Category: Education

Meet Haris Sumair who cracked UPSC CSE 2020

He has taken coaching from MS IAS Academy.

Hyderabad: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Friday declared the final results of the civil services examination 2020. A total of 761 candidates have cleared the examination.

Mohd Haris Sumair of Karnataka’s Bidar district is one among them. He has secured All India Rank 270.

During the preparation, Sumair has received guidance from his brother, Nadeem who is an IPS officer of the 2019 batch, Kerala-cadre, Hindustan Gazette reported.

Sumair who is an engineering graduate was offered a job by Intel company during the campus interviews. However, he has decided not to accept the offer as he wanted to crack the civil service examination.

He started preparing for the examination immediately after the completion of engineering. He used to dedicate 15 hours every day for the preparation. He has taken coaching from MS IAS Academy.

Sumair’s father Nayeemuddin has been quoted saying that preliminary education plays important role in the foundation of the children.

He further said that he is thankful to the Almighty for giving good children.

Number of students appeared in the exam

Every year, the UPSC conducts the civil services examination to select officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and others.

In 2020, over 10.4 lakh candidates applied for the civil services preliminary examination. Out of them, 10,564 candidates qualified for appearance in the main examination which was held in January 2021.

After the declaration of the results of the main examination, 2053 candidates were invited for the personality test. Finally, 761 candidates were able to find their names in the selection list.

Out of 761 candidates, 263 are of general category, 86 from economic weaker section (EWS), 220 of Other Backward Class (OBC), 122 Scheduled Castes (SC) and 61 belong to Scheduled Tribes (ST).

Aligarh Muslim University illuminated for its centenary celebrations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the chief guest at centenary celebrations on December 22

Aligarh: Buildings in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) have been illuminated for its centenary celebrations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the chief guest at centenary celebrations on December 22, through video conferencing.

Speaking to ANI, AMU Public Relations Officer (PRO) Omar Saleem Peerzada said, “A centenary celebration is a landmark event in the history of any university. We are celebrating this event following all protocols of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are webinars, seminars and symposiums going on.”

“Moreover the landmark buildings and administrative block of the Univesity besides several gates are being decorated with lights depicting the rich and unique heritage of the University,” he said.

“It is a great festival for the students, teachers and those associated with the University,”

he added. On December 16 Peerzada had informed that Prime Minister Modi will be the chief guest at the centenary celebration of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on December 22 via video link.

The Prime Minister will be accompanied by Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. This is the first time PM Modi will participate in a programme of the Aligarh Muslim University.

“The vice-chancellor is very grateful to the Prime Minister and education minister for taking out time from their busy schedules to attend the celebration. This is an important day for the university,” Peerzada had added.

Source: ANI

Prof Lelyveld delivers lecture on establishment of AMU

Aligarh: Noted scholar and the author of ‘Aligarh’s First Generation: Muslim Solidarity in British India’, Prof David Lelyveld on Monday meticulously located the history of the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental (MAO) College and its transformation into the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), in the perspective of Muslim cultural identity in India in the nineteenth century, and the changes it underwent, in the context of colonial rule.

He was delivering the keynote address on the establishment of Aligarh Muslim University in the AMU Centenary International Webinar on ‘The Establishment of Aligarh Muslim University and its Achievements (1920-2020) ‘. The two-day programme, which will conclude on December 8 is organised by the Sir Syed Academy.

Explaining the history of AMU in a multiple time frame analysis, Prof Lelyveld described how the period from 1870-75 saw the landmark developments such as Syed Mahmud submitting the plan of a proposed university in the MAO College Fund Committee meeting in 1873 among other important events.

He discussed how the years 1875-1898 were about Sir Syed ‘s remarkable leadership and the year 1920, when Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College became Aligarh Muslim University, following the Gazette Notification.

He said that Sir Syed introduced a new energy and a notion of progress to change the common people.

“Sir Syed had an interdisciplinary perspective. He was a modernist with religious thoughts, a proponent of both scientific and historical learning and a social reformer, who laid the foundation of scientific education with the establishment of MAO College, now known as AMU that continues today as one of India’s premier universities,” said Prof Lelyveld.

