British School of Kuwait hosts remembrance …news.kuwaittimes.net/pdf/2017/nov/19/p24.pdfEid and...

Sunday, November 19, 2017

24W h a t ’ s O n

Established 1961

Remembrance Day - also known as PoppyDay, Armistice Day (the event it commem-orates) or Veterans Day - is a day to com-

memorate the sacrifices of members of thearmed forces and of civilians in times of war, butspecifically since the First World War, 1914 -1918. It is observed on 11 November to recallthe end of World War I on that date in 1918.Major hostilities of World War I were formallyended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the11th month of 1918 with the German signing ofthe Armistice.

The British School of Kuwait (BSK) held itsannual Remembrance Commemoration withGuest of Honor Group Captain Finlay McLean,Defense Attache at the British Embassy, andattended by Secondary students and theirteachers at morning assembly in the MarbleArch. The VIP party included BSK StrategicManagement Team members Madame Vera AlMutawa MBE, Paul Shropshire, Mark Brisbane,Emma Bowie, Nicholas Smith, Rachel Sielski,Heather Holsgrove, and also Lucian Anisia whoplaced wreaths and poppies on the cenotaph.

A poppy bearer representing each tutorgroup, forty-eight in total, placed a poppy onthe remembrance backdrop concluding thesymbolic significance of this ephemeral flower.

Once the conflict of World War I was over, thepoppy was one of the only plants to grow on theotherwise barren battlefields.

The symbolic significance of the poppy as alasting memorial to the fallen was realized by theCanadian surgeon John McCrae in his poem, In

Flanders Fields. The ceremony included readingsfrom Ian Masters and the BSK History Club ledby Head Student Rodina Gad and Deputy HeadStudent Dylan Peacock. The Exhortation andDedication was delivered by Group CaptainMcLean while the BSK Concert Orchestra,under the baton of Miss Elizabeth Lomas, pro-

vided the music which included the Last Postand Reveille played by Cian Williams of Year 10.

The event at BSK was all the more poignantas it took place 100 years after the battle ofPasschendaele. Also known as the Third Battle ofYpres, it is remembered as one of the bloodiest

offensives of the First World War. Morethan 100 days of fighting in the sum-mer and autumn of 1917, starting onJuly 31, left more than half a million mendead or injured on both sides. The cer-emony concluded a series of BSKevents held to support the BritishLegion.

These included a Poppy Appeal anda visit to the British Embassy gardensfor a group of history students to par-ticipate in the RemembranceCommemoration for children. The latterevent was hosted by Group CaptainFinlay McLean, the British Defense

Attache and the Assistant Defense Attache,Richard Vessey. The phrase ‘Lest we Forget’ ischaracterized by the wearing of the poppy, aswe show support and empathy for all those whohave made any sacrifice in past or present con-flicts in order that future generations might notneed to experience the same horrors of war.

British School of Kuwait hosts remembrance commemoration

MalabarGold and Diamonds marksChildren’s Day

Malabar Gold and Diamonds, one of theleading jewelry retailers in the regionmade this Children’s Day fun and

memorable by celebrating with above 2000talented and dynamic kids under the age of 12and their families. The celebration was held atSalmiya Indian Model School, Kuwait on 14thNovember 2017 in the presence of invitedguests, teachers and parents. “Design yourDream Jewelry” drawing competition conduct-ed by Malabar Gold and Diamonds unlockedthe hidden talents of the kids and was full offun with lots of special moments.

The Children’s Day event offered the fami-lies a fun filled day where the kids enjoyedpainting and a wide range of exciting activi-ties were organized by the jewelry chain. Thechildren also took part in the competitionsorganized by the group in true spirit. Theevent was honored by the presence of AfsalKhan - Zonal Head, Malabar Gold andDiamonds, Anis Ahmed - Director, SIMSalong with the other dignitaries from SIMSand Malabar Gold and Diamonds. The win-ners were awarded with the gold coins andcertificate of appreciation as well.

“As the tagline indicates, Malabar Goldand Diamonds is always at the forefront whenit comes to celebrations. Today’s children areour future. We would always admire to bringthe hidden talents of the kids and we arethankful to SIMS for associating with us by

providing this venue to help us achieve thesame.” stated Afsal Khan - Zonal Head,Malabar Gold and Diamonds.

Malabar Gold and Diamonds, the jewelrychain with 195 retail outlets spread across inGCC, India, Singapore and Malaysia is one ofthe first jewelers to introduce designer kid’sjewelry crafted with 100% child-safe and

non-hazardous metals. ‘Starlet - KidsJewelry’, their brand made especially forMalabar Gold and Diamonds young cus-tomers is available in a variety of designs thatare attractive to children. Each piece is care-fully crafted with no sharp edges and thedesigns are playful and unique. It is surely anideal gift for kids of all ages.

