On 17th October, 2011, the calm waters of Dal lake, in Srinagar were abuzz with Jo Abur Yahan say Uthaye Ga Who Saarey Jahan Pay Barsay ga....while Aligarh Muslim University Alumni from Jammu and Kashmir celebrated the 194th birth anniversary of the founder member Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. Close to three hundred Aligarains from all walks of life participated in the celebrations. A brain child of Dr. Tariq Wani US trained scientist, joined hands with other Aligarins and formed the group called “K-Aligs” or Kashmiri-Aligs. This group was formed in the month of August, during an Iftar hosted by Dr. Tariq in Srinagar. As he recalls ‘We were very clear about what we planed to do, this initiative aimed at bringing like minded-people together’. The founding members of the group ‘have made a conscious decision of making it an apolitical space’ he added.
The Sir Syed day function started with traditional recitation of Holy Quran followed by a formal speech by Mr. Farrukh Faheem Assistant professor, Delhi University. While highlighting the relevance of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan in the present times, Mr. Farrukh called the attention of the participants to the fact that the first generations of Kashmiri leaders were trained at this great center of learning. It was in 1930s that the ‘leaders of our national struggle fought against the oppressive rule of Maharaja Hari Singh’. Taking participants down the memory lane Farrukh Faheem mentioned how Aligarh Muslim Univesity, during 1990s acted as a ‘hospice’ for many Kashmiris at a time when it was very difficult for a Kashmiri to study or even to find a place of stay outside his state.  While reliving the memories of the 1990s in AMU through the letters that Kashmir students used to receive from their loved ones in Kashmir, Farrukh narrated how those letters from the homeland were full with the stories of what was going on in Kashmir those days. In an emotionally charged atmosphere, he said: ‘I also remember Aligarh of those days as a place where we carried our Kashmir safely, expressing and sharing with our fellow Kashmiris (off course within the four walls of our rooms) what we could not express back home.
The function concluded with the traditional AMU Tarana. Finally, http//: www.kashmiraligs.org. – the group website, was launched. The organizers also sought feedback from the participants, pledging that Kashmiri Aligarians shall uphold the values of the Alma mater and shall carry on the mission of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 22 Oct 2011 00:00:00 IST