Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Aditya Andotra from New Al Wurood International School Jeddah (9 & 10 classes) and Usaid Saud Changan of International Indian School, Jeddah (11 & 12) emerged as champions in the boys' category while Mahira Subair of Mahd Al Uloom International School Jeddah (9 & 10) and Dina Valapra of IISJ (11 & 12) became champions in girls' category in the MES Al-Abeer Educity ESEL 2014-2015 competitions. The winners in four categories of the much acclaimed talent hunt program were given away certificates and trophies at a colorful ceremony held in the presence of dignitaries. The following are the other winners: Muhammad Faheem K (Shathi Al Noor Intnl School, Jeddah) - 9 & 10 boys first runner up, Muhit Masood (IISJ) - 11&12 boys first runner up, Taqiya Yousuf Meer (IISJ) - 9&10 girls first runner up, and Hanan Ashraf (New Al Wurood) - 11&12 girls first runner up. Elocution: Muhammad Faheem (Shathi Al Noor) - 9&10 boys winner, Usaid Saud Changan (IISJ) - 11&12 boys winner, Taqiya Yousuf Meer (IISJ) - 9&10 girls winner, Dina Valapra (IISJ) - 11&12 girls winner. Essay Writing: Masih Ahmed (IISJ) - 9&10 boys winner, Mohammed Rizwan (IISJ) - 11&12 boys winner, Shaila Tarannum (Ahdab International School Jeddah) - 9&10 girls winner, and Sana Khan (Al Falah International School – DPS, Jeddah) - 11&12 girls winner. Trophies were being given away in the memory of N.M. Kochumoideen, Dr. Abdullah Mooppan, and Dr. Abdul Rahiman, former presidents of Jeddah MES. In his presidential speech at the award distribution ceremony, MES President Mohamed Ashraf briefed the audience on the gigantic exercise carried out by his organization in collaboration with Al-Abeer Group during a period spanning over one year. He said that around 5,300 students, representing 11 international schools from Jeddah and Taif, participated in the preliminary round of the essay competition. ESEL involved three stages, and the preliminary round of essay competition was followed by semifinal competition in elocution. “A total of 431 top essayists were selected based on the marks they scored, and an independent panel of experts further scrutinized these essays from which 80 candidates were picked to contest the semifinal held at IISJ girls auditorium on June 6, 2014,” he said, adding that 21 students were selected to the grand finale held at the same venue in January this year. “They are here. They are the best of the best,” he said prior to announcing the names of winners. Apologizing for dragging the competition, Ashraf said: “The declaration of results and distribution of award have been delayed due to our search for someone who really ignites the minds of students. Frantic efforts were being made to bring in former President of India APJ Abdul Kalam as the chief guest,” he said adding “We may conduct another program if he comes.” The presentation of the MES pilot project on drinking water by former President C.P. Salim was another highlight of the evening. In the presentation titled “Safe drinking water crisis in India with particular reference to Kerala and Rajasthan,” he called for attention and involvement of all in implementing the project, which is purely humanitarian in nature. He said that MES is also taking care of core issues such as scarcity of drinking water apart from its focus on education. “MES is going beyond to issues like safe drinking water and we have mapped out a plan for implementing pilot program of bore and traditional wells,” he said. Elaborating various aspects of the water crisis facing the country, he concluded quoting the Saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that water is the best charity. Earlier, the program started with recitation of a few verses from Qur'an with its translation by Muhammad Abid Salman (Dauha Al Uloom International School). N.M. Jamaludddin, secretary of Jeddah MES, welcomed the gathering while Treasurer K.P. Abdul Salam proposed a vote of thanks. Shehriyar Backer was the master of ceremony. Salah Karadan, Nizar, Akbar Karumara, Raheem Backer, Hamsa Seiko and Saleem Ali coordinated the proceedings of the ceremony.
