DAMMAM: Celebrated Indian musician Amjad Ali Khan was decorated with the first Prem Nazir International Award for the Promotion of Arts at a well-attended event at Dammam Sheraton at the weekend.
The award, instituted by Soorya Cultural Society of Nataraja Krishnamoorthy, is named after legendary Malayali filmstar, the late Prem Nazir.
Businessman Abdullah Al-Saihati presented the award to Amjad Ali Khan in the presence of Prem Nazir’s son Shahnawaz, Indian Business Forum President Mohamed Javed Ibrahim, General Secretary Ambarani Jagannathan and Soorya Global Coordinator Rafeek Younus.
“The award is being presented to Amjad Ali Khan for all that he has done for the promotion of music and arts and culture and universal brotherhood,” said Krishnamoorthy, the main force behind the Soorya cultural organization.
“Prem Nazir, whose real name was Abdul Qader, was a superstar; he was widely admired for his excellent acting abilities and also for his commitment to social justice,” he said. “There is no other person more deserving than Amjad Ali Khan.”
According to Krishnamoorthy, the award seeks to inspire young people to apply their talents and energies to selfless and innovative service to their community, their country and to the world as a whole.
As the evening wore on, it took on a different color with Amjad Ali Khan and his able musician sons, Amaan and Ayaan, treating the music aficionados with their lovely notes strung from sarod, a classical, northern Indian instrument.
Amjad Ali Khan and his ensemble have been performing around the globe for decades, but this was their second performance in the Kingdom, and the select audience of prominent Saudis and Indians gave him an enthusiastic response.
Initially Khan performed with talented tabla player Tanmay Bose. Then his two sons came on stage and helped him spellbind the audience with their musical prowess. There was such synchronization between the boys and the tabla player that every few minutes cheers from the audience resounded through the hall.
The performance was described as magical. “Music has no boundaries, and its language transcends everything,” said anchor Anil Madan. “It is an honor for us to have ‘ustadji’ and his sons here in Dammam,” he said, referring to the title of extreme honor that has been granted him in his homeland.
Amjad Ali Khan charms music lovers
Amjad Ali Khan charms music lovers
Jeddah students get closer look at electric motorsport
- A PIF-linked initiative highlights technical and engineering careers behind electric racing events
JEDDAH: Students from local and international schools in Jeddah were introduced to STEM-related career pathways in electric motorsport this week, as part of an education program linked to the UIM E1 World Championship held on the Red Sea.
The sessions formed part of Driving Force Presented by the Public Investment Fund, an initiative run by Formula E and its electric racing series partners, to familiarize students aged eight to 18 with science, technology, engineering and mathematics through electric racing and sustainability-focused industries.
The programme took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access designed to show how engineering, data, broadcast technology and event operations function within professional motorsport.
According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The program took place alongside the 2026 E1 Jeddah GP and included workshops, school visits and trackside access.
• Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
• According to organisers, the initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025, with further expansion planned this year.
John Williams, managing director at E1, told Arab News: “The PIF is absolutely vital to everything we do here at the E1. They were crucial initial investment partner since the start of the championship and they continue to support us in a number of ways and more specifically around the Driving Force program.”
Elaborating more on the program, he said: “What we are doing is presenting and showing these students the available careers of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as careers in sports, not only pilots but also engineers and mechanics.”
Williams added that the main key to the program was bringing a new generation to the mechanism of sport.
“We are introducing to these exciting new technologies around the race but it could be our technology on the boat or our broadcast products, as well as how to manage the event its self. There are a range of opportunities to show it to the children in addition to enjoying the excitement of the race and meeting the pilots.”
The program’s Jeddah activities began at King Abdulaziz University’s faculty of maritime studies, where students took part in a hands-on workshop focused on STEM careers in the motorsport and sustainability areas conducted by technology experts and famous water pilots such as Dani Clos, Emma Kimilainen and Patricia Pita.
Students learned about E1 races and their technical and environmental dimensions and discussed the engineering and marine aspects of electric boats.
They also enjoyed exclusive behind-the-scenes access at the E1 Jeddah GP, pilot meet-and-greets, and front-row seats to watch the RaceBird boats in action.
