Community

Qatar’s historic and exceptional FIFA World Cup owed much of its success to one of the tournament’s biggest teams: the volunteers. Made up of more than 150 nationalities, 20,000 volunteers supported the delivery of the event across 25 locations, including eight state-of-the-art stadiums, hotels, airports, the Doha Corniche, FIFA Fan Festival and more.The story of Indian expatriate Tania Riyas, assigned with FIFA VIP guest operations duty at Katara Towers Lusail, is an excellent example to illustrate the dedication and commitment of the volunteers. While on duty on December 4, Tania, who was eight-months pregnant, had a medical emergency due to high blood pressure and got admitted at a Hamad Medical Corporation hospital.The very next day doctors advised her to go for a cesarean section and Tania gave birth to a boy, Hadid Yasin Riyas. Though her baby was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, she was keen to return to the volunteer assignment. Out of sheer willpower and determination, Tania resumed her duty immediately on being discharged on December 8, while abiding by the feeding breaks for the baby.Tania's enthusiasm and unwavering dedication to her World Cup responsibilities won tremendous appreciation from her superiors who gifted her many souvenirs. "It is my passion to be socially responsible," stated the outstanding volunteer, full of gratitude for her husband Muhammed Riyas who worked as a legal brand protection officer at FIFA Fan Festival and daughters Ishika Zainab Riyas and Inshira Mariam Riyas.

In connection with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Cultural Forum Kozhikode district committee organised the prize distribution ceremony for the winners of a prediction competition and appreciation for the volunteers. Six winners were selected by drawing lots from among those who answered correctly in the prediction contest. More than 500 people participated in the contest.Sports journalist N S Nisar, who came from India to cover the World Cup, inaugurated the event. He said that Qatar has witnessed the World Cup of changes and won a place in the hearts of football lovers. The natives and the diaspora community, including Indians, played a major role in the success of the World Cup, he observed.Freestyle footballer Hadiya Hakeem, who arrived in Doha to attend World Cup matches, was honoured at the event. Cultural Forum state vice president Mohammad Kunhi and Hadiya spoke. District president Sadique Chennadan presided. Abdul Gafoor, district general secretary; Maqbool Ahmed, vice president; advocate Iqbal, Sakina Abdullah, Dr Naushad Kuttiadi, Afzal Chennamangallur, treasurer Amjad Koduvalli, Nisar and Hadiya gave the prizes to the winners.Cultural Forum Kozhikode district secretaries AbduRahim Vengeri, Yasser TK, Haris Pudukul, Raziq N, district committee members Arif Vadakara, Zainuddin Nadapuram, Rabih Zaman, Najmal Parakkadav, Umar Master, constituency presidents Sharif KT, Aslam Vadakara and others presented gifts to the volunteers. Advocate Iqbal welcomed the gathering, sports wing convenor Muhsin Omassery proposed a vote of thanks.

The Indonesian community in Qatar performed at Bait al-Sulaiti recently, featuring art and cultural presentations in a series of events titled “Promoting Expression of Cultural Diversity in Community Groups.”Invited by Qatar’s Ministry of Culture, Indonesia and the Philippines were the two countries from the Association of South East Asian Nations which showcased cultural and artistic performances.Indonesian ambassador Ridwan Hassan expressed his appreciation to the Ministry of Culture for giving them the opportunity to be involved in the event while congratulating Qatar for the success of the FIFA World Cup 2022.He added that Indonesia is also honoured to establish stronger cultural partnerships with Qatar, particularly with the Qatar-Indonesia Year of Culture that will kick off in 2023.The Indonesian community event featured art and cultural performances consisting of various traditional dances, including the saman dance, the plate dance, the rampak dance, the ondel-ondel dance, and the Indang dance.Performances of angklung, saxophone, keroncong, traditional songs, and exhibitions of Indonesian batik, clothes, and traditional houses also enlivened this event.The performances were presented by Indonesian cultural groups such as Puspa Qinarya, Sanggar Seni Messaied, Rumah Seni Al Khor, and Bahana Indonesia Gemilang (BIG) Choir.There was also a culinary bazaar, which offered various Indonesian cuisines and promoting Indonesian spices. The exhibition attracted hundreds of visitors, both Indonesians and from other countries.

The Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association Qatar (Amuaaq), an associate organisation of the Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) under the aegis of the Indian embassy, celebrated the 205th birth anniversary of the university founder Sir Syed Ahmad Khan recently under the managing committee presided by Dr Nadeem Zafar Jilani.Dr Syed Sabahat Azim, who is currently the CEO of Glocal Healthcare and a former IAS officer of Tripura cadre, besides being a medical graduate from AMU was the chief guest.Indian embassy first secretary Sachin Dinkar Shankpal, prominent community members Imtiaz Anwar Siddiqui, Dr Hasan Chougule, Sophia Bukhari, Rajesh V C, and ICBF president Vinod V Nair were the guests of honour. Shahabuddin Ahmad (chairman, Bazm e Sadaf), Sitwat Ali Siddiqi, Rahul (WWICS), Altaf Khan (Reyada), Rafat Jahan and Haque were special guests.In his address replete with anecdotes and quotes, Dr Azim, drew parallels between the challenges faced by the community and those that were prevalent at the time of Sir Syed and urged the audience to plan for the long term in a proactive manner like Sir Syed, utilising the opportunities thrown open by the digitalised world.Dr Jilani, in his welcome address, paid glowing tributes to Sir Syed and recalled how he travelled to England to study the British education system and established the MAO College on the pattern of universities of Oxford and Cambridge. He paid homage to the late Dr Mohammed Sabih Bukhari and the late Mohammed Habib un Nabi.Shankpal described Sir Syed Ahmed Khan as one of the greatest educationists in the world. Shankpal recalled Amuaaq's achievements in education, community service and sports, and congratulated the alumni and also appreciated the association for their compassion, empathy and brotherhood.Siddiqui, who also is an alumnus of AMU, advised all Aligarians in Qatar to work together and commended Amuaaq leadership for celebrating Sir Syed Day in a unified manner during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Amuaaq patron Sophia Bukhari requested all AMU alumni to work towards the benefit of their alma mater and contribute more towards education. She also remembered her late husband, who was strongly associated with the organisation.Amuaaq chairman Jawed Ahmad gave an update on membership and alumni directory. Chougle urged all Aligarians in Qatar to come together to fulfill the association's mission towards community and alma mater. He mentioned that much more focus is required towards education. Prof Zaidi spoke about the vision and mission of Amuaaq, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and AMU.A performance by a group of children on the World Cup theme song 'Hayya Hayya,' a Kahoot quiz and an Urdu symposium were conducted and AMU doctors and community leaders felicitated for their support towards community.The international release of the book titled 'Syed Mahmood: Colonial India’s Dissenting Judge' was launched at the event. The book is authored by two young law academics, Mohammad Nasir and Samreen Ahmad.A mehfil e sukhan was presided by senior Urdu poet Ateeq Anzar while popular poet Janab Ahmad Ashfaque did the nizamat. Ashfaque Deshmukh, Dr Wasiul Haque Wasi and Dr Nadeem Jilani also presented their poems.Dr Jilani appreciated and thanked all members of managing and advisory committees of Amuaaq, especially chairman Jawed Ahmad, vice president Mohammad Faisal Naseem, general secretary Khan Farman Khan, ladies wing vice president Dr Ashna Nusrat, Dr Syed Intekhab Alam, Ghazala Yasmeen, Mamnoon Bangash, sports head Farrukh Farooqui, Mohammed Nayeem Aman, Abad Khan, Saima Rafat and Imaduddin Ahmad. The anchors were Dr Ashna and Mohammed Nayeem.Dr Jilani announced the excellence awards: Best parenting award 2022 - International Excellence Awards Educational Excellence & Exceptional Parenting - Abdurahiman Elikkottil, Shahina Rahiman (parents of Hafiz Rahman Elikkottil who scored 500/500, CBSE, Grade X exams). Sir Syed Award for Professional Excellence 2022 was presented to Prof Javaid Zaidi, advisor, Amuaaq, and a professor at Qatar University.Amuaaq Emerging RJ & Journalist Excellence Award was presented to Mohammed Sarwar Mirza, an alumnus of AMU, who works for 107 FM Urdu radio Qatar. Notable alumni of AMU in Qatar, excellence award was presented to Ahmad Azim Khan, Aftab Hussain and Ali Imran.Dr Ashna Nusrat and Almas Ahmad organised a quiz competition on Sir Syed’s life, mission, achievements, AMU and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The winner was Aquib, first runner up Amaan and second runner up Anees.Prof Javaid Zaidi, Nishat Ali Khan, Syed Shahabuddin, Ghufran Ali Khan, Ali Imran, Sarwar Mirza, Mohd. Alamgir, Rizwan Ahmad,Anjum, Shafqat Nabi, Mohammad Irfanullah, Lutfee Kakar, Junaid Nizam, Rashid Chisti, Dr Imtiyaz, Dr Sikandar, Dr Habiba Hina, Dr Mosharraf Shamim, Dr Mazhar Salim, Dr Munavvar Ansari, Dr S Jaffery, Dr Imran, Dr Syed Mohammed Hasan Rizvi, Dr Mazhar Salim Bustami, Dr Munavvar Ansari and other community leaders also attended the occasion.Finally, the national anthems of Qatar and India were played. The event culminated with a rendition of the university’s musical tarana (anthem),“Ye mera chaman hai mera chaman,main apne chaman ka bulbul huṅ”.

