Non-Resident Students' Centre

Non-Resident Student' Center (NRSC) is a century old club for students’ recreational activities at Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India.

Non-Resident Student' Center (NRSC) was established in 1910 under the patronage of Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk, when he was secretary of MAO College.^[1].

Background

Aligarh Muslim University is, in core spirit, a residential university since its establishment as MAO College, but when the number of day-scholars (Day pupil) was raised substantially, a need was felt to start a separate club for their own activities. Realizing that day-scholars have to cover a distance of at least 2-6 miles to attend classes and once back to their home, it is hardly possible to reach the university campus again to avail library and other recreational extra-curricular activities.

History

MAO College Day Scholars' Club

MAO College Day Scholars' Club was established in 1910 under the patronage of Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk, when he was secretary of MAO College from December 1907 to July 1912. The opening ceremony of the ‘Day Scholar's Club’ was carried out on August 6, 1911 in a rented building at Mohalla Aatishbazan, Upper Fort (Bala-e Qila). Later, the Club was shifted to another rented site of the university at Danpur Compound, Rasal Ganj, Aligarh.

Abdul Majid Khawaja (1885-1962) became its Founder-President. Professor S. M. Shafi of Commerce was Patron of Day Scholar's Club from 1931 to 1942 and then from 1948 to 1956.

Intermediate Day Scholars' Union

Intermediate Day Scholar' Union of ‘Muslim University Intermediate College’ came into existence in 1920. This Union was continuing succession of MAO College Day Scholars' Club when MAO College was upgraded to Muslim University. This exclusive Union had its own elected team of day-scholars.

In 1932, the Intermediate College was abolished in accordance with the recommendation of the 'Rahmatullah Committee'. Hence the Intermediate Day Scholars' Union of Intermediate College was also dissolved. However, intermediate classes continued in the University.

Intermediate Students' Society (ISS)

A separate society for intermediate classes of Aligarh Muslim University namely "Intermediate Students' Society (ISS)" later on came into existence. This ISS had no relation with Day Scholars' Club. ISS was later on merged with AMU Students' Union in an around 1956.

Muslim University Day Scholars' Union

After 1932, Intermediate Day Scholars' Union was renamed as Muslim University Day Scholars' Union

Non-Resident Student' Center (NRSC)

In 1943, Muslim University Day Scholars' Union was again rechristened as Non-Resident Student' Center (NRSC). Students of this NRSC Attached Borders Club were enrolled in different residential halls like Sir Syed Hall, Aftab Hall, etc.

An exclusive NRSC Provost Office came into existence at the end of 1956 under the Proctorship of Professor Satish Chandra. This newly created office at Arnold House was given a status of a hall like any other residential Hall. Prof. Satish Chandra was thus the first provost of NRSC and remained both Procter and provost till 1958.

Present status

'Non-Resident Students' Center has a club like atmosphere. It has been running two clubs - one in the city area (NRSC 'B') since 1910 and the other in civil lines area since July 14, 1944 (NRSC A) for all non resident students. The very purpose of the ‘Center’ is to train students in building up and inculcating qualities of mind, soul and body. Both Club holds many sports activities including creative programmes under various sections such as literary, hobbies and cultural. Each program is celebrated with a great deal of enthusiasm and fanfare. Best students are awarded 'Color', 'Provost' and 'President' prizes in these various sections. With a view to maintain the desired standard of sociability and academic discipline, these Clubs are assisted by a provost and separate team of presidents, wardens and students’ office bearers. The cumulative resourcefulness of all the wardens and presidents improve the general tone and administration of the clubs.

NRSC maintained two Clubs viz NRSC ‘A’ and NRSC ‘B’ till 2004. Now, NRSC has no distinctive clubs - 'A' or 'B'. It has one building opposite Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College Hospital with one president and one club secretary along with a provost, wardens and students office bearers. The 'provost office' which existed at the original building “Arnold House” since its inception (1956) has been shifted to its new office in 2009.

