ICC election: MC candidates express strong urge to serve community

Published: 26 January 2025

Godwin Isaac K | NT
Doha

Eight candidates who are contesting to become members of Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) Managing Committee have said that they are driven by a strong urge to serve the community, leveraging their experiences in diverse fields.

Speaking to News Trail, the candidates said they want ICC to achieve greater heights and strengthen its role as a platform for all sections of Indian community to promote their socio-cultural activities and strengthen community bonds.

Elections to three apex bodies – ICC, ICBF and ISC – will be held on January 31, 2025 and in addition to presidents, members of managing committees of these three bodies will also be elected.

Eight candidates are in the fray for ICC managing committee membership, out of which four will be elected.

All the candidates shared with News Trail their vision and ideas for ICC.

With a strong background in media and journalism, and experience representing Indian culture global-ly, my vision is to celebrate and redefine our rich heritage while uniting and uplifting our community. My aim is to make ICC a hallmark of cultural excellence and a source of pride for every Indian in Qatar.
– Anu Sharma

“I was a member of the ICC Committee during the 2021–2022 term, which was an invaluable learning experience. I am committed to driving meaningful change, particularly for the lower-income communi-ty here in Qatar. This group, in my view, is often overlooked and lacks proper recognition and sup-port.”
– Afsal Abdulmajeed

My main agenda is to actively promote the rich culture of the Indian community and support its tal-ents. It’s essential to bring traditional dance forms and other cultural elements from India — things we grew up experiencing but the younger generation here often misses out on. India is a land of rich cul-ture, and if our children are not aware of it, how will the future generations carry it forward?”
– Abraham Kandathil Joseph

“I have been involved in community service since 2007. This year, I am contesting with the vision of driving meaningful change and making a greater impact on the community by addressing their needs and being present when they require support. Additionally, we aim to organize more cultural and sports activities, ensuring equal opportunities.
– Anil Kumar Boloor

“My primary goal is to establish a community school in Qatar, similar to those already operating in oth-er GCC countries. The need for such a school arises because, despite having over 17 Indian schools in Qatar, demand still exceeds supply. Many parents face significant challenges, with some having two children enrolled in different schools or one child attending morning shifts while the other attends evening shifts.
– Anish George Mathew

“I am a Distinguished Toastmaster, passionate community advocate, and co-founder of the Shine To-gether Foundation. With over 23 years of experience in Qatar, I have devoted my life to empowering individuals and fostering unity. As the first female representative from Qatar at Loka Kerala Sabha, and with expertise in leveraging technology and innovation, I am committed to creating inclusive spaces, empowering youth and women, and preserving our rich heritage. “
– Shainy Kabeer

I am contesting because of my unwavering commitment to community service over the past eight years. My journey began as a volunteer at ICC, and I have since founded my own organization, Telangana Jagruti Qatar, through which I have taken numerous initiatives, particularly focusing on em-powering women. My vision includes introducing new initiatives, particularly for women while foster-ing inclusivity and strengthening our cultural ties.
– Nandini Abbagouni

There are still many unaccomplished activities and goals from our last tenure. We successfully initiated key student activities for academic excellence, career counseling, and cultural programmes. Moving forward, we can enhance operational efficiency and expand our efforts to bring Indian artists to Qatar, showcasing their talent while promoting inclusivity and diversity across communities. Strengthening unity in diversity is crucial, ensuring more people feel connected with ICC.
– Shantanu Deshpande