ICSK bids adieu to Ambassador Mehta
On the bright afternoon of Friday, September 27, 2013, the Indian Community School, Kuwait hosted a grand farewell for Satish C Mehta, Ambassador of India to Kuwait, and Preeti Mehta. The remarkable performances by the children and poignant speeches by the dignitaries emotionally surcharged the auditorium of the ICSK Senior Branch. The function saw the gracious presence of the Honorary Chairman of the ICSK Board of Trustees Ashok Kalra, Honorary Vice-Chairman Rajan Daniel, Honorary Secretary Vijay Karayil, Honorary Joint-Secretary Kamlesh Kumari, other respected members of the Board of Trustees, a wellrespected member of the Council of Elders Kuldeep Singh Lamba, School sponsor Essa Abdul Rahman Al-Essa, officials from the Indian Embassy, eminent Indians in Kuwait and the principals, vice-principals, staff and students of the ICSK.
Vijay Karayil accorded a warm welcome to the esteemed guests. In his distinctive style, he spoke about the innumerable occasions when the ambassador had stood by the ICSK. He thanked the ambassador for the unflinching support rendered and for the headway made with the Kuwaiti authorities for land allotment for ICSK. Karayil also expressed gratitude for Preeti Mehta’s social initiative through the staff and student welfare committee of the ICSK. Honorary Chairman of the ICSK Board of Trustees Ashok Kalra congratulated the ambassador for the exemplary service and complimented Preeti Mehta for the social initiatives undertaken by her in Kuwait. Kalra thanked Mehta for the steadfast support rendered to the Indian community in Kuwait, in general, and to the ICSK, in particular. He expressed gratitude for the efforts undertaken for the procurement of land for the school. Honorary Vice-Chairman of Board Rajan Daniel appreciated the ambassador for standing by ICSK and acknowledged his love and affection for children. The school sponsor Essa Al-Essa spoke with love and affection about the outgoing ambassador.
The ambassador was presented with a special memento by the office-bearers of the ICSK Board of Trustees- Ashok Kalra, Rajan Daniel, Vijay Karayil and Kamlesh Kumari. The event was interspersed with a ‘Kabila Dance’, performed by the students of ICSK Junior, a tribute to Bharat Mata by the dancers of ICSK Khaitan and a fusion performance by ICSK Amman. The moving solo performance of Master Tojan and Julia Anil won many hearts. The highlight of the evening was a documentary film especially made by the ICSK showcasing the various events graced by the ambassador and an interview of the ambassador conducted at the Indian Embassy by the students of the ICSK. The documentary shared the ambassador’s views on various subjects and also included informal chit-chat snippets with the ambassador. The students of ICSK Khaitan sang a song especially composed for the ambassador which drew accolades from the audience. Mehta was presented with a special canvas as a token of love by the ICSK senior.
Satish C Mehta congratulated the school for the tremendous effort and expressed his gratitude for the love and affection showered upon him. In his parting words to children, he advised them to always stand for what is correct and wished a bright future to the children of the ICSK.
Rajesh Nair, Principal ICSK Amman, thanked the Ambassador Satish C Mehta, Preeti Mehta and the audience on behalf of the ICSK. The special afternoon concluded with the senate members of the ICSK chit-chatting with Mehta over sumptuous lunch.