By Joseph Varghese
Staff Reporter
The Indian Cultural Centre (ICC), which functions under the aegis of the Indian embassy, yesterday organised a cultural extravaganza to celebrate the 68th Independence Day of India at the Diplomatic Club Royal Tent.
A large gathering of community members was present to watch performances by students of Indian schools and members of cultural organisations affiliated to the ICC.
Indian ambassador Sanjiv Arora, deputy chief of the Indian mission P S Sasi Kumar, other senior officials from the embassy, Ali Syed al- Marri (RasGas), Jawaher al-Khuzaei (Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy), and Aiman al- Marzooki (Qatar Shell) were present during the event.
The programme started with a public function during which a number of speakers highlighted India’s rich and varied heritage and the age-old cordial relationship between Qatar and India. A souvenir was released during the event.
Speaking in Hindi and congratulating the Indian community on the occasion of the Independence Day, al-Marri and al-Khuzaei described the long lasting relationship between Qatar and India and described some of the common features shared by both the countries. Al-Marzooki spoke at length about the warmth and hospitality offered by the Indian community in many areas.
The Indian envoy highlighted the growing relationship between both the countries and thanked the patronage of Qatar to the Indian community here.
He said: “The friendship between both the countries is one that lasts for centuries and the c-ooperation between both the countries is growing in every possible areas.”
Vatsal Vimal Patel, of DPS Modern Indian School, and Lakshmi Ajay Nair, from Ideal Indian School, were honoured for topping the science and commerce streams, respectively, in the class 12 board examinations for 2014.
Acting president of the ICC, Grishkumar, also spoke on the occasion.
The programmes were presented by students from Ideal Indian , Shantiniketan Indian and MES Indian schools and members of Gujarati Samaj, Kodaca, Bangiya Parishad, Bharati, Qatar Tamizhar Sangham, ICC, Sanskriti, Kerala Social Cultural and Association and Punjab.
ICC elections to be held on October 10
Indian ambassador Sanjiv Arora yesterday announced that the elections to the governing body of the Indian Cultural Centre
(ICC) would be held on October 10. He was speaking at India’s 68th Independence Day celebrations held at the Diplomatic Club yesterday.
The Indian envoy also told that the elections to the other Indian bodies such as the Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) as well as The Indian Business and Professionals Network ( IBPN) would follow.
He appreciated efforts of the present council of governing body of ICC and urged community members to elect new office bearers who are dedicated and willing to serve the community.
On another note, Arora said that there had been a steady increase in the number of visas issued to Qatari citizens, visiting India for tourism and business.
