Sonia Gandhi assured AMU of finding a solution to its minority status issue.

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi promised to put in best possible efforts to resolve the issue of AMU's minority status. She also assured the officials of an appropriate action regarding the improvement in university's infrastructure.

Sonia Gandhi called Aligarh Muslim University an epitome of India's concept of Unity in Diversity

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi said that Aligarh Muslim University has supported India's nationalist and secular ideals and has become an example Unity in Diversity. She also appreciated AMU's efforts in providing modern education while still upholding the principles of its founders.

Sonia Gandhi's telephonic address at Aligarh Muslim University

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi at Aligarh Muslim University, for over a century, has made its name as a strong pillar of nationalist and secular education by being a steadfast inculcator of modern education and has kept alive the principles of its founder by following the path shown by him. The greatest asset of Indian republic is unity in diversity and its 'ganga-jamuni tehzeeb'. AMU is the eptome of this 'tehzeeb'. This university's commitment regarding 'unity in diversity' is not just an act of tokenism but a truth evolving from the experience of its founders. It is proof of the fact that unity in diversity is not just a hollow slogan but a pledge and those principles that are associated with the foundation of this university and get reflected in its teaching, outlook as well as its day to day life.

Islam in India is an integral part of our culture & muslims have played a major role in India's growth: Sonia Gandhi

Congress president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi delivers the convocation address at Aligarh Muslim University. She is the second women to deliver convocation address at the prestigious university. She said, Aligarh Muslim University, for over a century, has made its name as a strong pillar of nationalist and secular education by being a steadfast inculcator of modern education and has kept alive the principles of its founder by following the path shown by him. The greatest asset of Indian republic is unity in diversity and its ‘ganga-jamuni tehzeeb’. AMU is the true epitomization of this ‘tehzeeb’. This university’s commitment regarding ‘unity in diversity’ is not just an act of tokenism but a truth evolving from the experience of its founders. It is proof of the fact that unity in diversity is not just a hollow slogan but a pledge and those principles that are associated with the foundation of this university and get reflected in its teaching, outlook as well as its day to day life. I am aware of the fact that case regarding minority status of AMU is pending in Supreme Court.  I assure you that I would make every possible effort to help maintain the strong reputation of this great university. Vice Chancellor talked to me about improving the infrastructure of the university. Few days ago I even got the memorandum of your students union. I will surely talk to government regarding all these issues and make every possible effort to do my bit to resolve this issue. My family has had a deep relationship with the Aligarh Muslim University. Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru had such relations that despite his busy schedule he took out time to repeatedly visit this place. The University has awarded me an honorary degree as well and student union has also accorded me with a lifetime membership. I am proud that you have always enthusiastically supported us and many of the institutions here derive their name from the members of my family. The Culture of India is one of the greatest evolutions in the human civilization. Any facet of life, whether social, cultural, political or literary, has not remain untouched by its influence. Whether one observes the grandeur of the surrounding buildings and architecture , turn the pages of history or looks at its music, poetry and painting , our culture’s signs will be found everywhere. It has got embedded in our souls. Islam has amalgamated with soil of this country in a such a way that now it has become its inseparable part. Here Muslim community has established a dignified image and played an important role in country’s development. Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru have described this contribution in innumerable words in his book ‘Discovery of India’. This community has given India a great crop of leaders who played an important part in our freedom struggle. This university is itself associated with many great personalites. Abdul Gaffar Khan, Maulana Shaukat Ali, Mohammed Ali, Zakhir Sahab, Hasrat Mohani, Rafi Ahmad Kidwai, Abdul Majeed Khwaja, K N Ashraf, Saifuddin Kitchlew and Sheikh Abdullah are few of the great examples who inspired the future generations.

It gladdens me to know that so many young women are receiving their degrees today. No community can really progress or prosper if half of its population lags behind. Aligarh Muslim University, Abdullah Girls College has produced remarkable women like Dr. Rasheed Jahan and Ismat Chugtai and many others who through sheer grit and determination confronted social prejudice and antagonism to earn their place in life and the respect of their peers. They are inspirational figures. They should be your ideal. The path of success and independence has never been easy and change is never given to anyone on a platter. You have to struggle, you have to work hard, you have to persevere and never despair. You will confront situations, you will meet people who will try to discourage you, you will meet people who will tell you things cannot change, do not believe them. The country needs women professionals in every field of life. You owe this to your parents, your teachers and this great institution that has given you the opportunity to pursue your dream. You can and you will succeed. All of you young women and men have had great and good fortune and privilege of spending some years in the portal of Aligarh Muslim University deriving the intellectual and moral sustenance that prepares you for your future. Many of you will go on to great endeavors and high achievements as indeed you should. But it is my hope that as you make your way through life you will give thought to those who have been less privileged than you, that whenever you can you will extend them a helping hand. The world is an unequal place but its harshness can be mitigated greatly if we only remember that we are the members of a larger society in which all of us must live and share. It is up to us too and it is our responsibility not just to do well for ourselves but to ensure that the country at large and our people at the whole make progress. Today youth are the future leaders of the nation. You are the future leaders of our nation. We want you to develop a questioning outlook to look beyond the obvious, to question that you see and to engage with the real issues. Only then can you provide leadership not only in the areas of knowledge but in other spheres as well.  You must believe in yourself and your ability, always tinkering it with the knowledge that however imperfect the world may be there is always a larger good illustrious goal and the greater community than the individual. As Illama Iqbal said, “sitaro se aage jahan aur bhi hai” (there is a world beyond stars) . If you keep this in your mind you will be in harmony with Sir Syed’s vision and wisdom which led him to establish the institution form which you are graduating. And if you do then this university, its faculty, its college and its students will remain in forefront of India’s continuing resurgence. The ideals of this great institution are to touch the sky. They are echoed in your university Tarana, ‘jo abra yahan se uthega who saare jahan mein barsega’(the clouds to leave this place shall rain all over the world). My blessings will be always with you. Jai Hind.

Rahul Gandhi at Indira Gandhi National Aviation Academy function

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Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi announced that the venue of the proposed world-class civil aviation university will be in Fursatganj which falls in his own constituency Amethi, Uttar Pradesh.
Addressing a public function at Fursatganj in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh, Rahul Gandhi proposed that Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University would be built at Fursatganj with an aim to give better training facilities to the pilots. The M.P from Amethi also announced the expansion of Fursatganj airport, so that farmers' produce can be exported. The announcement was made at a function to mark the 25th anniversary of Indira Gandhi National Aviation Academy - Indira Gandhi Rashtriy Udaan Academy (IGRUA) - a premier academy of pilot training in India.

Rahul Gandhi in Kannauj ( U.P ) Part 11

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Encouraging the Congress workers Rahul Gandhi concluded, “Wherever Congress is in power, you can see development there. We changed Delhi, Andhra Pradesh and Haryana. We do not talk about caste or religion but think only about development. We give only one promise, a Government of aam aadmi and we will deliver it”.

Rahul Gandhi in Kannauj ( U.P ) Part 10

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He then urged the people “now please think about development, progress, future and jobs in the state. Please think about changing your state. The moment you will have a government who thinks about the development, who works for aam aadmi, the situation will change. If Congress comes to power the development will be visible in five years and within 10 years the face of your state will be changed completely.”

Rahul Gandhi in Kannauj ( U.P ) Part 9

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Expressing his concern over the deteriorating conditions in the state Rahul Gandhi said, “The people from Uttar Pradesh are forced to go to other places for jobs. You built the shining Metro in Delhi. You made big buildings in Maharashtra and other places. Why they are forced to go to such far places? Why cannot they get a job here in their own state?
“You gave 22 years for others to rule you. You trusted BJP. But nothing happened but cheated you in the name of God. Then you trusted SP. Nothing happened. And now BSP. They talk only about particular castes only and not about the people as a whole. No roads, electricity, water, justice or jobs and so no development. Rampant corruption is all around” said Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi in Kannauj ( U.P ) Part 8

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Rahul Gandhi highlighted that Congress is committed to work for the poor. “We want to serve the poor. There is no shortage of funds. Our country is fast developing. We send the money for you under various schemes. But those funds do not reach you as the elephant in Lucknow eats it up,” he lamented.
He declared that Congress did deliver what it had promised. “We promised an aam aadmi Government. We formed it. We had promised MGNREGA, waiving off loan of poor farmers, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and JSY. We implemented all those.”

