Saturday 20 / April / 2024
Muscat: About 500 Indian workers housed in labour camps across Oman were treated to an Onam feast hosted by the Malayali wing of the Indian Social Club (ISC) on Sunday.
Traditionally celebrated as the harvest festival in the South Indian state of Kerala, this event marked the first time that low-income earners in Oman were hosted in such a manner by the ISC, and P Bhaskaran, convener of the ISC’s Malayali Wing, expressed solidarity with the workers who had come to the event.
“We know that some of the workers in Oman have many problems,” he said, speaking to the Times of Oman.
“Many of them have not been able to see their families for years together, but we want to tell them that we are here to support them and offer them whatever aid we can.
“If they have any problems, they can come to us, and we will try to do our best to begin the procedure of resolving them,” he added.
“We may not be able to solve all the problems that come our way, but we will definitely try to help those who require it. As a social organisation, we have a responsibility to provide help to others, and we will continue to do so in future as well.”
India’s Ambassador to Oman, Indra Mani Pandey, was also invited to the event, and he too did not hold back from offering support to Indian workers in Oman.
“All of us are extremely aware of the tireless efforts and achievements that Indians have made in the construction industry in Oman, and we will be forever grateful to them for that,” said Pandey.
“The Indian Embassy stands ready to help those who require our aid, and we will never turn anybody back, if they need our help. This embassy belongs to all Indians in Oman, and we will always be ready to help them.”
“Onam is a festival of great joy to everyone, which is not just celebrated by Indians in their homeland, but wherever they are across the world,” he added.
“I want to thank the Malayalam Wing for all they have done, and wish to remind everyone that all of the different wings of the Indian Social Club are involved in such social activities to help their brothers and sisters in Oman, and this is a truly wonderful thing they are all doing.”
It was a sentiment echoed by Dr. Sathish Nambiar, ISC’s honorary chairman, who said, “I want to thank the Malayalam Wing of the Indian Social Club for what they have done, by showing solidarity with the workers in Oman, and we are very grateful for all of their efforts.
“We are always open to anyone who needs help from us, so if there is ever a time when any Indian expatriate in Oman needs help from the Indian Social Club, please reach out to us,” he added.
“I know there are many of you who would’ve liked to travel back home to celebrate Onam with your families, but we hope that you will think of us as your family in Oman instead.”
