AMU offers deep-hearted love and respect to Mahatma Gandhi
ALIGARH : There are very few people in the world who have left an indelible mark in the history of the world and who impacted upon the lives of generations of people in one way or the other. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who is fondly remembered as Mahatma Gandhi was one such person who influenced the lives of many great personalities with his unmatched principle of ‘simple living and high thinking’, and to pay homage to such an apostle of peace and a missionary of non-violence, Aligarh Muslim University commemorated Gandhi Jayanti, the 154th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi at the Maulana Azad (MA) Library.
Addressing a gathering of AMU teachers, students and other staff at the Cultural Hall of MA Library, AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof Mohammad Gulrez said that Mahatma Gandhi was one of the greatest world leaders, who inspired Martin Luther King Jr., His Holiness Dalai Lama, James Beve, James Lawson, Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama and Albert Einstein, among many others.
He said that even Winston Churchill had to acknowledge his error in calling Gandhi Ji a ‘naked Fakeer’ after witnessing the success of the non-violent movement.
The Vice Chancellor emphasized that India’s struggle for independence inspired decolonization worldwide, underlining the global resonance of Gandhi’s principles. He urged the world to embrace Gandhi Ji’s values of compassion, interfaith peace, and the harmony of intellect and spirit.
Prof Gulrez later administered a pledge to work with dedication for preserving and strengthening the freedom and integrity of the Nation. He also led AMU teachers, students and non-teaching staff in a ‘Swachchta Shapath’ (Cleanliness Pledge) by saying that Mahatma Gandhi had dreamt of a developed and clean country.
Earlier in the day, the Vice Chancellor inaugurated an exhibition of rare books and documents placed in display cases and pedestals, and rare framed glossy and matte images, capturing Mahatma Gandhi’s childhood, his life as an advocate and civil rights activist, his participation in the Indian freedom struggle and the activities at Sabarmati Ashram. The two-day long exhibition, open to visitors from 9 am to 5 pm, will conclude on October 3.
AMU Registrar, Mr Mohammad Imran (IPS) was also present on the occasion.
Prof Mohibul Haque (Department of Political Science) pointed out that Gandhi Ji’s relevance is felt more acutely now than ever when humanity is challenged by many ills and society once again needs a messiah who can find remedies for rampant hatred and abhorrence on one pretext or the other.
He stated that Gandhi Ji often felt helpless when he saw the world in turmoil, a result of the differences between ideals.
Prof Vibha Sharma (Department of English) emphasized that Gandhi Ji worked all his life to promote Ahimsa and truth as he believed there was nothing in the world which could not be won by non-violence, compassion and love.
“Mahatma Gandhi was a great soul who loved even those who fought against his ideals to bring about eternal peace to society using non-violent means,” she added.
AMU students, Mohammad Ali (BA II Year) and Khan Amna Asim (BA Final) delivered speeches on how Mahatma Gandhi experimented with truth and how his ideas based on non-violence are more relevant in the new world than earlier.
Prof Faiza Abbasi (Director, UGC-HRDC) conducted the programme.
Expressing gratitude to the guests and attendees, Prof Nishat Fatima, University Librarian highlighted the features of the exhibition, adding that many handwritten letters of Mahatma Gandhi, including the one addressed to Abdul Bari, an AMU old boy, dated July 29, 1942, and the one written to the General Secretary of AMU Student Union’s on January 7, 1937, are the special highlight of the exhibition.
She said Gandhi Ji had a special relationship with the Aligarh Muslim University and he visited the university in 1920.
NSS AMU Unit, Ahmadi School for the Visually Challenged, Senior Secondary School-Girls, Sayyid Hamid Senior Secondary School, AMU ABK High School (Boys and Girls), AMU Girls School, Abdullah School, AMU City Girls High School, RMPS AMU City School and STS School also commemorated the Gandhi Jayanti with special programmes.