MANAMA: Marking the seven decades excellence the Indian Ladies Association (ILA) has announced its grand 70th anniversary gala celebration under the patronage of her highness Shaikha Hessa bint Khalifa Al Khalifa, wife of His Highness Shaikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairperson of INJAZ Bahrain, and Member of the Supreme Council for Women,
The main event will take place on Thursday, 10th December 2026, at the Gulf Convention Centre, Gulf Hotel, marking seven decades dedicated to ILA’s core pillars: Charity, Cultural Exchange, and Community Support. While ILA membership is exclusive to Indian women, the association’s journey over seventy years has fostered an enduring bond of friendship and unity among women of all nationalities across the Kingdom.
“Seventy years of ILA represents a shared legacy of friendship, service, and cross-cultural unity within the Kingdom of Bahrain,” said Hon. President Smitha Jensen. “As we celebrate seven decades of our ‘Triple C’ ethos, launching the ILA CSR Excellence Awards allows us to honor those who champion our motto, ‘Service Before Self,’ while deepening corporate partnerships that amplify our charitable reach across the community.
This was announced during the press conference led by Smitha Jensen and present were ILA Platinum Jubilee Co-chairs Sarada Ajith and Meera Ravi, CSR Excellence Awards Committee Lead, Rekha Utham, CSR Excellence Awards Committee member, Kavithasree, and senior representatives from the Awards Knowledge Partner, KPMG-Fakhro. ILA Managing Committee members were also present.
The landmark evening will feature three signature segments highlighting seven decades of community integration between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the expatriate community through the ILA:
The Platinum Jubilee Gala Celebration: A celebratory evening reflecting 70 years of community service, cultural unity, and cross-cultural friendship, featuring symbolic entertainment and live fusion music.
The Inaugural ILA CSR Excellence Awards 2026 Ceremony: Hosted for the first time, this prestigious awards program aligns with ILA’s motto, “Service Before Self.” Developed to recognize corporate entities and outstanding individuals, the initiative is conducted under the expert knowledge partnership of KPMG Fakhro and evaluated by a distinguished jury of eminent Bahraini and expatriate leaders. At the Gala, HH Shaikha Hessa bint Khalifa Al Khalifa shall present the Awards to the winners.
“Entries will be accepted from all Bahrain-based companies with a Bahrain C.R. and individuals of all nationalities who are resident in Bahrain,” Awards Committee Lead, Rekha Utham, said. “The main criteria is that the CSR work should be quantifiable and directly beneficial to the Kingdom of Bahrain and local causes. Entries will be digitally processed online and assessed in the first round by KPMG-Fakhro and the finalists will be interviewed by a distinguished jury panel who will select the winners.”
Following will be the key features including Excellence in Women Empowerment: Recognizing corporate programs that uplift women through education, skill development, or healthcare initiatives.
Sustainable Environment Initiative: Honoring organizational commitment to green practices, waste management, and carbon footprint reduction.
CSR Company of the Year: Awarded to the overall champion demonstrating excellence across multiple social responsibility metrics.
Woman of Impact – Lifetime Achievement Award: Celebrating a distinguished individual with a decade or more of dedicated community service, impactful CSR leadership, or exemplary stewardship of an NGO/organization devoted to social betterment.
The Official Release of the Platinum Jubilee Commemorative Book: A historic publication capturing the legacy of the Indian Ladies Association and other pioneering women’s groups in Bahrain, documenting their contributions to shaping the Kingdom’s vibrant social fabric.