Pranab for knowledge-based society
ALIGARH : Former President Pranab Mukherjee said AMU founder Sir Syed was far ahead of his time, as he thought of empowering common people with modern scientific education at a time when India was a newly colonised society.
“It is a privilege to be at AMU on the auspicious occasion of the 200th birth anniversary of the visionary leader of India, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan,” said Mukherjee during his commemoration address as chief guest on bicentennial anniversary celebrations of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan at the university.
He also released a coffee table book, ‘Jahan-e-Syed’, with a timeline on Sir Syed’s life, work and mission.
Mukherjee said Sir Syed began his mission by promoting western-style scientific education and founding modern schools . “Sir Syed established a school at Moradabad, Victoria School at Ghazipur in 1863 and a scientific society for Muslims in 1864,” he added. He said Sir Syed’s journey to accomplish his mission took him to founding the Mohammadan Anglo-Oriental (MAO) College in 1875, which eventually became the AMU.
“In today’s world, we need to take Sir Syed’s mission forward by concentrating on innovation, research, building a knowledgebased society and taking the reputation of the country to new heights,” pointed out Mukherjee.
He also said that AMU is a perfect example of Indian nationalism and ethos, where students from different religions, ethnicity, linguistic backgrounds and culture integrate and work together in productive ways.
Presiding over the function, AMU vice-chancellor Prof Tariq Mansoor said Sir Syed moulded the destiny of the nation by devoting his entire life for education.
“Sir Syed was a messiah who worked for education and secularism through his versatile writing and far-sightedness,” said Mansoor, adding that the Amu founder wanted to make modern knowledge of science available to common people.