Is Lt Gen (Retd) Zameerddin Shah in course of reviving the old culture and tradition of Aligarh Muslim University? This is a point of discussion in the hostels, faculties, cross-roads and markets within the premises of Aligarh Muslim University. What is the reason behind such discussions? The reason is very simple and the same has been elaborated below.
The legendary Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in Aligarh is known worldwide for its multiple facets. Of course, education is a priority for this mega central university, but the culture has also remained an important part of AMU which was established in the 1875 by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan as Mohammadan Anglo Oriental (MAO) College (MAO). The Mohammadan Anglo Oriental College became a Central University in the year 1920.
Various cultures used to be followed in the campus of Aligarh Muslim University some of them include respect to seniors, saying salam (greeting) at 90 degree angle (leaning forward) to seniors, putting on proper dresses in hostel rooms, reading room, dining hall and outside hostels among many others. The most interesting and impressive culture was ‘Sherwani Culture’ especially black Sherwani with white payjamas (trousers). Students, teachers and staffs of the prestigious university were preferring Sherwani over other dresses and it was common to see Sherwani clad people all around the campus and city of Aligarh. However, with the passing time the cultures of AMU started diminishing somewhere and along with others the ‘Sherwani Culture’ almost finished.
The arrival of Lt Gen (Retd) Zameeruddin Shah as the Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in May brought a new hope for ‘Sherwani Culture’ in the university. From the very first day of assuming the post of AMU Vice Chancellor on May 17, 2012, Lt Gen (Retd) Zameeruddin Shah was in traditional attire of the university and donned black sherwani and white payjama. It seemed that Shah’s choice of sherwani as his attire is just for inaugural day in Aligarh Muslim University. But to the utter surprise, since joining till now Lt Gen Shah is mostly seen in the traditional dress of AMU. Be it any welcome ceremony, any programme or any hostel function in AMU, Zameeruddin Shah was seen in sherwani.
In fact, 63-years-old Shah looks very smart in sherwani and the dress suits him very well. Now about one month has passed since Shah has taken over the charge of AMU Vice Chancellor and he is well-accepted by the students, academic staff and non-teaching staff. His ‘Sherwani’ attire is also a big topic of discussion inside and outside the campus. As Zameeruddin Shah has become very popular among the university fraternity hence there is fair chance that the ‘Sherwani Culture’ of AMU can revive in the coming time.
Kudos goes to Zameeruddin Shah as despite being from Army background he has gelled up him very well in the academic environment of AMU and preferred traditional dress of the university. It will not be wrong to expect a bright future for Aligarh Muslim University comprises of quality education and beautiful culture.