He further spoke how Sheikh Abdullah, after whom AMU Abdullah College was named, pressed for women education and wrote many articles in different journals.

“Sheikh Abdullah started a monthly womens’ magazine in order to start a school for girls. In 1906, he managed to start a girl’s school and after a lot of struggle, Sheikh Abdullah and his wife Waheed Jahan Begum finally succeeded to lay the foundation stone of the first girl’s hostel in 1911,” said Prof Lelyveld.

Prof Leyveld emphasised the role played by former President of India, Dr Zakir Husain in taking AMU forward and in shaping the education system of the country.

The Chief Guest, Mr M J Akbar, Indian journalist and politician, who served as the Minister of State for External Affairs and is currently a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha said that AMU is a living institution representing Sir Syed’s perception of future.

“Sir Syed, who was born in the last years of the Mughal era and died during the peak of the British Raj, knew how to move a community out of nostalgia and this became his mission,” said Mr Akbar.

He added: “Sir Syed tried to change Muslims and Hindus with the instrument of education. His commitment was not sectarian and he believed that the patriarchal system needed to be eliminated.”

Sir Syed promoted equality and welfare of the all Indian citizens and believed in non-violence, said Mr Akbar adding that he saved a British family during the unrest followed by the 1857 Mutiny.

He pointed out that Sir Syed stressed on gender reforms and economic emancipation.

“On his England visit, Sir Syed saw a maid reading a newspaper, which left a deep impression on him. He wanted to bring the western gender reforms to India to tread the path of Western progress,” pointed out Akbar.

Attending the programme as the Guest-of-Honour, former AMU Vice Chancellor, Lt General Zameer Uddin Shah (Veteran) said that Sir Syed’s Aligarh Movement needs to be taken forward.

General Shah added that he took inspiration from the life and works of Sir Syed and became a part of the second Aligarh Movement, focussed to establish a chain of modern and secular schools.

“We have already established three such schools and fourth one will be operational soon,” said General Zameer Uddin Shah.

He urged students to utilise their time and to focus on areas such as nano technology, artificial intelligence and robotics, while maintaining the ethos of Ganga-Jamuna Tehzeeb (Culture).

Former AMU Vice Chancellor and civil servant, Mr Naseem Ahmad said that Sir Syed as the leading light of the wider Aligarh Movement established a base, and an impetus for education reform.

He added that the Aligarh Movement had a profound impact on the Indian society and influenced a number of other movements to a great extent that it caused the emergence of other reform movements during the 19th century.

“Sir Syed realized the importance of modern education and believed that education alone will help to reach the cherished goal of development, peace, harmony and political stability of people,” said Mr Naseem.

He pointed out that Sir Syed stood for reformation and transformation of society to modern ideas, especially to the backward Muslims in general and to the common Indians in particular.

“Sir Syed was a reformist and progressive thinker of his time. His main contribution and relevance to the present day is his belief in multiculturalism where all communities irrespective of any caste or creed must be allowed equal status and to live in harmony,” said Mr Naseem.

Delivering presidential remarks, AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof Tariq Mansoor said that any institution is judged by the values it inculcates. AMU stands for pluralism, harmony, inclusiveness and scholarship.

“Since its inception, AMU has been making seminal contributions to different branches of knowledge and has played a major role in Nation building. We stand proud that AMU is included amongst the top ranked Indian universities due to the concerted efforts of its faculty and focussed research of its scholars,” said the Vice Chancellor adding that it is time for minorities, especially Muslims for a new thought process, which should involve dialogue and adjustments.

Speaking on the Covid 19 work at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Prof Mansoor informed that JNMC is playing an important role in combating Covid-19 pandemic through testing, treatment and vaccine trials.

JNMC hospital is the first institution to complete enrollment of 1000 volunteers for Phase III Covaxin trials sponsored by ICMR and Bharat Biotech, said the Vice Chancellor.

AMU Pro Vice Chancellor, Prof Zaheeruddin also attended the programme.

In the welcome address, Prof Ali Mohammad Naqvi, Director, Sir Syed Academy said that the two-day programme will have paper presentations from experts and researchers from various fields.

