Indian association lends a helping hand to expats

AJMAN - The Indian Association Ajman that came into existence three years ago is set to move into its new premises by August 15, 2003.

By Debasree S.

Published: Sat 21 Jun 2003, 11:30 AM

Last updated: Wed 24 May 2023, 8:55 AM

Speaking at a Press conference held at the Ajman Beach Hotel last week, the president of the association, R.G.K. Nair, said that the new premises would be located at the centre of the emirate adjacent to the Al Ittihad Polyclinic.

The state-of-the-art premises will be easily accessible to the public and be equipped with spacious reading rooms, indoor games facilities including indoor badminton and table tennis courts, billiards tables, a conference hall and all other facilities.

The association which till date has 363 members has also played a pioneering role in helping expatriate Indians in Ajman during distress. The Vice-President of the association, O.Y. Ahamed Khan, said : "we are happy to announce our membership to the Indian Community Welfare Committee and we shall in the future channelise all our distress relief activities through the committee."

During the ongoing amnesty period, the association has acted as a nodal point for receiving applications for emergency passes for illegals in Ajman and conducted interviews of various people to ascertain their identity. "We have raised funds to buy tickets for those who have remained without jobs for a long time and do not have money to get back home," Mr Khan said.

Also the bodies of workers who died in the emirate were repatriated by the association members with the aid of Indian Airlines or Air India.

According to Mr Khan, members of the association also teamed up with the Indian consulate officials to visit the Ajman Central Jail at regular intervals to offer various forms of assistance in releasing the Indians from jail and repatriating them to their own country. "We have arranged for tickets and offered legal assistance whenever necessary," Mr Khan added.

Since the last two years, the association has also undertaken various consular services like renewal of passports, affidavits and additions. A team from the Indian consulate in Dubai also visits the premises of the association to offer various consular services every fortnight, Joy Varghese, Jt. General Secretary said.

The association has also initiated computer and vocational study programmes for the children of the Indian community in Ajman that will start from September, Ashutosh Sharma, General Secretary said.

Among other activities, Mr Sharma explained were the forthcoming Onam celebrations. The Onam celebrations will include various folk dances.