Indian Educational School Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan), Kuwait, hosted the Grand Finale of the Bhavans GCC Spell Bee Championship 2015 in a spectacular way in the Bhavans Auditorium on Thursday, January 15. Organized under the auspices of the Bhavans Middle East, the programme was simultaneously conducted in the Indian Educational School Kuwait, Private International School, Abu Dhabi and Modern International School, Oman on video conferencing mode. The dynamic presence of Mr. Jim O’Neill, Deputy Country Exams Manager, Kuwait and Iraq, British Council, as the Chief Guest added to the splendor of the evening.

Thousands of aspiring spellers in five categories, selected through a systematic process by winning the vigorous first, second and knockout rounds competed to reach the nerve-racking war of Grand Finale. It was indeed a spine-tingling experience for the spectators to watch the tiny tots as well as the other contestants recollect and deliver the correct spelling of words notwithstanding the complexity and intricacies involved in the English language. Neither the perplexing questions from the expert pronouncers nor the implacable winter could dampen the spirits of the participants.

Lauding the meticulous preparation undertaken by the participants, Mr. T. Prem Kumar, the Principal of Bhavans Kuwait reiterated in his welcome address the role spelling competitions can play in improving the confidence children need to speak in public, and applauded the parents for motivating their children to reach to that level, no matter they win or lose. He also congratulated on the bold initiatives taken by Mr. N.K. Ramachandran Menon, Chairman, Bharatiya Bhavans, Middle East for leaving no stones unturned when it comes to quality education and bringing technology into the main stream of education by installing latest gadgets of the kind used for the GCC Spell Bee Championship.

Mr. Jim O’Neill, the Chief Guest of the programme, oozing with appeal and charisma matched with his position, rendered an unmatched support to the competitors with his presence throughout the programme.

At the end of a spell- binding round of questions, Piya Darshan of Modern International School Oman, emerged as the champion in Category1, Nevin Noji Vaidyan of Indian Educational School, Kuwait, in Category2, Madhushree Prakash of Modern International School Oman, emerged as the champion in category 3, Yumna Kulsoom Adeel, India International School Mangaf, Kuwait, Category 4 and Josephine Crystal. R. Mathew, United Indian School, Kuwait emerged as the Champion in Category 5.

Adnan Mohammad, Private International School Abu Dhabi (Category 1), Kaivan Mitesh Ramani, Modern International School, Oman (Category 2), Abhay Lejith, Private International School Abu Dhab i(Category 3), Vishal Korada, Private International School Abu Dhabi (Category 4), and Fathima Haneef Integrated Indian School, Kuwait stood in the second position.

The Third position went in favour of Thejas Shetty, Indian Educational School, Kuwait, Category 1, Sanjay Kumar Ramesh, , Private International School Abu Dhabi, Category 2, Darrell Jovan D’s a, Indian English Academy School, Kuwait, Category 3 and Shelvin Aleena , Indian Educational School, Kuwait, Category 5.

The Champions were conferred on a cash prize of Rupees 50, 000/ each, a trophy and a certificate for their splendid performance. The winners for the second position received a cash prize of Rs 10,000 each and a certificate and the third position winners received a cash prize of Rupees 5, 000 each and a certificate.

The chief guest Mr. Jim O’Neill, Chairman Mr. N.K Ramachandran Menon, and the Principal Mr. T. Prem Kumar distributed the prizes. Mr. Suresh V. Balakrishnan, GCC Spell Bee Coordinator, proposed the vote of thanks.

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