From left: School principal Syed Masood Ahmed, Chairman of the Managing Committee Khursheed Akhtar, HoC and Consul (Education) Mohammad Raghib Qureshi, Indian Consul General Faiz Ahmad Kidwai, Kausar Kidwai, Tahira Ghias, and Hassan Ghias. Bottom, left: Indian Ambassador presents a memento to IISJ topper Sarah Abdul Rahim’s father Ambassador Abdul Rahim Sayedjan, permanent representative of Afghanistan to OIC. Bottom, right: Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Hamid Ali Rao delivers a speech. — SG photos by Hassan Cheruppa



Hassan Cheruppa

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH – The 44th Annual Prize Day of International Indian School-Jeddah (IISJ) was held in a glittering ceremony at the IISJ-boy’s section's auditorium Thursday.



Indian Ambassador and Patron of IISJ Hamid Ali Rao was the Chief Guest while Indian Consul General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai was the Guest of Honor.



Students and teachers of the school won accolades from Rao, Kidwai and other dignitaries for IISJ’s outstanding performance in both academic and co-curricular fields, especially for scoring 100 percent results in CBSE grade 12 examinations for the third year in a row.



Rao underscored the need for embracing India’s unique unity in diversity. Going down memory lane, he said: “While I was a student in eighth standard, I was stuck with the famous quote of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in his book titled ‘Discovery of India, saying ‘We, all of us are bound by invisible but unbreakable bonds.’

"After coming to Saudi Arabia and taking up the huge task as ambassador, I could see these bonds everywhere among the India community members."



Rao said that these bonds are more evident in these days when the embassy and the Jeddah consulate are struggling to handle cases of hundreds of thousands of undocumented Indians. “We see all the barriers including that of languages are broken and everyone is fastened by bonds as Indians. Not any Indian expatriate from any state face any difficulties in getting addressed their problems because of such barriers,” he said.



“At the Riyadh embassy alone, we get daily some 3000-5000 calls from those who speak in their mother tongue seeking clarifications about correcting their status or leaving for India,” he said while citing the example of a Keralite who struggles to convey his idea in broken Hindi.



“Ours is not a melting pot theory, and each of you should promote unity in diversity. Also, uphold values all throughout your life,” he added.  



Kidwai applauded the students and teachers of IISJ for the outstanding results. “This is unique as the students come from all strata of the society and have different backgrounds. The kind of experience you get here is unique,” he said while inspiring students and teachers by saying that there is nothing that can replace hard work and team work.



Higher Board Member and former Chairman of the IISJ Managing Committee Hassan Ghias lauded the school staffers and students for effectively leveraging their capabilities to score such an outstanding result even within many constraints.



Head of Chancery and the School Observer Mohammad Raqib Qureshi also spoke on the occasion.



Khursheed Akhtar, chairman of the Managing Committee, Kausar Kidwai, wife of consul general, and Tahira Ghias were also present on the podium. The program began with the recitation of a few verses from the Qur’an by Mirza Abdullah Baig followed by the translation from Areeb Khan. The guests of the evening were given a floral welcome by the members of the School Cabinet.



IISJ Principal Syed Masood Ahmed welcomed the gathering while Dr. Najeeb Qais, Vice Principal (Boys), proposed a vote of thanks.



While presenting the annual report, Masood commended students and teachers for the school’s fantastic achievement.



“IISJ has scored the best in quality and quantity in its history. It is not accidental or incidental but the outcome of overall efforts and teamwork.”



Rao and other dignitaries gave away awards to the meritorious students of different grades, as well as to teachers of grade 12 for 100 percent results. Abdul Rahim Sayedjan received the award on behalf of his daughter Sara Abdul Rahim, the school topper in this year’s XII exam.