MUSCAT : Dr. Sathish Nambiar, one of the most prominent figures in Oman’s Indian expatriate community and the longest-serving chairman of the Indian Social Club (ISC), has died, the organisation confirmed on Thursday.

Nambiar led the ISC for over 30 years, making him one of the most enduring community leaders in the Gulf region. He was widely respected for his role in expanding the club’s cultural, social and welfare activities, and for strengthening the Indian community’s engagement with Omani society.

Arriving in Oman in the early 1980s, Nambiar held several leadership positions within the club before becoming chairman, a role he continued to hold through repeated re-elections. Under his tenure, the ISC grew to include multiple wings representing various Indian states and cultural groups, and became one of the largest and most active expatriate organisations in the country.

He was also known for spearheading humanitarian work, including relief support for disaster-hit regions in India, community assistance for expatriates in distress, and large-scale initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic such as food distribution, blood-donation drives and coordination of repatriation efforts.

Tributes from community organisations and members poured in, describing Nambiar as a unifying figure whose leadership helped shape the identity and visibility of Oman’s Indian diaspora.

“His vision, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence have shaped and inspired all of us. Dr. Nambiar was not only a remarkable leader but also a guiding light whose wisdom and values will continue to live on in our hearts and in the work he championed,” the statement from ISC added.

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