Press Release Events (Archives)
ANNUAL DAY
The annual day of Zakir Husain Delhi College was held on 30th March 2015.
The Chief Guest for the occasion was the distinguished cricket commentator and Padma Shri awardee Mr. Ravi Chaturvedi, who was a Botany professor at the College till his retirement. He addressed the gathering with a nostalgia about the past and took pride in the achievements of the students and faculty members, while congratulating them for the same. He recalled his days as a student, and as a professor in the College via the medium of anecdotes which reflected on the traditions and values of the institution.
The principal of the college, Dr. M. Aslam Parvaiz, presented the annual report for the academic year 2014-15, highlighting the achievements of the students and the members of the faculty.
The student achievers in academics, NCC, NSS, sports and cultural activities were suitably rewarded with the college colour, crest and citation. Certificates of merit, proficiency and distinction were also awarded. Several magazines published by the College in languages like English, Hindi, Bengali and Urdu were also released on this ocassion.
Apart from these, the College also acknowledged the services of the non-teaching staff and gave them awards for their exemplary contribution to the corporate life of the College.
Annual Day and Prize Distribution, 2014
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-organised 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 deprieved because of the need of mastering a foreign tongue.
The principal of the college, Dr. M. AslamParvaiz, presented the annual report for the academic year 2013-2014, highlighting the achievements of the students and the members of the faculty.
The student achievers in academics, NCC, NSS, sports and cultural activities were suitably rewarded with the college colour, crest and citation. Seven magazines published by the College in languages like English, Hindi, Bengali and Urdu were also distributed on this ocassion.
Apart from these, the College also acknowledged the services of the non-teaching staff and gave them awards for their exemplary contribution to the corporate life of the College.
Annual Day and Prize Distribution, 2013
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. Dr. Aslam Parvaiz presented the annual report of the college to Dr. Mansingh, an inventory of the achievements of the several societies, departments and staff of the college.
Dr. Mansingh was invited to unveil the five college magazines brought out the by Bengali, Commerce, English, Urdu and Political Science departments respectively, perhaps the highest published by a college in the University of Delhi. A number of retired and present staff of the college were recognized for their diligence and dedication to the efficient running of the institution. This was followed by the prize distribution ceremony where students were awarded and recognized with certificates, scholarships and prizes for academic, sports and extra-curricular achievements.
Dr. Mansingh addressed the students and stressed on the importance of recognizing the true worth of knowledge. She underlined the need to differentiate between art and entertainment, a distinction which is rapidly being blurred in today’s consumerist and materialist society.
Annual Day and Prize Distribution, 2012
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.
Shri. Ashok Vajpeyi praised the college infrastructure and inspired the young generation to partake in the process of all-round development. Through several humourous anecdotes, Mr. Vajpeyi stressed on the need for preserving our mother-tongues. Speaking in his own mother-tongue, Hindi, he said, “the most revolutionary creation of man is language – all the other revolutions are it’s footnotes.”
The student achievers in academics, NSS, sports and cultural activities were suitably rewarded with the college colour, crest and citation. The highest award of the College, the Nehru Award, was bagged by Sandeep from M.A (Prev) Psychology for his excellent performance in the field of athletics. He holds the record for being the fastest sprinter of Indian universities clocking at 10.56 seconds. He is also the Delhi State champion since the past three years. The second most important award, Aftab-e-College, was shared by the theatre actor-director Mohnish Iqbal from 3rd year B.A. (Hons.) Psychology; and visually challenged student Manoj Kumar Yadav, M.A. Pol Sc. (Final) who apart from performing well in his exams, won laurels for the College in national and college level debates all through the year.
Apart from these, the College also acknowledged the services of the non-teaching staff and gave them awards for their exemplary contribution to the corporate life of the College.
Annual Day and Prize Distribution, 2011
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.
The student achievers in academics, sports and cultural activities were suitably rewarded with the college colour, crest and citation. Several other prizes in different categories were also offered. A special guard of honour was presented by NCC wing of the College and achievements were well appreciated.
