In January 2003, Indian politician and educationist Thomas Chandy announced the establishment of Al-Alia Indian Central School in the capital's al-Aziziyah neighborhood during a press-conference among journalists in Riyadh.[1] Chandy chose al-Aziziyah neighborhood in order to cope with the soaring education needs of the Indian community in Manfuhah and Ghubaira neighborhoods.[1] The school was inaugurated on 3 April 2003 with 23 teachers and 200 students with Dr. Ram Thakur being its inaugural principal.