By Nisma RafiqAn enthralling annual sports day at PISJ The Annual Sports day for Senior Girls was held in January in Pakistan International School. Vice Principal Salma Khan and Chief Guest, wife of linking Officer Waseem Sikander Hayat was given the guard of honor by young students. After the recitation of the verses from the Qur'an, the event commenced with flag hoisting ceremony. National anthems of both the countries, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan echoed in the school ground, and was followed by the march past. Various cartoon characters and dazzling performances entertained the guests. Other exciting events like blind race, skipping, etc. kept the audience on the edge as they struggled to find a place for themselves at the top. Salma Khan encouraged the participants and praised the staff for arranging a vibrant sports day. She praised the DPE Fatima Sabiha for making this event successful every year and congratulated the sports committee, thanked the Principal Ashwag Mahmood and the chief guest for the kind patronage and support. The chief guest said that sports teaches patience, discipline, and sense of competition, sacrifice and co-operation. She also thanked the Vice Principal for her tremendous support for this event. Prize distribution ceremony was held at the end and chief guest presented the winners with trophies. The best athlete for the year was Nida Tariq from 12J. The event ended with a huge round of applause and jubilant faces. Sri Lankans in Jeddah Celebrate Independence DayBy Fadwa Mohamed Jiffry Grade 8 Sri Lankan International School, Jeddah Sri Lankans in the Western region gathered at the Sri Lankan Consulate on the morning of Feb.4 , to celebrate the 64th Independence Day of Sri Lanka. The program started with unfurling of the national flag by Dr Athambawa Uthumalebbe, the Consul-General of Sri Lanka and lighting of the traditional oil lamp. The children of the Sri Lankan International School in Jeddah sang the national anthem followed by ‘Jayamangala Gatha'. The general messages from the President, Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister to mark this special occasion were read by the Consul-General and other senior consulate staff. Uthumalebbe urged his countrymen to promote Sri Lanka to the Arab world and to contribute to the nation by promoting tourism. He also stated that the President declared Dec. 18 last year as the International Migrants' Day which was celebrated in Sri Lanka on a grand scale in recognition and respect to the migrant workers for their contribution to the nation. He also extended his sincere appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah and the Government of Saudi Arabia for the excellent bilateral relationship between the two countries. The function concluded with serving of traditional Sri Lankan dishes, sweets, kiribath with sambol, mung kevum, etc to all the guests.Celebrating the Republic Day of India Buds and Blossoms International School, Jeddah commemorated the 63rd Republic Day with pride and honor. The KG, primary students and staff conducted a special assembly to mark the occasion. The head girl, Hasha Shameel of Grade seven gave a speech on the significance of ‘Republic Day'. The stage was decked with flags, banners and digital displays. The burning of incense filled the auditorium with smooth fragrance, created an enchanting atmosphere and transported the participants and audience in the mood of celebrations. Principal Nikhat Karim encouraged the children to be good citizens and distributed sweets. Various cultural and folk events such as Hindi group song “Suno ghaur se duniya walon”, “Mera mulk mera desh”, “Aye mere watan ke logon” and “Rang de Basanti” drew rapt attention of the audience. Usha, coordinator of KG two gave the vote of thanks by thanking the teaching and non-teaching staff and principal without whom the program could not have been a success. __
