RIYADH, 13 October 2005 — Indian President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presented the prestigious Teachers’ Day national award to A. J. Siromani, principal of the Riyadh-based Delhi Public School (DPS), during the awards ceremony in New Delhi recently.
Siromani, who has been honored for his contribution in the field of education, is the first principal working in the Middle East to receive the coveted award for his efforts to promote academic excellence and his exemplary track record as a principal.
The award for the best principal in the CBSE category is transnational and is awarded annually for the outstanding work done in the capacity of a principal.
“It’s a moment of pride, not only for the DPS family but also for the whole Indian expat community of the Gulf, of Saudi Arabia in particular,” DPS Chairman Narendra Kumar said, congratulating Siromani on his achievement.
Nadeem Tarin, chairman of the DPS managing committee, also congratulated Siromani and said that “the school has grown from strength to strength under the guidance of Siromani.”
A function was also organized at the school premises here yesterday to felicitate Siromani.
Speaking at the function, Siromani said, “It’s my sincere hope that the DPS Riyadh will become the best school in Saudi Arabia.”
Akhtar Siddiqui, a member of the school managing committee, said Siromani had taught at the Doon School in Dehradun and Berkhamstead School in the UK for 11 years. Siromani completed his early education in Africa and postgraduation in Madras.
He started his career in 1979 in Nigeria, where he worked for five years before returning to India. The year 1995 saw him moving to the Assam Valley School to help and streamline the public school systems and then to DPS in Chittorgarh as the founder principal.
“A man of vision and commitment, Principal Siromani seeks to fulfill all objectives of the DPS Society in Riyadh,” another managing committee member added.