The Indian Association-Sharjah was established in 1979, taking the spirit of universal brotherhood as defined in the Sanskrit verse “Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu”, which cannot be defined more exquisitely than this. It needs a long vision and a lot of perseverance to see the whole universe as one and the people living across the length and breadth of it as brethren and wish them all good.
The founders of the association too had the objective in mind that the set objectives of promoting Indo-Arab friendship, providing educational and socio-cultural facilities for the children of the Indians in the area and extending charity activities and help to those community members who are in distress.
However, not many people have come forward to join the Indian Association at that time. But, today it has become a much sought after organization by the Indians for Social, Cultural, Educational, Recreational and Relief activities.
The Indian Association Sharja has been contributing a lot for the education of the expatriates children. And the two Indian schools in Sharjah and Juwaiza as well as the Gulf Rose Nursery in Sharjah under the management of Indian Association stand testimony to this.
With the inflow of more and more expatriates to the Gulf and as a good number of them preferred to bring their families to live with them, education of children became a matter of serious concern during the late 70’s and 80’s.
Though, Sharjah Indian School was started initially in a small rented villa with very few students and staff to cater to the needs of the educational requirements of expatriate community in the emirates of Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaima and Um Al Quwain, it was later shifted to the present campus, the land for which was donated by H H Dr. Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohamed Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
As the Sharjah Indian School is saturated and cannot cater to the needs of the Indian Children approaching for admission year after year, to fulfill its commitment, Indian Association Sharjah, approached HH The Ruler of Sharjah for a plot of land for construction of new school and got the land in Juwaiza where the new school is built.
Gulf Rose Nursery, owned and managed by Indian Association Sharjah has nearly 500 students in the roll. The demand of admission is on the rise in nursery school as well.
IAS has plans to start a new school for the differently abled children in the region which would be a great relief to the parents of such children as well.
World Class Quality Education at the most affordable cost is the motto of Sharjah Indian School. In no other school in the area can one find a school with such lower fees structure providing quality education and the most modern means of infrastructure.
The Indian Association in Sharjah is also very much active in the Sociocultural arena and it join hands with the the Consulate General of India in celebrating India Day, Constitution Day and the like.
It celebrates all important festivals like, Eid, Onam and Christmas in addition to the National festivals of India like Independence Day, Republic Day and the National Day of UAE. This is a unique opportunity for Indian Community in UAE to get together in a secular atmosphere of brotherhood to promote unity, love, respect and integrity of Indians.
Recreational Activities
The Association has become the centre of attraction of all recreational activities of the Indian Community in Sharjah and the nearby emirates for their relaxation and entertainment. The Association, had built a Community Hall on the land which was allotted by the HH the Ruler of Sharjah, for the recreational activities.
The Shuttle Badminton Club and the Health Club of IAS provide a lot of opportunities for the Health care of community members. Periodical medical camps conducted by IAS and the activities of IAS Health Committee provide a lot of opportunities for the Health care of Indian Community members.
Recognition by NORKA
Indian Association Sharjah has been recognized by NORKA as one of its overseas centres. Efforts are on to establish a full-fledged office of NORKA in our campus and to start operations.
Distance Education project of the Government of Kerala: Indian Association Sharjah is one of the nodal centres selected by the Government of Kerala Education Department for the Class 10 and 12 Equivalency Examination conducted by the Kerala State Sakshara tha Mission.
Social and Community commitments
In co-ordination with Indian Consulate, Indian A s s o c i a t i o n Sharjah’s coordinator visits jails and hospitals and offers help to many needy Indians, including free air tickets for the repatriation of the inmates.
In the Social service front, people in distress have been offered financial and other types of support by the Association.
H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohamed Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah has provided the Association with some land where they constructed a crematorium for cremation of the Hindu/Sikh community members enabling the last rites to be performed in a clean and serene atmosphere in a customary way,
CONSULAR SERVICES
IAS provides Attestation services of various documents. Officials from the Indian Consulate Dubai visit the Association on Fridays and Tuesday evenings and render the attestation service. This service is available at Indian Association Sharjah only on Fridays.
Contact details
President
The President
Indian Association Sharjah
P.O.Box 2324
Sharjah,UAE
Email:
The Consulate Coordinator
Indian Association Sharjah
Tel: 06-5610845
Fax: 06-5610805
Email: