On India’s Republic Day, a Mushaira was organized in the Engineering and Polytechnic Auditorium of Jamia Milia Islamia University, Delhi. This event saw some of India’s most prominent Hindi and Urdu literary voices as Ashok Chakrdhar, Ahmad Mahfooz, Dinesh Raghuvanshi, Salma Shaheen, Ahmad Naseeb Khan, Aleena Itrat Rizvi, Majid Deobandi, Shehpar Rasool, Khalid Mubashir, Khalid Mehmood, Chandradev Yadav, Durga Prasad, Shahid Anjum, Moeen Shadab, and Khan M Rizwan.

Patriotic poems remembering heroes of India’s national freedom struggle, and India’s democratic values, diversity, and unity were recited. This event coincided with many universities across India experiencing student unrest over issues that can distract students from their studies.

Dinesh Raghuvanshi said, ‘apni mitti pe agar naaz nahi kar sakte, zindagi hum tera aaghaz nahi kar sakte’ or when Majid Debandi recited ‘Jis ke dil mein watan ki azmat hai, hum usey apni jaan kehte haen’, the hall resounded with applause. That was the true culmination of this event meant to send a message of solidarity and unity from this most important educational institution of the country.

It was a well-attended event Presided over by the Vice Chancellor Professor Najma Akhtar.

The message from the poetic symposium was clear - a vocal minority cannot be allowed to hijack the peaceful and progressive atmosphere of the University. The University has always played a significant role in nation-building through quality education and, giving good professionals to the country. It also conducts research and promotes cultural diversity, and encourages students to become informed and socially responsible citizens who can contribute to the development of the country.

Jamia Millia Islamia was founded in 1920 as a non-government, secular university in Delhi, India. It was established as a response to British colonial rule and the Indian independence movement. It played a significant role in the independence struggle by educating and empowering the youth to participate in the freedom movement. In the post-independence era, Jamia has continued to be a center of excellence in education, research, and cultural exchange, serving as a model for an inclusive and equitable society.

Jamia Millia Islamia has produced many noted alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields such as politics, arts, media, and academics. Some of the notable alumni include Salman Khurshid, former Union Minister of India, and Shah Rukh Khan, a Bollywood actor, and film producer. Mukul Kumar, aerospace engineer and former NASA scientist, Saeed Akhtar Mirza, film director and screenwriter, and Nafisa Ali, actor, and social activist.

Jamia Millia Islamia was recently ranked as one of the top universities in India by several national and international ranking agencies.

The University has a vibrant student political culture and is known for its strong student activism and political engagement. Various student groups play an important role in shaping the discourse on important national and local issues, and in advocating for student rights and interests.