Indian Ladies Association Elects New Executive Committee
A ceremonial pinning was conducted, symbolizing the official transition of duties. The event was honored by the presence of esteemed representatives from the Indian Embassy to Bahrain, including Mr. Ravi Jain, Mr. Ravi Singh, and Mr. Rajiv Mishra.
This year's celebration was particularly momentous, recognizing Ms. Meena Bhatia's remarkable 50 years of membership in the association. Additionally, the gathering bid an emotional farewell to Ms. Nivedita Dutta, a past president and a dedicated member for over 25 years, as she prepares to leave Bahrain.
Adding to the historical significance of the occasion, the ILA executive committee for 2025 was elected through a democratic electoral process for the first time in the association's 69-year history. The newly appointed team, led by President Smitha Jensen, won their respective board seats in a competitive election.
In her acceptance speech, President Smitha Jensen expressed her gratitude to the members for their trust and support. She outlined her vision for the upcoming year, highlighting plans for engaging activities and workshops aimed at empowering women within the ILA community. She emphasized the importance of inclusivity and representation within the association.
The contributions of the outgoing executive committee of 2024 were acknowledged during the event. The departing leadership included President Kiran Abhijit Mangle, Vice-President Dr. Tejender Kaur Sarna, Treasurer Sheetal Shah, General Secretary Sarmistha Dey, Secretary for Public Relations Zamini Charak, Secretary for Entertainment Rrema Nair, Secretary for Membership Hilda Elizabeth Lobo, Secretary for Operations Smitha Jensen, and Secretary for Activities Dr. Gurpreet Kaur.
Stepping into their new roles for 2025, the incoming executive committee includes President Smitha Jensen, Vice-President Fousia Sulthana, Treasurer Tessy Cherian, General Secretary Vani Sreedhar, Secretary for Public Relations Shilpa Naik, Secretary for Entertainment Sunanda Gaikwad, Secretary for Membership Vijay Lakshmi, Secretary for Operations Anuradha Sampath, and Secretary for Activities Kaihekushan Mohammed Omar Kazi.
The event set a promising tone for the year ahead, with the new leadership committed to strengthening the ILA's role in the community through greater inclusivity, engagement, and empowerment.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Syyaha
5 days ago
- Syyaha
Zafran Indian Kitchen Unveils Limited-Edition Summer Menu – From the Homes Of India Where Every Dish Has a Home. Every Home Has a Story.
20th July 2025: Across India's bustling kitchens, from the fiery pans of Andhra to the gentle simmer of a Delhi pressure cooker, food is more than sustenance. It's emotion, memory, and summer, Zafran Indian Kitchen invites you to taste that story with a limited-edition menu that captures the essence of home-style Indian cooking at its most soulful and with love and inspired by the regional culinary legacies of India, this menu is a vibrant celebration of flavours that evoke the feeling of a summer spent at home, even if you didn't make the trip this crispy samosas brim with molten cheese and sweet corn, while pani puris burst with spiced potato and mango-infused pani, evoking the chaos and charm of Mumbai streets. Juicy prawns sizzle in fiery Andhra masala, while tandoor-grilled seekh kebabs rest on couscous like a well-kept secret. The comfort continues in buttery dhaba dal, the spice-kissed heat of misal pav, and a home-style chicken curry that tastes just like it was pressure-cooked in your mother's the hearty, slow-cooked Rara Gosht to the tangy Gongura Chicken Biryani, every dish on this menu tells a story of places you've been, homes you've missed, or kitchens you grew up in. Even dessert pays homage to this duality of tradition and innovation, with Kunafa Gajar Halwa, where carrot halwa meets crispy kunafa and rich malai special summer menu, with prices starting from just SAR 39, is available for a limited time only at Zafran's Turki Square, Nakheel Mall and View Mall locations, both perfect for a laid-back lunch or a nostalgic dinner, without the long flight come hungry. Come home. At Zafran, we're saving you a seat at a table full of make a reservation please call-Turki Square: +966 50 339 9181View Mall: +966 54 390 7905 Nakheel Mall: +966 50 285 3603
Gulf Weekly
10-07-2025
- Gulf Weekly
Art in a new dimension