Annual Day and Prize Distribution, 2010
Annual Day Function held on Tuesday the 23rd March 2010 at 10:30 a.m. Shri Rajendra Singh, Chairman, Tarun Bharat Sangh, Chief Guest. Venue—Zakir Husain College, J.L.N.Marg, New Delhi-110002
सविज्ञप्ति
ज़ाकिर हुसैन कॉलेज का वार्षिकोत्सव
प्रकृति से दूर ले जाने वाली शिक्षा व्यर्थ है : राजेन्द्रसिंह
ज़ाकिर हुसैन कॉलेज ने आज 23/03/2010 को अपना वार्षिकोत्सव धूम धाम से मनाया।विख्यात पर्यावरण विदतथा मैगेसे से पुरस्कार विजेता श्री राजेन्द्र सिंह इस अवसर पर मुख्य अतिथि थे।जल संरक्षण के लिए विश्व प्रसिद्ध ‘तरुण भारत’ के समन्वयक श्री राजेन्द्र सिंह ने इस अवसर पर देश के सब से शिक्षित शहर की अपने यमुना की बदहाली के प्रति उदासी नता को इस शिक्षा प्रणाली की विफलता करार दिया।उन्होंने कॉलेज की विरासत का हवाला देते हुए आग्रह किया कि दिल्ली कॉलेज को ही अपनी यमुना को बचाने की दिशा में पहल करनी चाहिए।
इस मौके पर खेल जगत, शैक्षिक तथा सांस्कृतिक क्षेत्र में उपलब्धियॉं अर्जित करने वाले छात्रों को पुरसकार भी वितरित किए गए।कॉलजे हर साल अपने प्रतिभाशाली छात्रों को कॉलेज कलर, कॉलेज क्रेष्ट तथा अन्य श्रेणी के पुरस्कार प्रदान करता है।इस साल राहुल दुबे ने कॉलेज का सर्वोच्च सम्मान आफताबे कॉलेज हासिल किया।मुख्य अतिथि ने एनसीसी के एक रंगा रंग गार्ड ऑफ ऑनर का भी निरीक्षण भी किया।इस अवसर पर कॉलेज से प्रकाशित पॉंच कॉलेज पत्रिकाओं का विमोचन भी किया गया।
कॉलेज के प्राचार्य डा. मो. असलम परवेज ने मुख्य अतिथि का स्वागत किया।उन्होंने एक शानदार तकनी की प्रस्तुती करण के माध्यम से सालाना रिपोर्ट पेश करते हुए कॉलेज के शैक्षिक समुदाय की उपलब्धियों का ब्यौरा पेश किया। उन्होंने कॉलेज की एन सी सी इकाई की उपलब्धियों का विशेष उल्लेख किया।
BHISHAM SAHNI BOOK FAIR
Third Bhisham Sahni Book Fair
To nurture a passion for reading in the student community, Zakir Husain Delhi College is organising Third Bhisham Sahni Memorial Book Fair on the 25th and 26th of September 2013, honouring the eminent author, playwright and activist and Padma Bhushan recipient Late Shri. Bhisham Sahni, who taught at the college’s Department of English.
Various publishers of books in English, Hindi, Bengali, Urdu and Persian like SahityaAkademi, National Book Trust, Rajkamal, Tulika, Idara-i-Adabyat-i-Delhi,; and popular academic publishers such as Oxford, Cambridge, Pearson and many more are a part of this fair and offer discounts for the students and teaching fraternity. On this occasion Indian Council of Historical Research and Hindi Madhyam Karyanvayan Nideshalaya, Delhi University have also displayed their publications.
The fair was inaugurated today by eminent writer in Hindi MaitreyiPushpa. On this occasion the famous play “Kabira Khada Bazaar Main” written by Bhisham Sahni was staged in the College auditorium. The play was directed by Surendra Sharma, a well known theater actor and director from NSD. The play is a powerful drama that depicts the character and vision of Sant Kabir Das, a mystic poet and social reformer of the 16th century. It presents the religious orthodoxy, superstitions and state of oppression during Kabir’s time and his fearlessness and truth seeking temperament.
On this occasion the Chief Guest Maitreyi Pushpa appreciated the spirit of the students who enacted the play and support given by the College for encouraging and nurturing creativity in them. Noted writer also commended the director of the play, Surendra Sharma for bringing out various characters of the novel in their true spirit amongst the live audience.
