Under directions of Indian Embassy, Indian Cultural Centre directs fresh membership, elections to new Goan association; states that Goan Welfare Association will cease to exist in any further usage even in private capacity
PANAJI
In a significant decision which has implications on the Goan community in Qatar, the Goan Welfare Association (GWA) will be renamed as Goa Cultural Association (GCC), with fresh membership and elections to be conducted for the new association.
This decision, which was issued under the directives of the Embassy of India in Qatar, also states that the GWA will cease to exist in any further usage even in private capacity and that no past or present executive committee member of GWA shall revive this name in future.
In a letter sent by email to the GWA on July 23, the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) President Manikantan AP stated that the ICC had received complaints against the GWA, and had discussions with stakeholders, Embassy of India officials and ICC office bearers over the past few months.
“As per the directions received from the Embassy of India, ‘Goan Welfare Association’ under the aegis of Indian Cultural Centre will be renamed as ‘Goa Cultural Association’. The membership of ‘Goa Cultural Association’ will be open till September 15, 2025,” stated Manikantan.
“All the interested members will be allowed to submit their membership form of ‘Goa Cultural Association’ (ICC will share this form with you shortly) ONLY at ICC office during the operational hours. Only the registered voters (through this process) will be considered as valid voters for the upcoming election.”
Manikantan further stated that the ICC will be carrying out elections of ‘Goa Cultural Association’ in October 2025, the exact schedule of which will be published to the registered members by ICC in due course.
“The cost of the election will be borne by the newly elected ‘Goa Cultural Association’. The amount collected towards the yearly membership till September 15, 2025 will be handed over to the new Managing Committee after its formation.”
Manikantan made it clear that the “Embassy of India also expects the name ‘Goan Welfare Association’ to be ceased for any further usage even in the private capacity and that no past or present executive committee member of GWA shall revive this name in future.”
Manikantan further stated that any clarification on this issue could be sought from the ICC by July 27.
THE REACTIONS
Filomeno Alves, President of the ‘GWA Revival Team’, described the ICC decision as a “victory for Qatar Goans.”
“GWA-RT has been consistently and selflessly fighting for the rightful representation of our community and we are proud to share a milestone victory. The GWA will operate under a new title, marking a fresh chapter in transparency, unity, and inclusion,” stated Alves in a message posted in the Qatar Goans WhatsApp group.
He stated that their volunteers would be reaching out to Goans in Qatar, in connection with registration details and elections to the new association.
“Together, we continue to move forward—with faith, purpose, and the power of people. This is your victory—a win for transparency, unity, and true representation. The people’s voice cannot be ignored. The people’s power is supreme.”
John De Sa of the GWA Revival Team said the ICC decision was a triumph for every Goan in Qatar who stood with courage, patience, and quiet determination.
“Goans may remain silent for a time, but never at the cost of their dignity, their right to belong to a community organisation, or their courage to stand for what is just. Let us walk together — in hope, in truth, and in faith,” said De Sa.
The Goan Welfare Association (GWA) President Simon D’Silva has made it clear that the GWA will continue to operate independently in Qatar, as affiliation to the Indian Cultural Centre is not mandatory to operate.
When contacted for comments regarding these developments, GWA President Simon D’Silva stated in a message: “The Embassy or ICC has no power to stop GWA. I operate with an event management company which is mandatory to take legal permissions. I refused ICC’s decision which was sent by email.”
Later in a telephonic conversation, D’Silva explained that no association is legally allowed to exist in Qatar without commercial registration.
“About 87 Indian associations are affiliated to ICC, but there are many more associations operating which are not affiliated to the ICC. The GWA has been operating for the last 25 years and ICC affiliation is not mandatory to operate. The GWA will continue to operate as it has been operating independently,” said D’Silva.
“All events of the GWA are conducted by an event management company and it is done legally by abiding with the laws of Qatar. We obtain all permissions from the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Interior through the event management company.”
“The GWA has been functioning successfully, and we will continue to function independently. The ICC or the Embassy has no role in this. They only wanted to interfere because there were complaints from the opposition,” he added.
Accusing the opposition of calling itself the ‘GWA-Revival Team’, D’silva said: “They wanted to use the name 'GWA', but the Embassy and the ICC did not allow them to do so. This is merely personal enmity by a few persons against me and it has nothing to do with the Goan community. Let the other group operate as the Goa Cultural Association.”
