Media Coordinator’s Office

Jamia Millia Islamia

December 11, 2017

Press Release

VC-JMI Prof Talat Ahmad awarded “Most Eminent Vice-Chancellor Award” at

7

th

International Human Rights Award, 2017

Prof Talat Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor JMI has been conferred with the 7

th

Bhartiya Manava

Adhikar Samman

2017- “Most Eminent Vice-Chancellor Award 2017” along with a

Certificate of Excellence by the All India Council of Human Rights, Liberties & Social

Justice (AICHLS) at an impressive function.

Prof Ahmad said that it was a singular honour to receive an award from a forum that has

championed the cause of human rights of the poor, the weak, marginalised, minorities and the

depressed sections of society. Significantly, he noted that it is also part of JMI’s mandate to

serve the economically and socially marginalised sections of society by mainstreaming them

through education. He said that it was important that social justice, equity and compassion

become the guiding principles of the society.

Other recipients of the award included, Prof. Sanjay Deshmukh (Former Mumbai

University Vice-Chancellor), Archbishop Felix Machado (former Under-Secretary of the

Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue), Mr B. L. Vohra (Retd. I.P.S.

officer), Cardinal Oswald Gracias (Archbishop of Bombay and President of the Catholic

Bishops’ Conference of India), Huzaifa Khorakiwala (Billionaire and CEO of Wockhardt

Pharmaceuticals), Brig Rajiv Williams (YSM Retd. and Corporate Head – Corporate Social

Responsibility, Jindal Stainless Limited), among others.

Among the dignitaries who gave away the awards included, Lt. Gen Zameeruddin Shah

(Former Vice Chancellor, Aligarh Muslim University), Dr. Balwinder Shukla (VC-Amity

University), Dr. Sandeep Marwah (Chairman, Marwah Studios), Dr. Umer Ahmed Ilyasi

(President, All India Imam Organisation) and Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni (Ahimsa Visv

Bharti) and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji, Ph.D.

The theme of the 7

th

International Human Rights Award held on Saturday, December 9

th

,

2017 was “

Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao

”. The programme started with an observance of 2-

minute silence for the brave martyred soldiers who had laid their lives for their motherland.

The awards celebrated the spirit of ‘Protecting, Promoting Human Rights, Peace and

Harmony’.

A galaxy of religious leaders from different faiths signifying the unique interfaith harmony,

multiculturalism and diversity of India was a highlight of the function that sent a strong

message on the importance of tolerance and respect for each other.

Swami Chidanand Saraswati, the President and spiritual head of Rishikesh-based, Parmarth

Niketan Ashram, in his address to the august gathering said that it was important to remind

the society of the values of oneness and togetherness. Referring to the representations of all

religions and faiths at the ceremony, he said that as long as this picture of amity was there,

India will be alive.

Swami Saraswati added, “We can follow our own religions but at the same time we should

give respect to others’ religions. This is love and it is important today more than ever before

that we unite our hearts. 65% of the youth of the country can’t afford to be narrow-minded

for the future of this nation. We are all part of God’s own family and Indian culture must

epitomise ‘

Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’

.

AICHLS is founded by Dr Anthony Raju, a Supreme Court of India advocate who is an

internationally acclaimed Human Rights defender, peace activist and social worker and is one

of the country’s foremost voices of Human Rights.

AICHLS has been added as a signatory to United Nation Global Compact which is the

world’s largest corporate responsibility initiative with nearly 12,000 business and non-

business participants in 140 countries.

Prof. Saima Saeed

Media Coordinator, JMI