Principal of the College Md. Aslam Parvaiz, on this occasion outlined the mission of the College which has a history of more than 300 years in the field of education and fostering the spirit of accommodation and composite culture in the society. He highlighted the fact as to how this mission coincides with the message of the play “Kabira Khada Bazaar Main”. He reiterated the faith in the new generation and hoped that they would keep up the spirit and the message outlined by the play.
Director Surendra Sharma boosted the spirit and confidence of the students for their hard work and diligence. He focused on the relevance of the message given by the play for the contemporary society. He talked about the inquisitive nature of the human beings and awareness of the ‘inner self’ by them. He thanked the students and the College for the dedication, enthusiasm and being a continuous source of inspiration.
As a part of this event, film based on Bhisham Sahni’s famous novel Tamas would be screened tomorrow in the College Auditorium at 11:00 am. The timing for the Book Fair is from 10 am to 4: 30 pm.
Second Bhisham Sahni Book Fair
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.
Various publishers of books in English, Hindi, Bengali, Urdu and Persian like Sahitya Akademi, Penguin Books India, National Book Trust, Publication Division, People’s Publishing House, Low Price Publications; and popular book stores like Landmark and Select Book Service will be a part of this fair and offer anywhere between 20 to 30 per cent discounts.
The fair was inaugurated on 29th March by author Dr. KalpanaSahni, 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 AfrasiyabJadu, 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 BhishamSahni Book Fair
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.
ZAKIR HUSAIN MEMORIAL LECTURE
27th Zakir Husain memorial Lecture delivered by Shri Siddharth Varadarajan on 24/02/15, on 1984, 1989, 2002: Three Narratives of Injustice and Lessons for Democracy.
The 27th Zakir Husain memorial Lecture was organized at Zakir Husain Delhi College, University of Delhi today (24/2/15) in the college auditorium. The lecture was delivered by Mr. Siddharth Varadarajan, eminent journalist and presently senior Fellow, Centre for Public affairs and Critical Theory, Shiv Nadar University on the topic “1984, 1989, 2002: Three Narratives of Injustice and Lessons for Democracy”. Mr. Varadarajan termed the 1984 Sikh massacre, 1989 exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir Valley and the 2002 pogrom as three instances of extreme injustice. Despite the shared victimhood, these tragedies have never become the basis for a united response to the challenge of communalism and sectarian violence. In a case of exploting misery, politicians have tried to exploit the victims for their own political ends, playing one tragedy against the other. In the course of his lecture, Mr. Varadarajan pointed out that the 1984 and 2002 pogroms were very similar to each other in more than one aspects. One only needs to substitute the ruling parties and the names of the political leaders and a very similar picture will emerge. The very noteworthy change is the role of the higher judiciary and the media on the 2002 pogrom. The 1989 exodus of the Kashmiri pandits, unlike in 1984 and 2002, did not happen in active complicity of the state. At the same time the victims of militancy and overt threat were overlooked in a similar manner. According to Mr. Varadarajan, “if the targeted killings of 1984 and 2002 had a genocidal quality, so does the extinction of the Kashmiri Pandit community as a living presence in their homeland”. Despite the similarity in their tragedies, the Kashmiri pandits, compared to the victims of the other two incidents, have received more generous compensation over the years. The victims of the Sikh riot have fared slightly better than the 2002 riot victims. Successive governments have set up a hierarchy of crimes and victims. This permits them to evade their responsibility and advance vested political interests. For its own sake, the Indian state must realize that all victims must be honoured, respected and compensated adequately and equally, regardless of their religious or political beliefs. And all perpetrators must be punished, regardless of their societal, economic or political position. One way of ensuring this is to incorporate the doctrine of command responsibility into Indian laws.
Dr. M. AslamParvaiz, Principal of the College, welcomed Mr. Varadarajan. In his welcome address talked about the 300 year old history of the institution. The lecture was preceded by the screening of a documentary which traces the history of Zakir Husain Delhi College to its early origins in the eighteenth century.
The Zakir Husain Memorial Lecture series was introduced in the memory of Dr. Zakir Husain, former president of India. Key scholars and thinkers of modern India have spoken at this lecture series such as Hamid Ansari, RomilaThapar, UpendraBaxi and Andre BeteilleThese lectures have been compiled and published in a book form in Urdu, Hindi and English.
