Jamia celebrates 77th Independence Day with patriotic zeal, fervour
Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) today celebrated 77th Independence Day with patriotic zeal and fervour. JMI Vice Chancellor & the Chief Guest of the function, Prof. Najma Akhtar and Guest of Honour Mayank Kumar Agrawal, Former Principal DG, DD News hoisted the National Flag at the forecourt of Dr. M.A. Ansari Auditorium of the university.
They were formally welcomed by NCC Officers and cadets on arrival at the flag hoisting ceremony. Hoisting of the National Flag was followed by the singing of the National Anthem by the gathering comprising of students and staff of the university.
The Vice Chancellor and the Guest of Honour addressed the gathering inside Dr. M.A. Ansari Auditorium where cultural programmes were also organised by Jamia Schools. Students sang Jamia Tarana and enthralled the gathering by their performances on patriotic songs, speech etc.
During her address, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Najma Akhtar said JMI was born out of freedom movement and its students and teachers were closely associated with Non-Cooperation and Khilafat Movement under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. “In the beginning Jamia had the patronage of Mahatma Gandhi, and today it has the wholehearted patronage of the current government especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi and we are proud of it. Jamia has always been promoting patriotism, a sense of pride and appreciation for the country’s history, culture and values” said the Vice Chancellor.
She said keeping in mind the New Education Policy, modern and international expectations, Jamia is engaged in making itself better and better. Efforts are on for its expansion and the university is having active MoUs with 75 universities.
Appreciating the efforts of the teachers and non-teaching staff of the university, the Vice Chancellor said, “I thank you all for this ‘Golden Era’ of Jamia and I express my heartfelt gratitude to Modi. It is because of the hard work and dedication of Jamia employees that I have been able to take JMI to a level where it is getting immense recognition. It is worth mentioning that Golden Era is not static movement in time, it is a phenomenon which never stops.”
The Vice Chancellor also expressed her gratitude to the Chancellor of the university Dr. Sayedna Mufaddal Saifuddin for his immense support and leadership and hoped that the university will keep on getting his guidance to take JMI to greater heights.
“As Indians, we must promise that we will sincerely play our part in enhancing our country’s peace, progress and power. We must take the idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – A living reality with India at the central world family,” she said.
Guest of Honour, Mayank spoke in details about the significant role JMI has played in freedom struggle and the development of the country since its birth. He appreciated the dynamic leadership of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Najma Akhtar for the achievements like improved national and international rankings, A++ Grade NAAC Accreditation, etc. He said that from a very humble beginning facing so many difficulties and hardships the university has today secured its place among the top 3 universities of the country. Speaking on starts-up, he advised students to become job-givers instead of job-seekers.
JMI Registrar, Prof. Nazim Husain Jafri presented the formal vote of thanks. The programme ended with the singing of National Anthem by the gathering. For the first time National Anthem was sung by students in sign language also for the inclusivity of hearing impaired students.