh Government—and I urge the students to open up to the immense potentialities of digital learning.

The Vice Chancellor cautioned: “I also want to bring to the notice of all concerned that some anti-social and lumpen elements occasionally try to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of the campus. Criminal elements will be strictly dealt with in cooperation with Law enforcement agencies and as per law of the land”.

“Our revered founder, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan harboured great love and passion for his Country”, emphasised Prof Mansoor.

He urged students, faculty and guests to strive and protect the Country’s freedom by adhering to our constitutional values, taking pride in who we are—and in remembering the founding fathers and upholding their legacies.

“AMU is committed to Nation Building and Development and is a living shining example of our cultural, linguistic, religious and ethnic diversity in all its glorious forms. Let me extend to you once again my heartfelt congratulations on India’s 75 years of Independence”, said Prof Mansoor while concluding the speech.

After the flag hoisting at 9: 11 am, the NCC Senior Division Cadets gave the Guard of Honour. Later, the Vice-Chancellor planted saplings in the premises of Sir Syed Hall (North and South) with Dr Hameeda Tariq, Prof Mohammad Gulrez (Pro Vice Chancellor) and Prof Ijaz Masood (Registrar) to mark the occasion.

Prof Mansoor also visited the University Health Service and distributed fruits to the admitted students.

Prof Mujahid Beg (Dean Students’ Welfare), Prof Mohd Wasim Ali (Proctor), Prof Mohd Mohsin Khan (Finance Officer) and Dr Mujib Ullah Zuberi (Controller of Examination) and other university functionaries attended the programme.

Meanwhile, the flag-hoisting ceremonies were also organised with gaiety and enthusiasm at all colleges and schools of the university. The Provosts of all residential halls hoisted flags at their respective provost offices.

Later the Vice Chancellor inaugurated the ‘Freedom Fighters Gallery’ at the Maulana Azad (MA) Library.

He stressed that the Freedom Fighters Gallery has been motivated by the speech delivered by the honourable Prime Minister at the AMU Centenary Celebration in December 2020 in which the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi advised AMU to highlight and do research regarding Freedom Fighters.