Mangaluru: The much-anticipated annual day celebrations of 'The Shepherds' International Academy' unfolded with grandeur and enthusiasm, showcasing a myriad of talents and accomplishments of the students. The event, themed "Realms of Children," took place on December 16 at Town Hall, Mangaluru, and commenced with a warm welcome by Ms. Zunaira, setting the stage for a memorable day.

The event showcased a variety of engaging activities and presentations, highlighting the achievements and talents of the students.
The formal proceedings began with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Master Armaan, eloquently translated by Aroosh of Grade 5, setting a spiritual tone for the day. Following this, Lubna Banu, the school's Principal, delivered a warm welcome speech, extending greetings to the chief guest, management, staff, parents, and students.

The distinguished Chief Guest, Dr. Airani Mohammad Khan, a senior professor and chairman of the Department of Electronics, and former Registrar of Mangalore University, captivated the audience with insightful words on parenting, emphasizing the importance of quality time spent by parents with their children. Architect Mohammad Nisaar, the Chairman of the school, felicitated Dr. A.M. Khan for his valuable contribution to the event.

A special moment unfolded as students excelling in academics were recognized and felicitated for their outstanding achievements. Architect Mohammad Nisaar, the chairman, addressing the gathering, expressed gratitude to the school community for their collective efforts in nurturing excellence.

The Annual Report for the academic year 2022-23 was eloquently presented by Qizra Noorain, providing an overview of the school's accomplishments, academic progress, and extracurricular achievements.

Expressing gratitude to all contributors and participants, Neelofer delivered the vote of thanks for the formal event.

The event, a culmination of months of meticulous preparation and dedication, was attended by a vibrant gathering of students, parents, and staff, all contributing to the joyous ambiance of the day.

Amal Fathima, a fifth-grade student, provided a brief insight into the theme, setting the stage for the captivating performances that followed. The program was skillfully hosted by Khadeejah Raba (Mont 3), Sheikh Isa (Mont 3), and Ilan Abbas (Grade 3), with Nafeesa Ayath (Grade 4) joining them in steering the program seamlessly.

The enchanting journey commenced with the youngest performers from Mont1 expressing gratitude through an action song titled 'Pizza in my Pocket.' Mont2 students then painted a 'cotton candy sky' with their innocence, while Mont3 students used a 'Nasheed' to express the kaleidoscope of childhood emotions. The stage came alive with Grade 1 students presenting a Kannada action song 'Dhandikere Muduka' and a skit on the "Excessive Impact of Screen Time."

Grade 2 students conveyed a vital message on environmental conservation through a Hindi group song 'Aao hum sab haath milaye,' followed by Grade 3 students showcasing their musical prowess with the empowering song 'Our Own Superhero.' Grade 4 students presented a captivating Mime on 'Sin Chair,' while Grade 5 students delivered a thought-provoking Hindi skit 'Mansik Vatavran Ki Jagruta,' depicting a child's emotional well-being.

The cultural extravaganza reached its zenith with Maaz Naushad of Grade 5 sharing poignant reflections on Prophet Muhammad's (SAW) behavior with children. The program concluded on a high note with Luqmaan (Grade 3) delivering a heartfelt vote of thanks.

The Annual Day Programme was a testament to the diverse talents nurtured at The Shepherds' International Academy and underscored the collective achievements and high spirits of the academic year. As the curtains fell, the audience departed with indelible memories, a renewed sense of accomplishment, and eager anticipation for the forthcoming year, solidifying the sense of unity and pride within The Shepherds' International Academy community.

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London: British workers are facing some of the highest levels of job stress in Europe, with long working hours, tight deadlines, and limited autonomy, without being any more productive, according to a new report. The findings come as the UK's new Labour government prepares to introduce tougher regulations for employers.

The report, produced by the Commission for Healthier Working Lives — a body set up by the Britain's Health Foundation think tank and trade union representation — reveals that three-fifths of the UK workforce experience tight deadlines, and two-fifths had to work at high speed, as cited by Reuters on Monday. These figures are among the largest proportions in Europe. In contrast, only a third of workers have the autonomy to choose the pace of their work.

Jonny Gifford, principal research fellow at the Institute for Employment Studies and one of the report's authors, stressed that long hours, work intensity, and lack of control are problem areas that should be addressed.

The report noted that workers in certain sectors, particularly construction, transport, warehouses, retail, and hospitality, face the most demanding conditions, while professional roles like teaching and nursing also reported particular strain.

The report highlighted that the UK ranks poorly across nearly every measure of workplace demands, control, and job strain in comparison to other European nations. About half of the UK's workforce reported feeling exhausted from work, and stress levels have risen significantly over the past 25 years.