ADAK celebrates Eid and Onam

Alappuzha District AssociationKuwait (ADAK) celebrated Eidand Onam on November 10 at

the Indian Community School SeniorSchool, Salmiya with its full spirit andfervor. Norka Welfare Director AjithKumar inaugurated the celebration bylighting the traditional lamp in a meetingchaired by President B S Pillai. PatronChacko George Kutty, Advisory BoardMember Murali S Nair, Vice-PresidentsChristopher Daniel, Krishnakumar andTreasurer Shibu Cherian felicitated theoccasion. General Convener BinuChempalayam welcomed the audiencewhile Vipin Mangattu proposed vote ofthanks. Ajith Kumar, Manoj Mavelikaraand the artistes from Kerala P S Banarji,Adarsh Chittar, Unmesh Poonkavu werehonored with memento in the meeting.

Shamsu Thamarakulam was also hon-ored with memento for his committedsocial services along with Shaji PI beingthe best volunteer. Vice-PresidentChristopher Daniel was adorned withPonnada on the happy of his 70th birthanniversary.

A series of cultural programs werestaged depicting Onam such as SopanaSangeetham, Thiruvathira,Chendamelam, Kavitha, Songs, Fusiondance, Kolkali, Arabic Oppana,Dafumuttu, in addition o the floral deco-ration, which brought back the nostalgicfeelings of a bygone era. And a sumptu-ous Ona Sadya was served to all atten-dees. The main highlight of the programwas the rendering of “Nadan Pattukal”by “Kanal Pattukoottam “ from Keralaled by PS Banarji, Adarsh Chittar andUnmesh Poonkavu, along with “PolikaNadan Pattukoottam” from Kuwait. Theaudience experienced a different feelingas the artistes were in full interactionwith them. In between the songs, theyalso demonstrated the ancient arts suchas Garudan, Theyyam, which the audi-ence accepted with louder applause.

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month

ICSK Khaitan holdsawareness programfor defense services

To cater for the needs of competing candidatesaspiring to become officers in the three wings ofthe Armed Forces of India (Army, Navy and Air

force) and also in the Paramilitary Forces under theCentral Government (the largest employer of the Unionof India), students of class X and XI of ICSK Khaitanwitnessed a career awareness program conducted byColonel Vijayan, Director, Saradhi Centre forExcellence, Kerala, on Monday, November 6, 2017.

Principal Gangadhar Shirsath warmly welcomedColonel Vijayan with a bouquet of flowers. In hisaddress, he explained the importance of defense serv-ices to the students. Talking about patriotism he saidthat love for own country eventually motivates each

one of us to serve our nationthrough defense services. Healso stated that mother andmotherland are always superi-or to heaven for a true patriot.

In the awareness session,Colonel Vijayan explainedvarious avenues in the defenseservices where students canwalk in. The power pointpresentation was very inform-ative and impressive. His talkthrew light into many areas of defense services whichwere totally unknown to the students. He also said thatstudents can become Class I Gazetted officers(Commissioned Officers) in less than the time that theyspend for becoming just engineering or medical gradu-ates. Mentioning about in-service benefits and retire-ment benefits, he claimed that no other service is com-parable with the defense service. In the interactive ses-sion Colonel Vijayan clarified the queries of the stu-dents. The program came to an end by the vote ofthanks by the Vice Principal, Ravi Ayanoli.

Toastmastersholds training

The Toastmasters’ communityin Kuwait includes new ele-ments of fun and learning. On

Nov 10, 2017, Division D andDivision I organized an educationalsession about parliamentary proce-dures and a new member orientationprogram at ACK, Kuwait by tworenowned stalwarts of the toastmas-ter community - District 20Director- DTM MohammedMakhlouf and Immediate PassDistrict 20 Director - DTM AliShahbaz Ali. DTM Ali was a specialguest who flew in from Bahrain.

Division D Director - TM AlifiyaLakdawala and Division I Director

TM Fatima Abdullah have a vision toeducate the Toastmaster communityin Kuwait to achieve excellence. Thistraining was yet another steptowards their vision. Parliamentaryprocedures are of importance asparticipants learn the right way onhow elections are conducted atToastmasters at various levels. This

also helps one to enhance knowl-edge and growth at the workplace.

How to make new members awareof what Toastmaster is all aboutandorienting and guiding them is anoth-er feat. It was a good recap forexisting members regarding theirroles, responsibilities and policieswhich Toastmasters offers.