Muscat: The foundation stone for the new Indian Social Club (ISC) premises in Amarat area was laid on Thursday by the outgoing Indian ambassador to Oman, Anil Wadhwa, amidst all religion prayers.
"We are targeting 2013 to complete the building," Dr Sathish Nambiar, the ISC Chairman said after the formal stone laying ceremony at the site.
Dr Nambiar said that the ceremony was the first step towards the realisation of a long standing dream that the Indian community should have a state-of-art building with all the amenities. He thanked the Omani monarch Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed for the continued benevolence towards the Indian community.
He also expressed the community's gratitude to Wadhwa. "His proactive nature is the reason we are seeing the project see the light of the day," Dr Nambiar pointed out.
The Oman government has given the Indian community 10,000-square metre area to build the ISC premises much bigger than the current building given to the Club 34 years ago. "Plans have been drawn out and once the plan is approved by the Muscat Municipality, we will put out a tender," added the ISC chairman.
There are 15 linguistic wings under ISC and Dr Nambiar said that each of the linguistic wing will have their own offices in the new building.
He revealed that a 1,500-seater auditorium will be built along with gym, spa, swimming pools and all other sports facilities.
He also said that a steering committee comprising senior Indians would be overlooking the progress of the project.
