86th birthday of grandson of Nizam VII celebrated

Purani Haveli: "Hyderabad was the centre of India, as far as the British states were concerned. It has been producing nothing but excellence since 1884, regarding the public service and development sector", said Advisor to UNESCO, renowned educationist and Former UNESCO Director in Human Resource Development, Management and Planning Dr Mir Asghar Hussain.

Dr Asghar was addressing the gathering on 86th birthday of Nawab Mukarram Jah Bahadur at Purani Haveli in Hyderabad. The Mukarram Jah School, named after him and managed by the Mukarram Jah Trust for Education and Learning (MJTEL), observed the birthday of Prince Mukarram Jah Bahadur as its 'Founders day' on October 6.

Addressing the gathering of students and parents, Dr Asghar said, "Hyderbad is unique because it has managed to keep its sovereignty despite the British intervention, as the Nizams believed in the state first."

Dr Asghar advised students to imbibe four principles in life: learning to know, learning to do, learning to live together and learning to be. He stressed that education and culture are inseparable. Culture is going to unite or divide us in the future.

He said, "India's strength comes from diversity. India has different religions, castes, languages and there cannot be one culture or religion as a favourite." The former UNESCO advisor has also stressed on the importance of heritage. Times have changed, political regimes have changed, but we have to not only looked in the past, but also toward the future.

Uphold Ganga-Jamuna Tehzeeb

Dr Asghar advised the students and teachers to learn adaptive social behavior, and said, "Violence in schools is the top topic for discussion at UNESCO internationally. He advised students "to learn to manage to resolve conflicts and learn to live together. Strength comes from collective society where we discover each other and uphold the Ganga-Jamuna tehzeeb."

Speaking on the occasion in the royal confines of Masarath Mahal, the private palace of Sixth Nizam Nawab Mehboob Ali Pasha, which is now the part of Mukarram Jah School inside Purani Haveli, MJTEL Trustee Nawab Faiz Khan said, "The Nizams greatly valued education. Institutions from Osmania University to Mukarram Jah Trust are testament to it."

"After his coronation as the Nizam VIII, Prince Mukarram Jah gave away the Masarath Mahal, which was dear to him, as he shared a fond relationship with his great grandfather Nizam VI Nawab Mehboob Ali Pasha. Masarath Mahal was the Nawab Mehboob Ali Pasha's private palace, where he received his education as a child", he said.

A poetic tribute to Prince Mukarram Jah in traditional Urdu poetry was recited on the occasion. Trust Secretary Khaja Ghiasuddin welcomed the guests, while Rekha Wadhe presented a vote of thanks.