Sunday, Jan 23, 2011
Gulf News
Former Indian president to preside over tenth anniversary of DPS
Dubai As many as 3,100 students from the primary wing of Delhi Private School (DPS) Sharjah are gearing up to present a unique event tomorrow to mark the school’s tenth anniversary.
The event will be presided over by none other than the former Indian President Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam.
Dr Abdul Kalam, India’s official environment ambassador, is known in particular for his inspirational words to children and young people due to his strong belief that they play the most significant role in the progress of the country.
Mousumi Dasgupta, headmistress of the primary wing of DPS Sharjah, told Gulf News: “3,100 students of the primary section will present a colourful display of song and dance reflecting unity and belief in oneself.
“It will be a kaleidoscopic visual treat with live orchestra, artists, dancers and choir of children,” Mousumi said.
Thousands to perform
“Six-hundred-plus student dancers and singers, 50-member orchestra, 1,500-strong choir and a drill by 840-plus kindergartners will showcase their skills. A team of young artists will work together on a painting on the sidelines.”
The artists will have gone from start to finish by the time the dancers and singers finish their performance.
It is an ambitious attempt to present a unique event of colossal proportions and preparations began last October, Mousumi added.
The by-invitation-only event will be held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium attended by 7,000 spectators including senior government officials, members of the Indian diplomatic missions in the UAE, parents, faculty and prominent members of the community are expected to attend the event. The school, which follows Indian curriculum, was established in 2000 with 147 students and has grown into one of the pioneering institutes with over 5,000 students.
School Principal Vandana Marwaha said: “It is our strong belief that Dr Abdul Kalam’s esteemed presence shall greatly inspire us to contribute to his vision of developing the youth into universal men and women”.
ARSHAD ALI/Gulf News Archive
Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Wise words
Inspiring young minds
The celebrations tomorrow will begin with the former Indian President Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam addressing teachers and youth of various schools in two separate forums to be held at the DPS Sharjah premises, and will conclude with the mega concert event in the evening.
At the teachers’ forum, he will speak to more than 600 teachers from various Indian curriculum schools about being creative and efficient facilitators. An audience of 1,300 students from different high schools in the UAE will hear Dr Abdul Kalam speak on the topic “rejuvenating resources”, as part of his India Millennium Mission 2020 — a mission to ignite the young minds for national development. Both the forums will be interactive sessions.
During the school visit, Dr Abdul Kalam will plant a Ghaf tree, an indigenous tree of the region, as part of “The Billion Tree” campaign which is a worldwide tree-planting initiative under the United Nations environment programme.
— R.A.
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By Rayeesa Absal ?Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2011. All rights reserved.
