By: Md.
Mudassir Alam, an AMU alumnus during 1999-2005, did Masters in Journalism and
Mass Communication, currently working as Public Relation Officer of Central
University of South Bihar in Patna.
Visiting the prestigious Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) is a visual delight for all, since the university encompasses a number of things to cater the attention of visitors. Be its environs, its wide-spread campus in many hundred acres, its exquisite architectural buildings, neat and clean streets, lush green gardens and avenues, and unparalleled hospitality offered by students, staff, faculty members and administration, AMU pleases the guests in many ways. Especially for an AMU alumnus like me having personal experience of all such positive aspects of AMU, a trip to Alma matter always become more nostalgic. The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Alumni Meet for 2014-15 period was organised this past week during October 18-19, 2015, which was attended by around 650 registered participants from India and across the globe. Thanks to sincere efforts of Dr. Suhail Sabir, chairman Alumni Affairs Committee, whose day-and-night efforts brought the galaxy of Aligs at Aligarh during the meet. The consistent efforts of Dr. Sabir from past six to eight months, catered the Aligs residing in different part of globes towards their ‘chaman’ Aligarh.
Fortunately I too catered by appeal of Dr. Sabir and got myself registered for this mega event as soon it was officially opened. As the registered participant I landed to the ‘city of locks’ i.e Aligarh on early morning of October 17, 2015. As soon I came out of the railway station, the chapters of old memories opened up one-by one. The memories of the days spent in Aligarh, the hostel life, the study hours at Maulana Azad library, my departments, long discussion on sip of tea at dhabas of purani chungi and shamshad market, etc. etc. were well fresh in mind, it seemed that I have live those moments only few days / weeks ago. In addition, I observed the famous Alig culture during my visit such as anyone’s guest is guest of all friends / room partners in hostel, putting on black sherwani on special occasion, respecting the seniors, don’t entering dinning hall in slippers, expecting see-off tea while leaving someone at railway station, calling (addressing) dinning hall or hostel attendants by miyan or bhai instead of their names, giving a break to speech / programme with the call of Azan, never pulling out of wallets by juniors in front of seniors to pay for tea / snacks, having tea immediately after lunch and dinner, etc.
As an AMU alumnus my trip became very special from Aligarh Junction itself, as the student volunteers warm-heartedly welcomed me at the railway station and guided me to reach the University guest house. Within 15 minutes I reach the University guest house, where again student volunteers greeted me and helped me to get into my well-furnished room. After a short stay at guest house, I proceeded towards Kennedy Auditorium to attend the Sir Syed Day Commemoration Ceremony, which was presided by Vice Chancellor Lt Gen (Retd) Zameeruddin Shah, while Mr. P. K. Abdu Rabb, Minister for Education and Culture, Government of Kerala as the chief guest. University’s landmark and quite grand Kennedy Auditorium of Aligarh Muslim University reverberated with claps and appreciation of audiences during the speeches and meaningful shairs (poetries) of speakers.
The Commemoration Ceremony was followed by a lavish lunch party thrown away by AMU Vice Chancellor for alumni at its official residence. The variety of scrumptious dishes ranging from Mughlai to choicest Indian, accompanied by quite friendly interactive session with Vice Chancellor increased the delicacy of lunch many folds. In the evening the Sir Syed Dinner was arranged for Alumnis at their respective hall of residences. I visited my hall of residence Sir Ziauddin Hall and again found myself engulfed in old memories. The Provost, staff and students of the hall altogether offered a nice treatment alongwith the delicious dinner.
Next two days, October 18-19, 2015 was dedicated for Alumni Meet, which consisted of speeches, get-togethers, interactive sessions, visit to departments, sites of newly proposed / ongoing building projects, smart class rooms, and choicest menu in breakfast, lunch and dinner. Highlight of the inaugural session of Alumni Meet was the presence of noted Bollywood actor Padma Bhushan, Naseeruddin Shah, who delivered a speech insisting the need of having a state-of-the art drama club at AMU and assured his all possible assistance. Chief guest of the event Mr. Javed Usmani, IAS (Retd). Chief Information Commissioner, Uttar Pradesh also given a thought provoking speech. Other guests of honour were Prof. Habib A. Zuberi, Emeritus Professor of Economics, University of Michigan, USA, Dr. Ashok Seth, Padma Bhushan, Renowned Cardiologist, Chairman, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute New Delhi and Mr. Ameer Ahamad, Chairman & Group Managing Directory, Manappat Group of Companies, Dubai, UAE. Eighty eight years old Brigadier Iqbal Shafi, an AMU alumnus from Islamabad in Pakistan was also present in the programme along with his family.
Further in the technical session I got the opportunity to share my views with the Alumni. I had opted the topic “Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Mission2020 in light of his Aligarh movement”. I insisted upon the need of sensitising the Aligarh movement in today’s context in order to disseminate quality education across the country to fulfil the dreams of Sir Syed. I requested the Vice-Chancellor to give his due attention towards the special centres of Aligarh Muslim University at Kishanganj (Bihar), Murshidabad (West Bengal) and Mallapuram (Kerala) for giving a wide dimension to Sir Syed’s mission and vision, and spreading Aligarh movement. My point was that the special centres are added bonanza for Aligarh Muslim University as more and more students may get admission, and which will bring educational upliftment of the qaum o millat (community). Hence the AMU administration and Alumni across the world must give attention in building these centres. My point was understood very well by the audience and praised as well by experts.
In the evening a grand dinner party was waiting for the Alumni at Sir Syed House lawns, where the Vice Chancellor, Pro Vice Chancellor, registrar, other officials and faculty members interacted with the gathering. I visited the Sir Syed House and seen the exhibitions of things related to AMU’s legendary founder Sir Syed Ahmad Khan such as his sofas, working table and chair, his walking stick, old photographs, etc. Next day i.e October 19 was concluding day of the Alumni Meet, which was a bit relaxed and refreshing after hectic schedule of inaugural day. After the breakfast Alumnis were taken to project sites, construction site of Riyadh hall, smart class rooms, followed by Valedictory function at Kennedy Auditorium in which an AMU alumnus Dr. Rajeev Kumar Varshney, Scientist, ICAST, Hyderabad, recipient of this year’s prestigious Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Award was honoured by AMU Vice Chancellor.
I cherished the each and every moment spent inside the University on the occasion of AMU Alumni Meet 2014-15. Finally, after spending few hours in AMU campus, the departure time for my present location Patna arrived and I left for the railway station. I am back to Patna now, but the memories are still lingering on mind and I wished to visit AMU every year during Alumni Meet as the grand occasion gives you a wonderful opportunity to meet the Alig biradri spread across the world and make you aware about the various unknown facts of past and present of the University. Before I conclude, the Aligs around the globe who go through my nostalgic feelings, if you have missed the Alumni Meet this year don’t worry there is always second chance. However, don’t miss the chance to visit your ‘madare darsgah’ next year, which has gifted so many things to you and made your career and life successful. I may fully assure the fellow Aligs, you will have a lifelong memory much more effective and soothing than feelings expressed in words.
