By A Staff Reporter - MUSCAT — On the occasion of Suresh K Virmani having been awarded Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, Monprit Trust (a Virmani Family Trust) decided to institute Best Teacher Awards in the name of his father, Dr H L Virmani, in honour of this noble profession. This announcement was made by Anil Wadhwa, Ambassador of India early this year. Monprit Trust has been named after S K Virmani’s three daughters, Mona, Priya and Ritu – all having graduated from Indian Schools in Muscat.

Dr H L Virmani, Suresh Virmani’s father is a 93-year-old medical doctor, still actively serving the patients from his clinic in New Delhi. A true ‘karma-yogi’ – Dr Virmani has selflessly served the humanity and expects his children, grand children and great grand children to continue to care for the humanity in their hearts. Dr Virmani’s daughter and two brothers belong to teaching fraternity who fully understands the sacrifices made by this noble profession, to help building the future of our children.

A core committee comprising top academicians, headed by Leo Lobo as chairman, has been appointed to decide upon the criteria of the selection. Other members of the core committee are – principals of Indian School Muscat, Indian School Wadi Kabir, Indian School Al Ghubra, Indian School Darsait and Indian School Seeb, Education Adviser to the Board, Abraham Mathew, is the member secretary.

The categories are Best Performing Teachers in six categories (expanded from original announcement of three) ie Best Performing Teachers in KG, Primary, Middle and Secondary, and Best Performing Teachers in Extra Curricular activities including sports. In addition, Best Performance in the ‘Special Needs’ category shall also be recognised. Since number of teachers in this category is small, this award may not be annual. Each award shall carry a medal/trophy, cash prize, and citation.

The core committee shall nominate, based on the criteria drafted by them, at least two names of teachers in each category and forward to a jury-cum-awards committee, who shall select the one who is considered best in each category. The jury-cum-awards committee shall comprise chairman and vice chairman of the Board of Indian Schools, representative of the ambassador of India, representative of Hindu Mahajan Community involved in school education, representative of Dr Mohamed Ali, connected with ISG, chairman of the core committee for awards (Leo Lobo).

Monprit Trust shall be represented by Bridget Ganguly (convener), Anil Nahar (co-convener), Radha Mukherji, Rayees Ahmed and Ameer Ahamed. Chairman of the Board is the chairman of this committee.
Anil Wadhwa, as Ambassador of India and Patron of Indian Schools in Oman and S K Virmani, Chairman of Monprit Trust, shall be the patrons of the awards body.