26th Annual Zakir Husain Memorial Lecture
The annual Zakir Husain memorial Lecture honours an eminent educationist, nationalist and a very distinguished former President of India, Dr. Zakir Husain. The lecture series also constitutes a significant tribute to an institution of higher education that has retained a sense of enduring identity over three centuries. Established as the Madarsa Ghaziuddin in the closing years of the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb, it has repeatedly transformed itself in response to the challenges with which it was confronted over a long and turbulent period of India’s history. For this reason its fortune seems inextricably linked to the fortunes of the country and Delhi, its premier city. Instituted 23 years ago, Zakir Husain Memorial Lectures have been delivered by distinguished scholars who have engaged with critical issues that are at the heart of contemporary life.
The programme began with the screening of a short film depicting the history of the college over the past three hundred years on this occasion especially focusing on the important events that changed the face of the nation and especially its heart, Delhi after which the Principal of Zakir Husain Delhi College (M), Dr. M. Aslam Parvaiz welcomed the speaker and introduced the Zakir Husain Memorial Lecture Series to the audience.
The XXVI 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. A high rate of GDP growth is not sufficient alone to ensure access to basic needs. Food is one of the most important basic needs and by the end of 1991—i.e. the pre-reform period, India was able to reach unprecedented height in food grain production. But after two decades of economic reform and trade liberalization, the gains in food security have been reversed. Both output and availability of food grains are on a decline. Prof Patnaik argued that it is a serious logical fallacy to say that as income goes up, people learn to diversify their diet, and a diverse diet means lower demand for food grains. Various studies have proved that the actual trend is exactly the opposite. She argued that the official poverty line used in India is actually more of a ‘destitution’ line and not a ‘poverty line’. The actual number of people living in poverty is much higher than the official figure. The neo-liberal policy makers ask the wrong kind of question as to how to reduce food subsidy and not how to lift the masses from the level of abysmal food consumption.
This eye-opening and educating lecture was well-attended by the staff and students of the College as well as the invited dignitaries from various walks of life.
25th Annual Zakir Husain Memorial Lecture
Organised 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.
Dr. Chauhan was received by the principal of Zakir Husain Delhi College, Dr. AslamParvaiz. The lecture was preceded by a documentary which film which traces the history of Zakir Husain Delhi College to its early origins in the eighteenth century.
The Zakir Husain Memorial Lecture is organised in the memory and honour of the Dr. Zakir Husain. Key scholars and thinkers of modern India have spoken at this lecture series such as Hamid Ansari, Romila Thapar, UpendraBaxi and Andre Beteille. These lectures have been compiled and published in a book form in Urdu, Hindi and English. Joining these illustrious speakers, Dr. Chauhan is a renowned scientist whose work on developing vaccines for malaria has benefitted millions. He was awarded the Padmashri last year by the government of India and has been recognised by the global scientific community for his noteworthy achievements.
24th Zakir Husain Memorial Lecture
The annual Zakir Husain memorial Lecture honours an eminent educationist, nationalist and a very distinguished former President of India, Dr. Zakir Husain. The lecture series also constitutes a significant tribute to an institution of higher education that has retained a sense of enduring identity over three centuries. Established as the Madarsa Ghaziuddin in the closing years of the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb, it has repeatedly transformed itself in response to the challenges with which it was confronted over a long and turbulent period of India’s history. For this reason its fortune seems inextricably linked to the fortunes of the country and Delhi, its premier city. Instituted 23 years ago, Zakir Husain Memorial Lectures have been delivered by distinguished scholars who have engaged with critical issues that are at the heart of contemporary life.
The programme began with the screening of a short film depicting the history of the college over the past three hundred years on this occasion especially focusing on the important events that changed the face of the nation and especially its heart, Delhi after which the Principal of Zakir Husain Delhi College (M), Dr. Aslam Parvaiz welcomed the speaker and introduced the Zakir Husain Memorial Lecture Series to the audience.
The XXIV 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 ‘kachchiboli’ 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.
This intriguing and educating lecture was well-attended by the staff and students of the College as well as the invited dignitaries from various walks of life.
