Media Release
Doha, May 20: Karnataka Sangha Qatar, one of the prominent socio-cultural associations functioning under the aegis of the Indian Cultural Centre, has elected its new managing committee for the 2026–2028 term during the Annual General Body Meeting held on May 15 at the ICC premises.
Subramanya Hebbagelu was unanimously elected as the 15th president of the association in the presence of a large gathering of members, reflecting the strong confidence and trust reposed in his leadership by the Kannada community in Qatar.
Originally from Byndoor in Kundapura Taluk of Karnataka, Subramanya is widely known within the Indian diaspora for his dedicated social and community service activities. Over the years, he has actively contributed to several humanitarian and cultural initiatives and has earned immense respect for his leadership and service to the community.
Subramanya has previously served as the vice president of the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC), member of the advisory council of the Indian Sports Centre (ISC), and joint secretary of the Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) functioning under the aegis of the Embassy of India.
Speaking after assuming office, Subramanya Hebbagelu expressed gratitude to the members for their unanimous support and for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the prestigious state apex body. He assured that the new committee would work towards strengthening the organization’s cultural, social and benevolent initiatives while preserving Karnataka’s rich heritage and promoting unity among the Kannada-speaking community in Qatar.
The newly elected managing committee includes Anil Bhasagi as vice president, Sujith Kumar Hosdurga as general secretary, Manjoth Suresh as treasurer, Bhavana Naveen as cultural secretary, Shashidhara HB as joint cultural secretary & Kannada activities secretary, L G Patil as sports secretary, Prashant Hiremath as media, PR & Benevolent secretary, Prabhuraju Jagalur as events & logistics secretary, Shubha R Rao as women & children activities secretary, Dhakshayini G as joint sports secretary, Guru Prasad B K as environment & membership secretary, while M Ravi Shetty will serve as chairman of the advisory committee.
The newly formed committee has already begun preparations for an ambitious calendar of events and community initiatives. Planned programmes include Labour Day celebrations, Mother’s Day celebrations, Teachers’ Day and Engineers’ Day programmes, a Blood Donation Camp, Environment Day celebrations, Sambhrama 2026, Kannada Rajyotsava, sports tournaments, traditional festival celebrations, a cultural conference, medical camps for women and children, a Poetry Festival, and several benevolent service initiatives for the welfare of the community.
M Ravi Shetty thanked all members and office bearers for their support during the 2024–2025 tenure and appreciated the collective efforts that contributed to the association’s successful activities over the past term. He also assured his continued support to the newly elected committee headed by Subramanya Hebbagelu.
Advisory Committee members Arun Kumar, V S Mannangi, Deepak Shetty, Dr Sanjay Kudari, Mahesh Gowda and ICC former president Milan Arun congratulated the newly elected committee and conveyed their best wishes for a successful and impactful tenure ahead. Representatives from various Karnataka-based apex associations in Qatar also extended their congratulations and solidarity to the new team.