Students at Aftab Hall pay rich tributes to Sir Syed
ALIGARH : The resident students and staff at the Aftab Hall of residence for boys, Aligarh Muslim University paid rich tributes to the great social reformer, educationist and founder of the University, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan at a commemorative programme held at the sprawling lawns of the hall, leading to the traditional gala dinner.
Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, Mr Anshuman Yadav, an IPS officer, recalled his days at AMU as a student when he participated in various literary and cultural activities and also worked hard as an elected office bearer of the AMU Students’ Union.
He asked the students to benefit from the academic resources of the university and advised them to improve their writing skills as he did following the suggestions of Mr Pervez Diwan who delivered a lecture at AMU during his time.
He said that he learnt from that lecture that any issue can be discussed in its historical, social, political and economic perspective, an advice which stood him in good stead in cracking civil services examination with spectacular success.
Mr Yadav said that when he got a call from Prof Faiyazur Rehman to come to AMU, he could not say no because AMU is like a mother to him and no one can say no to his mother. He said that during the difficult times of communal trouble in the 1990s, he remained at the AMU campus and felt completely safe and secure.
He urged the students to develop the virtues of thankfulness for all things that they have.
The guests of honour, Prof Amanullah Khan, former Principal, J.N. Medical College, Prof Mohammad Azher, Dean, Faculty of International Studies, and Prof Mohammad Asim Siddiqui, Department of English were felicitated on this occasion.
Prof Mohammad Khalid Azam, former Chairman, Department of Business Administration and Prof Asad Ullah Khan, Director, IQAC, were the special guests.
Earlier, welcoming the guests, the Provost of the Hall, Prof Faiyazur Rehman highlighted the achievements of the hall residents over the last few years. He also shed light on the life and contribution of Sahibzada Aftab Ahmad, after whose name the hall was christened.
He said that Sahibzada worked a lot for the development of the university during its nascent period when Sir Syed had passed away and the Mohammedan-Anglo Oriental College was passing through a transitional phase. He was instrumental in establishing students’ voluntary organization, the Anjuman Al-farz or the Duty Society, and served as the Vice Chancellor from 1924-26.
Senior Hall Abdul Moid, Senior Food Taha Hasan Jafery and Hall Administrator Firoz Ahmad played a key role in organizing the programme.
Mr Sarim Ayubi conducted the programme, while Dr Nasir A. Salati extended a vote of thanks.