“Those blessings are sweetest that are won with prayer and worn with thanks.”

The Indian Community School, Kuwait celebrated AASHIRVAAD – 2023, the Blessing Ceremony of Class XII (Batch 2022-23), on 9^th February, 2023 amidst great fervour, mirth and zest. H.E. Dr. Adarsh Swaika, Hon. Ambassador of India to Kuwait, was the Chief Guest on the occasion. The atrium was decorated with dazzling lights, colourful balloons and vibrant coloured buntings.

The Chief Guest, H.E. Dr. Adarsh Swaika, was received by the Members of the Board of Trustees and the Principal. The students greeted the chief guest with an ‘aarti’ and offered him the Chief Guest’s badge of Aashirvaad 2023.

Dr. Vinod Gaikwad, First Secretary, Indian Embassy Kuwait, Mr. Shaik Abdul Rahiman, Honorary Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Azharuddin Amer Mohammed, Honorary Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Vinukumar Nair, Honorary Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Gangadhar Shirsath, Principal of ICSK Khaitan, Mr. Rajesh Nair, Principal of ICSK Amman, Mrs. Shirley Dennis, Director of Indian School of Excellence, Mrs. Sheeja C, Principal of ICSK Junior and Vice Principals from different branches of ICSK also graced the occasion.

The ceremony commenced with Islamic Prayer by Master. Mujtaba Dilawar. This was followed by the melodious rendition of the song of devotion by the School Choir, Swaranjali.

The gathering rose and honoured the National Anthems of Kuwait and India.

Dr. V. Binumon, Principal and Senior Administrator of ICSK, who always motivates and inspires the staff and the students to perform at their best, delivered the welcome address. In his address he quoted the words by Sir Edmund Hillary, “It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves”. He also urged the students to develop self-confidence to be successful in their life. The ability to speak one’s mind, staying positive even in adverse situations and keep trying even though one is failing are the three important qualities that he asked the students to develop in their life. He concluded his speech by welcoming the chief guest, all the dignitaries, parents, staff and students to Aashirvaad 2023.

The honourable chief guest H.E. Dr. Adarsh Swaika inaugurated Aashirvaad 2023 by lighting the lamp.

H.E. Dr. Adarsh Swaika addressed the gathering. He said that Aashirvaad 2023 was the first public function that he attended outside the Indian Embassy in Kuwait since he had taken charge. He advised the students to follow their inner sense and not to move with the trend. He also quoted that no one can be perfect in everything so it is important to understand and focus on one’s strength. He instructed the students not to take undue stress and panic while preparing for the exams. He also urged the students to keep cool, work hard, come out with good results in their examination and make their parents and teachers proud. He asked the students to have a rational outlook, a balanced mind and contribute something to the society. He concluded his speech by wishing them success in the forthcoming CBSE board examination.

The school honoured the academic achievements of the students of class 12 (Batch 2022 – 2023) by giving Academic Excellence Awards. The awards were distributed by the honourable chief guest. Master. Taha Rafik Chikte of Science stream, Miss. Bhasma Sabah Thakur of Commerce stream and Miss. Irene Mary Kuruvilla of Humanities stream were the toppers of the forenoon session. Master. Taha Hamim Mohammed of Science stream, Miss. Ditza Ann Shibu of Commerce stream and Master. Dillon Francis Lewis of Humanities stream were the toppers of the afternoon session. Master. Taha Rafik Chikte was awarded with a special memento for securing 99.7 percentile, the highest score in the Middle East, in the JEE mains January 2023.

The school acknowledged the best leaders of Class 12 (Batch 2022 – 2023) by presenting the Best Leader Award. Miss. Krishna Chillirickal Anil of Class 12 A, Miss. Angelina Ann Biju of Class 12 B, Master. Ashmith Srivastava of Class 12 C, Miss. Manna Ann Mathai of Class 12 D, Miss. Jesslyn Sara Varghese of Class 12 E, Miss. Mabel Emilie Viegas of Class 12 F, Miss. Fatema Shabbir Ali of Class 12 G, Miss. Keziah Elsa Bilu of Class 12 H, Miss. Atiyah of Class 12 I, Miss. Ditza Ann Shibu of Class 12 J and Master. Vyshnav Sathis of Class 12 K collected the awards for the best leader from the chief guest.

Special recognition awards were given to the ICSK Senior staff members for their complete attendance. Mrs. Usha T P (TGT Social Science), Mr. Manikandan (TGT Social Science), Mrs. Tintu Wilson (TGT Mathematics), Mrs. Bindu Madhu (PGT Mathematics), Mr. Sreekumar (PGT Commerce), Mrs. Anitha (TGT Science) and Mr. Murtaza Ali (PGT Computer Science) collected mementos from the chief guest.

The school honoured the chief guest H.E. Dr. Adarsh Swaika by presenting a token of love. Mr. Shaik Abdul Rahiman, Honorary Chairman of the Board of Trustees, presented the memento to the chief guest. A portrait of the Chief Guest, which was prepared by the master artist Mr. Karthik Sajikumar of Class 10 E was also gifted to him.

Students representing Science, Commerce, Humanities and NIOS batches shared the experiences of their life at ICSK. They recollected the fun they had in the classrooms, how they enjoyed the special assemblies, the projects that they prepared for Gyanotsav, the competition they had for Paradigm and Sports day, the entertainment of Super Mega Carnival and so on.  They also appreciated the efforts taken and support given by the principal, vice principal, teachers and parents. They also shared sorrow of missing their friends and teachers. Master. Taha Rafik Chikte represented the Science stream, Miss. Mabel Viegas represented the Commerce stream, Miss. Shreya Ann Abraham represented the Humanities stream, Miss. Mritsha Bhattacharjee represented the NIOS batch, and Miss. Rinkle Gudiwalla represented the School Senate.

The school presented mementos for all students of class 12 as token of blessing. The students along with their parents received mementos, blessing cards and tips cards from the guests.

Mrs. Saritha P Nair, Chief Coordinator, Aashirvaad – 2023, proposed the vote of thanks. She extended her sincere gratitude on behalf of the school to H.E. Dr. Adarsh Swaika, Hon. Ambassador of India to Kuwait, for his esteemed presence and for the blessings he gave to the students. She also thanked the board of trustees, the principals and vice principals of different branches of ICSK, the parents, students and staff of ICSK for their valuable presence.

The school choir stole the hearts of the audience with the soulful motivational song “A Million Dreams”. It was a soul stirring rendition of the fact that your dreams will always keep you awake.

The blessing ceremony was led by Dr. V. Binumon, Principal, ICSK Senior. All the students, parents and staff of ICSK lighted the candles, which symbolizes light in the darkness of life. He blessed each student and wished them to come out with flying colours and make themselves, their parents, teachers, and the school proud. They took the oath which was administered by Mrs. Susan Rajesh Pothen, Vice Principal of ICSK Senior.

Then the students moved out of the auditorium as all the teachers showered their blessings and wished them good luck for all they set out to do. The aura of nostalgia was always there as the students took a step on their journey ahead. It was a wonderful day where students enjoyed each other’s presence, promised to stay in touch and captured the memories with a galore of photographs.