19 Sept’2015 was a red letter day in the history of Amity University Madhya Pradesh. Not only was it the fifth Raising Day of the University but the event was made more memorable and indelible as The Hon’ble Founder President Sir, Dr Ashok K Chauhan himself graced the occasion with his august presence. The Hon’ble Founder President Sir was accompanied by Dr Amita Chauhan – Hon’ble Chairperson, RBEF and Amity International Schools, Dr Aseem Chauhan – Additional President RBEF, Chairperson Amity University Madhya Pradesh and Hon’ble Chancellor Amity University Rajasthan, Mrs Divya Chauhan – Chairperson, Amity Schools of Fine Art, Fashion Technology and Performing Arts, Mr Ajay Chauhan – Founder Trustee RBEF and a galaxy of stalwarts from Amity Universe, rightly described by the Hon’ble Founder President Sir as the ‘Jewels of Amity’.
The team of stalwarts included our beloved Prof (Dr) Sunil Saran, Hon’ble Chancellor Amity University Madhya Pradesh, Dr RM Sharma, Dr W Selvamurthy, Lt Gen PD Bhargava, PVSM AVSM (Retd), Prof (Dr) Ajit Varma, Prof (Dr) RP Singh, Prof BKP Sinha, Prof (Dr) S Sita Raman, Prof (Dr) Gurinder Singh, Lt Gen Sanjeev Anand, PVSM AVSM VSM (Retd), Maj Gen (Prof) Nilendra Kumar, AVSM VSM (Retd), Prof (Dr) SP Singh, Dr Shaleen Raizada, Prof (Dr) Chanderdeep Tandon, Mr Raginie Singh, Dr M Sajnani, Dr Ajay Rana, Mr Ashish Singh, Dr Pankaj Sharma, Dr DS Rathore, Dr MK Dutta, Dr Tanu Jindal, Dr VK Jain, Mrs Anubhuti Mehta, Ms Jyoti Arora, Ms Meenakshi Rawal, Dr Monika Shukla, Mr RK Jain, Mr Sanjay Khanna, Mr Karan Joura and Mr Yogesh Vashist.
The Hon’ble Founder President Sir arrived at the campus to the sounds of a military band and the buglers sounding post. He was welcomed by Lt Gen VK Sharma, AVSM (Retd), Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Amity University Madhya Pradesh and his team at the campus. Thereafter, Founder President Sir complimented the band and offered ‘ahuti’ in the havan which was ongoing. This was followed by an introduction to all Heads of Institutions and Departments of Amity University Madhya Pradesh and a presentation of an overview of Amity University Madhya Pradesh by the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor in the Conference Room. The Hon’ble Founder President and the Dignitaries then made their way to the auditorium where they were welcomed with a thunderous and resounding applause by students and members of faculty & staff for their beloved Founder President. The Hon’ble Chairperson and The Founder President then lit the ceremonial lamp and the celebrations thus began.
Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Amity University Madhya Pradesh, Lt. Gen.V. K. Sharma AVSM (Retd) welcomed the Hon’ble Founder President and dignitaries to the University and thanked them for having spared their valuable time to grace the auspicious occasion with their presence. He next introduced and welcomed the beloved Founder President and the Chairperson on their first visit to the University. He also introduced the galaxy of other dignitaries including Dr Aseem Chauhan, Mrs Divya Chauhan, Mr Ajay Chauhan and Prof (Dr) Sunil Saran to the audience. After the welcome, Hon’ble Chancellor AUMP, Prof (Dr.) Sunil Saran spoke of his long association with Amity Group and the great cause that this group is working for. His emotionally charged address was followed by the address of Chairperson, Amity University Madhya Pradesh and Additional President RBEF Dr Aseem Chauhan. Dr Aseem Chauhan paid an emotional tribute to the vision and support of the beloved Founder President Sir and congratulated the University on its progress. He also expressed his deep and abiding faith in the leadership of the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor and his dedicated team. On this occasion the foundation stone of Amity International School, which will soon begin operations in Gwalior, was unveiled by Hon’ble Chairperson Dr. Amita Chauhan. Dr Amita Chauhan promised the audience that the Amity International School at Gwalior would be the world’s best school in times to come.
Academic Excellence Awards 2014-15 were given to the meritorious students and toppers in various programmes of the University for their excellent performance in academics. Also, 100% and 50% scholarship winners were given the Dr Ashok K Chauhan Scholarship Award by the Hon’ble Founder President Sir himself on this occasion. The students also had the opportunity to have a photograph taken with Hon’ble Founder President Sir and other dignitaries. The anniversary issue- 2015, of monthly newsletter of the University “The Amitian” was also released on this auspicious occasion.
