On the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, Jamia Millia Islamia( JMI) has been declared plastic-free from today. Announcing the ban on single-use plastic Vice-Chancellor JMI Prof. Najma Akhtar administered a pledge to the staff and students not to use plastic and keep the campus clean. She asked everyone not to use plastic themselves and motivate others also not to do so. She suggested that better alternatives for plastic should be looked for. She asked everyone to keep reminding each other about the ban on single-use plastic in the campus. She said that university has already issued an order barring single-use plastic in the entire campus including all hostels, Jamia Community Centre, all canteens, shops, coffee houses etc. After the announcement VC, Registrar Mr A.P. Siddiqui (IPS), teachers and students started cleanliness drive in the campus using brooms. They collected waste in dustbins. Vice-Chancellor also flagged off seven groups of students comprising of NSS and NCC volunteers who will visit nearby localities to spread the message of not using plastic in their day to day life and cleanliness. The items banned in the university campus include plastic bottles, cups, glasses and other items, polythene bags and plastic items less than 50 microns (in width), cutlery including plates, cups, straws, etc. Cutlery and other decorative items made from Styrofoam have also been banned. All the offices in the university have been communicated to strictly follow the ban order and violators will be slapped a fine of Rs 500 on every violation. An exhibition on Mahatma Gandhi was also opened today in Dr Zakir Husain Library of the university in which rare letters written by Mahatma Gandhi in English and Urdu to Dr. M.A.Ansari, one of the founders and Chancellor of JMI, Zohra Ansari (daughter of Dr. M.A. Ansari whom Gandhiji considered as his daughter) and others associated with the university during its formation days are on display apart from several rare pictures and books on Gandhi. The exhibition will remain open till 12th October 2019(except holidays and Saturday)
