Talimi Mela concludes with Jamia flag-lowering ceremony, Delhi LG Vinai Kumar Saxena was chief guest
As the six-day festival drew to a close, thousands of students and faculty members bid farewell to the celebrations amid the JMI flag lowering ceremony before the Lieutenant Governor against the backdrop of an illuminated JMI campus, while the festivities filled the evening air marking a solemn yet jubilant conclusion to a week that will be remembered for years to come.
The 105th Foundation Day celebrations of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) concluded in a spectacular valedictory ceremony graced by the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Vinai Kumar Saxena as Chief Guest. The event was held in the presence of Prof. Mazhar Asif, Vice Chancellor, JMI and Prof. Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi, Registrar, JMI.
The valedictory function began with a guard of honour to the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi by the NCC wing of JMI, followed by the main function in the Ansari Auditorium. The school choir team greeted the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor with a melodious rendition of the ‘Jamia Tarana’ followed by the felicitation of Saxena by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Asif and Registrar, Prof Rizvi.
In his address, Saxena said he was very happy to be at JMI on this historical and special occasion of the 105th Foundation Day, especially as, “I am among the students on whose shoulders lies the responsibility of making this great country the leader of the world” calling JMI an institution envisioned by Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi and Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, as an institution that would “provide progressive education to students from all communities.”
Recalling the founding of JMI in the deeply turbulent times of colonial rule, he said it was time when the country needed educational institutions, “where along with education; the message of freedom struggle would also be spread among the people”. JMI was one such institution which the founders of JMI were sure would “along with providing education, work to build the character of the students, brighten their lives and shape the future of the country.”
Saxena added: “Today, JMI has become the fourth-highest-ranked university in the country. It also serves as an example for other universities in the country. I am well aware of the fact that the students studying here come from every corner of the country and contribute their support in building the future of the country”.
Saxena said: “I am happy that along with education, Jamia is also playing a prominent role in building the future of the country. JMI is a symbol of our culture and tradition. Today, its name is spoken with respect and dignity throughout the country.”
Saxena said that attending Foundation Day function of JMI, he was reminded of a couplet by Hafiz Banarasi, “Move on, because moving on is the proof of prosperity. Those who sit down after getting tired cannot reach their destination”. (“चले चलिए, कि चलना ही दलील-ए-कामरानी है,जो थककर बैठ जाते हैं, वो मंजिल पा नहीं सकते”)
He urged the students of JMI to not only become educated themselves, but to play their part in adorning others with the jewels of education as “acquiring education is a divine command. Only through the light of knowledge can we achieve excellence and become wise”. He advised the students and teachers gathered in the audience to spread the light of their knowledge to others and consider it as their moral duty as, “You can make your education useful only when you make yourself useful to the society.” he added.
Saxena reminded the audience that “under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji who is more than a politician, he is a great person, the Central Government is working hard to develop world class educational infrastructure in the country.” So while our universities have achieved a lot, much more needs to be done. Hon’ble LG, Shri Saxena concluded by stating, “No one can tell the limits of knowledge, just as no one can find the banks of a river ” (“इल्म की हद है कहाँ, कोई बता सकता नहीं, जैसे दरिया का किनारा कोई पा सकता नहीं”। ).
The LG extended his good wishes to the students and faculty, the VC, Prof. Asif and the Registrar, Prof. Rizvi, praying for a brighter future for Jamia ending with words that struck a deep chord among the audiences, “We are the bright lamps of knowledge…The wind does not extinguish us… but salutes us…” (हमी वो इल्म के रौशन चराग़ हैं…. जिन को, हवा बुझाती नहीं…., सलाम करती है….।
Vice Chancellor, Prof Asif said: “JMI’s journey has been long and remarkable. From its humble beginnings as a small Ustadon ka Madarsa with just 6 to 7 students and teachers, the university has grown into a vast and vibrant institution with more than 800 faculty members and 24,000 students. Achieving the 4th position in the NIRF rankings and being ranked has the top Central University in coveted Times Higher Education global rankings stands as a testament to this extraordinary progress”
Prof. Asif added: “We aim to build on this legacy by expanding further and hope to establish a Medical College and Hospital, which will complete the wide spectrum of courses that Jamia offers. We also plan to develop additional hostels and residential facilities for our students, and work towards a safer and more secure campus. An underpass near the main road is also in our vision to ease traffic and improve accessibility.”
Prof Asif added: “One of the notable achievements of this year’s Talimi Mela has been the distribution of over 20,000 books donated by our faculty members and the library so as to inculcate reading habits among our students. We teach both taleem and tarbiyat at Jamia so that our students become flag bearers of the tradition of Jamia and the Indian culture and tradition.” Expressing his delight at the celebrations, Prof. Mazhar Asif said, “This has been a grand spectacle for the university. The active participation of students in every cultural evening was heartening. It felt like a festivity we haven’t witnessed in years. The campus came alive with music, food, and, more importantly, with meaningful discussions on subjects ranging from NEP implementation to mental health and well-being.”
Prof Asif said: “This is the very idea of education we espouse under the NEP, one in which every experience on campus enriches learning and shapes students into well-rounded individuals. The Talimi Mela has been about instilling Jamia’s unique culture, tahzeeb, and tarbiyat in our students—qualities that truly set them apart.”
In his address, Prof. Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi, Registrar JMI, highlighted the unprecedented scale of participation and the success of the Talimi Mela that concluded today. He said: “Over the past six days, we have witnessed an incredible convergence of academic excellence, cultural diversity, and social awareness. Various departments, centres, and faculties of Jamia have contributed immensely to making this celebration a grand success. The academic workshops, lectures, exhibitions, and interactive sessions organised throughout the week have greatly enriched our intellectual environment and strengthened our commitment to knowledge creation and dissemination.”
Prof Rizvi added: “The Talimi Mela is not just an event, but a microcosm of society , representing every aspect of life- academic, cultural, social, and humanitarian. With hundreds of stalls, from food and handicrafts to books and clothing, the campus transformed into a vibrant, living world, capturing the essence of Jamia’s philosophy: “Talim se Tameer Tak” — from education to nation-building.” Prof. Rizvi further added, “In the long and illustrious history of Jamia Millia Islamia, this year’s Talimi Mela has been one of the most remarkable and vibrant celebrations ever held. “
Prof. Rizvi extended his gratitude to all organising committees, especially, the Dean of Students’ Welfare, Prof. Neelofer Afzal and her team, faculty members, and students, the Proctorial team, safai karamcharis, security guards, and the media teams for their synergy, hard work and seamless collaboration.
On the occasion, Saxena released the Jamia Journal of Peace Studies, a refereed biannual journal by the Centre for West Asian Studies and Nelson Mandela Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Jamia Millia Islamia with Prof. Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi and Prof. H. A. Nazmi as its editors and Prof. Mazhar Asif as the chief patron.
This year’s Talimi Mela brought together a galaxy of eminent personalities, bureaucrats, judges, policymakers, public intellectuals, educationists, and thinkers, on one platform. The event featured a wide range of academic, cultural, and sporting activities that showcased the vibrancy and diversity of the JMI community.
