Gandhi Jayanti at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)
Aligarh : A series of events were held at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) to mark Gandhi Jayanti, the commemoration of Mahatma Gandhi’s 153rd birth anniversary.
Prof Iqbalur Rehman (Chairman, Department of Political Science) administered the National Integration and Sanitation pledges in the Symposium on ‘Re-evaluating the Mahatma: Ideas and Practices of Gandhi’.
He called for showing dedication to strengthen the freedom and integrity of the Nation and to strive for cleaner and healthier surroundings in line with Gandhian principles.
Presiding over the programme, Prof Mirza Asmer Beg (Dean Faculty of Social Science) emphasised: “Mahatma Gandhi was a political ethicist, a nationalist and a lawyer whose ideologies and struggles drove India to its independence. He chose the path of non-violence which inspired civil rights movements across the world”.
Speaking on ‘Politics and Ethics of Gandhi’, Prof M Aftab Alam said, “Gandhi Ji’s life and political philosophy inspired world leaders like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King”.
“Mahatma Gandhi showed the world through his works, that it is possible to succeed with Ahmisa (non-violence) and Satyagraha (holding firmly to truth)”, he said quoting Albert Einstein’s famous words on Gandhi, ‘Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth’.
Dr Amin Mir discussed the relevance of ‘Gandhian Ideas of Conflict Resolution’, Dr Iftekhar Ahmad Ansari delineated ‘Gandhi and Idea of Social Justice, Dr Adil Ghaznavi spoke about ‘Gandhi as an Environmentalist’, Parvez Alam provided insight on Mahatma Gandhi’s contribution to women empowerment and Dr Aslam (Programme Convener) spoke about how Gandhi Ji’s successful non-violent movement against the British caught the attention of the world.
To observe the occasion on October 2, doctors of the Department of Tahafffuzi wa Samaji Tib, Faculty of Unani Medicine provided free medical advice and medicines to the unfortunate people in a health camp at the Maulana Azad Nagar, Aligarh.
The camp was conducted in collaboration with the Department of Tahafffuzi wa Samaji Tib and the Dawakhana Tibbiya College.
Inaugurating the camp, Prof Rubi Anjum (Chairperson, Department of Tahaffuzi wa Samaji Tib) said: “Though Gandhi Ji believed in all systems of medicine, he was particularly drawn to nature cure for disease management. On this occasion, we are paying tribute to the Father of the Nation by providing free-of-cost health services and creating an environment where the underprivileged community gets sensitised about health issues”.
She added: “Gandhi Ji was a leader of the masses and he spent his entire lifetime caring for the poor and the downtrodden. He used to sensitise people on the importance of sanitation and hygiene and treated himself through natural cure or by fasting. However, he also consulted medical doctors”.
After distributed free medicines in the camp, Prof Salma Ahmad (Member-in-Charge, Dawakhana Tibbiya College) pointed out: Once while inaugurating a medical college in Delhi, Mahatma Gandhi said, “I would like to pay my tribute to the spirit of research that fires modern scientists”. He was delighted that new hospitals at that time were also getting equipped with western wings along with Ayurveda and Unani as he believed that the union of the three systems would result in a harmonious blend of all the disciplines”.
Dr Umar Saeed spoke on the rising demand for Unani medicine.
Over 180 patients were attended by doctors and postgraduate students of the Department of Tahaffuzi wa Samaji Tib.
At the National Service Scheme (NSS) Office, Dr Arshad Husain (Programme Coordinator, NSS AMU) gave a PowerPoint presentation on the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi.
Recalling Gandhi’s contribution to the Indian struggle for Independence, he said: For Indian freedom, Gandhi Ji started the Satyagraha and Ahimsa movements which spearheaded India’s independence struggle.
Student volunteers presented a Nukkad Natak (street play), sang patriotic songs and participated in slogan-writing, painting and speech competitions.
Naeem Ahmad conducted the programme.