By MM Special Correspondent
New Delhi: The Aligarh-based voluntary organization Duty Society, which played significant role in the establishment of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), is to hold a grand function in the National Capital’s prestigious venue the Vigyan Bhawan on Friday as to mark to its 125 years of existence. Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari will inaugurate the function and will deliver key note address.
Briefing the media here on Thursday, Duty Society’s Keeper Prof. A.H Siddiqi, who is also a renowned Mathematicians and former Pro Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, said the Society has completed its 125 years of existence which has been playing significant role in educational advancement of weaker sections of the society and the expansion of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) since its inception. To celebrate the completion of 125 years, the Duty Society has decided to organize a befitting function in Delhi as it has founded 30 years before the establishment of the Aligarh Muslim University and it has strived hard to establish AMU in 1920, he added.
In fact, it has raised an amount of 30 lakhs to get the charter of AMU. The society has played very significant role in the expansion of the Aligarh Muslim University and working for the educational advancement of the weaker sections of the society.
Underlining the achievements of the Society, Prof Siddiqi said it has Provided Substantial financial assistance to more than 25,000 deserving students, some of them acquired greater fame in different fields, including important positions of governments in the subcontinent.
1-It brought large monetary collections from every nook and corner of the country for the expansion and development of the MAO College. In fact, the budget of MAO College was heavily dependent on the annual collection of the Duty Society delegations. Most of the old university buildings were constructed by the financial support of the Duty Society.
2- Raised a permanent fund of Rs. 30 lakhs for obtaining the Charter of Aligarh Muslim University in 1920.
3-Collected huge sum of money for establishment of the Engineering College in thirties and Medical College in forties in the Aligarh Muslim University.
4-Constructed a Hall of Residence (Mohd. Sulaiman) and the University Post Office building in forties and thirties respectively.
5-Published “Contribution and Achievement of AMU” in 1989 and “Educational Needs of Indian Muslims and the Role of Aligarh Movement” in 1993. It has also published the memorial volume of Obaidur Rehman Khan Sherwani and Dr. Zakir Husain in his centenary year 1996-97. In this volume the abridged version of Dr. Zakir Husain’s, Ph.D. thesis was also published.
6-It was instrumental in creation of Ambedkar Chair during 1992-93 in AMU.
7-Arranged donation to the AMU Welfare Fund of more than Rs. 30 lakh for girls and boys hostels faculty of law and Architecture Department etc. during 1987-95.
8-It runs a Coaching and Guidance Centre for professional courses like Engineering, Medical, MBA, MFC, MCA, etc.
9- Provided computer training to a fairly large number of needy and deserving students. The Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India also provided financial support in this venture of the society. The computer center of the society is currently supported by Urdu Council, MHRD, and Government of India.
10-Arranged donation from Mr. Nadeem Tarin, a distinguished old boy for construction of a Hall of residence for 500 students in 1993. This is a unique gesture of an individual in the AMU history.
11- The society played a major role during 1987-94 in the establishment of Agriculture College in AMU.
Prof Siddiqi also informed reporters that during the programme a seminar on “Educational Development of Weaker Sections in India” will be held as the society has been primarily working for the weaker sections. The seminar will discuss the ways and means to remove deficiencies in education and training of weaker sections in India. Different aspects of this issue will be discussed during the seminar.
He also revealed that Dr. Frank Islam of USA, a well known Philanthropist was very keen to attend the function but due to one reason or the other he cancelled his trip and sent his lecture for this occasion and a short video message.