PM Modi Says 'AMU Represents Mini India,' Hails Varsity's Role In Nation's Fight Against Covid-19 | Key Highlights

In his first ever address at Aligarh Muslim University, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the contribution of AMU in nation-building and in elevating India's position among Islamic countries through the extensive researches conducted in the varsity.

PM Modi address in AMU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi who delivered the keynote address on the occasion of the centenary year celebrations at Aligarh Muslim University said that the 100-year-old varsity represents a "mini India". He hailed the role of university in country's fight against Covid-19 and in upholding India's 'unity in diversity'. For the first time in last 56 years, the Aligarh Muslim University, in Uttar Pradesh witnessed an address by a Prime Minister. AMU Chancellor Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin & Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank were also present on the occasion. Here are the key takeaways from PM's address: 

• "In its 100 years of history, AMU has shaped millions of lives, giving them modern and scientific thinking and inspiring them to do something for the society and the nation," said PM Modi as he began his address.
• Acknowledging the role of the university in country's fight against Covid-19, PM Modi said: "During this tough period of pandemic, the way AMU helped out society is phenomenal. Getting people tested, creating isolation wards and contributing a big amount to PM-CARES, show how people related to AMU are committed for upliftment of society as a whole."
• "In Aligarh Muslim University, the research done in Urdu, Arabic and Persian language is commendable. Especially the research conducted in Islamic history elevates the position of India in the Islamic world and gives new energy to India's relation with them,"
• "The country is marching forward on the path where every citizen would get the benefits of development happening in the country without any discrimination. The country is on the path where every citizen should rest assured about their constitutional rights & their future."
• "Country is on the path where no citizen would be left behind because of their religion & everyone would get equal opportunities so that everyone can fulfil their dreams. Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas is the mantra behind it," said PM.
• "School drop out rate among Muslim girls was more than 70%  and this situation persisted for 70 years. In these circumstances, Govt started Swachh Bharat Mission, built toilets in villages and toilets for school-going girls. Now this rate has fallen to nearly 30%," he said.

PM Narendra Modi also released a postal stamp via video conferencing as part of centenary celebrations. Watch the LIVE address of PM Modi Here: The Prime Minister’s address comes amid a raging debate on the campus which has often been described as a hub of anti-national activities by the saffron party’s members, including the local Member of Parliament. While the university administration looked forwards to projecting the virtual address as a historic event, a section of students and teachers is keenly looking into the meaning of PM’s outreach. The university administration looks forward to the address as it is the first time in over five decades that a PM will attend an AMU event. The last time a PM attended an event at AMU was Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1964. Before Shastri, prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru had visited AMU four times. He visited the first time in 1948, when he an honorary doctorate was conferred on him at the annual convocation, followed by visits in 1955, 1960 and 1963. AMU became a University in the year 1920, when the status of Mohammedan Anglo Oriental College, which was set up by Syed Ahmad Khan in 1877, was lifted to that of a Central University.