Vice President Hamid Ansari released here on 21 November a book on the life and services of Akhlaqur Rahman Kidwai, the veteran Congress leader who honorably served the country in various capacities like Rajya Sabha MP, chairman of Union Public Service Commission and governor of the states of Bihar, Orissa, Haryana and Punjab.
The book “Me’mar-e Qaum” [Builder of a nation], is authored by Mufti Ataur Rahman Qasmi and published by Shah Waliullah Institute.
The book release was held at the India Islamic Cultural Centre. Vice President Hamid Ansari said that services of Kidwai cannot be forgotten by the people of the country. He said Kidwai enjoys serving people, an spirit rarely found in people these days. He helped many. One of his historic initiatives was to start Mewat Development Board.
While speaking during the function, AR Kidwai said his character has been shaped by Jamia Millia Islamia which he joined in 1924 as a student of class 2. He was fortunate to get the attention of an educationist like Dr Zakir Husain.
The function was chaired by the former Union minister and the present general secretary of Congress Party, Shakil Ahmad who said that the services of AR Kidwai are such that one yearns to emulate him. He said that a characteristic of Kidwai is that he never exhibits his work.
Ataur Rahman Qasmi, the author of the book, said that Kidwai added to the stature of any post he held. He never compromised on his principles. These days it is rare to find such servants of the people.
The function was attended by a sizeable number of Delhi elite which bore witness to the popularity of Kidwai who is now leading a private life after offering an example of how Muslims can selflessly serve the country with honesty and dignity.
source: http://www.milligazettec.com / The Milli Gazette / Home> News> Special Report / by The Milli Gazette / November 26th, 2013
At a condolence meeting jointly organised by All India Educational Movement (AIEM) and Muslim Education Trust (MET), here on 16 January, rich tributes were paid to Saiyid Hamid, the founder-President of AIEM and former Chairman of MET for over a decade. This was one of dozens of such condolence meetings held across India to pay tributes to Saiyid Hamid.
(L to R) Abdul Rashid (speaking), Syyed Mansoor Agha, Dr Syed Farooq, Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan, Masoom Muradabadi
Dr Syed Farooq, patron of AIEM and Chairman of Himalaya Drugs Company, Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan, Editor of the Milli Gazette and President of AIMMM, Parwaz Rahmani, Editor of Urdu bi-weekly “Dawat”, Masoom Moradabdi, Editor of daily Jadeed Khabar, Syyed Mansoor Agha, Senior Urdu journalist and Vice President of AIEM, Abdul Rashid, former Deputy Secretary to Govt. of India and General Secretary AIEM, Mozaffar Ali, Secretary of MET, Rafiq Ahmad, Secretary of Human Welfare Foundation (HWF) and Maualana Ataur-Rahman Qasmi, Director of Shah Waliullah Institute spoke on the occasion.
Presiding over the meeting, Dr Syed Farooq said that the best tribute to the departed soul will be to continue his mission which is far from complete. He was a visionary and a dedicated person, said Dr Farooq. Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan said, after his retirement from civil services, Saiyid Hamid devoted himself fully for the cause of the community. This is rare as there are hundreds of high-ranking Muslim civil servants who are living their own lives after retirement and show no interest in helping their community. Saiyid Hamid was a person of conviction. He greatly valued the capabilities of others.
Parwaz Rahmani said, some of Saiyid Hamid’s actions as the VC of AMU invited criticism but nobody can deny that whatever he said or did was done with sincerity and in good faith. He had a versatile and attractive personality. Maualana Ataur-Rahman Qasmi said Saiyid Hamid was a man of great stature. He always extended a helping hand but never compromised with his principles to oblige anybody.
Masoom Moradabadi said, the character of leadership Saiyid Hamid provided is in contrast to others. He did not rely upon complaining. Instead, he struggled using self-strength and managed to carve a way-out and helped the community. He advised the community to realise their inherent capabilities, mobilise their available resources and stand on their own two feet. Syyed Mansoor Agha said, Hamid Saheb was an education activist and a great admirer of Sir Syed’s vision of education. He believed in an inclusive approach and stressed upon educating the community. He drew our attention towards the importance of health and hygiene and the dire need of social reforms. He was a big votary for promotion of communal harmony. He was a person of knowledge and action and a rare humanist of our times. Underlining Saiyid Hamid’s deep interest in people’s welfare activities, Rafiq Ahmad said, even during his serious illness, he took keen interest in the affairs of HWF and always obliged us with guidance and granted us audience whenever we approached him. Saiyid Hamid was the founder-Chairman of HWF and served in that capacity until his last breath. The HWF is running several charitable institutions including Al-Shifa Hospital and a chain of Scholar Schools including one at AbulFazl Enclave in Delhi.
Concluding the meeting, Mozaffar Ali said, a the first chairman of MET, Saiyid Hamid shaped the mission which is successfully helping thousands of students to receive higher education in spite of financial constraints. The meeting ended after passing a condolence resolution which said Saiyid Hamid was “a visionary who guided Indian Muslims like a beacon for decades to improve their lot, is no more among us.”
source: http://www.milligazette.com / The Milli Gazette / Home> Online News> Special Report / Online February 13th, 2015 / Print issue : 1-15 February 2015