Then came the moment that everyone at Amity University Madhya Pradesh had waited for so long – a chance to hear the beloved Founder President, Dr. Ashok. K. Chauhan speak in person and share his infinite wisdom. The saga began with the unveiling the Foundation Stone of Amity University Madhya Pradesh followed by his much awaited motivational and inspirational address to the Amitians of AUMP. The revered Founder President familiarized the students with the genesis of Amity as a concept and its growth thereafter. He also narrated the story of his own struggles and success, which is surely a source of inspiration for everyone, not only at Amity but also in other walks of life. The beloved Founder spoke of his vision, the potential he saw in Gwalior as a center for knowledge and higher education and his plans for Amity University Madhya Pradesh. He also fondly narrated instances from Dr Aseem Chauhan’s days as a student at the prestigious Wharton School and of his association with the Hon’ble Chancellor. The Hon’ble Founder was also generous in his praise and compliments for the leadership of our worthy Vice Chancellor, Lt Gen VK Sharma, AVSM (Retd) who has not only been an academician and leader par excellence but has also led from the front in growing the University almost ten-fold in all respects in just four short years from its inception in 2011. He concluded his address by sharing his success mantra ‘BHAAG’ with all Amitians, where ‘B’ stood for for Behavior, ‘H’ for Hard work, ‘A’ for attitude, ‘A’ again for Ambition and ‘G’ for God.
Following the Hon’ble Founder’s address, a show reel showcasing the achievements of Amity University Madhya Pradesh was run for the audience. After this, a spectacular cultural performance by the students of university was put up which enthralled all the dignitaries and the audience and was much appreciated by all. The Hon’ble Founder President also appreciated the participating students by inviting them to have a photograph taken with him and the dignitaries. Thereafter, as a mark of respect to all the dignitaries, shawls and mementoes were presented to them by the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Lt. Gen V. K. Sharma, AVSM (Retd), The Pro Vice Chancellor Prof (Dr) MP Kaushik and all Heads of Institutions and Departments. The vote of thanks was then proposed by the Pro Vice Chancellor Prof (Dr.) M. P. Kaushik. It is noteworthy that the programme was streamed live from the Auditorium Block ‘B’ to Seminar Hall Block ‘A’, Moot Court Block ‘B’ and Block C, so that all students of AUMP could be a part of the proceedings.
The Raising Day Celebrations in the auditorium were followed by a press conference where the Hon’ble Founder President Sir, in the presence of Dr Amita Chauhan, Dr Aseem Chauhan, Mrs Divya Chauhan, The Hon’ble Chancellor, The Hon’ble Vice Chancellor and other dignitaries, had a lively and engaging discussion with representatives from local media houses. The Hon’ble Founder spoke glowingly about the role of media in furthering the cause of Amity Education Group and complimented each media representative on the good and noble work that they were doing. He then enlightened the gathering about various initiatives that were underway at Amity University Madhya Pradesh, notably the Research Center for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) mitigation, the Tribal Development Center and the nomination of AUMP as the knowledge partner for ‘Gwalior as a Smart City’ project. That the interaction was fruitful was evident from the wide and appreciative media coverage of the event in all local dailies the next day. The Press Conference was followed by lunch, after which, all dignitaries visited the Exhibition on Innovations put up by the students of various institutions of AUMP. The Hon’ble Founder President Sir was suitably impressed with student projects and directed Dr Shaleen Raizada to explore the possibility of patenting some of the innovations.
The dignitaries then made their way to the project site for Amity International School, Gwalior for the historic Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Foundation of the School, which was performed by The Hon’ble Founder President Sir, Hon’ble Chairperson and all the other eminent guests in the campus. The ceremony was followed by implanting of the Time Capsule containing history of AUMP by the respected Founder and other dignitaries. The honored guests also planted several trees in the campus thus leaving an everlasting mark of their memorable visit. Towards the evening Parallel Track Brainstorming Sessions were also held for faculty on various topics like HR, Internationalization, R&D, Gen Administration, Placements and Academic Excellence. These were conducted by the eminent guests from Delhi who shared their insights with the AUMP faculty and staff. The visit concluded with all dignitaries departing for the heritage Fort of Gwalior to enjoy the Son et Lumiere (sound & light program) which had been organized for them by the University.