Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Ahmed Javed, ambassador of India and patron of Indian schools in the Kingdom, urged parents not to thrust their wish list on their children. In a highly inspiring speech at the graduation ceremony of the outgoing 12 graders of International Indian school, Jeddah (IISJ), he advised parents to give their wards a breathing space and freedom to choose their future course of study in accordance with their aptitude after considering them that they are adults in this very globalized, totally wired and technology banked world.

Dressed in their silver-colored ceremonial gowns, a total of 530 graduates — 236 boys and 294 girls — marched forward in style and received their course completion certificates from dignitaries in the presence of their proud parents and mentors at the packed Boys’ Section Auditorium on Wednesday.

The dignitaries who attended the function included Consul General of India Mohammed Noor Rahman Sheikh, Deputy Consul General, Haj Consul and School Observer Mohammed Shahid Alam, IISJ Managing Committee (MC) Chairman Asif Rameez Daudi and Principal Syed Masood Ahmed.

Addressing the graduates, Javed, the chief guest, said: Success is not necessarily what you have achieved in this life. On the other hand, becoming a good person and human being will make you really successful in this life and hereafter. “Do remember that you are getting into a more competitive world where there won’t be not an easy task waiting for you to perform and the life and the world around you may not be very fair. So you have to develop your own mechanism, which would be the most transparent so as to guide you and take you throughout your life. There would be ups and downs in life and the values you have learned from your parents and teachers will take you a long way.”

The ambassador also urged them not to forget their duty towards parents, teachers and above all to their country. He called on the students to have excellence in the field for which they have an aptitude whether it is that of a musician, artist or sportsperson... “You will be clear in your mind about the profession you want to choose and perhaps some of you can excel in an area which is traditionally being neglected. You have to secure marks in the area you choose but also let the marks go along with the values of integrity and humanity coupled with hard work, and thus helping you to become a good human being.”

Echoing the same view, Sheikh, the guest of honor, said: Obtaining marks in the coming exams are important but developing your personality with character, integrity and discipline is very important. Keep on insisting to have all aspects of overall personality development is important in the long run, he said. Sheikh inspired the students on how to build a successful career in future.“Continue hard working, be positive, optimistic and whatever field you choose, be a renowned person in that field.”

He appreciated the commitment and enthusiasm on the part of the teaching and non-teaching staff, MC as well as parents that have contributed immensely to IISJ maintaining outstanding performance and excellent standard. “Keep it up the experience, knowledge, wisdom and the type of discipline and skills you have learned from this institution to scale ladders of success in life,” Sheikh advised students and wished them success in the forthcoming exams.

In his inspiring speech, Daudi, who is also an academic, urged the graduates to have an exact know-how about the ABCD of their life and follow it closely. “The first letter of the alphabet is A and it stands for Almighty Allah; always remember Allah, seek His guidance and work hard, and then you will be successful. As the letter B shows, you have to be brave and believe in yourself and that is the key to success.”

“The letter C stands for change, challenge, courage, and confidence, which are the qualities you have to have to win success after meeting all the challenges. The letter D stands for determination, dedication and don’t ever give up and these will take you scale ladders of success,” he said while advising them to change the letter F in failure to F in fighter so as to win the goals and lofty ideals of life.

Earlier welcoming the gathering, Principal Ahmed, reiterated and reminded young graduates to be courageous and determined because they are on the threshold of a wider world full of challenges. In his thought provoking speech, Ahmed motivated students to dream big, set the goals and then tread on the right path that leads to the destination.

“Be courageous and determined to overcome any hurdles that come on the way. Success belongs to those who do not give up and keep enduring,” he said while recalling that the success stories of great leaders lie on their vision, courage, determination and endurance. He wished the students all the very best in the exams and in achieving greater heights after passing all tests in their life.

The program commenced with the recitation of a few verses from the Holy Qur’an by Syed Saeed followed by its translation by Mehboob Ali. The head boy Akbar Asadi and Head Girl Sneha Rasheed delivered their farewell speeches that were reminisces of their eventful school life. Their farewell speeches, greeted by a standing ovation from the packed auditorium, were the epitome of their excellent track record. In their speeches, Asadi and Rasheed paid glowing tribute to their teachers, school officials and their parents and thanked them profusely for their love, care and guidance. They also pledged to bring honor and laurels to their alma mater.

Ambassador Javed felicitated Amena Ashraf for her outstanding performance in CBSE Class 12 Saudi Arabian Chapter and Aishwarya Balasubramanian for securing 100 percent in SAT Examination. The chief guest and other dignitaries released Activity Book for Cubs & Bulbuls, an arm of Bharat Scouts and Guides, which was a landmark in the history of IISJ. The tiny tots of 1-2 & 3-5 clad in the Cub & Bulbul uniforms ceremoniously presented the Activity Books to the dignitaries.

The ceremony, filled with grandeur and glory, came to a close with a heart warming and touching video presentation on “Down the memory lane,” created by Urooj Fatima, PGT (Multimedia and Web technology) highlighting the glimpses of the graduating students’ major activities and achievements during the academic year.

Dr. Najeeb Qais Ammar, vice principal of the Boys Section, proposed the vote of thanks. Managing committee members, Vice Principal of Girls’ Section Farhathunnisa, Headmaster Noufal Palakkoth, Headmistress Rita Sharma and other teachers, school officials, and parents attended the ceremony.