Covid pandemic was no bar for the students of Indian Schools in Oman; students of Classes 10 and 12 braved all odds to come out with flying colours in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) results announced recently.

The 2021 Results of the CBSE Board have set an all-time record for the Indian Schools in Oman with an increased percentage of high achievers as compared to previous years, thereby setting another benchmark of excellence in academics.

Indian Schools in Oman have achieved 100% results this year both in Class 10 and 12. Class 10 had a total of 1818 students whereas Class 12 had 1724 students.

Class 12 Commerce stream had an all-time record this year. Arjun Amit Athalye of Indian School Muscat is the Oman topper with 99.4%; and in the second position is A. Rahul Govindarajan of Indian School Al Ghubra with 98.2%. The Third position is claimed by two students – Liza Andrea D’Sa of Indian School Muscat and Vidushi Jagnani of Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir – both scoring 97.6%.

The Oman toppers in Class 12 Science stream are as follows: Rahul Sriram of Indian School Muscat is the Oman topper with 99.2%; the second position is claimed by two students – Indraneel Singh Solanki (Indian School Muscat) and Anushka Thumiki (Indian School Darsait) – with 99%; and the third position is also claimed by two students – Mohammad Khuroo (Indian School Al Ghubra) and Asfaq Jalal Mohamed Abbas Nisha (Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir) – both scoring 98.8%.

All three positions in the Humanities stream go to the students of Indian School Muscat – Anjali Unnithan (99%), Anushka Saha (98.4%) and Snigdha Suresh (97.8%).

Class X results of Indian Schools have been phenomenal; the toppers in Oman are as follows: In the first position is Krithyaa Vijayanand (Indian School Sohar – 99.6%), and in the second position is Sudiksha Hemant Katkar (Indian School Al Ghubra – 99.4%). The third position is claimed by two students – Aroshish Pradhan of Indian School Al Ghubra and Somya Parida of Indian School Al Seeb – both scoring 99.2%.

Dr. Sivakumar Manickam, Chairman, Board of Directors congratulated the students who have made their alma mater and parents proud with outstanding results. He lauded the unflinching support of schools that have made all efforts to set higher benchmark of success in the Board Exams.

“All stakeholders in education had pulled together to ensure that students learned and graduated despite the challenges of the pandemic. It is the efforts of the teachers in academic adoption and parents with their unstinting support that helped the students perform to their best despite the hurdles of the pandemic,” said Dr. Sivakumar Manickam while congratulating the students and the schools for the stupendous results.

The Indian Schools do not put any restriction on admissions and every child who seeks admission finds a place irrespective of academic performance. In addition to the lessons imparted during school hours, the schools have implemented multiple initiatives, as support mechanism for children. These include Remedial Classes, Virtual Learning Environment, and 24-7-365 Tele-counseling service aimed at ensuring well-being of children.

To commemorate the seventy-fifth year of India’s independence, Indian School Sur, in association with the Board of Directors, Indian schools in Oman, under the theme “Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav” India @ 75 successfully conducted a webinar on entrepreneurship on 22August 2021.

The programme is titled ‘Stride’ and is organized by the Indian School Board aimed at igniting the spark of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship innate in children and transforms them into competent, enterprising and confident visionaries. The programme was hosted by Indian School Sur.

The chief guest of the programme was Mr Ahmed Tabook, Commercial Director, Free Zones – Salalah, Oman. Mr Tabook mentioned that the students in the modern education system are fortunate to have an education system that prepares them to be entrepreneurs. He reflected that entrepreneurship is not just about starting companies but about business scalability and positively influencing people’s lives.

The event was presided over by Dr Sivakumar Manickam, Chairman, Board of Directors, Indian Schools in Oman. Dr Manickam remarked that schools have rapidly adopted modernization by integrating science, technology and arts. “The recent teaching migration from the classroom to the living room had revolutionized the idea of what schools and teachers can do for society. Despite the pandemic setbacks, the most prominent unicorn startups in the world had experienced a boom in their business,” he said.He also highlighted the importance of inculcating entrepreneurial spirit among students, the future citizens of our country.

The guest of honour Mrs Ashwini Sawrikar, Finance Director, BOD and Director in-charge of Indian School Sur, reiterated that the ethos of ‘Stride’ is stepping up for challenges and displaying the tenacity to continue, turning dreams into reality.

