Samskruta Divasa Samarohaha or Sanskrit Day Celebration was held on 18th of January 2019 at Indian Educational School, Kuwait. It was celebrated with traditional fervor and gusto in the school auditorium. The memorable day started with the recitation of the Holy Quran followed by the Kuwait National Anthem. A few Vedic mantras were then recited by two students, Malavika and Krishna to invoke celestial blessings. Mr. Sunil Menon, Head of Department of Sanskrit, IES extended bouquets of welcome to the distinguished gathering. He further highlighted the greatness of the language Sanskrit, also called as ‘Deva Bhasha’ or ‘Veda Bhasha’ which means the language spoken by Gods and the language of the Vedas. He also added that the name Sanskrit means refined, consecrated and sanctified.
To begin on an auspicious note, the ceremonial lamp was lit by the Chief Guest, Mr. Mahesh Iyer, Principal of Smart Indian School, Ms. Meenakshi Nayyar, Vice Principal (CCA) IES, and the adjudicators of the day, Mr. Krishnadas, Mr. Subi Kaimal, Mr. Hariharan and Ms. Sajitha. The Chief Guest, Mr. Mahesh Iyer, in his address emphasized on the significance and greatness of Sanskrit, the mother of all languages and equated it to one’s own mother. The celebration began with a mesmerizing invocation dance by the girls of grade 7. The highlight of the day was the Sanskrit Shloka Recitation Competition held for students from various schools and organizations across Kuwait and 64 students participated in it.
In the junior category, Devapriya Sivaprasad of ICSK, Khaitan stood first followed by Shivamsh Anil Menon of ICSK, Amman and Akshith Rajesh of IES standing second and third respectively. In the senior category, Karthik Sudheer of IES stood first followed by Malavika Krishna of IES and Malavika Sreekumar of ICSK, Khaitan standing second and third respectively. Mr. T. Premkumar, Principal of Indian Educational School, Ms. Rathi Raveendran, Principal of Jack and Jill and Ms. Meenakshi Nayyar presented mementos to the adjudicators as a token of appreciation. The winners were also duly honored with trophies and certificates during the prize distribution ceremony.
The slokas that reverberated in the auditorium electrified the atmosphere, filled the hearts of the audience with energy and determination and purified their emotions. On the whole, it was undeniably a fitting celebration aimed at promoting and reviving the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit. Being the only school in Kuwait that offers Sanskrit as second language, this celebration has added yet another feather in the cap of Indian Educational School as this happens to be the first Sanskrit Day Celebration by any Indian school.