Muscat: The Board of Directors, Indian Schools in the Sultanate of Oman, hosted the first edition of Indian School Talent Fest – ISTF, an Inter-School panorama of cultural events formerly popular as Jhankaar Spectrum, at Indian School Muscat Premises on October 31, 2019 and November 1, 2019. This mammoth event, a leading art, cultural and literary extravaganza organised by any educational body in the Middle East, showcased 2000 plus participants and their talents in 27 events; and a novel event – Unique Talent Recognition – UTAR, in different venues.The two-day long mega talent contest commenced with the inaugural function held on October31, 2019 in the Tagore Hall.

The esteemed presence of the Chief Guest, His Excellency, Shri Munu Mahawar, Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman, Dr. Baby Sam Saamuel, Chairman Board of Directors of Indian Schools in Oman, Officials from the Indian Embassy, other honourable members from the Board, Mr. Ajay kummar J – President Indian School Muscat Management Committee and respected members of the School Management Committee added grandeur to the inaugural ceremony.Megan Erica D’souza –  Head Girl of Indian School Muscat welcomed the gathering.

The Chief Guest declared the meet open and hoisted the ISTF flag.Lauding the events at ISM the Chief Guest said, “I am delighted to be back with Indian School family for yet another mega event. I think it’s becoming a habit for Indian School family to organise events in style. I am happy that this event is also being launched on a very auspicious day when the nation is also celebrating national unity.” As a gesture of love, appreciation and gratitude, Arwa of XI K presented her artwork to His Excellency.The inaugural programme concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Dhanvi Bharadwaj, the Head Boy.

The charm of the inaugural programme – Aladdin and Genie stole the hearts of the audience. The onlookers were taken on a journey to a paradise through a video, visiting the 19 participating Indian Schools in the Sultanate. The Co-curricular coordinator, Ms. Rithya Cherian administered the oath on behalf of all the participants.

The carnival of talents concluded with a colourful valedictory function at 4.30 pm on November 1, 2019.The benign presence of the Chief Guest Dr. Baby Sam Saamuel, Chairman – Board of Directors Indian Schools in the Sultanate of Oman,esteemed members of the Board of Directors, Mr. Ajaykummar J – President Indian School Muscat Management Committee, other honourable members of the School Management Committee, Principal Dr. Rajeev Kumar Chauhan, Principals of the participating schools, dignitaries, invitees and well-wishers enriched the momentous culmination of the programme.

Dhiya Elsa Binoy, Head Girl, Middle Section accorded a formal welcome to the august gathering. The best performers of the UTAR mesmerised the gathering with their phenomenal talents. By means of a video presentation of 71 unique talents from the various Indian Schools and the ISTF Digital Report, glimpses of the day of exuberance were brought home to all.The beautiful rendition of Indian School Talent Fest Anthem and the welcome dance Mile Sur Mera Tumharaset the ambiance of the day.

The Chief Guest, Dr. Baby Sam Saamuel, Chairman – Board of Directors Indian Schools, in his address thanked His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said for being magnanimous and generous towards the needs of the Indian Community in the Sultanate. He also thanked the Ministry of Education for their benevolent, wholesome and unconditional support in establishing schools to foster the cultural and educational needs of the Indian students. Dr. Saamuel reiterated that ISTF is a platform for the celebration of all the skills and strengths of children and exhorted students to think out of the box.Through the example of a recent research, he explained how skills development leads to better satisfaction and also highlighted that small challenges through games & fun that stimulate mind, bring about better & quicker learners. He wholeheartedly congratulated all the participants and the winners of the first edition of ISTF.

The Chief Guest honoured the prize winning schools with momentoes and certificates of participation. The auditorium reverberated with jubilance and celebration as Indian School Muscat lifted the most covetable first-ever-overall championship trophy of the ISTF 2019.Indian School Salalah and Indian School Darsait were declared First and Second Runners-up of the event respectively.

The curtain of this mega cultural fiesta rolled down as the Chief Guest, Dr.Baby Sam Saamuel, Chairman- Board of Directors of Indian Schools in the Sultanate of Oman lowered the ISTF flag ceremoniously and handed it over to Mr. Jolly Mathew- President – SMC – Indian School Al Mabella and the Vice Principal of Indian School Al Mabella for the safe custody until the next, Indian School Talent Fest. Joshua Alex Pretheesh, Head Boy, Middle Section bid adieu to the programme with a special note of gratitude to the sponsors for their generous contribution in making this great event a grand success.

The Principal of ISM – Dr Rajeev Kumar Chauhan shared that hosting the Indian Schools Talent Fest was another refreshing chapter in the annals of ISM as it addressed the multifaceted talents of the student community in an innovative manner. This massive array of art, linguistic and cultural events spoke volumes about the extent of the dedication and commitment of the organisers.