23rdZakir Husain Memorial Lecture
The annual Zakir Husain memorial Lecture honours an eminent educationist, nationalist and a very distinguished former President of India, Dr. Zakir Husain. The lecture series also constitutes a significant tribute to an institution of higher education that has retained a sense of enduring identity over three centuries. Established as the Madarsa Ghaziuddin in the closing years of the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb, it has repeatedly transformed itself in response to the challenges with which it was confronted over a long and turbulent period of India’s history. For this reason its fortune seems inextricably linked to the fortunes of the country and Delhi, its premier city. Instituted 23 years ago, Zakir Husain Memorial Lectures have been delivered by distinguished scholars who have engaged with critical issues that are at the heart of contemporary life.
The XXIII Zakir 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.
Delivering the lecture entitled “Fundamental Duty of Tolerance”, Shri Sorabjee spoke on the importance of including tolerance in the list of fundamental duties. Tolerance, Sorabjee said, is the temperament to listen to the other point of view. It is what accords freedom to the thoughts we hate. He cited several Articles from the Constitution of India and the United Nations Charters that emphasize on the need for tolerance in order to promote harmony and brotherhood especially in as diverse a country as India and also to promote a scientific temper. According to Sorabjee a tolerant society excercises the right to dissent; whereas, intolerance leads to forcible imposition, oppression and violence. Sorabjee talked about duty and he quoted examples from the Bhagvad Gita, Mahatma Gandhi’s life and Einstein. He named Galileo, Charles Darwin and Raja Ram Mohan Roy as those who suffered in the name of intolerance; and emphasized on the importance of education in inculcating tolerance amongst the young.
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.
Zakir Husain College also screened a short film depicting the history of the college over the past three hundred years on this occasion especially focusing on the important events that changed the face of the nation and especially its heart, Delhi.
XXI Zakir Husain Memorial Lecture
The XXI Zakir Husain Memorial Lecture was delivered at Zakir Husain College on 2nd March by Shri M. Hamid Ansari, Honourable Vice President of India. Shri Ansari has had an illustrious career as diplomat and statesman before becoming the Vice-President of India. He has been associated with education as the Vice-chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University and as Visiting Professor at JNU and Jamia Millia Islamia.
Delivering the lecture entitled “Wardha Revisited: Vocational Training in Contemporary India”, Shri Ansari spoke on the Wardha Scheme of Education proposed after the All India National Education Conference held in October 1937 under the presidentship of Gandhiji and the proposal of Nai Talim that emerged as a consequence. The resolutions passed at the Conference in 1937 demanded that free and compulsory education in the mother tongue be provided on a nation widescale. The Vice-President remarked that even after the incorporation of these resolutions into the Constitution of the Indian Republic, “the Right to Education is yet to be operationalised”.
He emphasized the need for vocational training and skill development to facilitate employment. Speaking from the perspective of globalization, he deemed it essential to not only promote vocational training but also have accreditation and certification norms that align with global standards so as to facilitate employment of our work force abroad. Shri Ansari also spoke of the stellar role played by the late President of India Dr. Zakir Husian in the promotion of an educational system which focused on “training of the mind, body and soul to bring forth a complete human being”. The role of Zakir Husain College in promoting a modern education and its place in Delhi’s intellectual history was also noted by the speaker.
The session was chaired by Prof. Saiyid Hamid, Chancellor, Hamdard University and Shri Khurshid Alam Khan a founding member of the Zakir Husain College Trust was also present on the occasion.
DELHI COLLEGE LECTURE
8th Delhi College Memorial Lecture
Famous historian, author, journalist and a prominent figure in the city of Delhi, Mr. R. V. Smith delivered the 8th Delhi College Memorial Lecture, “The Lingering Charm of Delhi”, at Zakir Husain Delhi College on 5th November 2014. The lecture was interspersed with his nostalgia for Delhi’s rich cultural past and described his profound experiences. Mr. R. V. Smith spoke about Ghalib, the monuments of Delhi, the old majestic houses of Old Delhi and the famous shops and eateries of the area like the Karim’s Hotel, Haveli Haider Quli, Haveli Namak Haram etc. providing interesting, and often unheard of, anecdotal accounts of the same. For instance, he spoke of the Bengali Market as being named after Bengali Mal Lohia, and not as something that was a result of the Bengali community settling in.
