By Sk Md Sabeer Alam,
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
? Nelson Mandela
Let’s start with this aforesaid quote said by Mr. Nelson Mandela that education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. But I think it must be changed into “Education is the most powerless weapon which you can’t use to change the world.”
Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) is a public university, funded by the central government of India. It was established by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan as Madrasatul Uloom Musalmanan-e-Hind, in 1875 which later became Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College (MAO College). It was designed to train Muslims for government service in India and prepare them for advanced training in British universities. The Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College became Aligarh Muslim University in 1920. Spread over 467.6 hectares in the city of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. Aligarh Muslim University offers more than 300 courses in the traditional and modern branches of education. It draws students from all corners of the world, especially Africa, West Asia and Southeast Asia. In some courses, places are reserved for students from SAARC and Commonwealth countries. The university is open to all irrespective of caste, creed, religion or gender. It ranks 8th among the top 20 research universities in India. Alumni of the university are popularly known as Aligarians. It has more than 30,000, students, about 1,400 teachers and some 6,000 non-teaching staff on its rolls, with 12 faculties in 95 departments, 5 institutions and 13 centres. There are 18 halls of residence with 73 hostels.
The AMU has established centres at Malappuram (Kerala) and Murshidabad (West Bengal) while the Kishanganj (Bihar) centre has been allotted land, and a site has been identified for Aurangabad (Maharashtra) centre. The AMU Centre Malappuram began functioning in February 2011 with the commencement of MBA and BA LLB classes from rented premises. The foundation stone of the Murshidabad Centre was laid on 20 November 2010.
For AMU in Kishanganj, Bihar Government has already provided land, but what about the other important part and that is FUND allotment. Earlier Congress led UPA govt. used to say that Bihar govt. is not providing land that’s why the fund allotment is pending. As soon as the land for AMU Kishanganj will be finalized, the funds will be released. Seemanchal people were hopeful, and they were busy making their dreams pertaining to Aligarh Muslim University in Kishanganj. But their dreams were shattered.
There were so many protests against government but no result. Common people have been trapped into the government imbroglio. The one political party blames the other and vice-versa. Should we believe on the politicians? They all have two faces. They themselves are in a doubt. They are only for the chairs and nothing else. Now again we are said that DPR/DFR is being prepared and it will take at least 6-7 months. So, no hue and cry till that time. Then after 6-7 months again we will hear some different things which will hinder AMU Kishanganj project. So, it’s a circle or a political labyrinth on which we common people have been fighting for years. All I can say is that now this AMU Kishanganj issue has been fully politicized. They have taken it as a vote bank now. Our indolent government cannot do any justice to common people. They can only throw bogus hope to us.
It’s time for all the people of Seemanchal to get united on this issue and do not cast their vote for a person or party who is selfish and not able to take any responsibility. I fully appreciate the Human Chain’s efforts for the AMU Kishanganj. They have made it a national issue.