Change of guard in Indian associations in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi - The fight among candidates mirror assembly or local body elections back in India

Time has come for old hands to make way for new at the Indian associations in the Capital. The Indian Social and Cultural Centre, Kerala Social Centre, Abu Dhabi Malayalee Samajam, Indian Islamic Centre, Indian Ladies Association and Indian Social Centre, Al Ain are the six registered associations that are relying on election or general body meeting to elect its new committee members.
The fight among candidates mirror assembly or local body elections back in India. A tough fight is on the cards as the election will be held today to select the new committee of Indian Social and Cultural Centre.
Outgoing president Thomas Varghese had a highly successful tenure with the centre receiving the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, the highest honour conferred on overseas Indians. "We have also adopted a new constitution as per the present day requirements. There will be more pan-India representation in the committee from now. More positions are also created," he said. Joy Thomas John and Raja Balakrishnan are the main contenders for the president's post.
At Abu Dhabi Malayalee Samajam, president Yesuseelan B is all set to hand over charge following the general body meeting on Tuesday. "I am not keeping well and don't wish to carry on for now. We should be able to reach consensus on all candidates," he said.
Kerala Social Centre, with 3,000 members, has seen few positions being retained. President P Padmanabhan said the general body was held on Wednesday and apart from him, secretary, treasurer and sports secretary will continue.
Indian Ladies Association president Sunita Wagle remains in-charge with few changes in the committee. "We have a good team in place," she said.
Indian Islamic Centre has elected a whole new team of managing committee members but evergreen president Bava Haji Pandalingal remains at the helm of affairs. "He is irreplaceable," a committee member said about the 2013 Pravasi Bharatiya Samman winner.
In Al Ain, the Indian Social Centre will hold general body on April 27. Outgoing president Naresh Suri said unlike in the past there is no factional feud. "Earlier, the campaigning was vigorous."
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com
 

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