Alif International School enters Guinness World Records
Riyadh: Alif International School in Riyadh has achieved a remarkable milestone by officially entering the Guinness World Records.
The school successfully organized the largest creative writing event, an initiative titled 'Book Bloom 500,' which featured an astonishing unveiling of 506 student-authored books on a single stage.
The record was formally confirmed by a Guinness World Records official present at the venue, who presented the certificate to the school. The initiative saw participation from students of Grades 1 to 10, resulting in published works across ten literary genres and written in multiple languages including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu, Malayalam, Kannada and Tamil.
Ustadz Khalid Al Maeena, a prominent media analyst and former Arab News Chief Editor, inaugurated the program and lauded the school’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of literary talent.
The event, which was attended by leaders from various community, education and business sectors, highlighted the school’s commitment to innovative education.
Usthad Ali Abdurahman, Chairman of the Alif Group of Schools, Luqman Ahmed, CEO of Alif Group of Schools, and Principal Mohammed Musthafa addressed the gathering, expressing pride in introducing hundreds of young authors to society and setting a new benchmark in creative education. Abdul Nasser Haji (Stronglite), Director, Alif Group of Schools, and Mohammed Ahmed, Director, Alif Global School, were also present.
Principal Mohammed Musthafa highlighted the school’s ‘Read and Rejoice’ programme, a flagship initiative under the motto ‘a school with a smile’, aimed at making education a joyful experience. CEO Luqman Ahmed noted that the programme encourages students to treat books as companions that sharpen thinking, enrich language, calm the mind and strengthen emotional intelligence.
School Administrator Ali Bukhari, Headmaster Noushad Nalakath and Coordinator Sundus Sabir Chaudhry were among the key officials who ensured the smooth conduct of the event.
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'Grew up in a family where women were bosses': Rahul tells students
New Delhi (PTI): "I grew up in a family where the women were the bosses," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi told students during an interaction in Kerala recently, while asserting that women are generally more intelligent than men.
On International Women's Day, Gandhi posted a video of his interaction with the students on his YouTube channel on Sunday and said that a few days ago, he met some young women students in Kerala during a lunch interaction and had a very interesting conversation with them.
"I was deeply impressed by each student's dreams, curiosity, and confidence. Such conversations remind us that when women recognise their potential and move forward with an open mind, they can bring about extraordinary change," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.
"Every woman is unique. Their sensitivity, understanding, and emotional intelligence provide balance and direction to society. Women also wield power in their own unique ways - with patience, long-term vision, and empathy," Gandhi asserted in his post in Hindi, accompanying the video.
"Therefore, they should have every right to move forward according to their identity, personality, and aspirations, rather than being bound by society's restrictive norms," he said.
"Heartiest greetings to all women on International Women's Day. May your strength, courage, and dreams continue to propel society toward a positive future," Gandhi said.
Posting the video on X, Gandhi said interacting with some young students in Kerala was incredibly inspiring.
"Their confidence and belief in their dreams demonstrate that women are the ultimate force for change," he said.
In the video, Gandhi is seen having a free-wheeling chat with the women students.
"I grew up in a family where the women were the bosses. So the boss of my family was my grandmother and I have always in my family, like on this table, been outnumbered by women," Gandhi tells the students.
"Women are generally more intelligent than men for the most part. Men are in a hurry and men get blinded by silly things.Women think longer term, they don't apply direct power they apply indirect power, it is more effective," he says.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge shared on X a quote by BR Ambedkar on gender equality - "You are not born to suffer. You are born to rise"
"Women are not merely participants in development. They are its driving force. Through their wisdom, resilience, compassion, and determination, women strengthen communities, and build stronger nations," Kharge said on X.
"On International Women's Day 2026, we celebrate the courage, leadership, and countless contributions of women everywhere. True progress will come when equality is not an aspiration, but a lived reality for every woman," the Congress chief said.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also greeted women on International Women's Day.
"On this Women's Day, may every woman realise her strength, her rights and her power to shape the future. You matter. Your voice matters. Your dreams matter," she said on X.
केरल में कुछ युवा छात्राओं के साथ हुई बातचीत बेहद प्रेरणादायक रही।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 8, 2026
उनका आत्मविश्वास और सपनों पर विश्वास बताता है - महिलाएँ बदलाव की सबसे बड़ी शक्ति हैं।
सभी को #InternationalWomensDay की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ। pic.twitter.com/OV2fvth1rB
