Bedi, expressing his happiness on visiting the Kingdom for the first time, appreciated the role of teachers in imparting knowledge, and called on the students to be attentive to their studies and seek knowledge from anywhere to be successful individuals. Bedi later released the school magazine “Desert Breeze.”
The event was attended by a large number of Saudi and Indian officials, including Ibrahim Al-Qayid, chairman of Daratassalam International, and Manohar Ram, deputy chief of the Indian mission. Nadeem Tarin, DPS Riyadh chairman, Mairaj Mohammed Khan, principal, and Khursheed Khan, administrator, were also present.
In their speeches, Chairman Tarin and Principal Khan welcomed Bedi and thanked him for attending the event. “The annual day celebration at DPS Riyadh was a huge success because of the presence of Bedi,” said Tarin.
A number of teachers and students were decorated with “scholar badges” and many students won certificates for their exceptional achievements in academics and sports.
Twelve teachers were honored for their attendance and services at the school. The teachers were Armin Kotwal, Shyma Takur, Abdul Hameed, Maria Dcruz, Sameena Waqaar, Chandramohan Bisth, Deepa Arora, Rejula K.H, Vijaylakshmi, Ayesha Faseela, Maxi Fernandaz and Amita Rawat.
Bedi, who has been a voting member of the prestigious Oscars Academy (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science), highlighted how knowledge, grit and hard work provide the fuel for an ordinary person to achieve extraordinary things.
He pointed to the program “Amazing Indians,” that can be seen in Saudi Arabia on Saturday at 4.30 p.m. in the Times Now channel, and said “their efforts can be relived by all of us.”
A story of countless citizens who in their own homes and lives are writing the real story of India, said Bedi, adding, it is a celebration of the ordinary man who has gone beyond his own circumstances, risen above norms of society to make their country a better place to live in.
Bedi is currently busy in shooting for two films with legendary stars like Sanjay Dutt (Alert) and Govinda (Showman), while his Hindi dubbing of “Sandokan,” an Italian series, will be released soon.
Bedi, who has acted in over 60 Bollywood films, said, “My international career has spanned three continents for over three decades … from the James Bond film Octopussy, where I played Roger Moore’s antagonist, to the swashbuckling hero of the biggest hit Italian series Sandokan and to well over 60 Bollywood films.”
“After living abroad for over 20 years, I am now based in India,” said Bedi.
The actor, whose forte extended to the small screen, had the distinction of starring in M.M. Kaye’s “The Far Pavilions” at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London’s West End in 2006. Most recently, Bedi said, “I played Emperor Shah Jahan in ‘Taj’ by Canada’s foremost playwright John Murrell.
On Bollywood, he said, “The brand Bollywood is getting bigger and bigger.”
More than 25 million Indian Diaspora, including two million Indians living in Saudi Arabia, are great fans of Indian movies, said Bedi, adding that a large number of Pakistanis, Gulf nationals and Europeans enjoy watching Indian films.
Asked about his roles in social movements like the one launched by Anna Hazare, Bedi said he would like to extend all help to reform society and to eliminate corruption.
“I have no hidden political agenda,” said Bedi, adding that he always speaks on such issues.
He pointed out that he protested the Delhi University’s decision to remove the late poet and translator A.K. Ramanujan’s essay “Three Hundred Ramayanas: Five Examples and Three Thoughts on Translation’ from its history syllabus.”
“Knowledge should not be banned,” Bedi posted on micro-blogging site Twitter. He said his protest must be taken in the right perspective. The aim was not to hurt anyone, added Bedi, who is also involved in the anti-corruption movement in India.
Asked about his involvement in “The Grassroots Foundation,” a charity founded by his celebrity daughter Pooja Bedi, he said he has been associated with the foundation as a director.
Pooja, he said, is the chairperson of the foundation. This initiative is aimed at educational development, poverty housing, livelihood skills programs, farming reforms and water harvesting, he added.
Add Comment