The Reading Club of Indian School Salalah celebrated the birth anniversary of the literary giant, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, with the evocative theme ‘Echoes of Tagore and Timeless Tales’ on 26th May 2025 in school auditorium. The event, held with great enthusiasm and reverence, aimed to pay tribute to the Nobel Laureate and inspire students to delve deeper into the world of literature.

The celebration commenced with the Reading Pledge, which was solemnly administered by Miss Leona Rose and Miss Mariam Ansari of Class VIII. The pledge inspired students to develop a lifelong love for reading and to uphold the values of knowledge, creativity, and critical thinking—virtues that Rabindranath Tagore himself embodied.

Following this, a short yet impactful speech was delivered by Master Karthik Nair of Class VIII on the life and legacy of Rabindranath Tagore, highlighting his multifaceted genius as a poet, philosopher, novelist, and composer. Adding a creative dimension to his tribute, Karthik also presented a hand-drawn self-portrait of Tagore, which he had skillfully created himself. This artistic gesture was widely appreciated and served as a powerful reminder of the deep connection between literature and art.

This was followed by a thoughtful book review of ‘Gitanjali’, Tagore’s Nobel Prize-winning collection of poems by Master Ahnvin Jeejo VII who eloquently brought out the poetic brilliance and spiritual depth of the work, reflecting how Tagore’s writings transcend time and language. Adding to the literary charm of the event was a beautiful recitation of the poem ‘Paper Boats’ by Miss Shreebhadra Mukesh V, this poem is one of Tagore’s most beloved works. The emotive delivery and lyrical rhythm captured the innocence and imagination that characterize much of Tagore’s poetry. This was followed by a lively rendition of the song “I’m Gonna Read a Book Today,” which had students tapping their feet to its catchy tune.

The presence of AVPs Mr. Vipindas  and Mrs. Anita Rose  added inspiration and depth to the event. AVP Mrs. Anita Rose, in her motivating address, urged students to maintain a reading journal—a space to record all the books they read, along with their reflections. She emphasized that such a habit would enhance comprehension, critical thinking, and a lifelong love for reading.

AVP Mr. Vipindas delivered an insightful talk on the power of reading, encouraging students to make it a regular habit and explore diverse genres. He stressed that reading not only builds vocabulary and imagination but also sharpens critical thinking. He urged students to keep reading to develop the ability to compare literal meanings with deeper, underlying messages in texts.

The programme was a resounding success, leaving the students inspired and enlightened. It served not only as a tribute to Tagore’s literary greatness but also as a gentle reminder of the timeless value of reading.

The Reading Club extends its heartfelt gratitude to Principal Mr. Deepak Patankar for his constant support and encouragement and the club is thankful to  Mr. C.T. Ramasamy, the Head of the English department and Mrs. Rachel (primary subject in charge) for their guidance, motivation, and unwavering support in making this event a memorable one.