Maulana Azad a beacon of Hindu Muslim Unity

MANUU pays glowing tributes to  the “ideologue”

Hyderabad:

Glowing tributes were paid to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the legendary Freedom icon and first education minister of independent India on his birth anniversary today at Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU). Government of India has declared the occasion as National Education Day. The University is named after him.

Eminent Historian, Prof. Rizwan Qaiser, , Dept. of History and Culture, Jamia Millia Islamiadescribed Maulana Azad as an idealogue of Hindu-Muslim Unity who opposed the partition of the country tooth & nail. Delivering the Azad Memorial lecture on the last day of Azad Day Celebrations at MANUU, Prof. Qaiser, compared the genius of Maulana Azad with Aristotle & Plato. Maulana Azad’s foot prints on the political, literary & cultural canvas of India are indelible, he remarked. Presenting a vivid picture of Maulana Azad’s ideological & political evolution, the noted scholar declared that personality of his statute inspires generations.

Prof. Rizwan Qaiser’s lecture “Siasat, Taleem aur Saqafat : Maulana Abul Kalam Azad aur Hindustani Qaumiyat ky tameer” (Politics, Education and Culture: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and the Making of the Indian Nation) was well received by the audience with  rapt attention.

Speaking about Maulana Azad’s contribution as Education Minister, Prof. Qaiser, reminded that he established the network of Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in 1951. Founded Sahitya Academy, Sangeet Natak Academy & Lalita Kala Academy to provide common platform to the diverse literary & cultural heritage of India. This in fact is a celebration of diversity, Prof. Qaiser quipped.

Maulana Azad also started Indian Council for Cultural Relations, specifically for Middle Eastern & Muslim countries to tell them about the presence of large number of Muslims in India.

Prof. Ayub Khan, Pro Vice-Chancellor, presiding over the lecture, described Maulana Azad as an epitome of humanity & sacrifice. Maulana Azad’s life & political leadership give us the lesson to assimilate with different shades of opinions, he said.

Earlier, the programme organized by the Centre for Urdu Culture Studies (CUCS) started at 10.30 at DDE auditorium with recitation of Quran by Mr. Atif Imran. Prof. Mohd. Zafaruddin, Director, Centre & Chairperson, celebrations committee welcomed & introduced the guest and also presented a report on Azad Day celebrations 2019.

An audio visual tribute by Instructional Media Centre was also part of the programme.

Prof. Noushad Husain, Incharge Registrar proposed vote of thanks. Mr. Anis Azmi, Chief Consultant, CUCS conducted the proceedings.