Jamia Hamdard celebrates 74th Independence day with patriotic fervor and by felicitating corona warriors
New Delhi: The Independence Day was celebrated at Jamia Hamdard campus with Vice-Chancellor Dr. Seyed Ehtesham Hasnain hoisting the Tricolour at Convention Centre and paying tribute to COVID warriors in his address to the University.
Ensuring that the fervour of patriotism lives on amid the pandemic, Jamia Hamdard this year has also broadcasted flag hoisting and Independence Day celebrations online. This year, the celebrations were a tad bit different as the world moved online.
A kit containing a mask, a small bottle of hand sanitizer and a pair of gloves were kept which were neatly separated to maintain the prescribed distance – Independence Day celebrations this year typified the ‘new normal’ in times of COVID-19. Despite this pandemic, as a part of the annual decoration the campus lit up in various colours to cherish the memories of the freedom struggle.
Vice-Chancellor Dr. Hasnain began his speech with paying respect to freedom fighters and the armed forces. He praised those fighting against the novel coronavirus from the frontlines and also applauded the grit and resilience of the country’s frontline workers in fight against Covid-19. “India has been fighting Covid-19 for the past five months. I pay my tribute to COVID warriors martyred in the battle,” he added. He stressed on the fact that Covid-19 has posed a huge challenge not just for India or the world but to the entire human race. It has deeply affected education, health, economy, tourism, transport as well as human society. Crores of people are losing their livelihood due to the pandemic.
Around 35 employees and corona warriors selected by the administration from different area of works were felicitated for their contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic by Vice-Chancellor Seyed Ehtesham Hasnain and Registrar Mr. SS Akhtar to mark the Independence Day.
Following COVID-19 guidelines issued by the government, only Dean, Head of Departments and administrative staffs attended the event. This year, celebrations have been kept minimal in view of the spread of Covid-19. Guests, security staff, all were sporting masks as prescribed under the safety norms.
The ceremony consisted of the presentation of a Guard of Honour by NCC cadets to the Vice-Chancellor, unfurling of the National Flag accompanied by playing of the National Anthem, speech by the VC and felicitation of corona warriors.