By Muslim Mirror Desk

Lucknow : Alumnae of Aligarh Muslim University reunited at the hotel Raddison Blu in Lucknow today. It was the second get-together organized by the ‘Beauties of AMU’ after it’s successful launch in Delhi last November.

Advertisement

As envisioned by its founders, Iram Raza and Saba Qasim, on the first meet in November last year this group is harnessing the educational and financial resources of its members to bring an overall positive impact on the society.

This meeting has witnessed the distribution of Rs. 10,000 each to four needy housemaids. A total amount of 40,000 INR  was raised among the group members. Also at the meeting pre-owned clothes were collected from among the members, which will be distributed through an NGO- Shoulder to Shoulder among the needy.

To share their ideas three distinguished achievers among the alumnae were invited as speakers. Asma Hussain is a fashion designer and founder director of AIFT, Sabiha Ahmad is a social activist and Tahira Hasan is Vice President of AIWPA. The event was attended by approx 60 ladies where Mrs Safia Kidwai was the senior most (1973 batch) Major attraction was a book launch – How to Create Positive Change in 21 Days by alumna Sara Khan

The most astonishing part is that this group is still in its rudimentary stage and within a stipulated period of just four months, seventeen thousand ignited minds have been registered to enlighten the society at large. Moreover, the most appealing disclosure is that “Beauties of AMU” has members from all across the globe. From Japan to Australia to USA to Canada to UK to Europe to Gulf Countries and not only this beauty with brains have also started sharing their memories, unforgettable incidents and photographs from their AMU days. The diversity of this group is vast, as the body has members from the batch of 1950’s to this current year.

Tahira Hasan from 1983 batch warmly participated  in the Lucknow event and expressed her desire to have university like AMU in every state. Being an active social catalyst she strongly want to mobilize AMU alumnae to work for the cause of education of girls in the society. 

“My connection with AMU is very brief but very memorable” , stated famous Fashion Designer, Asma Husain. She joined AMU (1983) with the hope to become doctor but fate has decided something else for her.

Women interacted and made strategy of how to further use their education from AMU for the betterment of the society. Another Alumna, Farah Sarosh who runs a trust- Nurture Life in Lucknow – highlighted the Importance of Mental Health among Women. She told participants that mental health does not means absence of psychological problems but a happy state of mind. And we should come out of stigma associated with mental health in the society.

Sabiha Ahmed who passed out from AMU in 1992 batch started the event on happy notes sharing about some fond memories of AMU and hostel bringing smiles to all the faces. She spoke about her research work where she has compiled a list of Government schemes (at state and central level) for women. Now she want to develop an app for it which would make things easier for unprivileged females  who want to avail the schemes. She urged AMU alumnae to spare at least an hour to work. She said that its not necessary that we help financially. We can help weaker section of society in tasks they are incapable to do like helping them with adhaar card, voter id, bank accounts and other paper work

The other temptations were many games, concise & precise activities full of fun which was very entertaining and informative.

All India Radio was the media partner while Greenwear provided the alumnae with gift hampers and co-sponsored by Mi-fam (US) by Reshma Hyder

Iram did Masters in Journalism and Mass communication from AMU in 2006 and Saba Qasim is an MBA (2011) from AMU. The idea cropped up with seeing most of the women from AMU sitting at home after marriage. “I am in touch of many girls and at some point or other we all come across identity crisis in such set-up. The idea behind this group is then first to stir up all the beauties of AMU and then to harness their power of brain to do something for the betterment of society and for them as well”, commented Iram. They have also launched a website which will provide a platform to women to express their views and use their talent on the website. “We have many ideas for our folks but there is a process to everything and we are progressing towards it.”, said Saba.