Dr Vinod Shastri, Head of Academics, Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Bennett University, spoke about the necessity of building the right entrepreneurial mindset in making startups naturally happen.

Mr Srinivas Rao, Convener, School Management Committee Indian School Sur, expressed his gratitude to the Board of Directors for facilitating an excellent venture like ‘Stride’.

The programme moderator was Dr Mariam Noronha, Assistant Professor and Coordinator, Startup and Innovation Cell, Ness Wadia College of Commerce, Pune, India. The panel members included seven enterprising entrepreneurs who have scaled great heights in their young age. MsReeya Sharma, founder and CEO of Reeyal, a personal care brand, Mr Hardik Aggarwal,Co-founder and Director Skillarena Technologies, Mr Shrey Tyagi, Co-founder, Skill arena Technologies, Mr Zaid Naim founder and CEO, Jasper Home Fashions, Mr Pradyumn Mane, founder and Chief Inspiration Officer, Physics Mind-boggler, Mr Saksham Misra, founder and CEO of HyperClub and MsAnchal Aggarwal, Co-founder, Explorevio shared their initial struggles and breakthroughs so far in their entrepreneurial journey. Their genuine reflections and comments as endeavouring entrepreneurs have sparked the student’s imagination.

The third edition of ISQUIZ (Indian School Quiz), one of the biggest online Inter-School events conceptualized by the Board of Directors, designed to augment the holistic development programme for the students of all Indian Schools was inaugurated at a ceremonious virtual function organized by Indian School Muscat, the Host School of ISQUIZ 2021, on Saturday, 21st August 2021.

Dr. Sivakumar Manickam, Chairman, Board of Directors, Indian Schools in Oman graced the occasion as the Chief Guest; and Dr. Ram Shankar, Controller of Examinations, Central University of Odisha and Joint Secretary, CBSE was the Special Guest.

The grand inaugural ceremony commenced with a prayer song sung by the school choir. Master Vishwanath Praveen, Assistant Head Boy, Indian School Muscat welcomed the august gathering.

In his introductory message, Mr. Sachin Toprani, President of the Indian School Muscat Management Committee congratulated the team that has worked tirelessly to ensure the seamless conduct of the Quiz at different levels. He lauded Indian School Muscat as the epicenter of academic endeavours and the most happening place leading way to subtlety of perfection. He wished all the brainy warriors the joy of crossing horns of smartness and caliber with each other.

Indian School Board Chairman Dr. Sivakumar Manickam, in his inaugural address, underscored the indispensable role quizzing plays in enhancing the IQ of students. “It is not just the matter of asking questions and providing factual information, but synthesizing knowledge using analytical skills, considering profound nuances of question before answering makes the quiz competition as an enhanced learning activity,” Dr. Manickam said, “By participating in such events, students learn how to collaborate, critically think and better their leadership qualities.”

“ISQUIZ 2021 is made more significant as we are commemorating the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence under the theme ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ complimented by the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharath,” Chairman said.

Dr. Ram Shankar, Controller of Examinations, Central University of Odisha and Joint Secretary, CBSE was the Special Guest at the inaugural function. He lauded the organizing team of ISQUIZ for providing opportunities for students to excel in extra-curricular activities which are essential for developing their social skills. “Participation in co-curricular activities is as important as performing well in academics; both are complementary to each other. The main thrust of the New Education Policy is to raise the standard of school education with the global standard,” Dr. Shankar said.

This 3rd edition of the mega event, ISQUIZ 2021, hosted by Indian School Muscat will be completely virtual at every stage. The event aims at providing an excellent opportunity to students to augment their knowledge, sharpen their quizzing prowess and be engaged prolifically. The much celebrated Quiz Master Mr. Vinay Mudaliar will be at the helm of affairs. The Quiz Master triggered the curiosity of the enthusiastic participants of ISQUIZ 2021 by telling them that they can expect some innovative rounds of quizzing in the Grand Finale.

The title sponsor of the event, Mr. P.B. Saleem, Managing Director, Noor Gazal Foods and Spices congratulated the organizing team of ISQUIZ and said the he was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of students in participating in the event and wished all of them success.

