The Aligarh Muslim University moved one more milestone forward in its effort to establish a special centre at Malappuram. The Kerala Government transferred 122 acres of land in a public meeting held at Mini-Civil Station, Perinthalmanna on March 6. Inaugurating the function, the Minister for Local Self Government and Rural development Affairs of Kerala Mr. Paloli Mohamed Kutty made a firm commitment to hand over the remaining 270 acres of the land to AMU by the end of May 2010.
He observed that the Malappuram district will move forward in the sphere of education when AMU Centre became fully operational in the region.
While handing over the papers along with the map of the site through the AMU Vice Chancellor Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis, the Kerala Education and Cultural Affairs Minister Mr. M.A. Baby said that coming of AMU is a great occasion as it not only fulfils the educational aspirations of the people of the region but also opens up immense opportunities for all kinds of education ranging from Nursery to PhD degree including the professional disciplines.
Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis in his acceptance speech thanked the government and people of Kerala for the overwhelming and affectionate response which they had extended to AMU. He said that the Special Centre will carry forward the great legacy and vision of AMU. It would also nurture the ideals of modern education that the youth of the nation and this region could successfully use to face the challenges of globally competitive job market. Prof. Azis said that irrespective of ideological diversity the major political dispensations of Kerala converged there to celebrate the historic event.
“The massive assembly of the people who are eagerly witnessing the unfolding of history and the enthusiasm displayed by a host of organisations joyfully participating in the grand procession at the Public Meeting has further strengthened our resolve to build an educational hub that truly reflects international standards,” Prof. Azis added.
The Union Minister of State for Railways Mr. E. Ahmad, speaking as the Chief Guest at the Public Function, stressed the genesis of Malappuram Centre. He said that the Government of India has taken note of the severe educational deficit that is prevailing among the Muslims of India and has taken measures to redress the situation as pointed out in the Sachar Committee Report.
Prof. Azis said that the AMU pledged to establish five special centres in different parts of the country including Malappuram district. He appreciated the efforts of the state government for providing the land for establishing the special centre on a fast track basis.
In his welcome speech, Mr. V. Sasi Kumar, Member Legislative Assembly, Perinthalmanna, said that the people of the region had great expectations from the prestigious Aligarh Muslim University and hoped that all the stakeholders will support the efforts that will be made by AMU Vice Chancellor Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis in building an education centre in this remote and backward area.
The other prominent speakers including Mr. E.T. Mohamed Basheer, Member Parliament, Ponnani, Mr. Abdurrab, MLA, Manjeri, Mr. Abdur Rahiman Ramdhani, MLA, Thannur, Mr. N. Sooppy, former Minister of Education, Kerala, Mr. Kuruvilla John, Principal Secretary, Higher Education Department, Government of Kerala, Mr. C. Divakarin, Chairman, Municipal Corporation, Perinthalmanna, Smt. V.T. Nafeesa Teacher, President, Block Panchayat, Perinthalmanna, Mr. K. Umesh Master (CPIM), Mr. V. Unnikrishnan (CPI), Mr. C. Sethumadhavan, Member Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, Mr. P. Abdul Hameed (IUML), Mr. Basheerali Thangal, Member AMU Court and Mr. Jose Vargese, Congress (S) also spoke on the occasion.
Mr. M.I. Shahnawas, Member Parliament and AMU Court Member, Mr. Arimbra Mohamed Master, Advocate M. Rahmatullah, Mr. P. Sriramakrishnan, Mr. P.P. Vasudevan, Advocate C. H. Ashik, Mr. Chacko Vargese, Kerala Congress (J), Mr. Johny Punnanthammi, Kerala Congress (M), Mr. K. P. Ismail, INL, Mr. P. Mohammedali (RSP) were present in the programme.
Earlier the AMU Vice Chancellor Prof. P. K. Abdul Azis accompanied by Mr. M.A. Baby and Mr. V. Sasi Kumar was taken in an open jeep in a very enthusiastic and huge procession accompanied by the band playing traditional Kerala music to the venue of Public Function which was attended by more than 5,000 people standing by the road with big banners and welcome arcs. In fact, the whole city appeared in a juvenile mood.
The visiting AMU team comprising of Prof. V. K. Abdul Jaleel, Registrar, Prof. Ekram Husain, former Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Prof. Javed Akhtar, Dean, Faculty of Management Studies and Prof. N.A.K. Durrani, Chairman, Department of Mass Communication and Media Advisor visited the site of the special centre and inspected the area. The visiting team noticed that the physical development like road, power lines and water availability promised at the site has not advanced as per the given time line. The team held a meeting with the concerned officials Mr. E.K. Gopalakrishnan, Special Deputy Director, Land Acquisition and Mr. P.V. Ramadas, Special Tehsildar, Land Acquisition and urged them to expedite the matter. The committee also emphasised on providing a copy of 13 years land record of the land acquired for transfer to AMU and discussed other details relating to physical development including the access road to the proposed AMU Special Centre site.