RIYADH, 9 April 2008 — A prominent Indian leader, Salman Khurshid, who heads over 140 quality schools known as Delhi Public Schools worldwide, will arrive here today to see his play, “Sons of Babur” staged by the students of the local Delhi Public School (DPS). A former minister and a senior member of the Sonia Gandhi-led Congress party, Khurshid is also an acclaimed playwright.
“As a politician, Khurshid has been witness to many a drama; he recently, however, has decided to don a new cap — that of a playwright — and to delve into Indian history,” said Nadeem Tarin, chairman of the DPS Riyadh management board. Tarin said that Khurshid would also attend the staging of his play in Jeddah on April 11.
During his two-day visit to Riyadh, Khurshid will also visit the site where a new high-tech DPS school building will be constructed this year. The school, with a cumulative enrolment of 1,300 students plus 100 teachers, also announced the commencement of Grade XI courses from the current academic year.
Tarin also announced that a senior Indian academic, Mairaj M. Khan, had joined the school as principal while Abad Ahmed Khan has been named head of finance AND administrative affairs. Having served as an educational consultant in the Gulf states, Mairaj also has 20 years of experience as principal of Indian boarding schools.
Speaking on behalf of the school, the principal said: “It is a great opportunity for DPS Riyadh to welcome Khurshid who heads the famous Indian DPS Society.” This society, he said, is a globally known nonprofit, nonproprietary educational body, mainly recognized for its progressive approach and commitment to excellence. He said that Khurshid, who had two terms as president of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC), was a great visionary leader.
“He has shown his brilliance and vision as a playwright now and this is a rare skill among the present generation of politicians,” said the principal, adding that the 55-year-old leader had looked deeply into Mogul history and the contribution of its emperors to India in his 121-page play.
“The drama, written in English, is now being translated into Urdu,” said Akhtar Siddiqui, a spokesman of the school. He said that a Hindi translation was also planned.
