ISM CELEBRATES ANNUAL DAY

The Indian School Muscat (ISM) celebrated its 33^rd Annual Day on Wednesday, 6^th February 2008 with an impressive spectacle of musical and histrionic talents of the students at the school grounds. The students and the members of the staff were also honoured for their achievements and contributions to the school.

His Excellency Mohsin Bin Khamis Al-Balushi, Advisor at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Sultanate of Oman graced the occasion as the chief guest. Members of the Board of Directors of the Indian Schools in the Sultanate of Oman, the President and members of the Indian School Muscat Managing Committee, Principals, invitees, students and parents attended the function in large numbers.

A guard of honour was presented to the Chief Guest by the Bharat Scouts and Guides of ISM. The National Anthems of Oman and India were rendered by the school orchestra. Varun Arora, Head Boy and Nikita Chengappa, Head Girl presented the chief guest with floral tributes. The Head Boy, Varun Arora welcomed the distinguished gathering.

The Principal, Mr. Ainsley L. Edgar, in his annual report, highlighted the achievements of the school in academics, sports and co-curricular activities during the academic year 2007 – 2008 and congratulated all the meritorious students for bringing laurels to their alma mater. The report was presented with visual images and texts displayed on a wide screen that gave a visual treat to the audience. The Principal expressed his sincere gratitude for the noble benevolence and generosity of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said  for fostering the growth and development of education of Indian children in Oman . The Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Manpower and the Department of International Schools were also appreciated for their encouragement and support. The Principal lauded the highly motivated staff for their dedicated service and unstinted support in the all round development of the students. He pointed out that we are in an era of major strategic shifts. The role of education is to bring out the leader in all. He also stressed the need for a value based education.

Mr. Deepak Bradoo, President of the Indian School Muscat Managing Committee, expressed his gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said and his government for their magnanimity towards the Indian community in Oman . He also appreciated the Principal and the staff for keeping the ISM flag flying high. The President also congratulated the students for bringing glory to the school in all fields. He appealed to the students to inculcate values.

Later, His Excellency Mohsin Bin Khamis Al-Balushi presented prizes to 95 students from the Middle and Senior Sections of the school for their achievements in academics, sports and co-curricular activities. The prize winners included the 0.1% of successful candidates in various subjects in the CBSE examinations held in March 2007, students who had secured 100% attendance for three consecutive academic years and special awards to those students who had brought fame and recognition to school during the year in various fields. Mementoes were presented to 42 members of the staff who had completed ten, twenty and twenty five years of dedicated service to the school and the staff who had secured 100% attendance for three consecutive academic years. While addressing the gathering, the chief guest expressed his immense happiness at the warm reception given to him by the school.

The scintillating cultural programme that followed represented a tapestry of talent and hard work by the students and the teachers. The evening programme began with 650 tiny tots of class I who sang a beautiful song ‘Nanhe Nanhe Sainiks’ to proclaim the message ‘unity is strength’ and it is only unity and brotherhood that will bring progress in all spheres of life. The little children sang in perfect rhythm and harmony and their message reverberated through the gathering.

‘Utsav’ – a dance performance – was presented by 84 girls from Primary and Middle sections of the school. It depicted the festive mood on the onset of the spring season. It was a mesmerizing invitation to all to appreciate nature and its beauty.

60 little angels of Class IV sang a song ‘Mera Desh Pyara Hai’. It was a song on India , a land of diversity with beautiful historical monuments and ever-flowing rivers. This song reminded the guests of their mother India .

The superbly choreographed Arabic dance ‘Arabian Dreams’ by 11 brightly dressed dancers from the Primary Section of ISM stole the evening. The dancers displayed their heart’s elation to the foot tapping music. They captivated the audience with their scintillating steps dancing to the tune of a popular Arabic song. Glenda Castelino, a student of Class XI H, had beautifully choreographed the dance.

170 boys and girls of all the three sections of the school presented ‘Indra Dhanush’ – a musical drama depicting the colours of the rainbow. Just as the different colours of the rainbow stay together to give a complete spectrum, it is very important for all to stay united to succeed in life. This message was very creatively displayed on the stage with the captivating dance movements and a medley of songs. The dancers looked resplendent in their eye-catching costumes and accessories.

The school orchestra and the choir groups kept the audience enchanted with their foot-tapping numbers – ‘Bond vs Oakenfold, Taal se Taal Milaa, Zara Zara and Athithi Devo Bhava.

Nikita Chengappa, Head Girl, brought the splendid evening to a close with the vote of thanks which was followed by the school song. Jerryes Pious and Manisha Madhavan of Class XI did a marvellous job of compering the programme.

<<Back Next>>