Ghulam Ahmad Ashai
Encyclopedia
Khwaja Ghulam Ahmad Ashai (Arabic: غولم أحمد أشي) was a Kashmiri Bureaucrat and Political Leader. Ashai was born in a renowned family of Kashmir. Ashai is the grandson of Rayees-ul-Waqt Hajji Mukhthar Shah Ashai.
The 'Ashai Bagh Bridge' over Nigeen Lake and Dal Lake is named after Ashai's ancestors. Before moving to suburban Srinagar, the Ashai's lived at the 'Ashai Kocha' in Fateh Kadal, Srinagar. The historic Ashai mansion now hosts a Girl's high school. Ashai's historic hut in Raj Bagh has been converted into a hotel. Popularly known as Ashai Sahib by his colleagues, political contemporaries and subordinates, Ghulam Ahmad Ashai has the singular distinction of being the first Kashmiri Muslim
to attain a formal Bachelors Degree.
In reward for his service and academic academic achievements, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah appointed Ghulam Ahmad Ashai as the first Registrar of the University of Kashmir, both for academic and administrative matters, from 1948 to 1953. He led the first convocation of the University of Kashmir at Sher-e-Kashmir (Lion of Kashmir) Park and was followed by a distinguished panel including the first Prime Minister of India, Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru and the Pro-Indian Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. Ashai's involvement with Kashmir University started when he was appointed as the Special Officer assigned with the responsibility of starting Kashmir's first university. Ashai spent the next two years touring Universities across India building up strategic ties and relations with renowned and established universities.
In the 1980 Sheikh Abdullah's National Conference
government, in recognition of Mr. Ashai’s contributions as founding Registrar designated the main road leading to the present university campus in Hazratbal as Ghulam Ahmad Ashai Road. A commemorative plaque was installed at the entrance of the University Campus gate. The plaque has since been removed. The family blames that illegal orders were passed to get the plaque removed and the road christening to be annulled. However, according to official papers, the road is still legally named as "Ghulam Ahmad Ashai Road". All roadside declarations and name bearings have, however, been removed.
He did his B.T. (Bachelor of Teaching) from the Punjab University. He also passed the Munshi Fazil Examination from the same university which earned him an additional degree of M.O.L. (Master of Oriental Languages). He successfully competed for the Senior Forest Service of the State of Jammu and Kashmir with distinction but opted out of it.
Ashai's eldest son, Ghulam Kader Ashai, a Civil Engineer, went on to become the Chief Executive Officer of WAPDA (Water and Power Development Authority of Pakistan). Kader and his brother Yasin were exiled to Pakistan from Kashmir after a crackdown on pro-Sheikh families of the Plebiscite Front by Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad.
The 'Ashai Bagh Bridge' over Nigeen Lake and Dal Lake is named after Ashai's ancestors. Before moving to suburban Srinagar, the Ashai's lived at the 'Ashai Kocha' in Fateh Kadal, Srinagar. The historic Ashai mansion now hosts a Girl's high school. Ashai's historic hut in Raj Bagh has been converted into a hotel. Popularly known as Ashai Sahib by his colleagues, political contemporaries and subordinates, Ghulam Ahmad Ashai has the singular distinction of being the first Kashmiri Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
to attain a formal Bachelors Degree.
In reward for his service and academic academic achievements, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah appointed Ghulam Ahmad Ashai as the first Registrar of the University of Kashmir, both for academic and administrative matters, from 1948 to 1953. He led the first convocation of the University of Kashmir at Sher-e-Kashmir (Lion of Kashmir) Park and was followed by a distinguished panel including the first Prime Minister of India, Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru and the Pro-Indian Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. Ashai's involvement with Kashmir University started when he was appointed as the Special Officer assigned with the responsibility of starting Kashmir's first university. Ashai spent the next two years touring Universities across India building up strategic ties and relations with renowned and established universities.
National Conference
National Conference may refer to:In India:*Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, the largest political party in Jammu and Kashmir, India.*Manipur National Conference, a political party in the Indian state of Manipur that was formed in 2002....
government, in recognition of Mr. Ashai’s contributions as founding Registrar designated the main road leading to the present university campus in Hazratbal as Ghulam Ahmad Ashai Road. A commemorative plaque was installed at the entrance of the University Campus gate. The plaque has since been removed. The family blames that illegal orders were passed to get the plaque removed and the road christening to be annulled. However, according to official papers, the road is still legally named as "Ghulam Ahmad Ashai Road". All roadside declarations and name bearings have, however, been removed.
Education
Ashai secured first class in the B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) examination of the Punjab University with the distinction of topping the list of candidates in 1915. He went on to do his M.A. (Master of Arts) in Persian from Calcutta University. He obtained first division and was awarded His Excellency the Chancellor’s Gold Medal and the highest cash prize of Rs.200 for his extraordinary merit.He did his B.T. (Bachelor of Teaching) from the Punjab University. He also passed the Munshi Fazil Examination from the same university which earned him an additional degree of M.O.L. (Master of Oriental Languages). He successfully competed for the Senior Forest Service of the State of Jammu and Kashmir with distinction but opted out of it.
Family
Ghulam Ahmad Ashai was married to Jana Begum, the only daughter of Khwaja Amir Shah of Varmul, a wealthy Kashmiri nobleman. Ahmad and Jana had ten children; four sons and six daughters. They lost their second daughter to a viral disease at age 7. Ashai’s children founded a charitable memorial trust at Kashmir in memory of their father on Aug 26, 2005.Ashai's eldest son, Ghulam Kader Ashai, a Civil Engineer, went on to become the Chief Executive Officer of WAPDA (Water and Power Development Authority of Pakistan). Kader and his brother Yasin were exiled to Pakistan from Kashmir after a crackdown on pro-Sheikh families of the Plebiscite Front by Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad.