Agra, Oct. 18 -- Justice Abdul Shahid, Judge of the Allahabad high court, highlighted the transformative power of education, perseverance and moral purpose in realising one's dreams. He reminded the audience that "ignorance is the mother of poverty, and education is the only solution." Justice Shahid was addressing a gathering at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on the occasion of 'Sir Syed Day', observed on Friday (October 17) to commemorate the 208th birth anniversary of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the founder of AMU. "May the light kindled by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan continue to guide our path, inspire our minds, and remind us that one enlightened man can change the destiny of millions," said Justice Shahid. He emphasized Sir Syed's enduring message that "the first requisite for the progress of a nation is brotherhood and unity among sections of society." Urging students to stay committed to their ambitions, he advised them to keep learning, unlearn harmful habits, and use discouragement as motivation. Delivering the guest of honour's address, Dr S Somanath, former chairman of ISRO and chancellor of Chanakya University, Bengaluru, praised Sir Syed's visionary approach that blended faith with reason and modern science with moral values. He said Sir Syed's vision of a scientifically oriented society where education serves as a tool for moral and national regeneration, remains deeply relevant today. Dr Somanath added that the pursuit of knowledge, whether through science or spiritual reflection, is a journey rooted in curiosity, collaboration, and ethical purpose. Highlighting emerging technologies from space exploration and genomics to artificial intelligence, he called on students to combine scientific skills with moral awareness in the service of nation-building.Special guest Milee Ashwarya, senior vice president and publisher at Penguin Random House, also spoke on the enduring relevance of Sir Syed's focus on knowledge, inclusivity, and empowerment through education. In her presidential address, AMU vice-chancellor Prof Naima Khatoon lauded Sir Syed's legacy, describing him as "the dreamer who became an architect of ideas, the believer who became a reformer of society, and the teacher who became a torchbearer for the masses." She said AMU today stands as a living testament to Sir Syed's ideals where reason walks with faith, tolerance shapes learning, and education becomes a vehicle for societal transformation.htc...