A video presentation depicting the journey through ISQUIZ and a fusion dance performed by the students of Indian School Muscat added colour to the inaugural ceremony. Assistant Head Girl Eshinka Singh proposed the vote of thanks.
ISQUIZ 2021 has a total number of 6300 registered participants. The battle of brains kick starts with the First Prelim for the Junior Category at 4.30 pm and Senior Category at 5.30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. The qualified teams in the Junior and Senior category will battle it out on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 4.30 pm and 5.30 pm respectively. The Champions in the Sub-Junior Category will be decided based on their performance on September 01, 2021 at 6 pm.

Brilliant Performers in the Junior and Senior Category on September 02, 2021 at the Mega Prelims will be the ones capturing the lime light at the Grand Finale on September 04, 2021 at 6 p.m. Both the Mega Preliminary round and the Grand Finale will be aired on Zoom and broadcast live on YouTube.

The Indian diaspora in Oman witnessed a ceremoniously solemn event that launched ‘AzadiKaAmritMahotsav’ – India@75 Celebrations, a virtually synchronized programme organized by the Board of Directors under the aegis of the Embassy of India on Thursday, 12th August 2021.

Mr. Syed Salman, Vice Chairman of the Indian School Board and Head of India@75 Celebrations Committee, welcomed the dignitaries and all invitees and set the tone for the programme by rekindling the patriotic fervour with his felicity of expression. “Celebrating India’s Independence is an occasion for the Indians living on foreign soil to reconnect with the culture and heritage of their motherland, and simultaneously connect other nationals with India,” Mr. Salman said highlighting the concept of ‘VasudhaivaKutumbakam’ which means ‘the whole world is one family’.

Dr. Sivakumar Manickam, Chairman of the Indian School Board who was the Guest of Honour for the evening recalled the phenomenal progress India has achieved.“As we are celebrating the 75th Anniversary of our Nation’s Independence, we need to appreciate the phenomenal achievements our nation can be proud of; and how as Indians we should hold our head high as true citizens of this great nation,” said Dr. Manickam.

Chairman exhorted the audience to “rededicate, reorient, refocus our commitment to serve our Motherland and see her becoming the most sought after country in the world. As we are launching the India@75 celebrations, it is an apt occasion to salute the freedom fighters and follow the Gandhian principles.”

His Excellency Shri Munu Mahawar, Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. In his inaugural address, H.E. the Ambassador extended greetings to His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik and the Government and people of Oman for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of this beautiful land. His Excellency greeted all members of the Indian community on the occasion of the 75th Independence Day of India. “It is an important milestone in the journey of our beloved nation. I am sure all students and faculty members of Indian Schools will participate enthusiastically in all the events scheduled to celebrate AzadiKaAmritMahotsav,” he said.

His Excellency released the tagline ‘My India, My Pride’ and an e-book containing 75 art forms of India, “The e-book containing 75 shades of Indian Art tells the story of rich civilization and culture that India is known for. Every child whose artwork finds a place in this book is an ambassador of our rich culture and traditions,” His Excellency remarked.

A number of activities have been planned to make ‘AzadiKaAmritMahotsav’ – Indian@75 Celebrations meaningful for the students as well as the members of the Indian community in Oman. Mr. Anuj Swarup, Second Secretary – Embassy of India listed out a few of the programmes during his address.

“The Board has already floated a Logo Design Contest to commemorate the momentous occasion. Besides, all programmes organized both in School and Board level will incorporate themes pertaining to ‘India@75’. Socially impactful activities such as blood donation, beach cleaning drive and tree plantation in addition to organizing 75 edutainment programmes by all 21 Indian Schools in Oman will be a fitting tribute to our Motherland,” Mr. Swarup said.

Mr. SachinToprani, President of the Indian School Muscat Managing Committee, thanked Chief Guest His Excellency Shri MunuMahawar for patronizing the event, Chairman Dr. Sivakumar Manickam for his able guidance, members of the India@75 celebrations committee for their concerted efforts, Principal and the staff in charge of the Launch event for the seamless coordination of the event.

The evening’s programme was embellished with programmes depicting the cultural diversity of India. The digital display of a kaleidoscopic view of India’s achievements during the last 75 years won the adulation of the audience. The medley of folk songs and dances performed by the students of Indian School Muscat enthralled the audience and revived the rich culture and civilization of India.