New Delhi, October 7, 2025: Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) commemorated the 156th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi with a special exhibition titled ‘Mahatma Gandhi: His Life and Times’ organized by the Dr. Zakir Husain Library in collaboration with the University Cultural Committee. The exhibition was inaugurated by Prof. Mazhar Asif, Vice Chancellor of JMI, who is also the chief patron of the event
Exhibition Highlights
The display featured rare private papers of Gandhi ji, a rich collection of photographs chronicling his life and legacy, and books on Mahatma Gandhi in Hindi, Urdu, and English. The inauguration saw attendance by distinguished guests including Prof. (Dr.) Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi, Registrar, JMI; Prof. Neelofer Afzal, Dean Students’ Welfare and University Cultural Committee Chairperson; Dr. Vikas S. Nagrale, University Librarian; and Mr. Qaisar N.K. Jani, Guest Speaker. The event was coordinated by Dr. Umaima, Convener of the University Cultural Committee, and attended by several deans, HoDs, directors, faculty members, and students.
Commemoration Ceremony
The ceremony began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran and their translation, setting a harmonious tone. The audience was also treated to a performance of the Jamia Tarana.In his presidential address, Prof. Asif underscored the enduring relevance of Gandhi’s ‘Nai Taleem’, a philosophy of value-based and skill-oriented education that has found resonance in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He urged everyone to embrace Gandhi’s principles of thoughtful response, positivity, and speaking truth with humility.
Key Addresses
Prof. Rizvi stressed the timeless significance of Gandhi’s philosophy of Ahimsa, noting that lasting peace requires winning hearts with compassion. He also highlighted the relevance of Gandhi’s Swadeshi movement in today’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.Guest speaker Mr. Qaisar N.K. Jani offered insights into Gandhi’s longstanding ties with Jamia Millia Islamia, advocating for Swadeshi principles in education and urging participants to take forward Gandhi’s ideals in daily life, including women’s empowerment, drug-free campaigns, and cleanliness initiatives.
Institutional Reflections
Prof. Neelofer Afzal recalled Gandhi’s pivotal role in shaping Jamia’s ethos of truth, simplicity, and service. Dr. Vikas S. Nagrale expressed gratitude to university leadership and emphasized Gandhi’s instrumental support in the growth of Jamia Millia Islamia.
Special Releases and Student Participation
A comprehensive bibliography of Gandhi-related books available at Dr. Zakir Husain Library was released, including works by and about Gandhi in multiple languages. The event featured a soulful performance of “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram” by the JMI Music Club and multilingual speeches from Debate Club students. The ceremony concluded with a formal vote of thanks by Dr. Umaima, and the National Anthem was played to mark the end of the program.Jamia Millia Islamia’s tribute reaffirmed Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals as central to its educational and societal mission, underscoring their relevance for future generations.
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