The Indian Ladies Association (ILA) was founded in 1956 by Leela Jashanmal and her friends as a place for Indian women to gather, indulge in creative activities and support each other as expats in Bahrain. ILA has grown from its humble beginnings to be an organisation renowned for its community outreach programmes, cultural shows and charitable initiatives. As part of our India in Bahrain supplement, ILA’s newly-elected Honorary President, Kiran Abhijit Mangle, tells us more about how ILA offers a platform for women to connect and contribute to Bahrain’s society.
Mrs. Mangle, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and an MBA in Finance, brings a wealth of experience from various sectors including IT, oil and gas, and banking. Inspired by its mission and the impact of its work, she began her journey with ILA a few years ago. As the Honorary President, her goals are to strengthen community outreach, enhance personal and professional development opportunities and foster a more inclusive environment within ILA.
“This year, we want to focus on nurturing entrepreneurship in women and building stronger networks with the Bahrain community,” Mrs. Mangle explains. “One of our key initiatives is expanding the Sneha recreational centre, which offers free recreational and developmental activities for children with special needs, to expand its capacity and extending the Basic English Speak Easy course to a broader audience. We also have our ILA Connect Monthly Newsletter as a platform for sharing stories, recipes, poems and insights, fostering meaningful partnerships and promoting our sponsors.”
ILA’s mantra is to offer cultural and talent competitions, workshops and personal development sessions that promote growth while preserving Indian traditions. “Our commitment to community service allows members to make a meaningful impact,” Mrs. Mangle adds. “Additionally, we encourage leadership and skill development, providing opportunities for women to take on roles, hone skills and gain valuable experience.”
Some of ILA’s most important philanthropic initiatives are its outreach programmes, such as visits to old age homes, health camps and educational workshops for children. Most importantly, Sneha offers activities like yoga, ballet, dance, baking, painting and gardening free of charge and five days a week.
One of the most anticipated events on Bahrain’s social calendar is the ILA Dandiya Utsav, which celebrates the traditional Indian folk dance, Dandiya. “This year, it will be held on September 20 at the Crowne Plaza Bahrain, featuring Disco Dandiya and Top Bollywood Dandiya and Garba songs by the renowned DJ Rahul,” Mrs. Mangle shares.
The event is expected to attract around 2,000 attendees from diverse cultural backgrounds across the GCC. In addition, ILA has a lineup of exciting events including a Thirst Drive for Workers Welfare, the launch of the ILA Connect Newsletter, health and wellness workshops and more.
ILA offers a plethora of activities to its members, including Empowering Women Entrepreneurs (EWE) with workshops, networking events, access to business incubator services, collaboration projects and a mentorship programme. In addition, the ‘aaGaz’ Youth Empowerment Programmes provide leadership opportunities and skill development for young people while ILA’s Cultural Mosaic celebrates Indian culture through music, dance and art events.
Mrs. Mangle encourages all women of Indian origin in Bahrain to join the ILA. “Together, we can achieve great things and make a positive difference in the lives of others. We continuously expand our programmes to have a greater community impact. Your support and involvement are crucial, so we invite everyone to participate in our events and initiatives.”
Women interested in joining ILA can apply for membership by visiting
www.ilabahrain.com or contacting the association directly. Membership details include a registration fee and an annual membership fee, valid from January to December.
