Media Release

Doha, Oct 25: The Indian Cultural Center (ICC) hosted a mega event, Bharat Utsav, celebrating India’s cultural diversity at the prestigious Al Mayyassa Hall, QNCC. This grand event was attended by numerous Qatari dignitaries, ambassadors and diplomatic corps from 18 countries, officials from the Indian Embassy, apex body presidents, Indian community leaders, and representatives from various Indian communities, highlighting the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of India.

The chief guest for the evening, HE Vipul, ambassador of India to Qatar, praised the ICC and Indian communities for their dedication and hard work in organizing such a memorable event celebrating India’s cultural richness and tourism across its states. HE Vipul also released a souvenir commemorating five decades of diplomatic relations between India and Qatar, a friendship marked by shared values. Dr Vaibhav Tandale, first secretary and coordinating officer at the Indian Embassy, provided invaluable support and guidance, contributing significantly to the success of the event.

ICC president AP Manikantan, in his welcome address, expressed that it was an honor and privilege to lead the event, which featured over 42 carefully selected performances from affiliated organizations, Indian schools, and community groups in Qatar. He noted that the event uniquely showcased India’s cultural richness, with an emphasis on diverse folk dances and tourism highlights from across the country.

General secretary Mohan Kumar delivered an introductory presentation, while vice president Subramanya Hebbagelu gave a vote of thanks.

Organizing committee chair PN Baburajan, with his decades of experience, was instrumental in the event’s success. Cultural secretary Nandini Abbagouni and Shantanu Deshpande led the teams with meticulous planning and flawless execution. The evening was skillfully anchored by the adept Anshu Jain.

This grand ICC event, supported by the active involvement of various socio-cultural organizations from the Indian community, brought together close to 800,000 Indian expatriates residing in Qatar. Such events highlight the unity and pride within the Indian community, showcasing their vibrant culture on the international stage.