Daijiworld Media Network - Doha
Doha, Nov 26: Mangalurean Milan Arun has created history among the expat Indian community here by becoming the first lady president of the prestigious Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) here.
Multifaceted Milan along with her entire panel that consisted of Juttas Paul, advocate Jaffar Khan, Manikanthan P, Suresh Babu and K S Prasad made a clean sweep in the election that was held in the Asoka Hall near here on Thursday November 24 evening.
It was a landslide victory as Milan bagged 863 out of 1,013 polled votes. Jaffar Khan secured 722 votes, Juttas Paul 713, Manikanthan 817, Suresh Babu 738 and K S Prasad 621. It is for the first time that a woman has been elected president Indian Cultural Centre (ICC), the apex body functioning directly under the Indian Embassy of Qatar.
A self-made woman at the helm of affairs of Indian Cultural Centre is indeed a moment of pride for all the working women who not just contribute towards the welfare of their families but also the society equally dedicating their energies and resources to personal as well as professional life.
Milan Arun has rendered yeoman’s contribution to expat Mangalureans, Kannadigas in particular and Indians in general in Qatar through our leadership qualities. She has carved a niche for herself among the Indian Diaspora in the tiny oil-rich country of Qatar through community service, social initiatives and awareness campaigns etc. She has been the office-bearer, advisor for various Indian expat organizations over the years. While she has always been known and appreciated for her multiple talents in the field of music, dance, oratory, acting, quizzing, sports etc, her leadership qualities have not gone unnoticed either as she has been the Head of Sponsorship of Indian Benevolent Community Forum between 2012-2014 and has also served as the cultural secretary of ICC for two terms of 3 years each. Apart from this she has been the advisor, ex-com member of several other organizations.
Soon after the victory Milan spoke to the gathering and thanked everyone who has contributed in one or the other way in helping her to reach this position. "I am duty bound to thank everyone who have been around me for the last few years, helping me to scale these heights. While my family, my husband and daughter have been my core strength, people who have guided me and have stood by me all this while too need to be thanked for. Without all these people in my life, I would not have been standing here in front of you as first lady president of prestigious Indian Cultural Centre. I take this opportunity as a God-given blessing for me to contribute more towards the huge Indian expat community working and living in Qatar. I will strive my best for the welfare and service of the Indians in Qatar, while working closely with the Indian Embassy and other forums. Service to an Indian is service to our motherland India," she said.