Dr. M. Aslam Parvaiz, Principal, Zakir Husain Delhi College, welcomed Mr. R. V. Smith, a chronicler of Delhi’s glorious cultural past, and introduced The Delhi College lecture series to the audience and honoured the achievements and the spirit of Delhi College, the name by which Zakir Husain Delhi College was known by at the time of the Delhi Renaissance of the 1920s. The lecture series is an attempt to revive the spirit of enquiry and creative expression that defined the intellectual life of Delhi College. Earlier lectures in this series have been delivered by the eminent astrophysicist JayantNarlikar, historian Margret Pernau, who has written the history of the Delhi College, Prof. JaweedAlam, Chairman ICSSR; renowned writer, activist and intellectual, Harsh Mander, historian Prof. Narayani Gupta and Padmashree Mrinal Pande and Dr. Sayeeda Hameed.
7th Delhi College Lecture
“Planning Towards Gender Equality in India”: Dr. SyedaSaiyidain Hameed
Zakir Husain Delhi College, University of Delhi hosted the seventh Delhi College Lecture today, 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.
Dr. M. Aslam Parvaiz, Principal, Zakir Husain Delhi College, welcomed Dr. Syeda Hameed and introduced The Delhi College lecture series to the audience and honoured the achievements and the spirit of Delhi College, the name by which Zakir Husain Delhi College was known by at the time of the Delhi Renaissance of the 1920s. The lecture series is an attempt to revive the spirit of enquiry and creative expression that defined the intellectual life of Delhi College. Earlier lectures in this series have been delivered by the eminent astrophysicist Jayant Narlikar, historian Margret Pernau, who has written the history of the Delhi College, Prof. Jaweed Alam, Chairman ICSSR; renowned writer, activist and intellectual, Harsh Mander, historian Prof. Narayani Gupta and Padma shree Mrinal Pande.
6th Delhi College Lecture
The sixth Delhi College Lecture was delivered at Zakir Husain Delhi College on Thursday, January 12, 2012, by Padmashree Mrinal Pande.
Dr. M. Aslam Parvaiz, Principal, Zakir Husain Delhi College, introduced The Delhi College lecture series to the audience and honoured the achievements and the spirit of Delhi College, the name by which Zakir Husain Delhi College was known by at the time of the Delhi Renaissance of the 1920s. The lecture series is an attempt to revive the spirit of enquiry and creative expression that defined the intellectual life of Delhi College. Earlier lectures in this series have been delivered by the eminent astrophysicist Jayant Narlikar, historian Margrit Pernau, who has written the history of the Delhi College, Prof. Jaweed Alam, Chairman ICSSR; renowned writer, activist and intellectual, Harsh Mander and historian Prof. Narayani Gupta.
Padmashree Mrinal Pande, daughter of Hindi author Shivani, a well known Hindi author and educationist Sukhdeo Pant; is a well-known academician, creative writer and journalist. Apart from gender sensitisation and concerns for women, especially those belonging to the rural sector of society, Ms. Pande’s work reflects on the human condition in contemporary India. In 2000 she became India’s first woman Chief Editor of a multi edition Hindi daily Hindustan. She was the Secy General of the Editors’ Guild of India and the founder President of the Indian Women’s Press Corps. Mrinal was also a member of the group that prepared Shramshakti, India’s first documentation of the status and lives of women workers in the unorganized informal sector. She has recently been appointed Chairperson of India’s national broadcaster, PrasarBharati
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
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.
Dr. M. Aslam Parvaiz, Principal, Zakir Husain College, introduced The Delhi College lecture series to the audience and honoured the achievements and the spirit of Delhi College, the name by which Zakir Husain College was known by at the time of the Delhi Renaissance of the 1920s. The lecture series is an attempt to revive the spirit of enquiry and creative expression that defined the intellectual life of Delhi College. Earlier lectures in this series have been delivered by the eminent astrophysicist Jayant Narlikar, historian Margrit Pernau, who has written the history of the Delhi College, Prof. Jaweed Alam, Chairman ICSSR and renowned writer, activist and intellectual, Harsh Mander.
