Archives

26th Annual Zakir Husain Memorial Lecture  (2014)

Dr. Ratnum Wattal Convener

The 26th Annual Zakir Husain Memorial Lecture was delivered at Zakir Husain College on 14th March 2014 by Prof. Utasa Patnaik, an eminent economist and Professor Emeritus, Jawaharlal Nehru University. Prof Patnaik spoke on “Poverty Questions OR, What ‘Development’ Should Really Mean”. Through her lecture, she voiced out her concern that a society should aim to provide all its citizens not only the ability to satisfy the basic human needs but also to realize their potential through access to education.

25thAnnual Zakir Husain Memorial Lecture  (2013)

Dr. Ratnum Wattal Convener

The 25th Annual Zakir Husain Memorial Lecture was organized by the Zakir Husain Delhi College, University of Delhi, the XXV annual Zakir Husain Memorial Lecture was delivered today by Dr. V. S. Chauhan. A Rhodes scholar, an eminent scientist and presently the director of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology , Dr. Chauhan spoke on the ‘Opportunities and Challenges in Human Health Research in India’. He pointed out that despite the dismal state of healthcare and the skewed ratio between the population of India and the number of doctors, research on medical care in India is excellent. India will undoubtedly play a huge role in developing vaccines and medicines for diseases which plague poor countries such as malaria, TB and dengue. At the moment, medical research receives more funds for diseases such as cancer and HIV, which are the concern of rich countries such as the US and Japan.

24thZakir Husain Memorial Lecture  (2012)

Dr. Ratnum WattalConvener

The 24th Zakir Husain Memorial Lecture was delivered at Zakir Husain College on 14th March 2012 by Shri. C. M Naim, Professor Emeritus, University of Chicago. Delivering the lecture entitled “Hasrat Mohini: The Maulana who loved Krishna”, Prof. Naim talked about Maulana Hasrat Mohini, who was influenced by the ideas of Shri. Aurobindo and Lokmanya Tilak and was enchanted by the divine beauty and love present in the figure of Lord Krishna. In his earlier poetry, addressed to Krishna, the Maulana employed what he called ‘bhasha’ or what was popularly known as ‘kachchi boli’ which he was exposed to in Allahabad where he assumed the role of the beloved taking on a female persona. Later, he used Urdu verse to communicate his feelings about Krishna which displayed that his relationship with Krishna was not only intellectual but also personal.

23rdZakir Husain Memorial Lecture  (2011)

Dr. Ratnum WattalConvener

The 23rdZakir Husain Memorial Lecture was delivered at Zakir Husain College on 26th February 2011 by Shri. Soli J. Sorabjee, Former Attorney General of India. Soli Sorabjee holds several offices in organizations of national and international repute, including Chairman of Transparency International, Convenor of the Minority Rights Group International, Special Rapporteur (UN) to the United Nations Human Rights Commission and member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague. He has also held important posts in many bodies associated with the legal profession. In March 2002, Soli Sorabjee was awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his defence of the freedom of expression and the protection of human rights.

The session was chaired by Dr. Kavita A. Sharma, the Director of India International Center and former Principal of Hindu College in Delhi; who talked about the multiplicity present in society and how tolerance should be therefore interpreted as the moment where we embrace, express and enjoy this diversity.

7thDelhi College Lecture(2013)

Dr. Ratnum WattalConvener

“Planning Towards Gender Equality in India”: Dr. Syeda Saiyidain Hameed

Zakir Husain Delhi College, University of Delhi hosted the seventh Delhi College Lecture on 6th November 2013 in the college auditorium. Distinguished scholar and Member, Planning Commision, Government of India; Dr. Syeda Saiyidain Hameed, delivered the lecture titled “Planning towards Gender Equality in India”. Citing the experiences of her nation-wide travel and involvement with women’s groups and of being a member of the National Commission for Women, Dr. Syeda sensitized the audience about the importance of policy formation aimed at achieving gender parity in our society. She spoke about the violence present in the lives of women on a daily basis, especially for those who belong to the marginalised sections, with the aid of data that revealed how the sex ratio of most of the states in the country is on a decline and the percentage of crimes against women is going up by the day.

6th Delhi College Lecture(2012)

Dr. Ratnum WattalConvener

The sixth Delhi College Lecture was delivered at Zakir Husain Delhi College on Thursday, January 12, 2012, by PadmashreeMrinalPande.In her lecture titled “Writing in Two and Thinking in Countless Tongues”, she spoke about the importance of the multiplicity of languages present in India and how that affects the mind of the contemporary creative writer. She presented a historical account of the development of languages in India from around the time of Kalidasa and then further based it on the migration of large groups of people, mainly the Mughals and the British, who eventually ruled the country and from which arose Urdu. Therefore, for her, every migration produces a story! She also said that a creative writer’s emotions are divided between the mother tongue and the acquired tongue which assisted in the development of the mental faculties in the form of schooling. At this point in time, in India there is a remixing of language, especially reflected in the popularity of the song “Kolaveri di” and a writer must absorb this world as s/he writes about it because, according to her, it is a gift to have an access to multiple languages.