A group of legislators from the southern Indian state of Kerala have hailed Qatar's amazing organising skills while hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.While attending a recent reception by the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC) Malappuram district committee, the visiting dignitaries noted that Qatar has proved its potential and ability to host major international events.“By hosting an exceptional edition of the World Cup, Qatar has won praises from the international community. The skills showcased by the country deserve applause,” said Kerala legislator Najeeb Kanthapuram lauding the facilities provided by the organisers inside and outside the stadiums. Another member of the Kerala legislative assembly, N Samsudheen praised Qatar saying the country could create tremendous opportunities while implementing numerous development projects. “The growth Qatar has achieved in terms of infrastructure is commendable. Many expatriates from Kerala could become an integral part of the tournament while discharging various duties,” he said. Indian Parliament member Ramya Haridas also noted that Kerala expatriates should be proud for having multiple roles in the biggest sporting event.KMCC's senior leader K Mohammed Easa inaugurated the function which also saw the dignitaries being honoured. KMCC Malappuram district committee president Savad Veliyamkode presided. Parakkal Abdulla, Abdurahiman Randathani, Advocate Nalakath Soopy, Abdul Akbar Vengassery, Rafeeq Kondotty, Saleem Nalakath and Ali Morayur attended.

When the final whistle sounds on the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Sunday night at the iconic Lusail Stadium, everyone who enjoyed the 29-day, 32-nation mega sporting event either physically or virtually will be left with a lifetime of fond memories. The nostalgia will be intense for Qatar residents, especially for those who have witnessed the journey, right from the day when the country won the bid on December 2, 2010 to host the tournament. This display of World Cup memorabilia at Doha's Souq Waqif is among those memories. PICTURE: Gulf Times news editor Bonnie James.

Former Indian football captain Victor Amalraj, who was in town for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, was honoured by Andhra Kala Vedika Qatar (AKVQ) in association with Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) in the presence of several leaders of the Indian community, especially the Telugu community. The dignitary described the tournament as the best World Cup ever. ICC president P N Baburajan, vice president Subramanya Hebbagelu, advisory council chairman K S Prasad, former president Milan Arun, AKVQ advisory board chairman Satyanarayana Malireddy, president Venkappa Bhagavatula, Telangana Jagruthi president Nandini Abbagoni, Telangana Praja Samithi general secretary Venkat and Gottipati Ramanaiah, Harish Reddy, Sridhar Abbagoni were among those present. Children presented a cultural programme.

Karnataka Sangha Qatar (KSQ) in co-operation with Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) hosted a reception for V S Vinay, a former player in the Indian hockey team and current coach of the Karnataka senior team, recently. ICC president P N Baburajan and vice president Subramanya Hebbagelu were present. KSQ president Mahesh Gowda, in his welcome address, mentioned that Vinay hails from Coorg district of Karnataka which is know for producing world class players who have won many medals for India. Vinay motivated parents to enroll their children in any sport and also briefed how they would get all the training facilities from the federation if they perform well. KSQ member Nithi Ramesh was the compere.

