Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) celebrated 128th Birth Anniversary of Late Dr. Zakir Husain, a recipient of Bharat Ratna, third President of India and former Chancellor of JMI. On this occasion, a special prayer meet was organized at his mausoleum located on the university campus. JMI Vice Chancellor Prof. Mazhar Asif, Registrar Prof. Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi, Officials of the university, students and family members of Dr. Zakir Husain attended the prayer meet.
Born on February 8, 1897, Zakir Husain studied at Etawah School, obtained MA from Aligarh Muslim University. He stayed in Germany from September 1922 to February 1926 to do his PhD in Economics from the University of Berlin, under the supervision of Professor Werner Sombart, which was approved “summa cum laude” in 1926.
Along with his colleagues in Germany, Dr. Abid Husain and Mohammad Mujeeb, Zakir Husain came to Jamia in 1926. He was Vice Chancellor of JMI for 22 years (1926-48). It was his vision that held JMI together at a time of great financial and ideological crisis and he took leadership in creating the ‘Life Members of Jamia,’ who pledged 20 years of service to JMI. Dr. Zakir Husain's career was marked by a deep commitment to education and its pivotal role in nation-building.
He left Jamia in 1948 to help Aligarh Muslim University as its Vice Chancellor. He went on to become the Governor of Bihar, Vice President of India and the President of India. Dr. Zakir Husain passed away on May 3, 1969, the first Indian President to die in office. His presidency was marked by his erudition, commitment to the principles of democracy, and deep-seated belief in the power of education.
Dr. Zakir Husain was not only an eminent Indian politician but also an educationist and intellectual whose impact transcended political boundaries. His profound contributions to education and his vision for a more egalitarian and educated India continue to inspire.
