Re: [Assam] FA Ahmed : a staunch patriot Suren Ram Phookun
Thanks a lot for the article on late F.A.Ahmed Saheb. I worked with him for long 17 years till his death. Thanks again. B.N.Barooah From: Manoj Das [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Pradip Kumar Datta [EMAIL PROTECTED], Bhupen Barooah [EMAIL PROTECTED] CC: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], assam@assamnet.org Subject: Re: [Assam] FA Ahmed : a staunch patriot Suren Ram Phookun Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 18:12:42 +0530 Few things I have seen in FA Ahmed's memory in Delhi.. 1. His Majar just opposite Parliament House 2. A Housing Society in his and wife's memory at Dwarka 3. A multi religious ekta bhawan coming up at Dalhousie Road Few facts I have known about his Presidentship.. 1. First Magh bihu celebrated inside Rashtrapati Bhawan 2. First time Sattriya dance troupe accompanied the Presiden to Indonesia Mr Bhupendra Nath Barua was his Private Secretary (not sure of the correct designation). He and his wife are still in Delhi and anybody wanting to know of FAM can contact him. -mkd On 2/11/07, Pradip Kumar Datta [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: *FA Ahmed : a staunch patriot — Suren Ram Phookun**T*he State of Asom from where Fakhruddin Saheb began - Show quoted text - his active involvement in the freedom struggle can rightly feel proud to have nurtured a great son of the country and a true representative of its composite culture. A staunch patriot, an able administrator, a farsighted statesman and a champion of all progressive causes, his was a life of service and sacrifice and of complete dedication to the ideals of secularism and mutual goodwill. He occupied a position of great eminence in our public life and worked tirelessly towards strengthening the bonds of national unity and solidarity. During the communal riots of Allahabad, Maulana Asad Madani and Maulana Abdul Rauf, the MLC (UP), wanted to visit Allahabad to be of some assistance to the local Muslims. They sought the permission of the UP government through Ahmed Saheb and it was readily granted. The Maulana sent their programme at Allahabad railway station, they were surprised to be accosted by police officers, who on their own, told them that they had been deputed by the government to assist them in their task and had made arrangements for their transport and stay. These gentlemen innocently believed the police officers and thanking the UP government for this consideration, unsuspectingly boarded a car brought by the police officers. When the car left the city limits, they enquired as to where they were being taken. The police officers said that as a precautionary measure they had made arrangements for their stay in a bungalow belonging to the Army outside the city. After a while, the car stopped in front of the huge gate of the Central prison, Naini. Now both these Maulanas realised that they had been taken for a ride. They asked the police officer : Is this the army bungalow? The police officer sheepishly replied : Both of you are under arrest. The Maulanas did not enquire the reason for their arrest because they were in the company of these very police officers right from the moment they had set foot in Allahabad and thus had little opportunity to commit any offence. They walked into the prison gracefully. When this incident was brought to Ahmed Saheb's notice he was surprised and indignant. He lost no time in contacting the then Union Minister of Home Affairs, Sri YB Chavan, and made it amply clear that the arrest of Maulana Asad Madani, then an MP, in the midst of communal riots at Allahabad, would infuriate Muslims and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of both the Maulanas. Both were later released honourably and unconditionally. Late Ahmed served the nation as an Union Minister from 1966 to 1977 during which he held important portfolios, like power, education, industries, internal trade and company affairs and food and agriculture. He was then sworn in as the fifth President of India on August 24, 1974 marking the climax to a long and a distinguished political career. His elevation to the highest office of India was surely a true recognition of his immense contribution towards the country. He was an ardent advocate of nationalism and a true symbol of secularism. All throughout his life he strived to forge a cohesive Indian nation by propagating a secular spirit. He wanted to make the nation breathe fresh air, invigorate the entire national environment with progressive outlook. The ideals of late Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed are of great relevance in the present Indian context where the evil forces of communalism are cropping up in various parts of the country. Our rich and secular tradition and heritage are really facing a tough time. The Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid issue had led to a series of communal outbursts in several parts of India. The unbridled growth of these communal passions has shaken the very foundation of our secular and democratic structure. The nation has been threatened with these divisive force. Against
