DPS RK Puram had the opportunity to host the delegates from U.A.E on 30 January 2019. The occasion was graced by H.E Hussain Bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Education Minister, the United Arab Emirates; H.E. Marwan Ahmed Al-Sawaleh, Undersecretary of Academic Affairs for General Education; H.E. Dr. Ahmed Al Banna, Ambassador [UAE Embassy]; H.E. Matar Abdullah Al Hamli, Assistant Undersecretary for the Support Services Sector; H.E. Dr. Hassan Obeid Ali Al Muhairi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Accreditation and Educational Services Sector; H.E. Saif Rashed Al Mazrouei, Advisor to the Minister of State for General Education; Sheikh Ammar Nasser Al- Mualla, Head of International Educational Cooperation; Mr. Salem Saeed Al-Quraini, Advisor to the Minister of Education for Strategy; Professor Ms. Saidah Hassan Mohammed, Netag, Director Abu Dhabi Sector; Ms. Basma Lahi Al Saadi, Third Secretary (Media) [UAE Embassy]’; Mr Nawab Ibrahim Yousef Al Mussa, Khalifa University; Mr Yousef Ali Abdullah Baqer Al Hammadi, Khalifa University.
Greeted by students waving the Emirati flag and the Indian Tricolour, the visit began with an auspicious lamp lighting ceremony by the Delegation as well as the Principal, Ms. Vanita Sehgal, the Vice Principals, Dr. Renu Nayyar, Ms Padma Srinivasan and Ms. Anita Singh, along with the Headmistress, Ms. Rashmi Malhotra. In a display of Indian culture, the guests were welcomed with a ‘Swagatam’ song and the chanting of shlokas.
The event was coordinated by Ms. Niva Chhonkar, Ms. M Sudeshna, Ms. Abha Chona and Ms. Sudeepta Chatterjee.
An enchanting melange of keyboard, tabla and guitar produced a mellifluous Jazz- Indian fusion which was followed by a symphony of lilting voices performing, “Vaishnav Jan Toh”, rendering the audience speechless.
Following the felicitation of the guests, the Principal, Ms Vanita Sehgal,in her address, extended a cordial welcome to the delegates. She said that they were honoured to host them and described the infrastructure and administration of the school with the help of a power point presentation.
The speech paved the way for the classical dance, an amalgamation of Odissi, Kathak and Bharatnatyam marked by the clink of ghungroos and an array of hues. This was followed by a presentation on Mahatma Gandhi to commemorate the 71st death anniversary of the Father of the Nation.
The National Anthems of both the U.A.E. and India played in an endeavor to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
The delegates went on to visit the students in various Classrooms, Science Labs, Computer labs, Robotics Lab and Mathematics Lab wherein they interacted with students, inquiring into the teaching methods and the course studied.
Awaiting them in the O.A.T was a Sapling plantation punctuated by the song ‘Raghupati Raghav.’ Amongst others, the plantation included the Ghaf tree, The National Tree of U.A.E, which proved to be a pleasant surprise for the guests. Amidst synchronized claps and a multitude of expressions, the actors of the Theatre Club showcased the national struggle against colonial domination through the medium of silence.
The guests took their time to admire the presentations put up by the school which included a display of the cottage industries of the country, pottery and khadi spinning, as well as an enactment of the Dandi March.
The Delegation visited the Sports Complex of DPS RK Puram. The infrastructure provided by the school for the advancement of sports was well appreciated by them. The guests showed great enthusiasm for the visit to the Cricket field, the Yoga performance put up by the students, an interaction with the sports faculty of the school, as well as partaking in a friendly match of tennis with the students. The tour was greatly enjoyed by the delegates.
The visit to the sports complex marked the conclusion of the school tour.
