AMU likely to get ‘Ganga Cleaning Project’

Our scientists are working at harnessing the power of plants which will absorb the impurities of water ― Gen Shah, VC, AMU

Hyderabad: The meticulous task of cleaning India’s largest river Ganges (also known as ‘Ganga) is likely to be taken up by the prestigious Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). The university will exercise its prowess in the nano-agriculture to cleanse the Ganges and decontaminate it. In this regard, the varsity has submitted a proposal to the Central government.

Speaking at his felicitation function organised by the Indo-Arab League Hyderabad, Lt Gen Zameeruddin Shah, Vice-Chancellor of AMU said that although the incessant pollution of the Ganga cannot be prevented, the contamination can be minimised to make the water cleaner to an impressive extent.

“Our scientists are working at harnessing the power of plants which will absorb the impurities of water and what will come out is crystal clear water, which can be used for irrigation and fish culture” , he exclaimed.

The university has already tested the waste water treatment by using specific trees treated with nano-materials arranged in ‘Plant Pans’ that purify water, leaving green trees and purified water.

The Supreme Court of India recently directed the central government to expedite the decontamination process seeking from it a stage-wise plan to restore Ganges to its ‘pristine glory’ satirically remarking that the Ganga will not be cleaned even after 200 years.

The Ganges which holds a religious significance to the Hindus is contaminated by domestic waste as well as industrial pollutants, which are degrading the quality of water. A plethora of attempts including the ‘Ganga Action Plan’ and ‘Save Ganga Movement’ among others have failed to reach fruition. So far, about 20,000 crores have been spent on rejuvenation of the Ganga. Even Israel has proposed to take up the Ganga cleaning project under the rule of PM Narendra Modi.

Dubbing nano-technology as the ‘Second Green Revolution’ of the country, he said that the evolving needs of the growing population and depleting resources can only be met with nano-technology and AMU is already leading the race.

About 100-kilos of Indian mangoes treated with nano-materials were not only consumable but remained farm-fresh even after two months without refrigeration while tomato plants treated with nano-material grew up to three times faster with impressive yield, he said.

The VC who began his career as a madarsa student said the bridge course introduced by the AMU distant learning benefits to the madarsa students is highly successful. In fact, the government has advised organisations in Muslim majority areas to follow the bridge course introduced by the AMU, he exclaimed.

As the first Muslim to retire as the Dy Chief of Army Staff and with a plethora of Army medals and honours of highest repute, he is also encouraging 10+2 students to join the Indian Army to serve the country. He has also served as the military attaché to Saudi Arabia.

Gen Shah, who is also the elder brother of celebrated Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah, even attributed the success of Naseeruddin Shah to his academic rooting at the AMU.

Decoding the 2020 vision statement, he said the AMU which was recently ranked third in India by Times London is aiming to be listed in the top 200 universities of the world to reclaim its prime ranking in India.

A series of exhaustive measure including infrastructure upgrade including setting up of 103 smart class rooms with the help of American Alumni by the next academic year, building a world-class golf course and further bolstering standards of education are being taken. The university already has 20 basketball and 20 hockey stadiums in its campus and frontline resource pools. Syed Vicaruddin, chairman – Indo-Arab League welcomed the guests. Later in the event Telangana home minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy presented a memento to Gen Shah on this occasion.