A mix of rich Pakistani culture was showcased at the Bait Al Sulaiti Culture Centre under the auspicious of the Qatar's Ministry of Culture recently.A thematic scene reflecting the many cultures of different areas of Pakistan was created by a talented community team to express solidarity with Qatar and celebrate the ongoing FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.The programme commenced with recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an, followed by national anthems of Qatar and Pakistan.Waheed Ullah Khan, community welfare attaché at the Pakistan embassy, lauded the efforts to present the great Qatari culture to FIFA fans as well as the finer points of Pakistani culture. He also highlighted the vital role of the Pakistani community and Pakistani institutions in the presentation of the historical event and read out the Pakistani ambassador’s message to the audience.Jamal al-Faez al-Saeedi from the Ministry of Culture, co-ordinator Nezha Slaou, Pakistan International Airlines country manager Muhammad Waqas and several community leaders and representatives witnessed the presentation.The colourful cultural gala, depicting Pakistan’s provincial and regional folk cultural diversity through music, folk dances and songs were prepared by renowned hosts Dr Khalil Ullah Shibli and Shabber Ali. They explained the history of each and every cultural presentation to keep the audience interest alive.Uzma Ansari, Shahida Khan and Shoaib Baloch shone through the handicrafts, regional dresses and the contemporary thematic scene besides flag-waving children dressed up in cultural attires. Shan-e-Lahore Restaurant and Sawghaat Sweets served snacks and traditional food. Sunder Trading Company put on display Pakistan’s leading food products.The Sindhi folk dance team was led by Junaid Mahar, while Pushto performances were co-ordinated by Fahad Ismail. Baloch performances were led by Shoaib Baloch with singer Azeem Baloch. Punjabi folk songs and audience participation were led by Jamshaid Shahzad Bajwa. Mazhar Yousufzai and Haleem Bangash rendered melodious patriotic and folk Pashto songs. Shoaib Baloch and Azeem Baloch enthralled the audience, accompanied by scintillating Balochi performances.Led by Tanweer Awan and his team, Hassan Gillani, Ghulam Hussain, and Jamshaid Shahzad Bajwa, took the prime role in orchestrating famous Pakistani ghazals and folk numbers concluding with the most popular patriotic number ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ by involving every member of the audience and arranging seamless musical beats and accompaniments.Traditional Sindhi Ajrak, Balochi Kotee and Pashto Pagg were presented to the Ministry of Culture guests as a gesture of goodwill. Riyaz Ahmed Bakali presented the certificate of appreciation to every participant. Mohammad Ajmal Chaudhary explained the entire planning and execution stage of the show and thanked all the stakeholders to conclude the event.

Palakkadan Nattarangu Qatar (PNQ) in association with Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) honoured Mohamed Aasim Velimanna, a teen activist who campaigns for the rights of differently-abled children.The 16 year-old boy, a native of Kozhikode district of Kerala and winner of Unicef's 2017 Child Achiever Award is in Doha to experience the ongoing FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.Aasim was born without hands, one leg impaired, jawbone crooked, and having problems with his teeth, mouth and hearing. While moving about on a wheelchair with help, he has added several achievements to his credit.Earlier this year, he swam across the Periyar river in Kerala after two weeks of training, scripting an inspiring story.PNQ general secretary Nitin Baburaj welcomed the gathering. President Gopinath inaugurated the meeting. ICC president P N Baburajan, vice president Subramanya Hebbagelu and general secretary Krishnakumar offered felicitations.PNQ members and Melam Doha presented a cultural performance. PNQ treasurer Chandrasekhar compered the event. Vice president Vasudevan Nambisan proposed a vote of thanks.

Bazm-e-Urdu Qatar (BUQ), established in 1959, organised a book launching ceremony of the second collection of poems 'Ambassadors of Love' by Shiraz Ahmad Bakali followed by a mushaira at TNG School's secondary campus Al Wakrah.The programme was presided over Syed Mustafa Rabbani, the deputy head of mission at the Pakistan embassy, while Mohammed Khalid Bakali, chairman of TNG School, and well-known local poet Iftikhar Raghib graced the function as chief guests. The author of the book was the guest of honour.The programme started with the recitation of the Holy Qur'an by Hafiz Shayan Ahmed Bakali. The programme was divided into two segments: prose session was conducted by Riyaz Ahmed Bakali and poetry session by BUQ president Mohammed Rafique Shad Akolvi.BUQ chairman Dr Faisal Hanif delivered the opening speech. In the prose session, Mohammed Rafiq Shad Akolvi, Dr Faisal Hanif, Iftekhar Raghib, Fayaz Bukhari Kamal, Isfandiar Ansari, Ayesha Mujahid, and Anwar Ali Rana presented their essays on the book of Shiraz Ahmed Bakali and highlighted different aspects of his poetic works.Poets Iftekhar Raghib, Shiraz Ahmad Bakali, Mohammed Rafiq Shad Akolvi, Muzaffar Nayab, Wazir Ahmed Wazir, Inam Azmi, Fayaz Bukhari Kamal, Anwar Ali Rana, Samreen Nadeem, Shahzeb Shahab, Mubasir Iman, and Shabbar Ali recited their selected poems to the immense appreciation of the gathering.Mohamed Khalid Bakali highlighted the poetic works of Shiraz Ahmad Bakali and expressed his gratitude towards BUQ and TNG school. Rabbani emphasised the need to learn Urdu language and its importance in the context of culture. He appreciated the role of literary gatherings as a vital step towards the flourishing of the Urdu language and literature.On behalf of TNG School, Shiraz Ahmed Bakali, Iftekhar Raghib, Dr Faisal Hanif, and all the other poets and essayists were presented with the certificates of appreciation for their literary services. The programme was graced by a multitude of attendees, including members of BUQ, representatives of various organisations, and distinguished members of the society.Kainat Bakali, as a programme co-ordinator at TNG school, assisted in the organisation of the programme, which ended with a vote of thanks by BUQ vice president Waseem Ahmed.