5th Delhi College Lecture(2011)

Dr. Ratnum Wattal Convener

The fifth Delhi College Lecture was delivered at Zakir Husain College on Wednesday, January 19, 2011, by Prof. Narayani Gupta and was chaired by Prof. Dinesh Singh, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Delhi.On 15th January 1911, the foundation stone of New Delhi was laid in order to establish it as the national capital. Zakir Husain College, which has a three hundred year old association with Delhi’s chequered history, celebrated this event aptly through Prof Gupta’s lecture titled‘Popular Perception of Delhi’s History’. Prof. Gupta is an accomplished historian whose work shows a fine blend of analytical scholarship and practical social concern. Prof. Narayani Gupta’s lecture addressed Zakir Husain College’s proximity to both the geographically, historically and culturally rich old and new aspects of Delhi. She spoke about the importance of oral history and the need for documentation of personal narratives in order to revive the spirit of Delhi. Her nostalgia about the past inspired the students, especially when she spoke about the monuments, sights and sounds of Delhi and how they have changed in terms of language and nomenclature throughout history.

Prof. Dinesh Singh opened his Presidential remarks by quoting, “Dillikijonarmiaurmahekhai, woyahinmiltihai”, in praise of the College’s belief in maintaining the ethos of its vibrant composite culture that has always been a part of its ideals.

4th Delhi College Lecture(2010)

Dr. Ratnum WattalConvener

The fourth Delhi College Lecture was delivered at Zakir Husain College on Thursday, 10th December, by Prof. JaweedAlam, Chairman ICSSR. Prof. Alam has been associated with the Centre for European Studies, Central Institute for English and Foreign Languages, Hyderabad and the Centre for Advanced Studies, Shimla. He is the author of works like “Who Wants Democracy” and “India Living with Modernity”. Aptly delivered on World Human Rights Day, his lecture was titled “Democracy in India and the Quest for Equality”. It traced the development of democracy and the ideal of equality against the background of communitarianism in India. Making a detailed sociological study, Prof. Alam looked at the procedure whereby definitive ideas like equality have undergone a change. He spoke of the existence of pre-modern inheritances in India and the challenges posed by the same. He argued that the battle for equality would necessarily take a collective form and called it a “struggle for bourgeois equality”. The lecture explored the problematic positioning of vulnerable communities and insisted that dalits and women must become the “bearers of entrenched rights” in India to bring about the deepening of democracy.

4thDelhi College Lecture(2009)

Dr. Ratnum Wattal Convener

The third Delhi College lecture was delivered on 16th December, ’08 by renowned activist and writer Harsh Mander. Having made headlines for his resignation from the IAS in protest against the Gujarat violence, Mander has been involved with several organizations like Aman Biradari and Action Aid, dealing with legal justice and human rights. It was therefore fitting for him to speak from a platform which was created to revive the spirit of the old Delhi College, known for its promotion of education, especially among women, for its patronage of the “vernacular” languages, mathematics and the sciences as well as for its spirit of secularism.

7th Annual Convocation (2014)

Dr. Sarita Passey  Convener

Zakir Husain Delhi College (University of Delhi) held its Seventh Annual Convocation on 1st February 2014. The enthusiasm of the graduating students and the pomp and splendor of the ceremony were one of its kind as this is the only College in Delhi University to hold an annual full dress Convocation. Among the oldest colleges in the University of Delhi, with a history going back to 300 years the College has been continuing with this tradition that witnessed hundreds of students receiving their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and wearing the traditional robe that symbolises academic achievement. The ceremonial recognition gives each student a sense of pride.

This year the College conferred 502 degrees to the students who completed their studies in the year 2011-12. 467 amongst these were for under-graduate, and 35 for post-graduate students; and 230 girls and 272 boys received their degrees today.

6th Annual Convocation (2013)

Dr. Sarita Passey  Convener

Zakir Husain Delhi College (University of Delhi) held its Sixth Annual Convocation 16th February 2013. The enthusiasm of the graduating students and the pomp and splendor of the ceremony more than made up for the weather that played spoilsport.  The ceremonial recognition gives each student a sense of pride. This year the College gave away 377 degrees to the students who completed their studies in the year 2010-11.  The event started with the ceremonial Convocation procession of the faculty members and the Chief Guest. On this occasion, the College was privileged to have Prof Vivek Suneja, Pro Vice Chancellor of Delhi University as the Chief Guest. He lauded the secular traditions of the College and advised the students to put their heart and soul into their studies without bothering about material benefits. He congratulated the graduating students for their performance and commended the faculty members for their academic achievements.

