Doha, Qatar: A grand reception is being organized in Doha for the delegation led by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Culture Minister Saji Cherian, who will arrive in Qatar on October 30 as part of the Malayalam Festival-Gulf Tour. The event marks a significant cultural and emotional gathering for the Malayali expatriate community, as part of a wider initiative jointly undertaken by the Loka Kerala Sabha and the Malayalam Mission to strengthen ties between the Kerala government and the global Malayali diaspora.

The welcome event, titled “Malayalotsavam 2025,” will be held at the Ideal Indian School Ground in Abu Hamur from 6:00 PM on October 30. The grand program will feature cultural performances, community interactions, and tributes to the Malayalam language and culture. The initiative aims to highlight Kerala’s global outreach and the invaluable contributions of expatriates in the Gulf region to the state’s progress and cultural identity.

A welcome group formation meeting, held earlier at the Ashoka Hall of the Indian Cultural Center (ICC), witnessed enthusiastic participation from various sectors of the Malayali community in Qatar. The meeting introduced the panel of welcome group committees, with E. M. Sudheer, Director of the Kerala Pravasi Welfare Board and member of the Loka Kerala Sabha, playing a key role in the coordination. The event was presided over by NORKA Roots Director J. K. Menon, while Dr. Mohan Thomas, recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman and noted social activist, officially inaugurated the proceedings.

An extensive organizing committee has been formed with C. V. Rappayi, Director of NORKA Roots and member of the Loka Kerala Sabha, serving as the Chairman and E. M. Sudheer as the General Convener. The committee includes representatives from various organizations, institutions, and civic bodies across Qatar, reflecting the strong sense of unity and pride within the expatriate Malayali community.

Prominent personalities including IBPC President Thaha Abdul Karim, ICC President A. P. Manikandan, and ISC President E. P. Abdurahman addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of fostering cultural connections between Kerala and its diaspora. Biju P. Mangalam, Secretary of Samskriti and the Malayalam Mission Qatar Chapter, welcomed the attendees, while Ahmed Kutty, Loka Kerala Sabha member and former President of Samskriti, delivered the vote of thanks. The event set the stage for a historic evening of cultural celebration and community solidarity when the Chief Minister’s delegation arrives in Doha later this month.