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. She was President of the Conservation Society of Delhi, 1988-1990, and was a Member of the Delhi Urban Art Commission from 1993 to 1996. She was Chairperson of the Review Committee on Heritage for the Master Plan of Delhi, 1994. She is a proud recipient of several awards like the Career Award of UGC, Curzon essay prize Oxford and Homi Bhabha Fellowship to name a few. 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, “Dilli ki jo narmi aur mahek hai, wo yahin milti hai”, 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. Prof. Singh talked about his own migration to Delhi as a school student and how, since then, he has seen Delhi change. He fondly took the audience through his personal interactions with the old and new aspects of Delhi, which he is still in the process of discovering through walks in Shahjahanbad. According to him, food could very well be a binding factor in bringing the people of Delhi together; and hoped that Prof. Gupta’s lecture along with the detailed account of the history of Zakir Husain College inspired the students to be a part of India’s growth.
4th Delhi College Lecture
The fourth Delhi College Lecture was delivered at Zakir Husain College on Thursday, 10th December, by Prof. Jaweed Alam, Chairman ICSSR.
The Delhi College lecture series was initiated three years ago to honour the achievements and the spirit of Delhi College, the name Zakir Husain College was known by at the time of the Delhi Renaissance of the 1920s. The series is an attempt to revive the spirit of enquiry and creative expression that defined the intellectual life of Delhi College. Earlier lectures in this series have been delivered by the eminent astrophysicist Jayant Narlikar, historian Margrit Pernau, who has written the history of the Delhi College, and renowned writer, activist and intellectual, Harsh Mander.
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.
Prof. Gopal Guru from the Centre for Political Studies was in the Chair. He lauded the lecture for its enrichment of political theory and political thought.
The event also witnessed the inauguration of the Darwin Gallery, an exhibition of photographs, posters and books, commemorating 200 years of Charles Darwin, as part of the ongoing Bi-centenary celebrations at Zakir Husain College.
3rd Delhi College Lecture
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.
Speaking of the challenges to secular democracy in India, Mander discussed various episodes of violence and deprivation that have characterized the Indian social scene in the past years. He spoke of three events as having de-stabilized the very idea of secular democracy- the demolition of the Berlin Wall, which spelled the end of the dream for a just societal order; the Babri Masjid demolition, which exposed the vulnerability of the Indian social fabric to the threat of communalism, and the bombing of the World Trade Centre, responsible for what Mander called the “re-legitimization of hate” in world politics. He outlined how Indian secularism was of a strain different from that seen elsewhere since it was more about accepting differences than about propagating same-ness. Addressing the students, Mander held out hope for the future, exhorting the young not to lose their idealism and to find a way out through forgiveness, love and respect.
Convocation
Press Release on the 8th Annual Convocation at Zakir Husain Delhi College, University of Delhi.
Zakir Husain Delhi College held its Eighth Annual Convocation today. Lt. Gen. Najeeb Jung presided over the convocation as the Chief Guest and conferred the graduating students of 2013 with their degrees.
Noting the historical relevance of the institution and its location at the mouth of the Walled City, Shri. Najeeb Jung exhorted the students to pledge their commitment to make a difference in the lives of the poor in the city and country. Speaking at the function he said, “My mantra to you is go out, do what you want to do. Do not seek money, as money is like a flowing river and will come to you. True happiness lies in the conviction that you can change the face of the poor.” Recalling his own experience as an administrator, a banker with an international bank and later as an academician in Oxford, Shri. Jung said, “Happiness cannot be attained by earning money or reaching a senior position but only when others around you are happy. Therefore as you leave the hallowed portals of your college, be reminded of your commitment to this country. Work hard and with sincerity and stay away from guile to achieve success. There is enormous premium in this city and country on hard work and integrity.”
A total of 519 degrees were conferred at the convocation. Of these 24 Master of Arts degrees, 273 Bachelor of Arts degrees, 79 Bachelor of Commerce degrees and 128 Bachelor of Science degrees were conferred.
Zakir Husain Delhi College is the only college in the University of Delhi which holds an annual convocation ceremony.
Press Release on the 7th Annual Convocation at Zakir Husain Delhi College, University of Delhi.
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.
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 the HRD Minister Shri. Kapil Sibal, as the Chief Guest. Along with congratulating the students, who received their degrees, he also reminded them that they should acknowledge the efforts of their guardians, mentors and faculty members in shaping their future. Reminiscing about his time as a student when career choices were limited, Shri. Sibal encouraged the students to keep pursuing knowledge and to be responsible citizens of our society.