AMU Socratrics

Like Socratic Club of the University of Oxford, NRSC also initiated 'AMU Socratics' in 1976 under the guidance of Prof. Jamal Khwaja, former provost of NRSC and Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha. Literary Secretary used to be the Incharge of this Society.^[2].

Somehow, this 'AMU Socratics' at NRSC was ignored and was lying defunct for the last many years. It has been revived with full activities in 2008 under the president of NRSC, Syed Ziaur Rahman. One of the newly constructed rooms is now allotted for the activities of “AMU Socratics”. The students exhibits great interest in the society. It arranges group discussions, quizzes, debates, and presentations. The trained students then participates in different Inter Hall Literary Competitions held at the University. In 2009, 'AMU Socratics' also published fortnightly newsletter “Voice of NRSC”, edited by Mohd. Nayyer Rahman (MBA student), which motivated NRSC students to write articles and poems^[3].

'AMU Socratics' is the literary society of the students, by the students and for the students. Members of 'AMU Socratics' take initiative in organizing various functions held at NRSC.

Prominent Old Boys of NRSC

• Lala Amarnath, Former Indian cricketer and team captain
• Mushtaq Ali, Former Indian cricketer
• Dhyan Chand, Former field hockey player, team captain and Olympian
• Piara Singh Gill, Physicist
• Irfan Habib, Historian
• Mushirul Hasan, Director, Archaeological Survey of India and Former vice-chancellor Jamia Millia Islamia
• Farhan Nizami, Director, Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies
• Syed Zahoor Qasim, Oceanographer and Scientist
• Raja Rao, Indian English novelist and short story writer
• Naseeruddin Shah, Hindi/Urdu film actor
• Anubhav Sinha, Hindi film director
• KC Singhal, Vice Chancellor, NIMS University
• Jamal Khwaja, Former Member of Parliament
• Syed Ziaur Rahman, Medical pharmacologist

Notes

• Aligarh Muslim University Ka NRSC Club (Urdu) by Syed Ziaur Rahman, Monthly Sutoon, Delhi, April 1999; 12 (4): 8-9.
• Annual Report of the NRSC (1997-98) by Syed Ziaur Rahman, The Centre Vision, NRSC Hall Magazine, AMU, Aligarh, 1998-99: 182-187
• University ke Ghair Iqamati Hall ki Mukhtasir Tarikh (Urdu) by Syed Ziaur Rahman, Nakush-i Jamia, NRSC Hall Magazine, AMU, Aligarh, 1998-1999: 105-107
• Ghair Iqamati Talaba ke Shabo Roz (Urdu) by Syed Ziaur Rahman, Ufaq, NRSC Hall Magazine, AMU, Aligarh, 1997: 209-220
• A Brief History of NRSC by Syed Ziaur Rahman, The Centre Beat, NRSC Hall Magazine, AMU, Aligarh, 2008: 2-3
• Just a word, by Syed Ziaur Rahman, The Centre Pulse, NRSC Hall Magazine, AMU, Aligarh, 1997: 10-13
• Nav Prabhat (Hindi) by Syed Ziaur Rahman, Khshitij, NRSC Hall Magazine, AMU, Aligarh, 1997: 9-10
• Message by Syed Ziaur Rahman for Souvenir, Sehraab-09, Non-Resident Students’ Centre, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, March 30-April 2, 2009: 10

See also

Hall of Residence and NRSC,

Khwaja Muhammad Yusuf

References

1. ^ History of Non Resident Students’ Center, Aligarh Muslim University (1910-2000) by Syed Ziaur Rahman, Ibn Sina Academy, Aligarh, 2000
2. ^ History of Non Resident Students’ Center, Aligarh Muslim University (1910-2000) by Syed Ziaur Rahman, Ibn Sina Academy, Aligarh, 2000
3. ^ Sehrab 09, Souvenir edited by Mohd. Nayyer Rahman, 30 March - 2nd April, 2009, NRSC, AMU, Aligarh