Qatar Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC) Eranad constituency committee recently felicitated Kerala legislative assembly member P K Basheer.The legislator had come to attend the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 inaugural match along with the Argentina-Saudi Arabia and Brazil-Serbia matches. Basheer, who hailed the facilities and infrastructure to promote football, noted that the organisers' approach towards the fans is commendable. President Ajmal Areekode presided over the function.General secretary Ahmed Niyas Moorkanad welcomed the gathering. District secretary Muhammed Layis Kuniyil and KMCC functionaries Abdul Manaf, Safeerussalam, Abdul Hameed, Faiz Elayodan, Nooruddeen, Ashraf KE, Firose Chaliyar and Abdur Rahman Salih Thangal, Kizhuparamp were present.

A group of 30 members of QGET (Qatar Alumni Chapter of Government Engineering College, Thrissur, Kerala, India) are functioning as volunteers for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. They are assigned to departments including Fan Support, Media Operations, Spectator Services Support, Workforce operations, Football Technology, Hayya Programme, Fan Festival Operations, and Guest Operations. Earlier, some QGET members have been a part of the FIFA Club World Cup 2020, FIFA Arab Cup in 2021, and Amir Cup in 2021.

Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC) Qatar Kodiyathur Panchayath committee organised a penalty shootout competition in solidarity with FIFA World Cup 2022. KMCC president S A M Basheer inaugurated the event. Organising committee president Anees Kalangott presided. KMCC Thiruvampadi president E A Nazar handed over the cash prize and trophy to the winner Niyas Kalikavu. Secretary T P Abbas presented the second prize trophy and cash prize to Rasik Kappad. K T Yasar Ahammad, Basheer Thuvarikkal, Mujeeb Koyissery and Sidique Vazhakkad handed over the gifts to others. Advocate Sajimon Karakkutty welcomed the gathering. Musthafa Elathur, Umer Sadikh, Shabeel Kuvvappara, Fayas Karakkutty, Anas Pannikode and P P Illyas spoke during the closing ceremony.

  Majlis e Frogh e Urdu Adab (MFUA), a renowned literary organisation of expatriates in Qatar, held its 26th Aalmi Award function, online last week. The award was conferred upon two noted writers, Zafar Iqbal from Pakistan and Saifi Sironji from India. MFUA chairman Mohamed Atiq, pointed out that the award winners' names were announced in February this year by juries headed by Prof Dr Gopi Chand Narang, and Prof Dr Khurshid Rizvi, renowned poets and scholars from India and Pakistan, respectively. "Prof Dr Narang, who headed our Indian jury since 1996, passed away on June 15 in the US, and his demise is a huge loss for Urdu language and Urdu lovers across the world and our Majlis," he said. The programme started with a Holy Qur'an recitation by Hafiz Khalid Obaid, after which the compere Dr Ambarin Haseeb Amber welcomed the participants. Pakistan and Indian juries chairmen Prof Dr Khurshid Rizvi and Prof Dr Shafey Kidwai, respectively, award winners, MFUA secretary-general Obaid Tahir and president Qamar uz Zaman Bhatti were present. Atiq launched the annual magazine for 2022. Prof Dr Kidwai spoke about the Indian winner and the Pakistani winner. Atiq launched the trophies for both award winners, which, he said, like past two years, will be sent by courier, to the award winners' homes. Each winner will also get a cash award of Rs 150,000. Prof Dr Rizvi spoke about the Pakistani winner. Both the winners also addressed the event and recited selected verses from their works. In his presidential address, Atiq described the Majlis' journey and thanked the guests and award winners for participating in the programme

