Srinagar/Aug,8 : Former Union Minister Prof Saif-Ud Soz on Saturday condoled the demise of veteran educationist of Jammu and Kashmir Dr Aga Ashraf Ali, saying that “Dr. Agha Ashraf Ali’s death will be mourned by a vast community of Teachers and Teacher-Educators!”
In a condolence statement issued here on Saturday Prof Soz said that death of Aga Ashraf Ali is a great loss to the widespread community of teachers and researchers in the J&K State.
“Prominent alumni of Jamia Millia Islamia, where he taught for many years and came closer to the life and teachings of Dr. Zakir Hussain Khan, he left for America where he enlightened his mind on Modern System of Education, particularly the American system of Teacher-Education”, the statement reads.
Soz said that Aga returned to Kashmir in early 60s to run the system of education, where he had already made a mark in the field of Teacher Education in the State. Recalling that Aga became the Principal of Teachers College, Srinagar the time when there was then only one Teachers College in Kashmir and the alumni of that College became fore-runners of the system of Education in Kashmir, Soz said ” Aga Ashraf Ali inculcated among the teachers the habit of ‘reading of books’
Terming Aga a voracious reader, Soz said that Aga was now reading a book titled ‘GOD’. Tributing Aga and condoling his demise Soz said “I pay a thoughtful tribute to late members of ‘Sulfia Nishan’ (Agha Ashraf’s abode)- Agha Syed Hussain, Begum Zaffar Ali, Sufia Ashraf, Agha Shahid Ali and now Agha Ashraf Ali!”
He said “When Aga grew old, he patronised an Elementary School at Maisuma Srinagar”, adding that
“Aga Asharaf Ali stood firmly for the fact that if any country wanted to reform education, the primary education should get the first attention. May God rest his soul in peace!”
