Tuesday 6 December 2011

A Dream Called AMU Centre Kishanganj! Seems true now.

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By: Mumtaz Naiyer

I am overwhelmed to see the response of group members (AMU Centre Bihar Movement Group on Facebook) for the last few days. The news spread like a wildfire when it was declared that AMU received proposal of 224.02 acres contiguous land from Bihar Govt. Their comments and posts reflect the positive stance and their indefatigable struggle for the AMU Special Centre in Kishanganj.



Last few months were very intense, there were many wakeful nights however there were few happy moments too. The movement has witnessed many ups and downs. I have been following the aforesaid movement religiously for last one year. We have had many committed AMU activisits, who fought best with their capacity. The high point is that we have those brave hearts at every level, be it ground zero Kishanganj, Capital of Bihar – Patna and the national capital, New Delhi, across many metropolitan cities and many devoted well wishers from overseas. However, we have witnessed much negativity during this struggle which is bound to happen in every movement. Nonetheless, their negative remarks, sometime sarcastic ones gave us extra energy to fight for this noble cause. Moreover, we tried to build up the optimistic atmosphere among the group members which overshadowed such negativity, which certainly was indispensable to sustain such movements.

AMU Co-ordination Committee's online movement on Facebook

To portray the over all chronology is beyond the scope of this article, but I vividly remember that chain of proceedings started in full swing after 30th September 2011 National Conference for the establishement of AMU Centre Kishanganj held at India Islamic Cultural Centre, Lodhi Road in New Delhi. The agenda was (i) To make the issue National one (ii) Getting the National media coverage (iii) Participation in mass movement in Kishanganj from 12th October (iv) Actions to be taken to solve the issue. The conference was successfully organized by AMU Centre Co-ordination committee (AMUCC) members headed by Mohammed Aslam. Many distinguished speakers from diverse social circles showed their apprehension for the establishment of AMU study centre in Kishanganj. Various local and National leaders joined this movement. This conference was first of it kinds for AMU-K. For the first time it got broad media coverage, hit the National dailies. This conference was followed by a Mahadharna (grand agitation) on 12th October 2011 at Kishanganj under the banner of Kishanganj Education Movement (KEM) headed by local MP, Maulana Asrarul Haque Qasmi. The aforementioned agitation forced Nitish Kumar led Bihar Govt. to mull over seriously for it. The rest is history.


Women Participated in Symbolic Dharna on October 10, 2011

Recently there was a cheerful wave amongst education lovers, socialites, politicians, professionals, students and Surjapuri people when the news broke out that AMU received proposal of 224.02 acres contiguous land from Bihar Govt. on December 3rd 2011. Speculation was high after Bihar Assembly had given the approval to the new site on November 22, 2011. The main concern was what will be the next step of Bihar Govt.? Will they delay or send it to the AMU VC on priority basis? Bihar Govt. put rest all these speculations and sent the proposal to AMU VC on priority basis for much surprise of some of the pessimists of this movement. I would like to thank Nitish Kumar led Bihar govt. for taking prompt action on this issue. Now the ball is in the court of AMU authorities to finish it off. We are aware that it is not up to the expectations of AMU VC; however, providing a contiguous piece of 224.02 acres land is not an easy task considering the geography and topology of the area.


Mass Gathering at Ruidhasa Maidan, on October 12, 2011

Hats off to Bihar Govt. for the nicest and sincerest effort till date for Kishanganj in general and Seemanchal as a whole. The next big question is, whether AMU VC will accept the proposal in its present form? As a common man, I think it is a win-win situation for both the sides. As per the report by AMUCC members that AMU VC has showed positive attitude and willingness to accept the proposal. We are very close to our dream called AMU Centre Kishanganj. I am damn sure this will shift the development paradigm in favor of most neglected area called Seemanchal. The most common perception is that lack of education is the mother of all evils. After post liberalization era, there is a faced pace growth in every sector including education. Bihar was lagging behind owing to lack of proper educational institutions, research institutions and industrial setups.

