Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan institutions are well-known across the globe for promoting and promulgating the varied and vibrant Indian culture. Onam, one of the most colorful harvest festivals of South India (Kerala) was celebrated in the Indian Educational School (Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan) auditorium with fun, frolic and feast on September 5, 2017. The Staff dedicated the day of the celebration which happened to be the Teachers’ Day, to their beloved Principal, Mr. T. Premkumar, (who has been recognized by the CBSE for the CBSE Teachers’ Award 2016), as a mark of their immense love, reverence and gratitude to their beloved mentor par excellence.
An amazing ‘pookkalam’ (floral carpet) set by the womenfolk of the IES fraternity at the reception area of the institution welcomed everyone much to their awe and admiration. The Staff Club of Bhavans Kuwait hosted a cultural fiesta comprising, a ‘thiruvathirakali’ (teachers of Jack and Jill, Mangaf) ‘the mega three layer thiruvathirakkali’ with more than 50 dancers (teachers of IES), the traditional ‘mohiniyaattam’ (teachers of SIS), Vanchippaatu by the menfolk of the three schools, skits and musical performances led by the very talented and blessed singer Mr. Mahesh Iyer (Principal, SIS). The icing on the cake was the visit of Mahabali, the demon king, in his majestic splendor, and the audience reciprocated with rounds of applause and bursts of laughter.
The gear of the festive mood was shifted, to let an extraordinary gracious moment to happen. Mr. T. Premkumar, the Principal of IES, was conferred a golden rondure by Mr. N. K. Ramachandran Menon, the Chairman, Bhavans Middle East, appreciating his accolades as a teacher and a principal and in appreciation of the award conferred by the CBSE, in the presence of Mr. Mahesh Iyer, Principal, Bhavans Smart Indian School; a medallion purified in understanding and carved in love, a medallion instrumental in spreading a marvelous rainbow of emotions in the little confined worlds of every soul present in the auditorium. As the medallion was conferred the auditorium exploded with praise and plaudits for both the giver and the receiver. Mr. T. Premkumar dedicated the award to his Chairman and mentor, Mr. N. K Ramachandran Menon with filial reverence and thankfulness.
The school auditorium once again witnessed the amity, admiration and adoration treasured in the hearts of the IES fraternity when the staff celebrated the birthday of their dear Chairman, Mr. N. K. Ramachandran Menon, with a mellifluous ‘Happy Birthday Song’, much to his surprise, and with the cutting of a massive cake, amidst roaring applause, in the presence of his better half Madam Sudha Ramachandran, and the Principals and Vice Principals of Bhavans, Kuwait.
A traditional Onam feast with 21 dishes on the menu was also hosted by the staff club. The feast served on plantain leaves in the traditional way and served by the male members of the Bhavans teaching fraternity in a joyous and festive ambience was indeed relished by the multi-ethnic members of the staff community.
Mr. N. K. Ramachandran Menon, the chairman, IES, Mr. T. Premkumar, the principal, IES and Mr. Mahesh Iyer, the principal, SIS wished the staff members a joyous and a blessed Onam. The teaching fraternity took home happy and memorable moments of festivities and feasts, camaraderie and commentaries, and surprises and sentiments. The citadel of their solidarity is invincible and Bhavans reigns supreme as “the only school with a difference” in the Middle East.