Ramadan charity drive by NMS
The fund was raised through the 'Charity Book Sale' activity conducted by the Junior and Senior Students' Council. The boxes were handed over to the members of the Al Eslah Society (KAAF), who visited the school on 17th March 2025.
Chairman Dr. Ravi Pillai, Managing Director Mrs. Geetha Pillai, and Principal Dr. Arun Kumar Sharma extended their wishes for the holy month of Ramadan and appreciated the students for their noble gesture, which displayed their sense of social responsibility.
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Gulf Weekly
24-07-2025
- Gulf Weekly
Tale of human connections
The English translation of former Bahrain-resident and author Millat Ahmad's novel has hit the shelves, and offers a poignant portrayal of migrant life abroad, writes Melissa Nazareth. Indian expatriate and second-year student at Catholic Junior College, Singapore, Alief Ahmad, collaborated with his father Millat, who wrote the novel Singapooril Saravanan in 2020 in Tamil. The new book entitled Three Hearts, One Sorrow brings alive culture, history and human emotion and is set against the Little India riot, which took place on December 8, 2013, following an accident that killed an Indian worker. 'While the novel is purely a work of fiction, it's inspired by true events,' 53-year-old Millat, who is also known for his filmmaking, told GulfWeekly. 'The initial inspiration for this story came to me while I was in Bahrain as I witnessed first-hand the incredible social work of individuals in the kingdom, who dedicate their own money and efforts to help repatriate the bodies of deceased Indian workers to their families back home,' he added. The novel captures the emotional journey of Saravanan's friends, as they navigate the complex process of repatriating his body to his homeland, after he dies amidst the unrest. Millat masterfully weaves together the life stories of three individuals, presenting the narrative from multiple perspectives: through the eyes of a character, as a narrator, and via a diary. This multi-faceted approach offers a deeply emotional and nuanced exploration of foreign workers' lives, exposing the harsh realities of agent exploitation and painstakingly detailing the procedures and certifications required to bring a deceased body back to India. 'My son suggested that translating the novel into English would help it to reach a wider audience, especially those who don't read Tamil,' said the former video shop owner who used to live on Zubarah Avenue in Bahrain. 'While still an O-Level student at St Patrick's School, he eagerly volunteered for the task, diligently working on the translation during his breaks from studies. He completed the project during his school holiday. 'The publication of Three Hearts, One Sorrow coincides with Singapore's 60th Diamond Jubilee this year,' Millat added.
Gulf Weekly
17-07-2025
- Gulf Weekly
How does your garden grow?
As the sun blazes outside and temperatures soar, indoor plants feel the heat too. Summer brings its own set of challenges for houseplants, from scorching sunlight to dry air. Melissa Nazareth speaks to green-fingered enthusiasts, exploring some common seasonal plant parent peeves and tips to keep your foliage thriving. l Water, water everywhere but… The sun is stronger in this part of the world, which can make staying hydrated a challenge for both bough and beast. 'Plants dehydrate at a faster rate as the soil gets dry,' Indian expatriate and plant mum Soumi Sarkar, who started housing indoor plants during the Covid-19 pandemic, told GulfWeekly. 'Some tried and tested tips that have helped me are bottom watering in a tub or bucket, with pebbles for plants that soak up water faster as they create a barrier. The inverse bottle method based on drip irrigation technique has also worked for me,' added the 37-year-old artist from Tubli. Bottom watering is a technique in which plant pots are semi-submerged until the top is wet to the touch, helping even distribution of moisture. l Without 'mulch' ado While used more for outdoor plants, mulching can help indoor foliage too by reducing evaporation and retaining moisture in the soil. Gravel, sand, or rubber mulch are suitable for house greens as outdoor mulch can be too heavy. 'Organic mulch retains soil moisture and regulates temperature,' said Bahrain-born-and-raised Sultan Quresh aka 'Bahrain Plant Guy', who has a garden and a collection of indoor plants. The data science and artificial intelligence enthusiast's passion for gardening blossomed during the pandemic. 'It's a time when many of us turned inward for comfort and creativity. I still recall getting my first pothos, and from there, my indoor plant collection grew rapidly,' he said. l Soiled for choice According to Sultan, it is essential to select plants that thrive in warmth, given Bahrain's climate. 'Snake plant, aloe vera, and jasmine sambac perform well when temperatures are warm but not extreme,' said the plant lover, who has travelled across Europe and Asia, exploring diverse plant cultures and regional climates. 'These experiences have broadened my understanding and you'll often find exotic indoor plants in my collection – species that wouldn't typically survive Bahrain's outdoor climate, but thrive under careful indoor conditions.' Meanwhile, Soumi recommended snake plant, rubber plant and ZZ, as well as dracaena varieties and money plants. 'Unlike, say, spider plants and jade, these are more resilient,' she noted. l United we stand Grouping plants, as observed by plant parents worldwide, has many advantages. 'The cluster method works all the time. Keeping all the plants together so each of them benefits from the humidity created in one place has helped me,' Soumi revealed. Meanwhile, Sultan has reaped the benefits of partial shading through taller companion plants, which he observed reduced heat stress for more delicate varieties. Different plants have different needs, and the tips listed in this feature might need to be customised to suit individual requirements.