5th Annual Convocation (2012)

Dr. Sarita Passey  Convener

Zakir Husain Delhi College (University of Delhi) held its fifth Annual Convocation 3rd March 2012 decked with grandeur and splendor. On this grand occasion, the College was privileged to have Shri K. Rahman Khan, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha as the Chief Guest. He congratulated the graduating students for their performance and commended the faculty members for shaping the young minds. Citing Tagore and Nehru, he ,stressed that education is one of the most important necessity for the development of human civilization. Convocation provides an opportunity to the graduating students to celebrate their success and he hoped that these future leaders and architects of the country would remain committed to the values of justice and honour the law of the land. The Principal of the College, M. AslamParvaiz also congratulated the students on receiving their degrees and wished them good luck in all their future endeavours. This year the College gave away 459 degrees to the students who completed their studies in the year 2010.

4th Annual Convocation (2011)

Dr. Sarita Passey Convener

The annual convocation of Zakir Husain College was held on 9th April 2011. The chief guest on this occasion was honourable Shri Haroon Yusuf, Minister of Food and Civil Supplies, Government of NCT of Delhi and an alumnus of the college. With its 300 year old history as an institution of education, ours is the only college of Delhi University where a full dress convocation is held every year. This year 392 degrees were awarded to the students who passed out of the 19 undergraduate and 12 post-graduate courses of the college in 2009.

3rd Annual Convocation (2010)

Dr. Sarita Passey Convener

The colours of spring were in full display at Zakir Husain College as students donned scarlet, gold and blue gowns for the third Annual Convocation ceremony held on 30th January 2010. The event was inaugurated by Mr.Salman Khurshid, Honourable Minister of Corporate Affairs and Minority Affairs and Chairman, Governing Body, of the college. The Chief Guest at the occasion was Dr. S.Y Quraishi, Election Commissioner of India. A formal and somber note was struck by the procession of Teachers-In-Charge, the Principal, the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour, and the College Bursar, dressed in formal robes and flanked by an NCC guard. The Principal, Dr. M. Aslam Parvaiz declared the event open and spoke of the importance of the ceremony as a formal recognition of the academic achievements of the students.

2nd Annual Convocation (2008)

Dr. Sarita Passey  Convener

Zakir Husain College organized its annual Convocation on 20th December 2008 in classic traditional fashion. More than 400 students were presented their degrees in a formal ceremony. The event began with a processional march by the Principal, and the heads of different Departments, all dressed in formal robes. The Chief Guest at the occasion was Dr. A.R. Kidwai, the Governor of Haryana, and a founding member and former Chairperson of the Zakir Husain College Trust. More than 400 students were presented their degrees in a formal ceremony.

Ist Annual Convocation (2007)

Dr. Sarita Passey  Convener

Zakir Husain College hold its first annual Convocation in 2007 in classic traditional fashion. More than 200 students were presented their degrees in a formal ceremony. The purpose behind holding annual convocation is to inculcate a sense of institutional pride among our students through a public recognition of their achievement and also inspire them to strive for greater goals in life. The occasion brings together past and present students and teachers to strengthen bonds within the fraternity.

The event began with a processional march by the Principal, and the heads of different Departments, all dressed in formal robes. The Chief Guest at the occasion was Dr. Karan Singh, President, ICCR and a noted author, environmentalist and educationist.

Annual Day and Prize Distribution(2014)

Dr. Sonu Trivedi Convener

The annual day of Zakir Husain Delhi College was held on 23rd April 2014.The Chief Guest for the occasion was the distinguished filmmaker, author and dastango Mahmood Farooqui; who in his address complemented the College for holding a well-organized function which complements its history and upholds its traditions of rooting the students in the culture of Delhi. He advocated the need of transmitting education in the vernacular languages so that the languages are not lost and that education reaches far and wide, leaving no student deprived because of the need of mastering a foreign tongue.

Annual Day and Prize Distribution (2013)

Dr.Ratnum Wattal Convener

Zakir Husain Delhi College marked its annual day on 22 April 2013 by recognizing the achievements of its students in the last academic year, 2012-13. Dr. Sonal Mansingh, the eminent danseuse was the Chief Guest for the occasion. Received by the Principal, Dr. Aslam Parvaiz, Dr. Sonal Mansingh noted the historical legacy of the college as well as commended the students on the wide range of achievements from excelling in academics to winning Chibber Memorial annual football tournament. Awarded with the Padma Vibhushan as well as the Padma Bhushan by the government of India, Dr. Mansingh is a celebrated dancer, unique among dancers as being the only one to master multiple Indian dance forms like Odissi and Bharatanatyam and simultaneously being proficient in several other dance styles including Kuchipudi and Chhau.

