By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia, a central minority university, celebrated three days Talimi Mela (educational fare) from October 29-31 on the occasion of 95th Yaum-e-Tasees or Foundation Day.
Jamia celebrates its foundation day in a unique way by organising educational fest and a number of cultural programmes which are open for general public as well. A series of programmes, including conferences, lectures, film screening, drama, ghazal, mushaira, and series of exhibition were held on the occasion. Besides, a number of book stalls, food stalls and other stalls for recreation and exhibition were put up.
The campus ground and its auditoriums saw unexpected turnout from students, alumni and people from the locality and was jam-packed on all three days.
Earlier, Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, was given traditional Guard of Honour by the NCC. He hoisted the Flag to mark the beginning of the Foundation Day Celebrations. Later, he inaugurated the Talimi Mela (Education Fair).
Describing Jamia Millia Islamia as the ‘highest and sacred seat of learning’, he said that the institution commanded a special distinction for its contributions to the nation both in pre and post independent India, while inaugurating the Foundation Day on Thursday. He observed that Jamia was an institution founded by the passionate zeal and motivation of exemplary individuals inspired by character and nationalist ideals.
Addressing the audience on the occasion of 95th Foundation Day of Jamia Millia Islamia in the Ansari Auditorium the Minister observed that Jamia was one of the premier and oldest institutions in India that was set up through indigenous initiatives that eschewed British support.
He hoped that the students of Jamia would be conscious of the inherited legacy and remain proud about it. He went on to add that Jamia established a model which had an optimum mix of tradition and modernity.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Talat Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia said that Jamia was a unique institution with a profoundly-rich legacy of imparting quality education. He felt that it was incumbent upon the institution to enable students to realize their potential and develop their talents.
On this occasion, Dr. Jitendra Singh also launched Global Jamia Alumni Network that will help Jamia to connect with alumni all over the world and gain from their intellectual resources.
An exhibition of the rare documents depicting the growth and development of Jamia since 1920 was also held at the Jamia’s Central Library. The exhibition focuses on the contributions of Dr. Zakir Husain, who was one of the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Jamia from 1926-1948.
A wide range of rare documents comprising private papers, official communications with the govt. functionaries, papers on land acquisition, extract of speeches, news clippings are on display. The exhibition also displays rare photographs of the period including visiting dignitaries, besides, audio-visuals of historical importance.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, who hailed it as educative and historically informative. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Talat Ahmad declared to keep it open also for the public for a week.
The Faculty of Architecture and Ekistics, Jamia Millia Islamia paid a tribute to late Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, ex-President of India, by hosting a daylong event called “Celebrating Kalam” on the second day of 95th Foundation Day Celebrations on October 30, 2015.
The event started with the inaugural of a Statue of the late President, in front of the faculty building by N.N. Vohra, Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, in the presence of Prof. Talat Ahmad, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ghufran Kidwai, maker of the statue, and Prof. S.M. Akhtar, Dean F/o Architecture and Ekistics, JMI. The Governor also inaugurated an exhibition put up by the students and appreciated their talent and hard work.
Speaking on the occasion on Friday, Vohra said, called upon the institutions of higher learning to remain sensitive to the challenges the country is facing to safeguard age-old tolerance, pluralism, communal harmony and brotherhood. These time- tested cultural practices and human values were at risk from the forces of materialism, consumerism and hunger for power, he said. Traditionally, all guiding lights and spiritual leaders have argued against propagation of contempt and suspicion about others, he added.
Apart from a series of national competitions of photography, poster making and memorial design, there were also several on-spot competitions, and presentation of street theater, presenting tributes to Dr. Kalam.
Among several other lectures and conferences, Dr Syeda Hameed spoke on “Jamia in India and the World” organised by MMA Jauhar Academy of International Studies on Thursday and stressed on the contributions of Jamia in freedom struggle and its aftermath.
Zakir Husain Institute of Islamic Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia organized Professor Mohammad Mujeeb Memorial Lecture-2015 on Friday on “Reconstruction of Islamic Thought in the Perspective of Seerah of the Holy Prophet (SAW)” by Prof. Yaseen Mazhar Siddiqui, former Chairman, Department of Islamic Studies, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh (U.P.)
The Valedictory Function of the 95th Foundation Day Celebrations on Saturday brought the curtain down on the three-day Talimi Mela that attracted thousands of visitors from the university and its neighbourhood community.
Praising the efforts of the organizers of the Talimi Mela, Prof. Talat Ahmad congratulated Prof. Sadre Alam, Chairman of the 95th Foundation Day Committee and Prof. Tasneem Meenai, Dean Students’ Welfare and their dedicated team members and volunteers for working tirelessly to make Talimi Mela-2015 hugely successful.