IAL President Reflects on Achievements, Growth & 2026 Vision

Chronicle.lu recently caught up with Sahil Goel, President of the Indian Association Luxembourg (IAL), to learn about his time so far at the helm of the IAL and planned activities for 2026.

Sahil Goel was appointed IAL President in October 2023 (read an earlier interview here).

In this latest interview, Sahil reflected on achievements, challenges and the IAL's vision for 2026.

Chronicle.lu: You have been IAL President for a couple of years now. What have been the biggest achievements and challenges you have encountered in the role to date?

Sahil Goel: Serving as President of the Indian Association Luxembourg since October 2023 has been both an honour and a responsibility. Key achievements include: strengthening institutional governance and transparency within IAL; expanding community engagement beyond traditional event-based participation; deepening relationships with the Embassy of India and Luxembourg institutions; repositioning IAL as a structured, forward-looking diaspora organisation.

Perhaps most importantly, we have shifted IAL from being just an "event organiser" to being a community platform with continuity and credibility. One of our biggest achievements has been the professionalisation and expansion of IAL's outreach. Over the past two years, we have built one of the most active and diverse digital communities among Indian associations in Europe [...] This strong presence has strengthened our credibility and visibility across Luxembourg.

This growth has directly contributed to attracting a wide range of sponsors, both long-term and new. [...] We have also deepened our collaborations with cultural and community institutions - partnerships that have enabled richer cultural exchanges and more inclusive activities. We have also engaged very well with local [municipalities]. Our media partnership ecosystem has also expanded significantly, ensuring broader communication and visibility for our initiatives.

Together, these developments have allowed us to increase the frequency, scale and quality of our community events, making IAL more dynamic and accessible than ever before. Our event calendar has also become more active and visible, allowing us to connect with the community more frequently and meaningfully.

The biggest challenge? Managing growth. The Indian community in Luxembourg is evolving rapidly - professionals, students, entrepreneurs, families - all with different expectations. Balancing inclusivity with structure, while running a volunteer-led organisation, is never simple. Sustainability and volunteer bandwidth remain constant realities.

The challenges remain substantial. Venue availability is by far the most persistent operational hurdle. In Luxembourg, many event venues function with near-monopoly conditions, often requiring mandatory in-house catering, which becomes prohibitively expensive for non-profit organisations like ours. Dealing with rigid or even occasionally uncooperative venue management consumes a disproportionate amount of time and energy - resources that should ideally be directed towards community-building.

Another major challenge is managing the rapidly rising expectations of a growing Indian population. The administrative and coordination workload across 2024-2026 has increased considerably. While we continue to maintain a high standard of delivery, elevating IAL to the next level requires a more structured volunteer base. We are working on it. This would allow us to devote more time to strategic partnerships, collaborations and new member-focused initiatives instead of routine administrative tasks.

Chronicle.lu: And with this experience "under your belt", do you plan to expand the IAL's offering of services and events over the next year or so? If so, how?

Sahil Goel: With experience now behind us, the focus is not just "more events" - but better structured offerings. Growth must be strategic. We are not aiming for quantity - but impact and continuity. Our focus is on smarter, structured growth. We are transitioning to an automated membership and booking system on our website. Beyond major events, we are introducing micro-activities such as indoor sports (badminton, table tennis) and fun educational programmes for children covering dance, music and tech[nology].

Most excitingly, we are launching a "Member Benefit Scheme" providing discounts at grocery stores, restaurants, insurance agencies and cinema halls. This, alongside a new blog and digital newsletter, will ensure IAL provides tangible daily value to the Indian diaspora and its friends.

Chronicle.lu: With the growth in the number of Indian nationals in Luxembourg in recent years, has membership of the IAL grown similarly?

Sahil Goel: The Indian population in Luxembourg has seen significant growth in recent years. [...] IAL membership has also grown, but naturally not at the same pace as the total population. This is typical of diaspora associations - not everyone immediately joins. Our goal is not just increasing numbers but increasing active participation. Retention and engagement matter more than headline figures.