Gulf Insider
24-06-2025
- Gulf Insider
Conflicts in the Gulf: Helping Children Feel Safe During Uncertainties
For many families living in the Gulf, life is marked by a strong sense of security. The GCC is a haven, not just for its citizens but also for the large expatriate communities who call it home. Streets are safe, communities are close-knit, and disruptions to daily life are virtually non-existent. However, even the most peaceful corners of the world are not immune to the ripple effects of regional tensions. Every once in a while (think back to the early '90s or early 2000s), events beyond our control cause a collective pause. We've seen moments when families booked flights overnight, when uncertainty took over dinner table conversations, and when silence indicated worry. Over the past few weeks, worry has gripped the region once again. On Monday, as airspace around the GCC closed, sirens blared through the streets, and visuals of an attack spread across the news, the collective mood in Bahrain and beyond was that of panic. READ MORE: Iran Fires Missiles On US Bases In Gulf, But Admits Advanced Notice Was Given What's changed today is the nature of information. We've gone from knowing too little to knowing too much. Social media, news alerts, and viral videos are constantly feeding our minds. While most adults have learned to filter or scroll past, children don't always have that buffer. Their understanding of the world is still forming, and in the face of scary headlines or alarming videos, their inner world can take quite a hit. Children, especially adolescents, are far more perceptive than we give them credit for. They might not bring it up, but they're watching. They're listening. They're absorbing. Some might mimic the fear they see by asking questions about emergency supplies or scanning for the nearest shelter. Others might grow quiet, their anxiety showing up in sleep patterns, appetite, or sudden clinginess. Bahrain-based Teen/Tween Life Coach, Sarah Almawy, told Gulf Insider : ' During hostile scenarios with highly stressful situations such as war or internal conflicts, it is a good idea for parents and caregivers to create a safe environment where adolescents feel comfortable expressing themselves by asking any questions they feel would appease their wondering minds. ' She added – 'Adults may want to begin the conversations with sentences like, ' I realise that you may be hearing a lot of information all at once which is scary and confusing, and we will do our very best to present you with the facts ', or ' Feeling overwhelmed and anxious are normal in situations such as these, so feel free to ask anything that comes to mind whenever you are ready .' Keep in mind that it is crucial to present our children with facts rather than opinions so that they can comprehend the situation as opposed to becoming emotionally intertwined in the situation.' Almawy continued that openly listening while providing a safe space for the adolescents to freely express how and what they are feeling is extremely crucial. Use age-appropriate language and be honest: 'That's a great observation, but I am not sure that I have all of the answers just yet.' Encourage them to focus on something other than the news by suggesting an activity with you, like preparing a meal or watching an upbeat TV show or movie. Speaking to Gulf News , Dubai-based Clinical Psychologist, Aida Suhaimi, said that it's important to acknowledge the fact that we don't have all the answers. It models emotional honesty. 'I don't know, but I'm here with you' can be far more comforting than vague assurances or over-explanations. 'Children don't need all the answers,' says Suhaimi. 'They just need to know they're not alone in the unknown.' Keeping an eye on how much they're consuming, whether it's TikTok, Instagram, or even overheard news can limit their exposure to toxic news cycles and misinformation. Watch the news together if needed, and talk through what they're seeing. An important realisation for most parents is that while they can't shield children from everything, they can hold their hand through it. Often, that's all they really need.