The Principal of the College, M. Aslam Parvaiz also congratulated the students on receiving their degrees and wished them good luck in all their future endeavours. The colourful and solemn event was well received by the graduating students. It provided them with an opportunity to visit their alma mater and was an emotional moment for them.
Press Release on the 6th Annual Convocation at Zakir Husain Delhi College, University of Delhi.
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. Among the oldest colleges in the University of Delhi, with a history going back to 300 years the College has been continuing with the tradition of an annual ceremonial full dress Convocation for the past few years.The ceremony witnesses 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 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.
The Principal of the College, M. Aslam Parvaiz also congratulated the students on receiving their degrees and wished them good luck in all their future endeavours.
The colorful and solemn event was well received by the graduating students. It provided them with an opportunity to visit their alma mater and was an emotional moment for them.
Press Release on the 5th Annual Convocation at Zakir Husain Delhi College, University of Delhi.
Zakir Husain Delhi College (University of Delhi) held its fifth Annual Convocation 3rd March 2013 decked with grandeur and splendor. With over 300 years of history, the College is unique as being one of the only colleges of the University of Delhi to carry out the tradition of an annual ceremonial full dress Convocation. The ceremony bears witness to hundreds of students receiving their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and wearing the traditional robe that symbolises academic achievement and a sense of pride in every student. It is a step which gives grace and dignity to the students and ceremonial recognition to the newly graduates. This year the College gave away 459 degrees to the students who completed their studies in the year 2010.
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. Aslam Parvaiz also congratulated the students on receiving their degrees and wished them good luck in all their future endeavours.
The event started with the ceremonial Convocation procession by the faculty members and the Chief Guest. The colourful and solemn event was well received by the graduating students. It provided them with an opportunity to visit their alma mater. It was an emotional moment and a matter of pride for them.
4th Annual Convocation
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.
Shri Haroon Yusuf very fondly addressed the gathering on this occasion invoking his nostalgia for the past when he was a student of this institution and upheld the moral values, cultural ethos, and diverse education he received here. He also spoke about the changing state if affairs in the country where now people have actively mobilized themselves for issues and he affirmed that it was important that one keeps up the same spirit at the time of elections as responsible citizens of this nation.
The Principal of the college, Md. Aslam Parvaiz, congratulated the students on receiving their degrees and announced that the college has now officially created a page on Facebook in order to keep in touch with the alumini and the current batches. The alumni of the college can also officially register themselves on the official website of the college.
3rd Annual Convocation
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.
Having started his career as an academician, Dr. Quraishi has served as Secretary, Youth Affairs, Director General of the National AIDS Control Organization, Director General of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan and has also been associated with the UN and UNICEF. Addressing a gathering of students and faculty, Dr. Quraishi made an immediate connect with the student body with his critique of the present educational system that overburdens the student and advocated serious changes. He outlined the problems of women, of child labour, of the youth and spoke of education as “a vaccine”. He identified democracy as the USP of India and exhorted his young audience to participate in the process of democracy and of nation-building. Speaking of his association with the college Dr. Quraishi also pointed out the 300 year history of the institution and the enormous changes it has undergone.
The event witnessed the giving away of graduate and post-graduate degrees to 404 students. It presented an opportunity to the students to re-connect with their Alma Mater and to carry away memories sure to last a lifetime.
2nd Annual Convocation
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.
Addressing the students, Dr. Kidwai spoke of the role of Zakir Husain College as a bridge between Old and New Delhi. Emphasizing the historical role of the institution through its three-century long history and its contribution to education, he spoke of the necessity of promoting education and embracing all that is new and challenging. He averred that the real purpose of education is to enable students to participate in the process of national development through their respective spheres of activity. Dr. Kidwai outlined the opportunities available to the current generation due to globalization and advancements in science and technology. He exhorted them to respond to this changing atmosphere with enthusiasm and to develop their capacities for research and innovation.
The Principal, Dr. M. Aslam Parvaiz, pointed out the importance of reviving older traditions like the Convocation ceremony in order to mark the dignity and value of academic achievement. He added that the Convocation was a moment of joy and satisfaction that would be cherished by the students for a long time to come.
The college also announced the institution of the Zakir Husain College Alumni Association at the event, providing the students with yet another opportunity to connect with their Alma Mater.