Bihar is in the category of “BIMARU” states need urgent educational revamps. Bihar loose fair part of its exchequer as the students goes to pursue higher education to other states. AMU Centre Kishanganj along with other proposed universities viz. Bihar Central University (BCU) and Nalanda International University (NIU) apart from bringing education to the common masses will create lots of employment and will provide much needed fodder to the incoming industries in Bihar. The high quality education will be accessible to common masses especially poor irrespective of their caste, creed and religion. I think this will bridge the gap between rich and poor. Bihar CM, Mr. Nitish Kumar and HRD minister Mr. PK Sahi deserves plaudits for giving their nod to such universities especially AMU off campus Kishanganj. I do hope in future too Bihar Govt. will provide all the basic amenities and facilities for establishing and smooth running of these varsities. I think this is the best ever gift to Seemanchal by Bihar Govt. just before the New Year 2012.

The author hails from Thakurganj (Kishanganj) and currently working as a Senior Research Fellow at National Centre for Cell Science, Pune, India.

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17 comments:

  1. Nice job Dr mumtaz.....country needs peoples like u to support these kind of noble causes ...keep it up

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  2. Very Nice post for AMU KNE....
    Congratulation for grand success.The vicinity of Kishanganj need you. Our dream of AMU KNE will true soon.

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  3. Thank you very much Dr. Mumtaz for such a nice article.
    Really, I was not much aware about the activities for AMU Centre in KNE.
    Insha Allah very soon AMU Centre will be in KNE and thanks to Mr.Nitish govt.

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  4. Dr. Raki Sudan, Thank you very much for your comments. I am blessed that I have seniors like you to guide me always...Your vlauble suggestions and inputs will always inspire me to remain concern for social issues especially education. Thanks Once again....

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  5. Goalpokher and Mabroor Sahedi saheb, thanks for appreciation, I noticed both of you are from Seemanchal area, so AMU-K is in the heart of every education lover....I would like to thank you all for the immense support during this struggle....

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  6. Himanshu dear...thanks for your compliments....

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  7. Dear Mr.Mumtaz, your untiring efforts and the endeavours of all the people associated with this movement will soon bear fruits of success and the dream of establishing an AMU Centre at Kishanganj would soon become a reality. Inshaallah!!

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  8. Respected Mumtaz Bhai,
    First of all congrts for wrting such a nice Writeup on this much concerned issue.I am feeling Jealous for u for ur write-up :)U have summorised the whole story of the movement which took lots of time yet not completed in a single article.We should not consider it as our work has been completed.In my view we have won just half of the struggle and we need start our preparation for the next phase of struggle which much more important.We need to keep it as sensitive as it was cause we still have to wait for the agreement and acquisition process.
    at last i would like to thanks all who participated with movement without selfishness.

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  9. Dear Tabish Hasan Khan, Thank you very much for using such nice words. We have support of you guys and the education lovers across the country, this is just the extension of the dream of great revolutionist and visionary Sir Syed Ahmad Kahan. Insha-Allah the darkness will fade away soon from our lives and coming generations through the light of education.

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  10. Dear Waquar, thanks a ton for using such nice and encouraging words. Your constant support make us win the half battle, this article was just to show the edless thanks to the people who deserves it. I noticed that this is the half won battle, we need perpetual fight for the remaining. Nonetheless we have brave hearts like you who remain concerned for such social and educational issue...

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  11. The beautiful article portrays the factual as well as chronological developments of events that led to the successful movement for AMU centre in Kishanganj. It is extremely useful and praiseworthy. I congratulate Mumtaz Naiyer for having thought to produce such wonderful article. Dr. M. Faiyazuddin, Aligarh.

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  12. g8 job Dr. Mumtaz, once again u proved ur writting flair.Congratulation!!!!

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  13. Dear Ekansh....thank you so much...

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  14. its a moment of a great pleasure and proud for me that someone like you has taken out your precious time from your busy schedule and putting so much effort to keep the facts in front of us.great job.

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  15. The aim of setting up and establishing AMU is really great and thank you to Mumtaz to depict it in a fashion which is clearly realized by layman. Go ahead to fulfill the dream of our country!

    Syam
    San Diego, CA
    USA

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  16. wao mumtaaz bhai, u hav did such an intrstng work, ds was realy owsom !!!!!

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