Dr Ibrahim Saleh Al Naimi, R K Dalmia, Desraj Yadav, Dr Mohan Thomas, C V Rappai and Aarti Oberoi congratulating Aabha John, school topper in CBSE Class X examination after being awarded during the Founders’ Day celebrations. (salim matramkot)

Doha: The three-day Founders’ Day celebrations at the Birla Public School (BPS) ended with a grand finale, where students of classes one and two as well as classes seven to twelve showcasing the treasure trove of talents on Wednesday.

Dr Ibrahim Saleh Al Naimi, Director-Supreme Education Council, was the chief guest on the final day. He said that Qatar had made giant strides in the field of education and several international universities had established themselves in Qatar making quality higher education accessible to all without the necessity of relocation. He attributed the progress of the school to the vision of its dynamic management, staff and meritorious students.

The Guest of Honour, Des Raj Yadava, Joint Secretary & Regional Officer, CBSE, Delhi, said that education is a combination of parent, student and school. He called the CBSE, the school and infrastructure as only facilitators. He requested the parents to become eager participants in the students’ lives rather than remain as passive monitors of the school. In order to facilitate this, CBSE has introduced the Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation. He reminded the teachers that the credibility of the school lies with them. R K Dalmia, President, Century Textiles and Industries Ltd, member of B K Birla Educational Institution, and his wife Nisha Dalmia also were present. He said: “Our children should be equipped to face newer challenges. For that we need to nurture the spirit of enquiry, creativity and urge to excel.”

BPS Chairman, Dr Mohan Thomas, Directors, C V Rappai, Lukose Chacko, Gope Shahani, Aarti Oberoi and life members were also present.

Presenting the Annual Report the Principal, A K Shrivastava, said that current year had seen the fastest growth in terms of numbers and academic excellence. Owing to the growing strength the school has not only taken on lease two purpose built school buildings but also decentralised responsibilities with academic supervisors at different levels. The CBSE curriculum has been restructured in the current year to the relief of students. At the 2009 10th Standard exams out of the 52 examinees one third scored above 90 percent. The school average stood at 82 percent.

The school had outperformed at various debate championships, CBSE National Meets, performing arts competitions. The school boasts of the first school based Gavels Club in Doha, named Birla Gavel Club, registered in the US, courtesy Doha Toastmasters.

There have been ample opportunities for the students to meet and interact with eminent personalities for career guidance, counselling. training and orientation programmes. A successful university fair was conducted, teachers have attended workshops and all this has been done with a view to provide quality education with a touch of values and for a holistic personality development.

Dr Mohan Thomas said that innovating and not emulating alone was the principal goal of education. He added that for the able functioning of any institution, the rich experience of veteran teachers should work in tandem with the cooperation of parents. A safe, nurturing, positive and respectful environment helps to meet the high academic standards in a student’s life which prepares him for success in life which is guaranteed at Birla Public School.

The evening unfolded with a heart warming opening song by the tenth graders which was followed by a scintillating classical dance performance by senior girls titled ‘Ranga Pooja’. The first graders matched their seniors to every beat in an explosive fusion dance called ‘Dance Dhamaka’ and ‘Balle Balle Masti’.

A theatrical presentation of the Greek legend of Prometheus was given by the seventh graders in Malayalam. They also presented a mime and dance show. The second graders chose to send out the message of hard work with a drama ‘The Ant & The Grasshopper’ and how to chill out in Jamaican style in the item ‘Raggae by the Bay’. A classic Sanskrit play ‘Shakuntalam’ was staged by the eighth graders in true professional style.

The ninth graders transported the audience to the Shakespearean era with a mind boggling portrayal in the item ‘From Books to Reality’. The eleventh graders raised the tempo of the evening with the boys presenting a western dance and girls swaying to Bollywood hits with a cinematic dance. The realistic depiction of Bernard Shaw’s ‘Pygmallion’ was spellbinding. The twelfth graders lived up to expectations and delivered an original script with a professional touch titled ‘Director’s Delight’ which turned into the delight of the audience. The evening came to a close with a song of thanks rendered by the teachers.