MUSCAT : Indian School Bousher proudly celebrated its Annual Day, Finesse Fest, held on the school grounds and honoured by the distinguished presence of Al Sayyid Hamoud bin Sultan Al Busaidi from the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers. Dr. Sivakumar Manickam, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Indian Schools in Oman, presided over the event, joined by Ms. Ashwini Sawrikar, Chairperson of the Academic Committee, Board of Directors, Indian Schools in Oman, Director in Charge for Indian School Bousher, and Mr. M.P. Vinoba, Education Advisor and Senior Principal, Board of directors, Indian Schools in Oman.  Esteemed guests, Khalid Zayid Mohamed Al Hinai, Mohammed Yosuf Al Tamtami, Sheikh of Miswa, Mansoor Naseer Al Raqadi, Sheikh of Ansab, were also a part of the event. The event’s grandeur was elevated by the presence of the esteemed members of the School Management Committee, including Dr. Sayed Fazlur Rahman, Mr. Piyush Agarwal, Dr. Vinod Pachigalla, Mr. Shanmugam Purushothaman, Mr. Samkumar, Ms. Soumya Parameshwaran, Ms. Remya Damodharan, and Mr. Rushit Sanghvi. Principals from various Indian Schools also attended, extending their best wishes. 

The programme commenced with a respectful rendition of the Royal anthem of Oman and National anthem of India, marking a solemn start to the evening’s celebrations.  Master Vaishnav Bineesh, the Head boy from Grade 12 extended a warm welcome to the audience. 

Principal Mr. P Prabhakaran, in his annual report, highlighted the various scholastics and co-scholastics activities undertaken across the preparatory, foundation, middle, and senior stages of the school. He emphasised how these initiatives are in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP), focusing on equipping students with the essential skills required for their holistic development and future success. The Principal emphasised the significant role of parents and the community as valuable stakeholders in the school’s activities and development, highlighting their active involvement and meaningful contributions to the institution’s growth and success. 

The Chief Guest Al-Sayyid Hamoud bin Sultan Al Busaidi graciously received a welcome token from Dr. Sivakumar Manickam, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and the other dignitaries, representing the school’s heartfelt appreciation for his presence. The chief guest shared his delight in witnessing the vibrant talent and achievements of the students and emphasised the positive energy he felt from the school community. 

Dr. Sivakumar Manickam, presiding over the function, expressed his deep gratitude to the Indian diaspora and the Ministry of Education, Oman, for their steadfast support for all the endeavours.  He conveyed his heartfelt wishes to the school on achieving five years of impressive progress and growth. He also extended his appreciation to the vibrant parent community, acknowledging their valuable role in the school’s success from its inception. He underscored the school’s dedication to fostering robust, confident, and holistic learners through a stress-free learning environment. He also shared his Children’s Day wishes with the students, celebrating their role in the school’s lively community. 

Ms. Ashwini Sawrikar, in her keynote address, expressed her happiness at witnessing the recognition of teachers who completed five years of service, emphasising that more such awards should be given, as teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the future of young students, by quoting an anecdote from her own life.  

The formal school programme included a special recognition ceremony honouring 30 Omani and 44 Indian staff members who have completed five years of dedicated service to the school. The staff and students who had made remarkable contributions to the institution were also honoured. 

The formal segment of the event concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Miss. Ayisha Mehrin, a student of Grade 10. 

Following her address, the audience was treated with a vibrant showcase of talent, creativity, and unity, featuring mesmerising performances that highlighted the diverse skills and artistic expressions of the students. 

The celebration began with a soulful invocation and a captivating dance performance that invoked divine blessings. The kindergartners transported the audience to Japan with a vibrant display of its cultural and spiritual essence, while the facilitators performed a global medley featuring tunes from France, Kenya, and Italy. The school rock band, Equinox, energized the event with their electrifying performance, and the choir enthralled with a medley of songs, including a soulful rendition of Isaiyil Thodanguthamma and a mesmerizing Hindustani Qawwali. The stage also resonated with tributes to A.R. Rahman’s iconic music.

A humorous play, Martian Invaders, brought creativity to the fore, while a Turkish dance, Jazz Hands, and a lively Spanish performance celebrated global cultural diversity. A thought-provoking pantomime explored Schadenfreude, and an art puzzle unveiling Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s image amazed the audience. Unique talents shone as one student flawlessly recited pi to 500 digits, and another delivered a blindfolded harmonium performance.

The event concluded with a dazzling fusion of Russian Kalinka and Chinese Silk Dance and a stunning ballet inspired by the Bolshoy tradition, leaving the audience mesmerized by the students’ artistry and skill.

The Grand Finale of the evening featured an electrifying African Pop-Up performance, with students energising the stage through vibrant African dance rhythms and live drum beats. As all the performing groups joined together, the event came to a powerful close, capturing the spirit of unity and celebration. Around 700 students actively participated in the Annual Day programme, showcasing their talent and enthusiasm. 

The Finesse Fest – Annual Day Celebration of Indian School concluded with the rendition of the school anthem, bringing the evening to a fitting and harmonious close. The programme was well appreciated and received plenty of accolades from all the guests and the parent community.