Aligarh Muslim University is celebrating the 194th Birthday of founder Sir Syed Ahmad Khan as Sir Syed Day. The day is celebrated in a grand way at many places outside Aligarh by the alumni in national capital New Delhi, Mumbai, Gulf countries, US and UK. The recently opened special centres of Aligarh Muslim University at Mallapuram (Kerala) and Murshidabad (West Bengal) are also celebrating Sir Syed Day. However, the district of Kishanganj – a proposed site for AMU Special Centre missed to celebrate the birthday of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan due to wrong reasons, especially the cheap politics of ruling NDA Government and its allies. Like thousands of residents of Kishanganj and neigbouring districts, I feel dejected for not seeing the celebrations of Sir Syed Day at Kishanganj. Those who have listened or don’t listened about ‘Sir Syed Day’ or have little knowledge about the special day, KishanganjBihar.com (KBC) brings a small account of the celebrations occur inside AMU campus at Aligarh.
Sir Syed Day celebrated at Special Centre in Murshidabad
October 17, the birthday of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan has a special place among the educationists and activists across the world. The significance of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s birthday increases many folds among the people associated with the erstwhile Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Aligarh that include the enrolled students (around 30 thousand), teaching and non-teaching staff and old boys residing in different parts of the globe. Being an old boy of AMU, I too couldn’t refrain myself from remembering the birthday of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and its grand celebrations happening inside the university campus at Aligarh. Renowned as Sir Syed Day, the 17th October in AMU campus showcases various programmes all through the day and a gala dinner in the evening.
The morning of Sir Syed Day begins with a grand assembly at the Athletics Ground. The AMU Vice Chancellor and the University Guest (might be a politician, educationist, activist or an appealing personality somehow related to education) reach the venue in traditional ‘Bagghi’ (horse pulled cart) escorted by Horse Riders (represented by the students of AMU enrolled in Horse Riding Club). After receiving the traditional welcome from the University, the AMU VC and the University Guest along with crowd listen to speeches given by selected speakers. During the assembly, two students from different faculties including one boy and girl also deliver the speeches on Sir Syed Day in English and Urdu. The students of schools affiliated with AMU also take out colourful profession based on thought provoking issues. The Assembly ends with the speeches of AMU VC and Chief Guest of Sir Syed Day followed by the soothing University Tarana and National Anthem.
On Sir Syed Day the ‘Sir Syed Museum’ is opened with photographs, books and other important materials related with founder of AMU Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. Students and guests visit the Sir Syed Museum to have a better understanding of works done by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. The day finishes with the visit of Museum and final resting place of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. And the sunset brings a new aroma for the mega campus of Aligarh Muslim University. The entire university campus including hostels and faculties dazzle with the colourful lights and it seems the ‘city of divine light’ has landed inside the campus. Students, old boys and common guests enjoy the lavish dinner comprised of Mutton / Veg Biryani, Mutton, Muttor Paneer, Rayta, Salad, Kabab and Shahi Tukda (sweet). After having the mouth-watering meal the crowd comprised of students, old boys, common guests and outsiders stroll along the university roads to become the witness of the lighting feast.
Sir Syed Day is a unique event that is celebrated since decades to remember the great educationist, visionary, activist, journalist and founder of Aligarh Muslim University. The birthday celebration of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan inside the university campus truly has a distinct charm. And the alumni of Aligarh Muslim University residing in different parts of the world try to celebrate the ‘Sir Syed Day’ with same fervor. Like hundreds of alumni belonging to Bihar and Seemanchal region, I too have dream to celebrate the ‘Sir Syed Day’ in the district of Kishanganj. It may happen next year, if the ‘Vikas Purush’ of Bihar Nitish Kumar takes some hard decision above the party politics for the proposed AMU Centre in Kishanganj, which is delaying due to lackluster attitude of his government.
Sharing few lines of AMU Tarana (Anthem)
Ye meraa chaman hai meraa chaman, main apne chaman kaa bulbul huun
,
Sarshaar-e-nigaah-e-nargis huun, paa-bastaa-e-gesuu-sumbul huun…………..
jo abr yahaaN se uththega, vo saare jahaan par barsegaa,
Khud apne chaman par barsegaa, Ghairon ke chaman par barsegaa………………
ye abr hameshaa barsaa hai, ye abr hameshaa barsegaa…
