[Lahore, Pakistan] The first “ALOHA National Competition” was held on 27th August 2011, 9 am to 12 pm, at Alhamra Hall # 2, The Mall, Lahore, Pakistan.
The program was a celebration of the Independence month and 1st Inter school competition2011 (Level 1) by ALOHA Pakistan. ALOHA students were from different leading private schools like Lahore Grammar, LACAS and Beacon house. 80 ALOHA students were there from 40 centers. These champions reached at this stage out of above 400 students in tests at different ALOHA centers.
The event started with recitation by a student nicely dressed in white shalwar kameez. “Haq Allah” by Aloha student added more blessedness in the hall environment. It was a hymn, naat and also about good manners in Islam- showing students emphasis on religion and good manners.
Mr. Kamran, ALOHA representative briefed the guests about ALOHA. The program started with the lively welcome of Mrs. Zeeshan Nadeem who hosted it till the end.
Then came the first students’ performance on “Hum Zinda Quam Haen”, showing strengths of Pakistanis, unity, strong armed forces. The students’ performance on “Tere bina dil na lagay” got very special attention of the audience. It showed love for country, charm of visa, leaving Pakistan, working there on ordinary job like moping, bad behaviour of people there, missing the events-basant, and freedom, and then coming back to homeland with real respect for Pakistan, entering the country by sajda-e shukr and in the end celebrated homecoming. More tremendous performances included “Hey jazba junoo to himat na haar” and mixed national songs. All the performances in between the amazing groups’ test on the stage kept the fasting audience bound till the end.
Some parents volunteers were called on stage and were asked simple Mathematical problems (like 7+6-8+10-4-1=?); though their answers were not correct or they gave late responses but they all were given prize. It was just to make the parents conscious of the skills their children have learnt with ALOHA.
The first group of students of age level 3 ½ years old to 4 ½ were called in a group. They were asked around 10 problems which they answered in no time. The problems were with answers were visible for the people sitting in the hall on a screen with multimedia projector. These tiny tots were using their fingers quickly for all calculation.
Two more groups of Junior level were asked arithmetic problems with speed. They were asked 20 column questions with some double digits. These problems were more complex than the ones for the Tiny Tots. Then seniors with 20 column questions with double digit numbers with faster speed. The senior groups problems were bit more complex with all double digits.
The students at the time of questioning on stage were wearing their age level group related ALOHA colored specially designed shirts with white trousers. They were very confident in giving answers so quickly. They all had different styles of calculating and visualizing, moving fingers as they were using abacus quickly was interesting.
Each student in the groups were given shield by parents whose names were picked for each group, from a basket full of ALOHA parents names. The parents really felt honored for being the chief guest while giving shields, sharing their views and on getting gifts.
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