Doha, Qatar: The Indian Cultural Centre, under the aegis of the Embassy of India, brought the curtains down on its spectacular two-day ICC Carnival 2025 with a grand celebration on Friday, 16th May 2025 at the vibrant ICC Film City. With an enthusiastic turnout of over 12,000 attendees in total, the evening was a magnificent tribute to India’s rich cultural heritage and cinematic legacy.
The venue came alive with musical rhythms and traditional dances. Audiences swayed to the melody of a live orchestra and danced to the energetic beats of Bhangra and Lavani, while a captivating Garba performance by 200 women became a visual treat. The powerful traditional rhythms of Chenda Melam, Parai, and Dhol Tasha added to the electrifying ambience, drawing applause and cheers from the crowd.
His Excellency Mr. Vipul, Ambassador of India to Qatar, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Mr. Abdullah Al Hamadi, Technical Chairman of the Qatar Shooting Federation, was present as the Guest of Honour. The evening was further elevated by the presence of several distinguished Qatari dignitaries, including Brig. Dr. Ibrahim Al Sumaih, Director, Community Policing Department – Ministry of Interior, Dr. Abdullah Ahmed Al Muhannadi, Advisor, Workers Support & Insurance Fund, Dr. Muhammad Al Hajjaj, Head of Occupational Safety, Captain Nasser Mubarak Al Dosari, Human Rights Department – Ministry of Interior. They were joined by officials from key ministries and departments, including the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Municipality, and the Workers Support and Insurance Fund.
In a significant highlight, H.E. Mr. Vipul, Indian Ambassador to Qatar, officially unveiled the ICC Carnival Souvenir Magazine, marking a new chapter in the Centre’s journey of cultural service and community engagement, and commemorating the vibrant celebration and the collective efforts of the Indian community in Qatar.
ICC General Secretary Mr. Abraham K. Joseph welcomed the guests and dignitaries. ICC President Mr. A.P. Manikantan then delivered the presidential address, expressing heartfelt gratitude to the Indian community and all partners who made the Carnival a grand success. A felicitation address was delivered by Mr. P.N. Baburajan, Chairman of the ICC Advisory Council. ICC Vice President Mr. Shantanu Deshpande proposed the vote of thanks. The event’s success was also made possible by the dedicated efforts of the entire ICC Management Committee, including ICC Secretaries Mr. Pradeep Pillai and Mr. Afsal Abdul Majeed; Mr. Biswajit Banerji, ICC Head of Finance; Ms. Nandini Abbagouni, ICC Head of Cultural Activities; Mr. Rakesh Wagh, ICC Head of HR, Admin, and Consular Affairs; Mr. Ravindra Prasad, ICC Head of Affiliation; Mr. Sandeep Sriramareddy, ICC Head of IT and Social Media; Ms. Anu Sharma, ICC Head of Educational Activities; and Mr. Venkappa Bhagavatula, ICC Head of In-house Activities. The event was seamlessly hosted by Ms. Anshu Jain.
The night reached its climax with a power-packed live concert by Guinness World Record holder, renowned playback singer Anoop Sankar, marking his first performance in Qatar. Singing in various Indian languages, Anoop captivated the audience with his electrifying stage presence, vocal brilliance, and cultural flair, truly embodying India’s unity in diversity.
Key highlights of day 2 were the release of the ICC Carnival Souvenir Magazine, commemorating the event and community efforts, Live Multilingual Concert by Guinness World Record holder and celebrated playback singer Anoop Sankar, cultural performances by ICC-associated organisations, various schools & institutions, Recognition Ceremony honouring outstanding community contributors and Cultural Pavilions with vibrant bazaars, henna stalls, and food courts serving regional Indian delicacies.
The ICC Carnival 2025 concluded with a spirit of celebration, unity, and cultural pride & togetherness, leaving lasting memories and emphasising the shared cultural bond between India and Qatar, leaving a lasting impact on the hearts of all who attended.
