EDUCATION
Javed M. Ansari on Aligarh Muslim University
Violence has long been a part of campus life at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). The appointment of the former Jammu & Kashmir additional chief secretary, Mehmudoor Rehman, as vice-chancellor (VC) last March was greeted with celebration: an efficient administrator, Rehman immediately set out to rid the campus of the acrimony and violence that had marked the last few months of his predecessor M.N. Farooqui's term. What happened on November 12, however prove that at the ground level, little may have changed.
The rot runs deep. Vested interests have firmly entrenched themselves in the AMU campus.
In recent years, the university, with its vast tracts of land lying vacant because of unplanned expansion, has become a prime hunting ground for land sharks. They are said to be financing a section of the students leadership, and using its influence to encroach on prime university property. Compounding AMU's woes are the cliques created by employees filling up vacant posts with their relatives.
What's worse, nearly 23,000 students are crammed into the university's 13 hostels, which makes it difficult for the authorities to weed out people with criminal antecedents. The lack of proper fencing further helps criminals to slip in and out of the campus with impunity. Even though the police have been given permission by Rehman to enter the campus to flush out criminal elements, few students volunteer to help spot them.
Despite initiating such reforms as abolishing the highly politicized students' union and stopping admissions based on recommendations, Rehman's tough, almost abrasive style has antagonized even many of his well-wishers. Several of his decisions have come in for criticism. For one, he did not change his administrative team, a holdover from his predecessor's time. Rehman's habit of making unilateral decisions has been ill received. If last fortnight's incidents are any indication, AMU's troubles are likely to outlive the current VC as well.
(Source: The India Today, 15 December, 1995)
Government Statement on Unani Medicine
It has been decided to set up a National Institute of Unani Medicine at Bangalore on 55 acres and 2 guntas of land provided by the Government of Karnataka, free of cost. The foundation stone for the building has already been laid on 8.11.1995 and a provision of Rs. 100.00 lakh has been made for the Institute during the current year.
(Source: LSUQ No, 3667 dated 20 December, 1995 by C.P. Urs)
Hamdard Institute of Historical Research Ghalib Academy, Nizamuddin West, New Delhi-110 013
The Hamdard Institute of Historical Research, a non- governmental and non-political organization, registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860 (S-20374 of 1990), is an autonomous research-cum-study centre. It has been sponsored by the Hamdard National Foundation, New Delhi, to foster objective, rational and scientific study of the history of South Asia such as will inculcate an informed appreciation of the composite cultural heritage and of the anti-colonial struggle for freedom in the region as also to promote and support compilation and publication of source-material in respect of the Region. It also purports to promote interaction between scholars and institutions engaged in historical research on the Region in different countries.
Governing Council President:
1. Hakeem Abdul Hameed, Chancellor, Jamia Hamdard
Hony. Director:
2.Prof. S.A.I. Tirmizi, Formerly Director, National Archives of India
Treasurer:
3.Mr. Abdul Muced, Treasurer, Hamdard National Foundation(HNF)
Members:
1. Prof. Satish Chandra, Formerly Chairman, University Grants Commission
2. Prof. M.S. Agwani, Vice-Chancellor (VC), JNU
3. Prof. Mohammad Amin, VC, Jamia Hamdard
4. Prof. Bipin Chandra, Professor, JNU
5. Dr. Prem Kirpal, Formerly Secretary. Ministry of Education, Government of India,
6. Prof. Ziaul Hasan Faruqi, Formerly Professor, Jamia Millia Islamia
7. Prof. V.N. Datta, Professor Emeritus, Kurukshetra University
8. Mr. S.A. Ali, Dean, Faculty of Islamic Studies and Humanities, Jamia Hamdard
9. Mr. Arshad Ali Kidwai, Secretary, HNF
10. Qazi Irshad Husain, Superintendent, HNF
Publications: Cultural Interaction in South Asia: A Historical Perspective was brought out and released by Janab Hakeem Abdul Hameed on 19th February, 1993.
Work on Research Project: Partition of India: A Documentary Study, 1857-47 has been initiated,
Panel Discussion: A Panel Discussion on "South Asia: Pluralism and Composite Culture" was organized at Centre on 19th February, 1994 with Mr. I.K. Gujral, Prof. Rasheeduddin Khan, Mr. Praful Bidwai and Prof. S.A.I. Tirmizi.