Artists in the kingdom are exploring a new creative outlet that is not just offering them a platform to diversify their mediums and styles but also transforming them into 'storytellers', waxing eloquent about Bahrain's rich urban landscape. Urban Sketchers (USk) Bahrain, which aims at making art more accessible to the public, comprises a community of people as young as 11 and as old as 80, from diverse professions, including doctors, engineers, businessmen and architects, as well as homemakers and retired individuals. They meet every Friday to bring alive the kingdom's diverse landscapes. Retired Bahraini IT specialist, Abdul Baset Khonji, who worked in the field for more than 45 years, saw the group as an avenue to pursue his childhood hobby – art. 'I hung up my boots two years ago and was looking for something to keep me productive and busy and USk Bahrain was the right platform,' the 62-year-old from Manama told GulfWeekly. 'I've enjoyed my time drawing with people from various walks of life. The group has also boosted my confidence to sketch in public,' added the artist, who is also passionate about creating designs using recyclable materials. Indian expatriate and homemaker Praseetha Ullas, who has been living in Bahrain for 22 years, learned about the group from her peers – a testament to the close-knit art community in Bahrain. 'What began as an art activity has become an enriching ritual,' she said. 'The beauty lies not just in the lines we draw but in the stories we exchange and the friendships we build. 'USk Bahrain has rekindled my love for spontaneous sketching and taught me to see beauty in the ordinary and preserve the moments through ink and watercolour,' the 45-year-old from Salihiya added. Architect and visual artist Sudeep Deshpande, who has been living in the kingdom for the last 15 years, believes that USk Bahrain has provided him a chance to 'marry' both of his passions. 'Urban Sketchers Bahrain has added yet another dimension to my journey as a creative,' the 44-year-old Indian expatriate said. 'It gave me an eye to look at my own work with a different perspective – blending art with architecture. Every line that I draw speaks of not only the proportions and scale, but also embodies the essence of the story behind it,' the Adliya resident noted. While joining USk Bahrain has given the poet's creativity a different avenue, sketching as a style is not new to him. 'The first thing I do when I wake up is sketch for 15 to 20 minutes. To some, it may sound off the grid, but this has been my daily routine since childhood. 'My father used to say 'Sudeep, one sketch everyday' and I now realise the value of that advice,' he noted.
Syyaha
10-07-2025
- Syyaha
An Indian Summer, curated by Jamavar Dubai
10th July 2025, Dubai, United Arab Emirates – This summer, MICHELIN-starred Jamavar Dubai invites guests to savour a curated selection of small plates and à la carte dishes, rooted in India's diverse culinary heritage. Showcasing dishes selected for their balance, harmony and seasonal appeal, the offering celebrates vibrant ingredients, and thoughtful refinement across every plate. Each dish has been selected for its seasonality and finesse. Guests can begin with the Sabudana Truffle Khichdi , where delicate sago pearls meet the richness of truffle, or explore the bold comfort of Chicken 65 , paired with curd rice for a cooling Southern contrast. Vegetarian mains include the Methi Mutter Malai , a gentle combination of fenugreek and green peas finished with cream, and Kofta Lazeez , made with kale and asparagus dumplings in a smooth cashew-based sauce. For a coastal interpretation, the Alleppey Raw Mango Fish Curry layers tender fish with green chilli and coconut milk. The Amritsari Chole , featuring slow-cooked chickpeas in a spiced tomato base, brings warmth and depth to the summer table. Desserts offer a refined close. The Gulab Jamun Tiramisu blends two traditions in a contemporary presentation, while the Chocolate Bounty , paired with cardamom ice cream, brings richness with restraint. Located within the Address Residences in Downtown Dubai and inspired by the Viceroy's House in New Delhi, Jamavar offers a serene retreat from the summer heat. Guests are welcomed into a world of refined royal comfort, where every element, from interior design to plating, reflects timeless Indian elegance. These summer selections are available throughout the season on the à la carte menu. Whether seeking lightness or richness, Jamavar presents Indian cuisine with grace, intention, and quiet sophistication.
