Aligarh : Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) paid homage to Iron Man, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 147th birth anniversary with a series of events across the university to observe the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day).
Students and sports teachers of the Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh AMU City School, Ahmadi School for the Visually Challenged, Saiyyid Hamid Senior Secondary School (Boys), Senior Secondary School (Girls), AMU ABK High School, AMU Girls’ School and STS School participated in a five kilometer ‘Run for Unity’ from the Athletics Ground, which was flagged off by the University Registrar, Mr Mohammad Imran (IPS) and Prof Syed Amjad Ali Rizvi, Secretary, Games Committee.
Mr Mohammad Imran (IPS) who also participated in the ‘Run for Unity’ event urged the university students and teachers to do their best for maintaining the unity of the Country.
Prof R K Tiwari, Principal, Dr ZA Dental College (ZADC) read the Unity Pledge to faculty members and students at the Dental College celebrations.
He pressed for taking inspiration from life and works of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for preserving and strengthening unity, integrity and security of the Nation.
ZADC faculty members and students also came together to observe the nation-wide celebrations with an ‘open mic’ session on ‘Role of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Nation-Building’.
Prof Surendra Kumar Mishra (Dept Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics) highlighted Sardar Patel’s contribution to the Indian Freedom struggle and spoke of his ideology of Integration which led to the unifications of all states and provinces in India.
Dr Saba Khan (Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics) talked about Sardar Patel’s monumental efforts in the reorganization of princely states and his significant work as the Deputy Prime Minister in Independent India.
A short video on the life and contributions of Sardar Patel and Mahatma Gandhi was also screened.
Pledge taking ceremony, speeches and essay-writing competition on ‘Sardar Patel, the Architect of Modern India’ marked the National Unity Day at the Women’s College.
Programme conveners, Prof Nazia Hasan and Dr Sadaf Fareed encouraged students to strive hard for the unity and progress of the Nation and spoke on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s vision of national integration.
At the Department of Social Work, Prof Naseem Ahmad Khan (Chairman) administered the pledge to preserve the unity, integrity, and security of the Nation.
Addressing students, teachers and the non-teaching staff; he said: “The youth must take inspiration from the unwavering patriotism, steel resolve, and courage of Sardar Patel which led to the unification of States.
“This day is about preserving unity, which is an important part of the ‘Paanch Pran’, declared by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on this year’s Independence Day celebrations.
Faculty members Dr Mohd Tahir, Dr QurratulAein Ali, Dr Shyna Saif and Dr Mohd Arif Khan also spoke on the life and contributions of Sardar Patel.
Similarly at the Department of Home Science, Prof Farzana Alim (Chairperson) administered the Unity Pledge to teachers, students and the non-teaching staff.
“Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was a great social leader who worked enormously for a united and independent Nation and on the occasion of his birth anniversary we should all firmly resolve to spread his message across the Country”, she said.
At the Department of Economics, Prof Md Abdus Salam (Chairman, Department of Economics) administered the pledge.
He also spoke on Sardar Patel’s dedication and sacrifices in the freedom struggle including his role in the peaceful integration of around 565 princely states into the Indian Union, the Bardoli Satyagraha and his contribution in building up a newly independent India during and his tenure as first Deputy Prime Minister and the first Home Minister.
Dr Shirin Rais conducted the programme.
Students of the department also participated in a quiz competition to mark the occasion.
The occasion was observed at the Ahmadi School for the Visually Challenged with a week-long series of events in which students participated with much enthusiasm. An essay-writing competition on the teachings of SardarVallabhbhai Patel was the highlight of the celebrations.
Dr Naila Rashid (School Principal) urged students to inculcate in them the teachings of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr Babloo Kuraisi (School Teacher) spoke on the important role of Sardar Patel in the freedom struggle.
The National Unity Day was celebrated with a ‘Special Assembly’ session at the AMU City Girls’ High School in which teachers spoke on the importance of unity in the Country.
“It is a special occasion to foster and reinforce dedication to preserve and strengthen unity, integrity and security of the nation, by reinforcing the values of a strong and united India”, said Md Javed Akhtar (Vice Principal).
Huma Siddiqui spoke on life and works on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Asmita Chaudhary conducted the programme.
A documentary on the life of Sardar Patel was also screened at the school.
At the AMU Girls’ School, Amna Malik (Vice Principal) administered the Unity Pledge and spoke on the role of Sardar Patel in uniting all the states.
In the celebrations at the STS School, Faisal Nafis (Principal) administered the pledge to students and teachers and urged them to do their best for safeguarding and upholding national unity.
School students also sang patriotic songs on the occasion.
