A Speical Tribute
Last week Little Jewels Nursery Infant and Junior School celebrated its 50th anniversary and that much we all know from the newspaper reports. This write-up is a special tribute to the driving force behind this school, its founding and current principal Anwari Kabir. I have two reasons for it. Firstly, it's no ordinary feat, when your school can proudly boast its 50th year of operation. The second reason is a slightly more personal one; but I feel l owe it to someone who has had such a profound impact on my life.
I was a student of a group called Diamond while in nursery at this very school, and even though the stone meant nothing to me at that stage in my life, somehow I remembered my teacher quite vividly. She was none other than the founding and current principal Anwari Kabir and truly a gem of a lady.
Mrs Kabir, as she is fondly called by all those who know her, is a teacher extraordinaire. Till today I remember the things she taught me; no I don't mean the alphabets only. It's the teaching that goes beyond the books and curriculum. How to talk to adults, how to show respect to elders, how to perform or speak in front of a crowd, how to sit, how to talk, how to walk, how to dress… I mean these are the building blocks of one's moral character. All these fine threads sew up the patchwork blanket that is life. If you have a teacher who goes further to teach you these finer points in life you are bound to become a responsible, sincere and honest person.
Now when I think about it, her nursery group was aptly named because she saw in each of us an uncut gem waiting to be polished into a precious stone of many brilliant facets.
In fact its not only I who am saying this, but our illuminati alumni association of the school is proof enough to show how correct I stand.
By Raffat Binte Rashid
By, Qyazi Zulquarnain Islam
At the time of writing, the Third Ashes Test is in full swing. Well into the fifth day the most evenly contested Ashes series for years (18 years to be exact) seems to be swinging the way of the English.
England, led by a seemingly possessed Andrew Flintoff who has been evoking memories of Ian Botham- has driven the Aussies back against the wall. The Australian juggernaut looks for the first time to be on the wane and England is taking full advantage of it. Their bowling attack spearheaded by the outstanding Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff ably supported by Jones and Giles have pegged the men from Down Under back for most of the series.
After their historic two run win in the previous Test, the onus is very much on England to win this test and thereby take the lead in the series. And for perhaps the first time, there is a buzz around Old Trafford, as the fans themselves believe, that England can win the series.
Only yards away at the Old Trafford football ground, more popularly known as the Theatre of Dreams, Premiership football returns after its customary summer break. Manchester United started off on the right foot after seeing off of Merseyside rivals Everton courtesy of the Dutchman Rudd Van Nisterlooy and ex-Everton boy Wayne Rooney.
The other title contenders in London, Chelsea and Arsenal both secured victories with late goals. Arsenal minus Vieira with two in the last ten minutes while Chelsea scored a heartbreaking 93rd minute winner against new boys Wigan, through an absolute stunner of a goal from Hernan Crespo. Finally, the Scousers patchy league form returned to haunt them as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Middlesborough.
The German Bundesliga has been in the running for nearly two weeks now and the second matchday saw superb away victories for both Bayern Munchen and Schalke 04. Schalke prevailed in the Ruhr derby against rivals Dortmund 2-1 through two goals by Kevin Kuranyi. Bayern on the other hand made light work of Leverkusen by disposing off them 5-2 courtesy a Roy Maakay hattrick and one each for Michael Ballack and a maiden goal for Iranian star Ali Karimi.
On that topic, this season in Europe sees three of Asia's biggest stars try their luck in Europe. Arguably the three most talented Asian players, Shunsuke Nakamura, Ali Karimi and Park Ji Sung have all signed with major new clubs. While Karimi chose the German giants of Bayern, Park was snapped up by Alex Ferguson and Nakamura chose to move north to Scotland and Celtic.
All three made their debuts recently and did so with some aplomb dispelling notions that 
most Asian players were seen by clubs as little more than commercial ventures into the largely untapped markets. Nakamura was outstanding in his debut for Celtic pulling the strings in midfield and showing just why people regard him to be Asia's biggest talent. He shone in the Confed Cup and never once looked out of depth against even Brazil.
Park Ji Sung also had a bright debut for United with a hard running display that has won him many fans already. The man who burst onto the scene with a super goal in the 2002 WC against Portugal can look forward to a long career with the English giants.
But the real star of the show was Ali Karimi as the Iranian quickly shed notions of him not being able to adapt to the physical nature of the Bundesliga. Not only did he score his first goal in his first start he also caught the eye with some incisive through balls and delightful dribbling in the Bay Arena.
Considerable eyes from east of Europe shall be looking on and judging keenly the exploits of the Three Musketeers. Let us hope they can live up to the expectations!
Till Later!
Ciao!
(As usual mails expressing your views are welcome at zulquarnain.islam@gmail.com )