Annual Day and Prize Distribution (2012)

Ms. Rashmi Govind Convener

The annual day of Zakir Husain Delhi College was held on 29th March 2012. The Chief Guest for the occasion was the distinguished poet, critic, editor and cultural administrator Shri. Ashok Vajpeyi. The principal of the college, Dr. M. Aslam Parvaiz, presented the annual report for the academic year 2011-2012 highlighting the achievements of the students and the members of the faculty and the plans for the next academic session, which include the building of a new academic block with state-of-the-art infrastructure.

Annual Day and Prize Distribution (2011)

Dr. Sangeeta Pandita Convener

The annual day of the college was held on 6th April 2011. The chief guest for the occasion was Padma Shree Geeta Chandran. The Principal of the college Md. Aslam Parvez presented the annual report for the academic year 2010-2011 highlighting the achievements of the students and the members of the faculty. Ms. Geeta Chandran praised the college infrastructure and inspired the young generation to partake in the process of all-round development. She spoke highly of the performing arts as a career option and a way of promoting cultural values and exchange. She also sang a prayer for the well-being of the students, the college and the world at large, which left the audience mesmerised.

Annual Day and Prize Distribution (2010)

Annual Day Function was held on Tuesday, the 23rd March 2010. Shri Rajendra Singh, Chairman, Tarun Bharat Sangh, was the Chief Guest.

Second Bhisham Sahni Book Fair (2011)

Dr. Pawan Kumar Convener

To nurture a passion for reading in the student community, Zakir Husain College (M) is organised The Annual Bhisham Sahni Memorial Book Fair on the 29th and 30th of March 2011, honouring the eminent author, playwright and activist and Padma Bhushan recipient Late Shri. Bhisham Sahni, who taught at the college’s Department of English.
The fair was inaugurated on 29th March by author Dr. Kalpana Sahni, daughter of Shri. Bhisham Sahni; and film-maker Sayyed Mirza shared his memories of Shri. Bhisham Sahni. On this occasion, Dr. Namvar Singh released, “Adhunik Hindi Upanyas”, edited by Shri. Bhisham Sahni and Ramji Mishra. It was followed by a screening of Saeed Akhtar Mirza’s 1984 film  “Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho!” in which Shri. Bhisham Sahni acted the part of Mohan Joshi.

On 30th March, Delhi-based historian, writer, performer and dastango Mahmood Farooqui, along with dastango Danish Iqbal introduced the Dastangoi tradition of Urdu story-telling to an enchanted audience in the college auditorium. Nadeem Shah and Manu Sikander Dhingra performed the Tilism-e-Hoshruba, or the ‘enchantment that takes away your senses’. It is the name given to one daftar (section) of the 46 volume Dastan-e-Amir Hamza. Tilism, a magical effect or enchantment, is a magic-infested zone, cast by a sorcerer and its properties vary. Tilism-e-Hoshruba, constructed by Afrasiyab Jadu, the Emperor of Sorcerers, is both a physical reality as well as an imaginative effect. The auditorium was packed to its capacity and the audience was spell-bound by the dastangos.

First Bhisham Sahni Book Fair (2008)

The Bhisham Sahni Book Fair, a two day book exhibition and sale, was held in Zakir Husain College on 11th and 12th  November 2008. Named after the great litterateur and former teacher of the college, the late Bhisham Sahni, the fair will be inaugurated by the author’s daughter, Kalpana Sahni, retired Professor, School of Languages, JNU. Mr. Radhe Shyam Dube, an old associate and friend of the author was present at the occasion. Mr. Dube and Bhisham Sahni worked together in the Language Division at Moscow and translated many classics of the Russian language into Hindi. Mr. Dube will share his reminiscences and experiences with the gathering.

Approximately 10 publishers of national and international repute- Sahitya Akademi, Pearson, Publications Division, Rajkamal, among others- participated in this exhibition. In these times of increasing internet dependence and a disappearing reading habit, the book fair is an effort to re-acquaint college students with the joys of reading and owning books. To encourage this, the college offered an additional discount of 10% on purchases above Rs.300. Books on all disciplines- the sciences, social sciences, as well as literature- was made available. Also, since the college takes pride in its multi-lingual heritage, there were books across the spectrum of languages- in English, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali and Persian.The event was an occasion to re-connect with fiction and non-fiction, poetry and prose.