The Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations, joined hands with Kerala Women’s Initiative Qatar (Kwiq) to organise the latter’s Pusthak Mela - Season 7, which benefitted more than 2,000 families.
The fair provided a platform for expatriate families to exchange academic books, thereby alleviating the financial strain of education for their children. From March 26-30, parents had the opportunity to exchange their children’s old academic books, for those needed for the next level of education.
Even for attendees without books to exchange, the fair offered a solution by providing access to the required books for the next level of education right at the event, making it a comprehensive resource for all educational needs.
Indian ambassador Vipul, who inaugurated the event, lauded the uniqueness of the event and pledged full support from the embassy for future ‘Pusthak Mela’ initiatives. ICBF president Shanavas Bawa, vice-president Deepak Shetty, Kwiq president Anju Menon, Indian Cultural Centre president A P Manikantan, Indian Sport Centre president E P Abdulrahman, ICBF managing committee member and Kwiq patron Zareena Ahad and ICBF and ICC’s former president P N Baburajan spoke.
The event was co-ordinated by Kwiq general secretary Asha Chungath, with a vote of thanks proposed by treasurer Lasitha Girish. The fair’s organisation was supported by ICBF general secretary Varkey Boban, secretary Mohamed Kunhi, managing committee members Abdul Raoof Kondotty, Shankar Goud, Kwiq vice-president Dr Indulekha, secretary Shahina Shamnad, executive members Shehna, Hamna, Sommy, Jilna, Shahnas, Faseela, Nisha, Thankam, Shareen, Regina, Sabira, Leena, Ramshida, advisory committee member Liji Ratheesh, past president Bini Vinod and volunteers from both sides.
