The Department of English and Postgraduate Center, Poona College organized
Voices of Humanity: Poetry Slam on 16th of August 2025 to mark World
Humanitarian Day (observed annually on 19th of August on global scale), aiming to
celebrate the power of poetry as a medium to express compassion, courage, and
concern for pressing global issues.
The event was held between 11:00 a.m. and 01:00 p.m. and witnessed enthusiastic
participation with 39 poetry reciters and an audience strength of 68 students.
The programme commenced on a soulful note with Mohammad Mustafa (FYBA
student) reciting a few verses from the Holy Qur’an, filling the venue with a
reflective and spiritual ambience.
Following this, Ms. Zeenat Merchant, Head, Department of English and
Postgraduate Center delivered the Welcome Address where she warmly greeted
the gathering and appreciated the participants for having the guts to showcase
their understanding and writing of poetry. She encouraged the student performers
to continue nurturing their creativity and wished them well for their poetic
journeys.
This was followed by the introduction of the event’s flow by Mr. Zameer Salim
Sayyed, Event Coordinator and Assistant Professor of English. He shared the
significance of celebrating World Humanitarian Day on 16th of August within the
Indian context. He reflected that the date becomes doubly meaningful as it
couples the global occasion of honouring selfless people – those who put their
lives at stake to give a bright and beautiful future to the forthcoming generations
– with India’s own reflective mood on 16th of August 1947, the first full day of
freedom. Thus, the event became not only a poetic commemoration of
humanitarian values but also a reminder of the sacrifices made, and the lives lost
for the nation’s independence. He then called upon the participants one by one
with enthusiasm, keeping the energy vibrant throughout the session.
The young poets and students (those who recited poems by established writers
and AI-generated) recited verses in their unique styles and voices, touching upon
diverse themes and issues of contemporary relevance. Their performances gave
powerful expression to both established and original works. Poems revolved
around political and ethical crises such as the suffering in Gaza and the
consequences of power-driven worldviews, as well as ecological and spiritual
concerns reflecting on human indifference, irresponsibility, and moral decline. The
varied perspectives presented by the student-poets brought intensity, emotion,
and intellectual depth to the programme, leaving the audience deeply engaged
and moved.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Ashwini Daware,
Assistant Professor of English, who acknowledged the kind consideration of Dr.
Iqbal Shaikh, Principal, Poona College, guiding presence of Ms. Zeenat Merchant,
Head, Department of English, contributions of the participants, and audience
members. She emphasized the importance of such platforms in shaping socially
aware, empathetic individuals who can use poetry and creative expression to build
bridges of understanding and humanity.
At the end of the programme, an oath to live up the ideals of humanity was
administered by Mr. Zameer Salim Sayyed, the Event Coordinator.
In essence, Voices of Humanity: Poetry Slam emerged as a powerful testament to
the students’ confidence, creativity, and concern for human values. The
thoughtful recitations, ranging from traditional compositions to original pieces,
made the occasion a memorable celebration of art, empathy, and collective
conscience.
