atSir Syed Ahmad Khan Mazhar during his 208th Birth AnniversarAMU Commemorates 208th Birth Anniversary of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan with Solemn Tributes and Inspiring Addresse
Prof Naima Khatoonk and Prof Mohsin Khan presenting the memento to Abdul Shahid
Dr. S. Somanath addressing the Sir Syed Ahmad Khan 208th Birth Anniversary commemoration meeting
ALIGARH, October 17: “May the light kindled by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan continue to guide our path, inspire our minds, and remind us that one enlightened man can change the destiny of millions,” said Hon’ble Mr. Justice Abdul Shahid, Judge, Allahabad High Court, while addressing students and faculty members as the Chief Guest at the Sir Syed Day Commemorative Function. Reflecting on his own 41-year journey since joining AMU, Justice Shahid highlighted the transformative power of education, perseverance, and moral purpose in realizing one’s dreams.
He emphasized Sir Syed’s enduring message that “the first requisite for the progress of a nation is brotherhood and unity among sections of society,” and that “ignorance is the mother of poverty, and education is the only solution.” Urging students to remain committed to their ambitions, he advised them to learn continuously, practice de-learning of harmful habits, and treat discouragement as a source of motivation. Justice Shahid also drew parallels between the legacy of Sir Syed and his son, Justice Syed Mehmood, highlighting their contributions to the judiciary and nation-building, and encouraged students to uphold the same principles of integrity, dedication, and resilience in their own lives.
Delivering the Guest of Honour’s address, Dr. S. Somanath, Former Chairman, ISRO and Chancellor, Chanakya University, Bengaluru, lauded Sir Syed’s visionary approach that combined faith with reason and modern science with moral values. He said that Sir Syed’s vision of creating a scientifically oriented society, where education serves as a key for moral and national regeneration, remains highly relevant today.
Dr. Somanath highlighted that the pursuit of knowledge, whether through science or spiritual reflection, is a journey of curiosity, collaboration, and moral purpose. He emphasized that emerging technologies, ranging from space exploration and genomics to artificial intelligence, offer unprecedented opportunities for societal transformation. He urged students to harness scientific skill and ethical awareness for nation-building.
He remarked that AMU students and faculty have already contributed to scientific collaborations and missions, reinforcing the University’s role in shaping capable leaders, technologists, and innovators.
Dr. Somanath concluded by underlining the importance of uniting scientific inquiry with conscience, advocating that “true modernity means widening the circle of knowledge without losing the centre of conscience,” and encouraged young minds to continue Sir Syed’s legacy of education as a force against ignorance.
The Special Guest, Ms. Milee Ashwarya, Senior Vice President and Publisher, Penguin Random House, spoke about the continuing relevance of Sir Syed’s emphasis on knowledge, inclusivity, and empowerment through education. She remarked that freedom of expression, openness, and respect for diversity are essential values for today’s youth. She encouraged students to remain rooted to their origins while aiming high, stressing that patience, perseverance, and consistent effort in daily life are keys to greatness.
In her presidential remarks, Vice-Chancellor Prof Naima Khatoon lauded Sir Syed’s vision, calling him “the dreamer who became an architect of ideas, the believer who became a reformer of society, and the teacher who became a torchbearer for the masses.” She emphasized that AMU stands today as a living continuation of Sir Syed’s ideals, where reason accompanies faith, tolerance guides learning, and education transforms society.
Prof Khatoon highlighted the University’s recent achievements, including securing a top-10 NIRF rank, the Best University Award for contributions to India’s Geospatial Mission, the expansion of solar power capacity to 6.5 megawatts, and the launch of the AMU Innovation Foundation with a ₹5-crore DST-TBI grant supporting start-ups in AI, healthcare, and space technology. She also noted AMU’s global collaborations through MoUs with the University of York (UK), Università degli Studi di Genova (Italy), Universitas Gadjah Mada (Indonesia), University Teknologi Brunei Darussalam, and industry-linked partnerships with Novo Nordisk India and AstraZeneca.
The Vice-Chancellor underlined AMU’s role in nurturing research, innovation, and ethical leadership among students, and called upon them to harness knowledge responsibly to design technologies that heal, codes that include, and progress that benefits society. She emphasized that Sir Syed’s legacy inspires the University’s initiatives, from All India Essay Writing Competitions to the Sir Syed Excellence Awards, and reinforced the institution’s commitment to “Education with Integrity, Research with Responsibility, and Innovation with Inclusion” as the foundation of its contribution to Viksit Bharat 2047.
Prof Khatoon concluded with a heartfelt appeal: “Our founder’s most incredible creation was not a college but a conscience. I pray to Allah that Aligarh Muslim University forever remains the conscience of modern India: where the mind is rigorous, the heart compassionate, and the soul at peace.”
The Sir Syed Excellence Awards (International and National) were conferred upon Prof Faisal Devji, Balliol College, University of Oxford, and Dr Abdul Qadeer, Chairman of the Shaheen Group of Institutions, respectively.
Prof Faisal Devji expressed his gratitude, saying that his earliest research was on the Aligarh movement, and that the movement’s creation of a pan-Indian Muslim community continues to inform his understanding of modern Indian history.
Dr Abdul Qadeer reflected on the educational movement inspired by Sir Syed, highlighting the integration of religious and modern education through Shaheen schools and the efforts to create distraction-free residential learning environments for children. He emphasized the importance of nurturing the next generation and expanding this educational movement nationally and internationally.
The event also featured student speeches by Zainab Faiza Islam and Abu Maaz, and faculty addresses by Prof Feza Tabassum Azmi and Prof Mohammad Qamrul Huda Faridi, who spoke on Sir Syed’s contributions to education, social reform, and intellectual awakening.
Winners of the All India Essay Writing Competition on "Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and the Aligarh Movement: A Rational Approach to Secular Education in India" were felicitated with cash prizes and certificates by Vice Chancellor Prof Naima Khatoon and Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof M. Mohsin Khan.
In English, the first prize went to Tuba Shamsi (BA, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi), second to Stuti Narayan (BALLB, NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad), and third to Yanis Iqbal (BA, Aligarh Muslim University). In Urdu, the first prize went to Tahir Hussain (Ph.D.), second to Afreen Raza (Ph.D.), and third to Abu Daud (BA). In Hindi, Mohammad Suhaib (BALLB) was awarded first prize, Azram Fatima Siddiqui (B.Com.) received second, and Salma Ashfa (Ph.D.) secured third. All winners in the Urdu and Hindi categories are from Aligarh Muslim University.
Earlier in the morning, the day began with Qur’an Khwani at the University Mosque, followed by Chadarposhi at Sir Syed’s Mazaar. The Vice-Chancellor, along with distinguished guests and faculty members, inaugurated an exhibition on Sir Syed’s writings and books, jointly organized by the Sir Syed Academy and the Maulana Azad Library, and released a series of newly published works on Sir Syed’s life and thought, that also included the launch of “Digital Archives of the Aligarh Institute Gazette.”
Prof Aasim Zafar, Registrar, AMU, delivered the Welcome Address, while Prof Rafiuddin, Dean, Students’ Welfare, proposed the Vote of Thanks. The programme was conducted by Dr Shariq Aqeel and Dr Faiza Abbasi. The event concluded with the University Tarana followed by the National Anthem.
The Sir Syed Day celebrations will culminate with a traditional gala dinner today at the various halls of residence, attended by eminent guests, including senior officials and distinguished alumni.
