A cultural fair open to the general public, the Talimi Mela showcases Jamia’s educational legacy.
(Photo: Jamia Millia Islamia’s official website)

By SHIREEN KHAN VERDA SUBZWARI / The Quint

The Dean of Students Welfare (DSW), Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), in a notice dated 26 October stated that the university’s 102nd Foundation day would be missing a key events – one that its students and alumni look forward to the most – the Talimi Mela.

The notice referred to an earlier announcement made on 10 October wherein the DSW said that the university will not be organising the Talimi Mela for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

“This has reference to our letter dated 10 October 2022 regarding organising Talimi Mela during 102nd Foundation Day celebrations from 29-31October. Due to some unavoidable circumstances and paucity of funds the Talimi Mela programme has been cancelled as per the direction of the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor,” the notice said.

A cultural fair open to the general public, the Talimi Mela showcases Jamia’s educational legacy. Among the fair’s highlights are theatre and food festivals organised by the students.

Students believe that the reason for the fair’s cancellation is the imposition of section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in the southeast Delhi district from 19 September to 17 November. Since the imposition, multiple events in JMI including a peaceful protest march and an alumni meet have been cancelled.

Food, games and many other kinds of stalls installed inside the campus during the foundation day celebrations. (Photo: Jamia Millia Islamia’s official website)

 

Professor Majid Jamil, President of the Jamia Teacher’s Association told The Quint that the exclusion of the Talimi Mela from the JMI Foundation Day celebrations is not an anomaly.

“The Talimi Mela is not a regular annual feature. The DSW has stated clearly the reasons why they have cancelled the Talimi Mela this time around. Other events amid the Foundation Day celebrations will still be held.”
Majid Jamil, President of the Jamia Teacher’s Association

Several departments of the university host their own events to commemorate the foundation of Jamia. The Talimi Mela, however, is the main attraction. Professor Jamil also said that even though it has been cancelled a few times in the past, the fair is a part of the university’s legacy and has been organised since the foundation of Jamia.

This story was originally published in thequint.com . Read the full story here