MES Indian School hosted a grand ceremony to bid farewell to acting principal Aleyamma Mathew, who has served the institution for almost 31 years.A native of Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district, she had joined as a primary teacher in 1981 and was promoted 10 years later as the head of the Department of Biology. In recognition of her dedication, determination, commitment and hard work, Mathew was promoted as the head of Boys’ section and vice-principal in 1994, a post she held until April 2012. She has been the acting principal of the school many a time including the present two-month stint from May to June 2012.M I Mathew (manager, Administration and HR), G Rajkumar (vice principal, CBSE-I), F M Mujibullah (vice principal/head of Boys’ section), Siraj Ahmed (head of department, Arabic & Islamic Studies) and Annamma Shammy (Department of English), paid glowing tributes to Aleyamma Mathew.“The zest portrayed by her throughout the years not only inspired her peers and staff but also the students,” recalled Siraj Ahmed, the senior most member of the faculty, having spent over three decades with the school. Aleyamma was also presented with a memento. “You can be the candle that spreads light and you can light up millions of tiny lamps as you pass through life as a teacher,” she said, recalling her experience at the school.P J Beilbey, head of Fine Arts Department, composed and sang a farewell song specially dedicated to her. Santhosh K and Sageer P M, teachers, Department of Fine Arts, presented her with her special portraits. Rijo Jose and Shilpa Nair sang in honour. A special video clip, highlighting the glimpses of the glorious career of Aleyamma Mathew at MES was presented on the occasion by Haroon, Moideen and Shamal. Sikender Pasha, staff secretary, Senior Boys’ Section, proposed a vote of thanks.