Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — Noufal Palakkoth, headmaster of International Indian School-Jeddah (IISJ), was honored during the anniversary celebrations of the Jeddah chapter of Farook College Old Students Association (FOSA). In a citation, FOSA noted that the honor was given to Palakkoth in appreciation of his 17-yearlong dedicated services and outstanding contributions in shaping and influencing the lives of thousands of students, who have graduated from IISJ.
In his speech, Palakkoth, a member of FOSA, thanked the association for recognizing him with this award. “I was recognized and honored here not because of me but as part of a big team of which I am only a member. Dedication of my teachers, hard work of my students, support of my superiors, as well as that of my family, enabled me to do something meaningful as an academic,” he said.
Palakkoth hoped that this recognition would be an inspiration for his colleagues so as to boost their confidence and improve their efficiency in securing outstanding performance results and benefitting the entire Indian community. “We can bring positive changes and a kind of elevation to others so that our community will benefit tomorrow and I will continue pursuing this until my last breath,” he said.
Lamenting the fact of teachers not being recognized properly in the community, Palakkoth said, “I feel sometimes sad that teachers are not recognized very much. There is a trend in society that success is always evaluated in terms of money that they are earning and unfortunately teachers are in the category which is not into that.”
“At IISJ, all our team members strive the utmost to give outstanding performance. Our students are not raw materials or machines from which we can expect the same output always for they have different feelings as they hail from different backgrounds,” he said, while stressing the need to enable them to have the feeling of being recognized and energized so as to give back something to society. Earlier, Mohammed Haneef briefed the gathering on Palakkoth’s academic contributions.
FOSA President Ashraf Meleveettil presided over the function held at Lahore Gardens Restaurant. IISJ Managing Committee Chairman Mohammed Asif Daudi inaugurated the event. Dr. Ismail Maritheri of King Abdulaziz University delivered the keynote speech. Felicitation speeches were delivered by IISJ MC members Shamsuddeen Kodakkodan and Noorul Ameen, Papatta Kunhimohammed, Najeeb Mullaveettil, A. Kunhali Haji, Abdul Majeed Naha and Salah Karadan.
Basheer Ambalavan and Saleh Kavotti conducted a quiz competition. Mementos were presented to FOSA women’s wing members who bagged prizes in cake making competition conducted recently by Navodaya Cultural Forum. Former President of FOSA Majeed Ponnani, C.M. Ahmad and Zakeer Hussain Edavanna presented mementos to the winners — Rufna Shifas, Mehjabin Ashraf and Nushiba Shihab respectively. FOSA General Secretary Jamal Nasar welcomed the gathering and Treasurer Nasar Feroke proposed the vote of thanks.
