MODERNITY IS A PROCESS TO BE IMBIBED,
NOT A PRODUCT TO BE ACQUIRED – VICE PRESIDENT
The Vice
President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari has said that the sub-title “Liberal Muslim” used together,
qualify each other. Besides being definitional or descriptive, they seem to
attribute values and are tending to be used as a sort of social, official or
quasi-official description with an implied if not explicit disparagement of the
anti-thesis: liberal – illiberal; traditional – modern; conservative – radical;
scientific – superstitious; Muslim - other than Muslim, and so on. He was
addressing after releasing a book entitled “Azadi’s Daughter -The Journey of
a Liberal Muslim Woman” authored by senior journalist Ms. Seema Mustafa at
a function here today. The book is both a fascinating account of an
intrepid liberal Muslim woman’s personal journey and a political
commentary on a secular way of
life.
Shri Ansari said
that the book portrays vividly the situational backdrop and the personal
endeavour of the author. It shows that modernity is a process to be imbibed,
not a product to be acquired. Rising levels of education and awareness,
particularly amongst women, would further it in all sections of society.
Following is
the text of Vice President’s Speech:
“I am happy to be
here today to participate in this function. I congratulate Seema Mustafa sahiba
for having penned an interesting and candid perspective on one aspect of our
contemporary history. It is engaging and forthright. On a personal note, I
found the book of great interest since, as a younger person, I had occasions to
meet Begum Anis Kidwai, Dr. Jamal Kidwai and some other members of the family.
Nor can I or many others of my generation forget Anis apa’s residence at 16
Windsor Place; it was a virtual Open House.
The narrative of the
book covers a number of overlapping and intersecting themes – autobiography,
gender, modernity, social values, and political judgements. Each is valid in
its own right; together they tend to induce what logicians call ‘category
mistake’.
A case in point is
in the sub-title “Liberal Muslim”. The terms, used together, qualify each
other. Besides being definitional or descriptive, they seem to attribute values
and are tending to be used as a sort of social, official or quasi-official
description with an implied if not explicit disparagement of the anti-thesis:
liberal – illiberal; traditional – modern; conservative – radical; scientific –
superstitious; Muslim - other than Muslim, and so on.
Interspersed through
the book are the author’s professional and personal experiences of the Indian
polity’s communal landscape, the anguish and suffering brought about by it, the
disappointment of the Muslims with government’s belated correctives, and their
awakened eagerness to seek modern education and private sector employment along
with the demand for justice, equity, and a share in
decision-making
Azadi’s Daughter portrays vividly the situational backdrop and the
personal endeavour of the author. It shows that modernity is a process to be
imbibed, not a product to be acquired. Rising levels of education and
awareness, particularly amongst women, would further it in all sections of
society.”
Source:- Vice President's Secretariat
With Regards
Prakash Verma
E Id: Prkverma@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment