New Delhi, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) commenced its 105th Foundation Day celebrations today with a grand inaugural ceremony at the M.A. Ansari Auditorium. The event was inaugurated by Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, in the presence of JMI Vice Chancellor Prof. Mazhar Asif, Registrar Prof. Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi, and Dean of Students’ Welfare Prof. Neelofer Afzal.
The ceremony began with a Guard of Honour for the Minister, a Quranic recitation, and a soulful rendition of the ‘Jamia Tarana’ by Jamia school students. The inauguration also marked the opening of the six-day Talimi Mela, an iconic educational and cultural fair returning this year with unprecedented grandeur.
A major highlight was the release of Jauhar, Jamia’s flagship newsletter, covering October 2024–September 2025, printed after an eight-year hiatus. This was followed by the release of JMI’s Annual Report by Shri Rijiju.
In his address, Shri Rijiju paid tribute to Jamia’s founders, including Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar, Dr M.A. Ansari, and Dr Muhammad Mujeeb, as well as Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, Sarojini Naidu, and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, acknowledging their contributions to the university’s legacy. He praised Jamia’s academic excellence across 11 faculties, 48 departments, and 28 Centres of Excellence and Research, highlighting its high national and international rankings.
“JMI is unmatched in its academic rigour and unique cultural richness. It stands as a symbol of India’s composite culture, epitomizing ‘unity in diversity’,” he said.
Shri Rijiju also commended Jamia’s legacy of nationalism, patriotism, and integrity, and announced support for future projects, including a new auditorium, an air-conditioned library for the Residential Coaching Academy, and research labs on Electric Vehicles and Cybersecurity. The Ministry of Minority Affairs has sanctioned Rs 181 crores for infrastructure, hostels, and smart classrooms.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Mazhar Asif thanked the Minister for inaugurating the event and highlighted Jamia’s holistic education philosophy, emphasizing critical thinking, ethical action, and nation-building. Registrar Prof. Rizvi reiterated Jamia’s commitment to inclusive education, while Dean Prof. Neelofer Afzal extended a vote of thanks.
Following the inauguration, Shri Rijiju inaugurated a book fair with 16 stalls by Dr. Zakir Husain Library, and a special SDG booth, reflecting Jamia’s achievement of third place in the SDG category in NIRF India Rankings 2025.
The Talimi Mela 2025, spanning six days, features academic sessions, exhibitions, workshops, cultural programs, and musical performances. It remains one of Delhi’s most significant cultural and educational festivals, eagerly awaited by Jamia’s 21,000-strong student community, alumni, and the local community.
