Jamia Millia Islamia kick-starts 102nd Foundation Day celebration

The three-day celebration of Jamia Millia Islamia’s 102nd Foundation Day began today with the inauguration of a student film festival ‘AJKMCRC FILMOTSAV’ at the preview theatre of the AJK Mass Communication Research Centre, JMI by JMI Vice Chancellor Prof. Najma Akhtar.

Students’ films were screened during the day-long film festival. Along with the film screenings, The Vayu Saga advocacy campaign’s various media exhibits were also on display. The advocacy campaign “Tackling Air Pollution in the World’s Most Polluted City” is part of a collaborative project between AJK MCRC, JMI, and Keele University in the United Kingdom. Their show featured Grassroots Comics, Photographs, a Community Game, and an E Rickshaw Photobooth.

The event also featured a student cultural performance, a Screen Testing Booth, an I Am Jamia Photobooth, and an exhibition of puppets and photobooks created by MA Development Communication students.

The Vice Chancellor addressed the audience, recommending that effective communication tools be used to disseminate information about the importance of National Education Policy, and that students actively participate in the design of media interventions. The Chief Guest, Parashar, spoke about the importance of communication in science.

A dramatised reading of Munshi Premchand’s ‘Shatranj ke Khiladi’ was presented by the Premchand Archives and Literary Centre (JPALC), JMI. Dr. Danish Iqbal directed the performance, which was performed by students from the AJKMCRC,PG JMI’s Diploma in Acting. Prof. Kirti Jain, eminent theatre director and former Director of the National School of Drama (NSD), and JMI Vice Chancellor Prof. Najma Akhtar attended the event.

A large number of students, teachers, and distinguished guests attended the performance. Prof. Jain praised the students for their excellent performance and ability to effectively evoke the historical atmosphere of the play.

The Vice Chancellor congratulated the students and encouraged them to visit the archives to learn more about Jamia and the JPALC’s other holdings.

The Indian Plumbing Association Student Chapter was established by the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture & Ekistics, JMI.

The event’s chief guest Mukesh Asija, Chairman, Delhi Chapter, Indian Plumbing Association, officiated at the event, which was presided over by Vice Chancellor Prof. Najma Akhtar. Prof. Qamar Irshad, Head of the Architecture Department, congratulated the guests and welcomed the audience. He gave a brief overview of the IPA and its benefits to architecture and planning students.

Prof. Akhtar informed the audience of the significance of Plumbing as a component of Engineering and Design. She also emphasised that the establishment of an IPA student chapter would provide students with exposure to the organization’s benefits in the near future. This will provide a link between academia and industry, as well as expose students to cutting-edge technology, in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP 2020).

The university’s Dr. Zakir Husain Central Library hosted a day-long exhibition titled ‘Jamia Millia Islamia: History & Freedom Fighters’ in the library’s exhibition hall. Books, photographs, newspapers, and rare documents were on display to highlight the role of JMI founders in the freedom struggle, as well as the university’s association with Gandhiji and other freedom fighters. The exhibition was opened by Parvesh Walia, Regional Sales Manager Believe Cosmetics Pvt Ltd., in the presence of Deans, the University Librarian, and other university staff members.

The main event of the Foundation Day will be the hoisting of the Jamia Flag by the Vice Chancellor of JMI, followed by a Guard of Honor to the Vice Chancellor and Chief Guest at 09.30 AM on the lawns of Dr. M.A. Ansari Auditorium. Dr. Subhas Sarkar, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Education, Government of India will be the Chief Guest and Dr. Upendra Giri, International member, Jamia Alumni Connect (California, USA) will be the Guest of Honour on this occasion.

The Cultural Evening will also include a number of cultural programmes such as Solo Song, Nukkar Natak, Group Song, Qawwali, Stage Play, Bait-Baazi, Self-composed Poetry Recitation, and Foreign Students Cultural Programme. Shri Ramchander Jangra, Rajya Sabha MP, Haryana and Prof. Asim Ali Khan, Director General, CCRUM, Govt. of India will be the Chief Guests of the programme to be held in Dr. M. A. Ansari Auditorium from 3 pm.

The day-long Foundation Day event will conclude at 5.30 p.m. with a ‘Flag Lowering Ceremony’ by NCC cadets on the lawns of Dr. M.A. Ansari Auditorium.

On the last day of the celebration, Faculty of Fine Arts, JMI will organise an Exhibition at the M.F. Husain Art Gallery of the university on 30th October, 2022 in the evening. The exhibition will feature paintings and sculptures created by faculty members and students.

Jamia Alumni Connect (JAC) (Delhi Chapter) is also hosting a programme on October 30th, 2022 from 5pm to 7pm at the Auditorium, Faculty of Engineering & Technology, JMI. Dr. Hanif Qureshi, Commissioner of Police, Panchkula, will be the function’s National Chief Guest, and Dr. Upendra Giri, International Member, Jamia Alumni Connect (California, USA), will be the International Chief Guest.

To commemorate the Foundation Day, Jamia Schools will also hold the Nehru Trophy Competition on October 31, 2022. This inter-school competition will include a variety of events such as Fancy Dress, Action Song, Hasya Kavita, and Poster Making.