The growth of the Indian community is clearly reflected in our digital engagement and the volume of daily inquiries we receive. New arrivals to Luxembourg often seek an immediate sense of belonging - a true "home away from home". Our [messaging and social media] channels [have] become an essential lifeline for many families and professionals. These platforms allow members, neighbours and colleagues to stay connected, celebrate festivals together, share achievements and support each other. This organic community building has been one of our most meaningful accomplishments.

Chronicle.lu: Looking ahead to 2026, please tell us about your plan for India Independence Day - the IAL used to have a cricket match against the Optimists CC (Lagaan Cup​), but the new format adopted from last year seems to be much more a family day...

Sahil Goel: Historically, the "Lagaan Cup" cricket match against Optimists CC was a beloved sporting tradition. In the last two years, we adopted a broader family-day format to reflect the demographic shift in our community - more young families, more children, more diversity.

For 2026, the intention is to retain the inclusive family-day atmosphere, include cultural elements and children's engagement, [and] explore bringing back cricket in some symbolic or friendly format. We have officially transitioned the India Independence Day event on 15 August into the IAL Trophy, designed to be more inclusive and engaging for families. It features a six-a-side friendly cricket tournament with four themed teams: Revolutionary Rangers; Liberty Legends; Unity Uplifters; Triumph Troopers.

With ten to eleven matches and a festive environment, it has become a joyful family day held on a Luxembourgish public holiday [Assumption Day]. We include national anthem ceremonies [...] and cultural additions such as patriotic book launches. It brings together sports, culture and community spirit in a way that reflects the essence of Independence Day.

Chronicle.lu: Traditionally, the Diwali event in November has been the IAL's largest indoor event. How are you and the current IAL committee approaching this year's Diwali celebrations?

Sahil Goel: Diwali has always been IAL's flagship indoor celebration. Over the years, it has moved between a community-driven participatory format [and] a professionally curated gala-style event. This year, the approach is balanced: preserve community participation (dance groups, children, local talent); elevate production quality where feasible; ensure accessibility while maintaining event standards. Diwali must feel both celebratory and representative of India's cultural richness.

We have secured the Leudelange [municipal] hall for 14 November 2026. This follows a "Structured Diwali" approach. Our history with venues has been a learning curve: in 2023, we were at Merl (capacity: 200); in 2024, we tried LuxExpo (capacity: 600-800) but the attendance of 450 led to financial losses. In 2025, we moved to the prestigious Cercle Cité (capacity: 260), which was [a full house] and much easier for sponsors to support.

For 2026, we are lucky to have secured a [municipal] hall with a 350+ capacity, which balances the need for more space with financial sustainability. Finding the right venue is a constant struggle in Luxembourg and we are thrilled to have Leudelange confirmed for our Diwali event, the second-largest event on our annual calendar after our public [outdoor] event, India Day.

Chronicle.lu: Do you see future collaborations with other Indian organisations in Luxembourg, e.g. the Indian Business Chamber of Luxembourg (IBCL) and Moien Bharat, to promote Indian culture together, or do you prefer to organise your own, complementary events?

Sahil Goel: As the oldest Indian organisation in Luxembourg (established in 1991), we have always believed in collaboration. We regularly work with the Honorary Consulate General of India to Luxembourg for cultural direction and community alignment. We are [also] collaborating with IBCL on 26 February 2026 to host a retirement farewell for Ambassador Saurabh Kumar, and we expect to do the same when the new Ambassador arrives later this year.

Whether it is the Luxembourg National Day torchlight procession, joint cultural celebrations or community partnerships, IAL is committed to supporting and leading initiatives that strengthen Indian cultural representation in Luxembourg.

Luxembourg's Indian ecosystem is maturing. Organisations such as IBCL and Moien Bharat serve different but complementary audiences. We believe in: strategic collaboration where objectives align; avoiding duplication of efforts; maintaining IAL's cultural-community identity. Healthy cooperation strengthens the overall Indian presence in Luxembourg. The Indian community in Luxembourg is no longer small or emerging - it is established, diverse and influential. IAL's role is to anchor cultural continuity, provide community cohesion [and] represent collective interests responsibly. Growth will continue - but it must be structured, inclusive and sustainable.