In a boost to the Indian expat community in Qatar, a dedicated office for the Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) routine operations, within the premises of Indian embassy in Qatar, was inaugurated by Indian ambassador P Kumaran last week.
The inauguration was held in presence of the Deputy Chief of Mission and ICBF Coordinating Officer, RK Singh, other embassy officials, presidents of other two apex bodies ICC and ISC, past presidents of ICBF and senior members of the Indian diaspora in Qatar. 
This gesture from the embassy is in reflection of the quantum and volume of selfless regular assistances being provided by the ICBF to the underprivileged members of the Indian expatriate community, ICBF says. A dedicated office will be helpful to ICBF to attend to more cases in a more efficient manner, accommodating better office equipment, filing, storage and waiting facilities. 
The office hours for ICBF will continue to be from 6pm to 8pm. ICBF services include providing free medical camps and arranging free medical cards to deserving cases; providing air tickets for deportation cases; and transportation of mortal remains of deceased and accompanying the same; providing minor assistances and ration to stranded/deserving workers; and one-time assistances for treatment of life-threatening diseases at local hospitals.
On the occasion of the new office opening, the legal advisor to the embassy, Nisar Kochery also committed to sessions in the ICBF office where feasible legal assistances will be provided to deserving cases referred by the embassy. People can register at ICBF help desk for appointment for legal consultation.
General Secretary, ICBF, Mahesh Gowda, told Community, “Our ICBF management committee is overwhelmed by the support of the Indian embassy for new office and our initiatives. This gives us more strength in serving the needy in the community.”
Indian ambassador P Kumaran, said, “Having dedicated office to ICBF will give closer access to the embassy and a faster response to the needy.”
The last major event of ICBF, after the Children Orientation Workshop and Medical Camp, had been the recent membership campaign on February 1 at ICC where at least 100 more Indian expats volunteered to become lifetime members of ICBF. Nilangshu Dey, a past president of ICBF, had shared his experience of being a part of ICBF and explained how each and every attendee could assist his fellow Indians by helping in improving the ICBF membership. He also encouraged to extend the ICBF membership to school children emphasising the importance of the spirit of benevolence in young minds. ICC President Milan Arun had assured complete support of ICC towards ICBF membership and activities.
However, the list of activities lined up by ICBF bearing the ultimate aim of philanthropy and service to the needy include the oncoming free medical camp on March 3, especially for the labourers with considerably low income and fishermen from various ends of Qatar who need medical assistance. The camp is open to all nationalities. 
The medical camp will be followed by the ICBF Day 2017 on March 11, which is a prestigious event where the golden hearts and hands who have been relentlessly supporting ICBF and fellow countrymen on humanitarian and social grounds will be recognised. The rest of the events will be intimated to all concerned via applicable and appropriate means as they near, says ICBF.
ICBF, in association with the Ministry of Public Health, Qatar, and Atlas Polyclinic conducted their 28th Free Medical Camp for workers all through morning and noon of the last Friday of last year, in the Industrial Area. The camp provided free medical assistance to over 900 workers/labourers from various labour camps and companies in Doha and Industrial Area of at least six different nationalities. ICBF has been diligently conducting medical camps for the past several years.
ICBF, since 1984, is an organisation under the aegis of Embassy of India, Qatar, that voluntarily undertakes the task of providing succour and solace to the needy and under-privileged members of the Indian expat community in Qatar and also their families in India. ICBF provides assistance to those who are stranded or are in distress.