AMU Registrar, Mr Abdul Hamid (IPS) thanked the keynote speaker for the thought provoking lecture, while Dr Mohammad Shahid, Deputy Director, Sir Syed Academy extended the vote of thanks to all the guests.  Dr Syed Hussain Haider conducted the programme.  

Courtesy: TCN News

Dr. Kalbe Sadiq: The Man Who Walked the Talk

My first personal contact with Dr. Kalbe Sadiq happened while I was still in school. He was visiting my maternal uncle and his good friend, Maulana Hamidul Hasan. I remember his friendly demeanour as my uncle introduced me. This along with a deep understanding of human society was the hallmark of the great man.

The first time I sat through an entire lecture of Dr. Sadiq was in the common room of Hadi Hasan hostel, Aligarh Muslim University. This was probably 1992-93. He started exactly at the scheduled time and shared wonderful insights on Islamic teaching. This was a welcome change for young impressionable minds. It gave us a new perspective.

Continue reading “Dr. Kalbe Sadiq: The Man Who Walked the Talk”

Let’s reclaim the spirit of A.M.U.

We all are aware of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s mammoth efforts in shaping the educational landscape of Indian Sub continent in the 19th century by establishing the scientific society, Victoria College, Persian School in Moradabad and the establishment of Mohammedan Anglo Oriental College in Aligarh, which in 1920 became the Aligarh Muslim University. These establishments help Indians specially those who belong to marginalised section of the society to achieve great heights in their educational pursuit and also help them in becoming better human beings. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was a visionary whose foresightedness helped Indians in mastering English language and thus creating their niche in their own country where they were outclassed and outsmarted by colonial masters because of their proficiency in a universal language. Continue reading “Let’s reclaim the spirit of A.M.U.”

AMU’s journal on women of marginalized communities released online

The Centre for Women’s studies, Aligarh Muslim University has revived its reputed journal ‘Women and Society’ by bringing out a special issue on ‘Issues of women of marginalized communities: Concerns about exclusion’. Professor Tariq Mansoor, Vice-Chancellor, AMU will release the journal on July 9, at 11:00 am via an online platform.

According to Professor Azra Musavi, Director, Centre for Women’s Studies, the special issue of the journal zeroes in on various issues plaguing the women of the marginalized communities. It carries research articles, field surveys and book reviews.

The online ceremony will feature response from a reputed scholar and a member of the editorial board of the Journal, Professor Shireen Moosvi, and responses from the contributors.

The founder Director, Centre for Women’s Studies, Prof Zakia Siddiqui will also speak, and Professor Nisar Ahmad Khan, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, will propose the vote of thanks.

Teach in Urdu extends helping hand to worst-hit Urdu medium schools amid lockdown

Image used for representational purposes ( source Indian express)

National lockdown for Coronavirus pandemic has affected educational activities all across but the Urdu Schools remain one of the worst hit.

“While we see there is an upsurge of digital educational content and resources in English and few other Indian languages, Urdu language remains visibly neglected and inadequately supported,” said Khurshid Alam, Chief of Teach in Urdu (http://teachinurdu.org/).

Khurshid is the brain behind the online resource Teach in Urdu (TIU), an initiative of Springboard Foundation which is a not-for-profit organization established to promote and encourage Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship at the grass root. Established in 2015, the unit initially ran with 3 volunteers that grew to 11 permanent members with several part-time translators and content curators.

“Although its rich literary heritage needs no introduction, unfortunately, it has very few pedagogical and learning resources available on the digital platform,” opines Khurshid. He explains the motive behind this unique endeavour highlighting that there are about 20 crore people in the subcontinent whose mother tongue is Urdu and although poems and literature in Urdu abound the internet, there is an unprecedented lack of educational resources for students.

According to a 2015 study, there are a total of 28,276 Urdu schools (including private schools) in 26 states of India and apart from NCERT, only six state education boards are providing textbooks on the Internet for Urdu speakers. With over tens of thousands of teachers and millions of students that fall under this category, the need to Urdu educational content is huge. To address this, TIU members of including Abdul Mumin, Mujahidul Islam, Salman Waheed and other full-time professional teachers, digital teaching specialists and teaching assistants are currently involved in developing not only translated material but also resources for empowering Urdu medium instructors.

