On a quiet and dreamy evening at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication campus in Jammu, a humble gathering build up into something much more profound. The iftaar, which was organized by the students, was more than just a meal to break the fast after a day of roza; it wasn’t just a celebration of friendship, it showed the true essence of India.
IIMC Jammu is more than just a media institute; it is a place where cultures and aspirations meet. Students and media enthusiasts from all over India take admission in this place, bringing with them their own traditions, languages, and stories to share. But on this particular evening, none of these differences came in between; they all blended so beautifully.
As the sun began to set, the students assembled together, waiting for the time of iftaar. Muslim students who had fasted all day sat alongside students from Hindu, Sikh, Christian, and other backgrounds. Some had come to show solidarity, others to show support, but all of them had come for the same reason: to be together.
When the clock struck 6:30 pm , dates were exchanged first, and then roohafza was passed from one hand to the other. Plates of fruit, snacks, and homemade foods were passed around the circle. There was something very comforting about the simplicity of it all. Laughter blended with gratitude. Conversations flowed easily. No one felt like a stranger.
What made this evening even more memorable was the presence of our two professors, who were with the students for iftaar. This act of the professors brought warmth and encouragement to the evening. They did not keep a distance; instead, they sat with all of us and became a part of the evening. This act of theirs taught us a lesson that sometimes the most important learning is not just about academics.
The beauty of the evening was in what it represented. Festivals are believed to be the property of a particular community, but the reality is that they are best enjoyed together. Just as the campus lights up during Diwali with diyas and happiness, Ramadan also found a place in the hearts of all those who were there. It was not about religion; it was about respect.
In a journalism institute where students are learning to write about the stories of society, this event itself became a great story. It is the India that we believe in, an India that celebrates diversity, not as something to be tolerated but as something to be celebrated. There were no elaborate decorations or arrangements. It was the sincerity of the iftaar that made it beautiful.
That evening at IIMC Jammu, we not only broke a fast, we also strengthened bonds of friendship. We not only shared food, we shared understanding. And in that, we proved that the true spirit of love and unity is at its brightest when we celebrate each other’s festivals, together.
Because when we break bread together, we break every wall that divides us.
The writer is pursuing MA New Media Communications at IIMC Jammu
