New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) celebrated its 92nd Foundation Day yesterday i.e. on October 29, 2012. The celebrations began at around 9.30 am at the exterior of M A Ansari Auditorium of the University. According to sources, Mr. I M Kadri, a renowned Architect and an alumnus of JMI, graced the event as Chief Guest. The Chief Guest and Mr. Najeeb Jung, Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University, received the Guard of Honour by NCC Cadets of Jamia. Later, a Flag Hoisting ceremony was conducted by Mr. I M Kadri and Mr. Najeeb Jung, which was accompanied by a song ‘Yeh Jamia ka Parcham’. The morning programme concluded with a Foundation Day Function at M A Ansari Auditorium which is traditionally organized by the Jamia Middle School. The students of the school conducted the programme, highlighting the achievements of the year in their report with a melodious song.
The foundation day ceremony also included a motivational speech delivered to a packed hall of students by Mr Kadri. In his speech, he also spoke about several anecdotes involving his experiences with eminent personalities like Gandhiji, Dr Zakir Husain, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sarojini Naidu etc. Moreover, VC of the University, Mr. Najeeb Jung also reminded the teaching community of the great sacrifices with which the Jamia was built and urged them to rethink how education can serve the weakest of the weak. The celebrations continued till evening, where a Sufiana Kalam was offered by Ustad Zila Khan on October 29 at 7 pm in Dr. M A Ansari Auditorium. The event was graced by Mr. Kapil Sibal as the Chief Guest. Among other poets, Ustad Zila Khan also recited urdu translations of Shri Kapil Sibal's poetry.
As a part of the two-day Foundation Day celebrations, Mr. Najeeb Jung, VC of JMI, will deliver a Lecture on “Evolution of Muslims in India” under Professor Mohd. Mujeeb Memorial Lecture 2012 which is being conducted by Dr Zakir Husain Institute of Islamic Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia. The programme will be conducted today i.e. on October 30, 2012 in Edward Said Hall, adjacent to the VC’s office, JMI. As per the notification issued by the University, Mr. Kuldip Nayar, Eminent Journalist, former M.P. and former High Commissioner to UK will preside over the programme. In addition, during this occasion, an Urdu collection of his writings will also be released.
Furthermore, the Foundation Day celebrations will conclude on the same day with a performance by a visiting group of Whirling Dervishes from Turkey called “Konya Turkish Tasawwuf Music Ensemble”. The group will perform on October 30, 2012 at 6.30 pm in Safdar Hashmi Ampitheatre, Jamia Millia Islamia. Mr. Salman Khurshid, Cabinet Minister of the Ministry of External Affairs, will be the Chief Guest of this programme. The programme is being facilitated by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Turkish Culture & Tourism Office and the Republic of Turkey embassy, New Delhi.
For more details, one can visit the University’s official website: http://jmi.ac.in/.
