Faculty of Dentistry, Jamia Millia Islamia celebrates World Environment Day 2025
TNN News : The Faculty of Dentistry at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), India, hosted a vibrant and impactful World Environment Day celebration themed “Ending Plastic Pollution Globally.” The event, enriched by the introduction of the Bagh-e-Firdaus initiative by Faculty of Dentistry, aimed to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of plastic pollution and promote sustainable practices within the university and beyond. Held at the Faculty of Dentistry premises, the event featured a series of engaging activities, including a tree plantation drive, a pledge ceremony, and a cleanliness initiative, all meticulously organized by dental interns under the supervision of faculty members. A key highlight was the establishment of a new tradition under the Bagh-e-Firdaus initiative, where students committed to regularly nurturing and maintaining the newly planted trees, fostering a lasting culture of environmental stewardship.
The event was held under the esteemed patronage of Prof. Mazhar Asif, the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of JMI, who served as the Patron-in-Chief. His visionary leadership and commitment to sustainability inspired the event’s focus on actionable environmental initiatives. Prof. Abuzar Khairi, Officiating Registrar of JMI, acted as the Patron, lending administrative support and emphasizing the university’s dedication to fostering eco-conscious practices.
The Chief Guest, Prof. Mohammad Asad Malik, Chief Proctor, JMI, delivered an inspiring address, highlighting the urgent need to combat plastic pollution and encouraging students to adopt sustainable habits in their personal and professional lives. Prof. Keya Sircar, Dean, Faculty of Dentistry, served as the Co-Patron, guiding the event’s planning and execution with her expertise and enthusiasm for community-driven environmental efforts.
Prof. Sircar presented a motivational speech, highlighting the significance of environmental protection and urging the audience to eradicate plastic usage, particularly in dental practices, to foster sustainability. The event was organized by Prof. Rana Noor, Dr. Shahnaz Mansoori, and Mr. Saquib Aziz, whose dedicated efforts guaranteed smooth coordination and impactful participation.
The program began with the plantation of five fruit bearing trees by the distinguished guests, faculty, students, and staff of Faculty of Dentistry in green area outside the Faculty. Interns, under the guidance of faculty coordinators, greeted attendees and set the tone for a collaborative and inspiring event. The Bagh-e-Firdaus, an initiative whereby students of faculty of Dentistry will be responsible for maintaining the green designated area by regularly watering, pruning, and monitoring the plants in the area, was inaugurated by the chief guest. A pledge ceremony led by Prof. Mohammad Asad Malik and Prof. Keya Sircar was conducted at the reception area, where all attendees, took a collective oath in Hindi and English to minimize plastic usage and promote sustainable practices.
As a dental institution, the Faculty of Dentistry handles specialized waste, including needles, syringes, and other biomedical waste generated during clinical procedures. To support environmental protection and prevent harm, the faculty adheres to stringent waste management protocols. Biomedical waste, such as used needles and contaminated materials, is segregated at the source using color-coded bins in compliance with national biomedical waste management guidelines.
The success of the event can be attributed to the tremendous effort of the coordinators Prof. Rana Noor, Dr Shahnaz Mansoori and Mr Saquib Aziz for visualizing and organizing the event. Prof. Kashif Ali and Dr Aditi Verma organized the seamless administration of the pledge while Dr Shahnaz Nabi and Dr Sweta Rastogi along with intern volunteers organized the hospitality for the event. The program would not have been possible without the help and support of Mr. Bharat Bhushan, Horticulture department and the tireless efforts of the sanitation staff. The collaborative efforts of patrons, faculty, interns, and students made this World Environment Day a meaningful step toward Ending Plastic Pollution Globally.
