As you cross the Holy Family Hospital, please notice a large gate named after Qurattulain Hyder, a universally acclaimed novelist in Urdu. Some metres away is the Gulistan-i-Ghalib, named after a poet who discounted all religious distinctions. The Dr Zakir Husain Library is located in that complex. Surely, he needs no introduction... Just in case you've forgotten, let us remind you that he was our vice-chancellor from 1926 to 1948, and the President of the Republic.
After crossing over to the other side of the street from the library, you will notice a much smaller gate designed by the architect, late Satish Grover. It is the Bab-i Azad, named after Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, a secularist par excellence. Somebody described him as the 'Prince among Patriots'. He was one of Jamia's benefactors. Next to it is the Bagh-i (Guru) Nanak, the symbol of tolerance, humanity and goodness.
Walk a few steps before entering the Dabistan-i Gandhi: this complex houses the MA Ansari Auditorium (Congress president in 1927 and the Mahatma's 'infallible guide' on Hindu-Muslim issues); (Jawaharlal) Nehru House; Safdar Hashmi Amphitheatre; and the (Fidel) Castro café. All these, and many other names (ie, Nelson Mandela Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution; Mridula Sarabhai House; Khan Abdul Ghaffar Enclave; Sarojini Naidu Centre for Women's Studies; Jamnalal Bajaj House) reflect Jamia's Weltanschauung.
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11:29 PM
Moderate Islamist here
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