Rahul Gandhi in Kannauj ( U.P ) Part 7

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Regarding the Central package for the drought-hit Bundelkhand Rahul Gandhi said “Mayawati did not bother when the entire area of Bundelkhand was affected by severe drought. She did not found it proper to visit Bundelkhand too” Referring the news paper reports regarding the misuse of Bundelkhand funds he said “I read it in today’s news paper that a minister purchased tractors using the funds sent by the Centre under Bundelkhand package. We had sent Rs. 3000 cr for the poor people of Bundelkhand. But that went to the minister’s pocket. Same is the case with MGNREGA or any other welfare funds sent to Uttar Pradesh. The fund sent by the health ministry (NRHM) was eaten by a minister and he is now facing investigation” alleged the Congress General Secretary.

Rahul Gandhi in Kannauj ( U.P ) Part 6

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Rahul Gandhi claimed that all states ruled by the Congress surge ahead and added that all those states have been implementing the Central Government schemes properly. “We send money to Uttar Pradesh too, but it is being looted by the BSP leaders and ministers” he said.
Rahul Gandhi said that the UPA Government realizes the strength of the farmers as well as their difficulties. “UPA is committed towards the welfare of the farmers. The intention behind the Central government Rs 60,000 crore loan waive-off policy was to serve the common man”. He then added “When we made these policies opposition asked us from where we will have money. When we sanction funds for elite people they do not have any issues. But if we do anything good for the poor people they raise questions”. Rahul Gandhi also supported the UPA Government much controversial plan for allowing FDI in retail sector. “The UPA Government wants to allow FDI in retail sector with an intention to help the farmers. But Mayawatiji stalled it” he added. Rahul Gandhi also said that UPA and Congress are committed for the upliftment and welfare of the minorities and so the Centre implemented the Sachar Committee report. “But U.P did not get the benefit” he concerned.

Rahul Gandhi in Kannauj ( U.P ) Part 5

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“We found that there no jobs available in the villages and the people are forced to migrate to big cities” said Rahul Gandhi underlining the significance of the MGNREGA scheme and added “through MGNREGA, the biggest employment generation scheme, poor are assured of a minimum of 100 days jobs in a year with a daily wage of Rs 120. People in Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan or Kerala will vouch for the benefits of the scheme”.
While questioning Mayawati Rahul Gandhi said “Your Chief Minister of UP says that MGNREGA is of no use. While all other states are acknowledging that MGNREGA is the most useful policy UP Chief Minister says that the scheme is of no use. The reality is that the funds sent by the Centre under various schemes are being eaten up by Mayawati’s elephant in Lucknow. Normally elephants eat leaves and grass but the magic elephant of Mayawati in Lucknow eats currency".

Rahul Gandhi in Kannauj ( U.P ) Part 4

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Congress General Secretary reminded that while campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections in 2004 Congress had made only single promise – a government that would work for the common man. “While other parties made a number of hollow promises we had promised a government that works for the poor, dalits and adivasis” said Rahul Gandhi. “Some parties brought out the slogan “India Shining”. They scripted the slogan sitting inside big bungalows. They did not realize the reality. The shining may be visible at those leaders’ houses who had coined this slogan but not the villages. And the people gave them a befitting reply by electing an aam aadmi Government of the Congress”, he added taking a dig at BJP and NDA.

Rahul Gandhi in Kannauj ( U.P ) Part 3

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“You know all the Congress ruled states have been progressing because of the policies with long term vision. You can see that states like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Delhi and Rajasthan all are surging ahead. But your leaders think only about today, they don’t see the future. That is the reason behind the bad state of affairs in U.P”, he alleged.

Rahul Gandhi in Kannauj ( U.P ) Part 2

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Taking a dig at the performance of non-Congress Governments in U.P for the past 22 years he continued “In U.P non-Congress parties have been talking about caste and religion and not bothered about the poor. They cheated you in the name of God. They made God a commodity and sold it and behaved just as mere brokers. They do not come to you, listen to you or bothered about your future” he wondered.

Rahul Gandhi in Kannauj ( U.P ) Part 1

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Addressing a Congress workers’ rally at Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh on the fourth day of his second phase of the campaign for Congress, All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Rahul Gandhi said that the state can surge ahead only if the leaders think for the future. Rahul Gandhi promised that a Congress government will bring back the lost glory of Uttar Pradesh.
He also said that the BJP is in the ventilator in the state and also declared that he will not let it surge again in Uttar Pradesh.