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Santhosh Chandran
Doha
IN a move to provide maximum representation and inclusiveness to the Indian expatriate community in Qatar in various social services and community organisations, the existing apex bodies which function under the aegis of Embassy of India in Doha are likely to be restructured soon.
A temporary committee headed by the Ambassador of India to Qatar HE P Kumaran and heads of Indian Cultural Centre (ICC), Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF), Indian Business Professionals Network (IBPN), Ad Hoc Committee of Indian Sports Centre (ISC) and prominent Indian community leaders as members has been formed to look into the issues and chalk out the restructure plan.
Speaking to Qatar Tribune recently, Ambassador Kumaran said,"The move will help ensure maximum representation of the Indian population in community activities and increase the involvement of social workers in community service benefiting a large section of the Indian expatriates. The new structure would be more decentralised, transparent, inclusive and democratic. We want to ensure the involvement of a large number of people in community activities."
The first review committee meeting was held in Doha, recently. According to the plan, the associations focusing on social service and community welfare will be shifted from ICC to ICBF. The sports bodies affiliated with the ICC will come under the umbrella of Indian Sports Centre. However, a majority of organisations related to cultural activities working under the ICC will remain unaffected.
"Offices of all the four apex bodies under one roof are also part of the future plan," said the ambassador, who is also the patron of these bodies.
ICC, at present, _is the largest Indian community group comprising nearly 2,000 members. There are more than 100 ICC-affiliated organisations focused on various activities such as arts and culture, social welfare and sports. The new initiative is also expected to reduce the workload of ICC offices and the decentralisation process will make each organisation more effective and responsible.
The ambassador stated that he is open to all suggestions and recommendations from Indian community leaders which would increase the community representation in different activities and benefit the wider Indian expatriate population in Qatar.
