Kids Hut Montessori School Al Khobar holds Annual Sports Meet 'Twinkle Track'
Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia: Kids Hut Montessori Homebased School in Al Khobar recently held its Annual Sports Meet, titled "Twinkle Track," at Orbits' Pioneers Sports Ground in Azeeziya, Khobar. The event showcased the athletic talents of the school’s youngest students and was graced by notable guests, including Hesham Shaikh, Captain of the Saudi International Cricket Team; Imran Rasheed Karkala, President of the Eastern Region Cricket Association; Mohammad Iqbal, HR Professional at Expertise Contracting and former Mangalore University cricketer; former headmistress Thaskeen Tamanna; Principal Sakeena Aarif; and A.M. Aarif Jokatte, Academic Counselor and Recruitment Specialist at Acciona Agua.
The program opened with the recitation of the Holy Quran’s Surah Fatiha by young student Eshaan Ajmal. Teacher Thazneem, Head Teachers Vijila Sanju and Sajna Sabeeb, along with Academic Coordinator Ashura, coordinated the event to ensure a memorable day for all.
Hesham Shaikh inaugurated the sports meet, leading an oath-taking ceremony where the children recited their pledge. Addressing the gathering, he highlighted the importance of teamwork and urged parents to support both the academic and athletic development of their children. Imran Karkala shared insights about the Saudi Official International Cricket Team, while Mohammad Iqbal praised the dedication of the students and staff. Thaskeen Tamanna offered motivational words, and Principal Sakeena Aarif expressed her enthusiasm for the event, commending the young athletes.
The program included a vibrant march-past, where students displayed their coordination and teamwork, captivating the audience. An energetic Zumba session led by the children added to the festive atmosphere, showcasing their excitement and enthusiasm.
Throughout the day, awards were presented to students from Junior KG to Grade II for their participation in various sports activities. The event culminated with special recognition for tiny champions Naira Abbas and Aysha Azwa.
The day concluded with applause and cheers, celebrating the teamwork, dedication, and spirit of Kids Hut Montessori’s young athletes and educators, leaving lasting memories for families and the community.
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Karnataka new excise policy: Local liquor to get costlier, premium may get cheaper
Bengaluru: The state government on Monday rolled out a new excise policy that shifts from the decades-old bulk litre-based system to a model based on alcohol content in beverages, Deccan Herald reported.
Karnataka becomes the first state in India to adopt this model. The change is expected to make lower-priced liquor costlier, while some premium brands may see a reduction in prices.
A senior Excise Department official said: “The policy is being implemented from today (May 11). The Karnataka Excise (Excise Duty and Charges) (2nd Amendment) Rules, 2026, notified after a public consultation on a draft released on April 18, slashes the number of excise slabs from 16 to 8.”
Local liquor manufacturers have alleged that the policy favours multinational companies producing beer and spirits over domestic distilleries.
According to the Karnataka Brewers and Distillers Association (KBDA), the first five slabs, which cater to the common man, house the maximum number of state-owned distilleries and contribute nearly 70-75% of the state’s excise revenue, have seen their Additional Excise Duty (AED) rise by 20-30%.
In contrast, slabs 6 to 8, which include products from multinational companies such as United Spirits, Bacardi, Heineken, Carlsberg, and Anheuser-Busch, have seen AED reduced by 10-15%. The association said that while larger companies can absorb pricing shifts across their diverse portfolios, smaller regional distilleries limited to budget liquor may face volume contraction and potential closure.
A senior KBDA member said the price of a 180 ml bottle in the lowest slab, which was around Rs 63 last year, has already risen to Rs 80, and the new policy is set to push that price further to Rs 105 a jump driven by a 42.8% tax bracket.
