RIYADH: The Jamia Millia Islamia Alumni Association in Riyadh recently organized a function in honor of noted Urdu scholar and Jamia Millia’s former acting Vice Chancellor Professor Gopi Chand Narang as well as other visiting Urdu poets from across India.
The event was presided over by Mohammad Munib, president of the Jamia Millia Islamia Alumni Association; chief guest was Rajiv Shahare, deputy chief of mission at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh.
Mohammad Shahabuddin, a senior Jamia alumni, anchored the proceedings and gave a brief introduction of the visiting poets. Narang mesmerized the audience by his eloquent Urdu speech and gave a detailed account of Jamia Millia’s contribution in India’s struggle for freedom under Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Zakir Husain and other freedom fighters.
Narang underlined the role played by Dr. Zakir Husain in introducing, for the first time, a basic education system in India and paid rich tributes to those who worked in Jamia during the difficult days of India’s fight for freedom from British rule. Shahare was overwhelmed by Jamia Millia Islamia’s glorious history and the sacrifices made by the “Jamia biradari,” as narrated by Narang.