Team Qatar, mentored by Texas A&M University at Qatar (Tamuq), a Qatar Foundation partner, has won two awards: the Safety and Social Media Awards at the FIRST Global Challenge, held in Geneva, Switzerland recently. The high-schoolers were put through a rigourous training programme led by the university’s STEM experts, Benjamin Cieslinski and Tala Katbeh. The FIRST Global Challenge is an Olympics-style, international robotics competition that takes place in a different country each year. Teams work together to complete tasks in a game themed around one of the greatest challenges facing our planet, including the 14 Grand Challenges for Engineering, in an effort to foster understanding and cooperation among the youth of the world as they use their abilities to solve the world’s problems. Teams from 180 countries participated in the competition. The Safety Award is presented to the teams who exemplify good safety standards in their pits and on the field. The Social Media Award is presented to the teams who completed the online challenges – those are tasks that teams must complete to share with the world and other teams the technical and general details of their work. The team trained at Tamuq's university’s STEM Hub, a joint initiative between Tamuq and Qatar National Research Fund.    

The third and final evaluation round of the Qatar Children Science Congress (QCSC), organised by Science India Forum (SIF) Qatar, under the patronage of the Indian embassy, will be conducted on Friday and the top two finalists nominated for the National Children’s Science Congress 2022 event in India. SIF Qatar has been organising QCSC annually since 2005 under a focal theme and sub themes relevant to the contemporary world. This year the theme is 'Understanding Ecosystem for health and well-being.' A total of 164 teams from 19 schools had registered their science projects and qualified in round one of the evaluations. The second round was held on October 28 at the Loyola International School's Wukair campus. Principal Pramod Rankawa in his address stressed the importance of science and how it will enhance the world living by the global citizens of tomorrow. SIF Qatar president Ravikumar Narayanan welcomed the attendees. General secretary Srinivas Oruganti explained the process of the presentations and the criteria. The project evaluations were conducted by a team of scientists, professionals and technocrats.    

Bangladesh MHM School & College, Doha, is holding the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) Examination, 2022. This year, 62 candidates are taking the exam at the school, comprising 43 in Science Group and 19 in Business Studies. The exams are conducted under the supervision of Bangladesh ambassador Md. Jashim Uddin, Bangladesh embassy's counsellor (political) Most. Mobassera Kadery as the centre in-charge and principal Md. Zulfiker Azad as the centre secretary. During a visit by the ambassador and counsellor to the exam centre, school director, retired Lt Cdr Md Anwar Khurshid, was present.    

Rajagiri Public School (RPS) organised a week-long motivational programme for staff and students. The session was conducted by well-known motivational trainer and life coach Dr Thomas George, chairman and director of LEAD College of Management, Kerala, India. Dr Thomas, popularly known as ‘Thomman’ among his students has two decades of training experience and is the Guinness World Record holder for conducting the longest training session at a stretch. The life skill development programme titled ‘Turning Point’ was conducted for the students of grades 10 to 12. The session progressed through various activities for building confidence, collaboration, teamwork, time management, planning and various other skills. Motivational sessions were also organised for students of grades six and nine. In the session for teachers, Dr Thomas stressed the necessity of a paradigm shift in pedagogy to accommodate the needs of Gen Z students. A blue hour session was also conducted on effective parenting for the parents of senior grade students. Parent Teacher Association president Akbar Vengassery commented that the session was highly effective and will help parents support and guide the children in developing a future plan based on their talents and aspirations.    

Participants from over 30 countries took part in the first online international debate competition, the ‘War of Words Debate Championship’, hosted by DPS - Modern Indian School (MIS), from November 4 to 6. Team Singapore (National Team) and Team DPS-MIS faced one another in the battle of words with the former emerging the champion. Team DPS-MIS’ Manjushree Magesh, Surya Kauthik Basangi, and Anah Merchant bagged the runner-up trophy followed by Team ‘Pink Laburnum’- Victoria Honoridez, Tejaswi Manoj, and Azhar Jaleel Mohammed in the ninth position and Team ‘Orange Maple’ was in the 19th position. In the individual category, Abhimanyu Gupta from Team ‘Orange Maple’ bagged the ninth place followed by Victoria Honoridez from Team Pink Laburnum in 10th place. The topics ranged from international relations, Artificial Intelligence, education, democracy, social media, individuality, environment, public health and sports. The grand finale was graced by the school vice president Yasir Nainar. “The debate club created history with its first international debate tournament,”commented principal Asna Nafees. The core organising committee comprised Jaya Majumder, Antara Alurkar, Drishti Tibrewal, Aryan Dubey and Krish Nagrani.