[Assam] FA Ahmed : a staunch patriot Suren Ram Phookun
FA Ahmed : a staunch patriot Suren Ram PhookunThe State of Asom from where Fakhruddin Saheb began his active involvement in the freedom struggle can rightly feel proud to have nurtured a great son of the country and a true representative of its composite culture. A staunch patriot, an able administrator, a farsighted statesman and a champion of all progressive causes, his was a life of service and sacrifice and of complete dedication to the ideals of secularism and mutual goodwill. He occupied a position of great eminence in our public life and worked tirelessly towards strengthening the bonds of national unity and solidarity. During the communal riots of Allahabad, Maulana Asad Madani and Maulana Abdul Rauf, the MLC (UP), wanted to visit Allahabad to be of some assistance to the local Muslims. They sought the permission of the UP government through Ahmed Saheb and it was readily granted. The Maulana sent their programme at Allahabad railway station, they were surprised to be accosted by police officers, who on their own, told them that they had been deputed by the government to assist them in their task and had made arrangements for their transport and stay. These gentlemen innocently believed the police officers and thanking the UP government for this consideration, unsuspectingly boarded a car brought by the police officers. When the car left the city limits, they enquired as to where they were being taken. The police officers said that as a precautionary measure they had made arrangements for their stay in a bungalow belonging to the Army outside the city. After a while, the car stopped in front of the huge gate of the Central prison, Naini. Now both these Maulanas realised that they had been taken for a ride. They asked the police officer : Is this the army bungalow? The police officer sheepishly replied : Both of you are under arrest. The Maulanas did not enquire the reason for their arrest because they were in the company of these very police officers right from the moment they had set foot in Allahabad and thus had little opportunity to commit any offence. They walked into the prison gracefully. When this incident was brought to Ahmed Sahebs notice he was surprised and indignant. He lost no time in contacting the then Union Minister of Home Affairs, Sri YB Chavan, and made it amply clear that the arrest of Maulana Asad Madani, then an MP, in the midst of communal riots at Allahabad, would infuriate Muslims and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of both the Maulanas. Both were later released honourably and unconditionally. Late Ahmed served the nation as an Union Minister from 1966 to 1977 during which he held important portfolios, like power, education, industries, internal trade and company affairs and food and agriculture. He was then sworn in as the fifth President of India on August 24, 1974 marking the climax to a long and a distinguished political career. His elevation to the highest office of India was surely a true recognition of his immense contribution towards the country. He was an ardent advocate of nationalism and a true symbol of secularism. All throughout his life he strived to forge a cohesive Indian nation by propagating a secular spirit. He wanted to make the nation breathe fresh air, invigorate the entire national environment with progressive outlook. The ideals of late Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed are of great relevance in the present Indian context where the evil forces of communalism are cropping up in various parts of the country. Our rich and secular tradition and heritage are really facing a tough time. The Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid issue had led to a series of communal outbursts in several parts of India. The unbridled growth of these communal passions has shaken the very foundation of our secular and democratic structure. The nation has been threatened with these divisive force. Against this unnerving situation, the life and ideals of the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed can very well inspire the nation to derive strength and hopes in restoring the lost glory and the missing fabric of national life. All of us know that every right thinking and politically aware person during the pre-swaraj days, irrespective of caste, creed and religion did not think for a second time to join movement of India. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed was no exception. He became a satyagrahi in response to the call of Mahatma Gandhi during 1940-41 and was imprisoned for a year. Only a few weeks after he was released he was again taken to the jail and was detained till 1945. FA Ahmed first entered Parliamentary politics as a member of the Assam Legislative Assembly in 1937. He was a sitting member of the Assembly till 1945. FA Ahmed was the Minister of Finance and Revenue in the first Coalition Ministry formed under the leadership of the late Gopinath Bordoloi. During his tenure he reduced land revenue taxes and introduced