“While there is a lot of buzz about technology enabling e-learning, meaningful technology integration in education requires concerted efforts to combine high-quality educational resources with teacher capacity building,” explains Khurshid. In this context, his team is concerned with the preparation of educational resources, teaching guides, educational material translation from other languages, and publication of materials in audio/video and other formats. The website also publishes pedagogical content for teachers, guides for various scientific and other educational experiments for children, and interactive simulations among other resources.

In light of the COVID-19 lockdown and huge dearth of digital literacy in the field, a survey of Urdu medium schools is being conducted by TIU to find out how Urdu medium schools are dealing with teaching problems. The survey can be filled by school administration or headmaster or principal (https://cutt.ly/iyWMKSN).

“We are now planning to conduct webinars for teachers to cope up with the educational needs during the lockdown period,” he said. As schools remain closed because of the deadly spread of Corona, TIU is planning on utilizing this time to build direct connectivity with both teachers and students through social media platforms.

Speaking about the reception of website resources among the Urdu speaking students, Khurshid shared that TIU receives an average 3000 visits per month with an active WhatsApp group of teachers from across the country that has full accessibility to content and interaction regarding empowering of Urdu teachers.

courtesy: TwoCircles.net

The Story behind AMU Tarana

Union Hall Lawn, AMU

MILLIONS of AMU students and alumni around the world sing the university tarana every year. It brings back so many Aligarh memories to me and countless others. The tarana itself is a fine piece of Urdu poetry and the story behind it is an interesting one.

One of AMU’s most famous student and an Urdu poet of the highest calibre, Asrar-ul-Haq Majaz, attended the university between 1930 and 1936.2 It was 1936 that he penned his famous poem Nazr-e-Aligarh.1 Majaz first recited it the same year in the Union Hall, in the presence of the Pro-Vice Chancellor (PVC) A.B. Ahmed Haleem.

Haleem stopped the recital and walked out when Majaz reached the lines “YahaaN ham ne kamandeN daalii haiN, Yahan hum ney shabkhooN (night raids) maaray haiN; YahaN hum nay qabaayeN nochii haiN, yahan hum nay taaj utaarey haiN” (Trans: We have scaled buildings here and ambushed here, We have torn garments here and removed crowns here).4

The huge gathering of students asked him to continue but Majaz did not. He had to relent later, and completed it in the Union Hall’s lawns (between Morrison court and Union building).3
Continue reading “The Story behind AMU Tarana”

An open letter to the new VC of AMU

Professor Tariq MansoorDear Tariq Mansoor Sb,
At the outset I would extend my heartiest congratulations to you for being appointed as the new Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University. This post not only brings great responsibility but also great expectations from all those who are related to this seat of learning by one way of other.
I have been visiting AMU quite often during the last 2-3 years and witnessed many key areas which need immediate attention from the top administration and since you are going to take the charge as the head of the institution, I thought of sharing these observations with you. I hope that under your aegis the situation will improve, and we will see AMU as a leading educational Institute by all real means.

Continue reading “An open letter to the new VC of AMU”

Physics workshop brings more than 100 international participants to AMU

AMU logoALIGARH. “The results of Physics researches in the field of Neutrinos generate from the India based Neutrino Observatory would provide a significant impact in the sphere of the cutting edge scientific research”, according to Prof. Takaaki Kajita, Nobel laureate in Physics and a professor at the University of Tokyo, Japan. Prof. Kajita was delivering his inaugural lecture at a five-day International Workshop on “The Frontiers of Electroweak Interaction of Leptons and Hadrons” organized by the Department of Physics, Aligarh Muslim University.

In his lecture, Prof. Kajita emphasized the importance of Neutrinos in day to day life and underlined the need for its production and detection. He said that the Japanese Neutrino Physics community was “eagerly looking forward to Indo-Japanese collaboration project in which a number of scientists from the Aligarh Muslim University are also involved”. Continue reading “Physics workshop brings more than 100 international participants to AMU”