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Gandhi’s teachings relevant even today: AMU V-C
The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) commemorated the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on Wednesday.
The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) commemorated the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on Wednesday.
Addressing a gathering of AMU teachers, students and other staff in the cultural hall of MA Library, vice-chancellor Tariq Mansoor said that Mahatma Gandhi was one of the greatest world leaders, who inspired Barack Obama, Nelson Mandela, His Holiness Dalai Lama, Martin Luther King Jr and Albert Einstein, among many others.
He emphasised that ideals of Mahatma Gandhi offer solution to overcome various universal issues, including global warming.
“Gandhiji’s advocacy to promote ‘simple living and high thinking’ implied living in sync with the environment and abstaining from excessive consumerism and exploitation of natural resources,” said the V-C.
He pointed out that Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings were relevant even today and would continue to inspire people.
“Non-violence is still and will remain the most relevant way of handling situations,”
“Gandhiji protested against oppression on all sections of society and communities,” said Mansoor adding that Gandhiji promoted the idea of bringing self-reliance in rural areas.
“Mahatma Gandhi always believed that nations can only progress if there is equality and tolerance among populations,” he added.
The V-C administered a pledge to work with dedication for preserving and strengthening the freedom and integrity of the nation. He also led AMU teachers, students and non-teaching staff in a ‘Swachchata Shapath’ (cleanliness pledge) by saying that Mahatma Gandhi had dreamt of a developed and clean country.
Earlier in the day, the V-C inaugurated an exhibition of rare books, documents, journals, and finely-curated photographs depicting all the significant events from Mahatma Gandhi’s life. The three-day- long exhibition, open to visitors from 10am to 5pm, will conclude on October 4.
AMU pro-vice-chancellor Akhtar Haseeb and registrar Abdul Hamid (IPS) were also present on the occasion.
M Rizwan Khan (chairman, department of English) pointed out that today Gandhiji was more relevant as an idea than as a historical figure.
“Gandhiji gave a new dimension to ahimsa (non-violence) - an eternal, natural and the highest human value, in theory and practice. His ideas and practices became equally adaptable in his own time for people of his own country and proved to be the guiding force for people all over the world,” said Khan.
NSS AMU Unit, Ahmadi School for the Visually Challenged, Senior Secondary School-Girls, Sayyid Hamid Senior Secondary School-Boys, AMU ABK High School-Girls, AMU ABK High School-Boys, AMU Girls School, Abdullah School, AMU City Girls High School, AMU City School and STS School also commemorated Gandhi Jayanti with special programmes.
