Sir Syed Day-2018: Through Camera of Engr Maqbool Akram

It was a nostalgia occasion for hundreds of Aligarh Muslim University alumni and AMU fraternity, to attend the AMU celebration of Sir Syed Dy.2018.They assembled again in a huge pandal .constructed at Athletic ground of Chaman-E-Syed to connect with each other to refresh their old memories.

For AMU Fraternity all over word this day i,e 17^th October is not  an ordinary day of the year. For them It is above many festivals.They celebrate Sir syed day in full sprit. After sun set ,all the main buildings specially,Bab-e-Syed,Maulana Azad Libray,Arts Faculty, Victoria gate ,University’s grand Masjid and residential halls are well decorated with special light effects.

 People of all ages use to roam in campus, special to mention that young students use to run on their motor cycles to show breath taking stunts.

The proceedings of the day began with a Quran Khawani (Quranic Recitation) at the University Masjid. Prof Mansoor with senior professors and officers of the university paid floral tributes at the Mazaar (grave) of Sir Syed after the traditional ritual of 'Chadar Poshi'.

  Earlier in the day, AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof Mansoor inaugurated an 'Exhibition of Books and Photographs pertaining on Sir Syed Ahmad Khan' at the Sir Syed House. The exhibition was jointly organised by Maulana Azad Library and Sir Syed Academy.

Main function of Sir Syed Day was started in pandal at Athletic ground by recitation of Holy quran Shareef. Chief guest of Sir Syed Day 2018 was Former Chief Election Commissioner of India, Dr S Y Quraishi.

Dr S Y Quraishi today delivered the commemoration address as the chief guest on Sir Syed Day, the 201st birth anniversary of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) founder, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan at the University's Athletics Ground.

 "Sir Syed initiated English education and scientific temper among Indians, which made us world citizens. Sir Syed's message was not anti-Islam and among his admires were equal number of non-Muslims and Muslims," said Dr S Y Quraishi.

Dr Quraishi pointed out that during his trips to US, European countries, African countries and West-Asia, he always met AMU alumni, which is reflective of the famous line from AMU anthem, 'Jo abr yahaṅ se utthega, wo sarey jahan par barsega' (The cloud which rises from here, will rain all over the world).

In the welcome address, AMU Vice Chancellor, Professor Tariq Mansoor said that Sir Syed changed the destiny of the nation by devoting his entire life for education, plurality and secularism through his versatile writing and farsightedness.

 Prof Mansoor pointed out that the supreme interest of Sir Syed's life was education in its widest sense as he wanted to create a scientific temperament among the common Indians.

"There are positive changes and developments in AMU with active cooperation of all concerned," said the Vice Chancellor adding that Times Higher Education has ranked AMU as the fifth best Indian University, while National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) has ranked AMU as the 10th best Indian university.

"AMU has started new courses such as Masters in Architecture, B Voc (Hons) and M Voc. We are in the process of starting a MBA course in Hospital Management," he said adding that the University has also increased courses running through the distance learning mode which includes a Bachelor in Computer Sciences. 

Dr S Y Quraishi and Professor Mansoor honored Professor Christian W Troll (Noted theologian and Honorary Professor for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations at the Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule St. Georgen in Frankfurt).Dr Victor Edwin received a cash prize of Rs two lakhs with a citation on behalf of Professor Christian W Troll who could not travel to India due to health problems. 

and Mr Sanjiv Saraf (Founder, Rekhta Foundation) with the International and National Sir Syed Excellence Awards respectively.Meanwhile, receiving a cash prize of Rs one lakh and citation for the National Sir Syed Excellence Award, Mr Sanjiv  Saraf said, "We, the lovers of Urdu language, take great pride in how this language conveys complex emotions and experiences." He pointed out that Rekhta is an initiative, which targets to bring Urdu's charming cadence in dimensions of poetry, aesthetics, and tradition to the masses. 

The top three winners of the 'All India Essay Writing Competition' on the topic of "Importance of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's Thought on Tolerance and Peaceful Coexistence in Today's World" also received their prizes from the Chief Guest and the Vice Chancellor.

With a cash prize of Rs 25,000, Ms Jagriti Sanghi, a BALLB student at the National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi, Kerala bagged the first prize while Mr Mohd Umair Khan, student of MA Economics at Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh won the second place with a cash prize of Rs 15,000. 

Ms Kiran Francis, student of M Phil (Applied Geology), University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu has emerged third with a prize of Rs 10,000.

Fourteen other participants representing different states have been given State Topper prizes with prize money Rs 5,000 each.

Prof.Seemin Hasan (Department of English), Prof Abdur Raheem Kidwai (Director, UGC HRD Centre), Mr Wajahat Monaf Jilani (BA LLB, Final-year student) and Ms Aafia Rizvi (BA Hons, First-year student) delivered special speeches on teachings, philosophy, works and mission of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.

The programme ended with University Tarana and National Anthem.Fully packed Pandal at Atheletic ground was burst into clapping like a thunderbolt.

Ye dasht-e-junoo diwano ka, ye bazm-e-wafa parwano ki
 ye shahr-e-tarab roomano ka, ye khuld-e-barin armano ki

Whole day function of Sir Syed Day 2018 was concluded with a grand dinner in every Halls.

Written, photographed and posted by Engr Maqbool Akram.