JEDDAH — Indian Consul General Mohammed Noor Rahman Sheikh urged graduating students of International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ) to nurture big aims and embrace sublime values while scaling ladders of success in their future career. “This is essential to become a good human being by contributing immensely to the nation building as well as to make the world a better place to live in. While maintaining the rhythm of learning, do not confine yourself just to books but be more involved in society with keeping your eyes and ears open to the issues around you,” he said while delivering the keynote speech in an impressive ceremony, marked with grandeur and glory. Dressed in their ceremonial gowns, a total of 425 students, including 225 girls, received their course completion certificates in the presence of their proud parents and mentors at the packed Boy’s Section Auditorium. Sheikh, the vice patron of international Indian schools in the Kingdom, was the chief guest in the function in which Consul of Commerce & PIC and the School Observer Hamna Mariyam Khan and Higher Board Member Abdul Ghafoor Danish were the guests of honor. Mohammed Ghazanfar Alam, chairman of the Managing Committee (MC), also spoke. Rafiuddin Fazalbhai, veteran Indian community leader, members of MC, vice principals and the HMs of various blocks of the school, as well as parents, teachers and the school staff were present on the occasion. The ceremony was replete with inspiring speeches of dignitaries on how to build a successful career in future, and luminous experiences of student leaders on how they have reached that level par excellence. Infusing a high voltage of confidence among the graduates, the Consul General advised them to keep doing whatever is close to their heart and not to succumb to any outside pressure. Commending the academic excellence of the school, he said, “IISJ is a reputable name that has now turned into a brand.” While underscoring the significance of holding fast to values in all walks of life, Sheikh said: “It is important to maintain a noble character, featuring integrity and self-confidence. You may have a lot of money and worldly positions, but they are of no use if they are not using for the benefit of the fellow beings and not lending a helping hand to others.” He advised students to remain humble when scaling ladders of success, and not to lose their presence of mind, confidence and calmness while facing challenges. Underlining the need to become always optimistic and develop a positive outlook, he said: “Learn to be more forgiving, humble, positive, and optimistic and do not get swayed into negativism.” While emphasizing that the upcoming Grade 12 Board exams are not the end of the road, Sheikh cautioned the graduates to prepare themselves to meet the big challenges in the real world. “Now you are stepping out of the protected environment of your school and home into the world with full of challenges,” he added. Echoing thoughts in the same vein, School Observer Hamna cautioned: “All these years, you were in a protected environment where the teachers and parents were always there to look after you. Now you are stepping into a new world where you have the onus for both your success and failure.” In her highly inspiring speech, Hamna emphasized the point that education is always a great currency. “Education can lead you to great places and can take you to so many realms that you can never imagine now.” Hamna, who switched over to the vibrant diplomatic career from her passionate teaching profession, advised students to always aim for more. “Never retreat and never go back and always go ahead with hard work to achieve what you aspire to be a reality.” Addressing the graduates, Higher Board Member Danish lauded the great efforts of teachers for igniting curiosity in the younger generation and developing their talent to the maximum. He appreciated the girls for their sincere efforts and urged the boys to pull up their socks. In his speech, Ghazanfar Alam stressed that higher secondary graduation is not the end, but a challenging beginning. He advised students to react positively to future challenges and face them boldly and confidently. While welcoming the gathering Principal Dr. Muzaffar Hassan said that graduation is the beginning of a new phase with full of expectations and possibilities.” Dr. Najeeb Qais Ammar, vice principal of Boys Section, proposed the vote of thanks. In their emotional speeches, Suheib Syed Samiruddin, the head boy, and Arpana Melani Anil, the head girl, shared their 14-year long brilliant and eventful school journey after stepping into IISJ, wearing small pants and frocks respectively. The farewell speeches, featuring an epitome of their excellent track record, were greeted by a thunderous applause of their peers. They paid big tribute to all their mentors, including teachers and parents, who supported them with their profound guidance. “Now I cherish every single memory at IISJ with which I have invisible yet strong bonds and that shaped me to face a more connected world boldly and fearlessly,” said Suheib. “I have benefited from the 14 year-long process of molding tiny tots to versatile talents who are now passing out in flying colors,” Arpana said while reminding the vibrant outgoing peers that there are mountains ahead waiting to be conquered by them. Earlier, the program began with recitation of a few verses from the Holy Qur’an by Mazin and its translation by Abdul Wakeel. The Students’ Cabinet gave a floral welcome to the guests of the evening. Bursting with pride, all student graduates marched forward to the dais to receive their certificates from the dignitaries. IISJ teachers — Bushra Zaidi, Farhana Khan Alizai, Amena Khatoon and Sonia Samson — were the anchors of the event.