CM inaugurates Karnataka NRI Forum-UAE; hails initiative of Kannadigas

[email protected] (Shodhan Prasad)
April 29, 2017

Dubai, Apr 29: Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday officially inaugurated the newly formed official body for non-resident Kannadigas United Arab Emirates, ‘Karnataka NRI Forum – UAE’ at Indian Consulate Auditorium, Dubai.

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Dr Arathi Krishna, the Vice President of NRI Forum Govt. of Karnataka, along with the dignitaries from Karnataka and Padmashree Dr. B.R. Shetty the Honorary President of the Forum along with President elect Praveen Kumar Shetty were present during the official inauguration ceremony witnessed by various Karnataka based businessmen in UAE, Leaders of various Karnataka based Associations in UAE, 36 registered founder members of the newly formed Karnataka NRI Forum – UAE and other guests.

The programme started at around 3 pm with welcome note and briefing of the NRI Forum by Arathi Adiga who compered the cultural programme organised by Vishwanath Shetty and also read out the names of those sponsors. Welcome dance was performed by the students of Impact Talent Performing Arts Training Centre choreographed by Vidhushi Aruna Umamaheshwari. Later Klassical Rhythms presented a beautiful dance performance which was choreographed by Vidhushi Rohini Ananth. Followed was a dance performance by Radical Dance Studio choreographed by Vijay Jogi and another dance presented by Sankeerna which was choreographed by Vidhushi Sapna Kiran. All the dances were well appreciated by the whole audience in the auditorium.

It was around 4 pm Siddaramaiah along with the dignitaries arrived at the venue with grand salutation by live drum beats and horns by a professional group who led the procession of the dignitaries with traditional greetings by women groups who marched into the auditorium while all the Kannadigas inside gave a standing ovation welcoming the main guests of the evening. It was a day to be remembered in the history of UAE wherein a warm welcome in traditional Karnataka style was honoured for the official inauguration of ‘Karnataka NRI Forum – UAE’ a proud moment for all Kannadigas in UAE.

While the guests were seated the cultural programme continued with dance, performance presented by Impact Talent’s choreographed by Mehul Kumar followed by another dance presentation by Radical Dance Studio choreographed by Vijay Jogi. Later was a dance presented by Symphony Music Institute choreographed by Vidhushi Sujatha Sham and another dance presented by Klassical Rhythms choreographed by Vidhushi Rohini Ananth.

At around 5 pm was the inauguration function and Ganesh Rai took over the stage inviting the guests on to the stage for the official function. Dr. B. R. Shetty escorted Chief Minsiter Shri. Siddaramaiah on to the stage, Praveen Shetty escorted Indian Consul General HE Vipul while Prabhakar Ambalthare escorted Minister U.T. Khader and Dr. Kaup escorted Dr. Arathi Krishna on to the stage for the formal function.

The official inauguration started with UAE National Anthem while all the guests and audience stood with due respect followed by Indian National Anthem and Karnataka ‘Naada Geethe’ presented with traditional touch with background video display of Karnataka and live singing by women.

Soon Prabhakar Ambalthare, General Secretary of Karnataka NRI Forum UAE welcomed the guests and audience and briefed on the progamme. This was followed by traditional lighting of the lamp inaugurating the programme while ‘Hachevu Kannadadha Deepa’ was played on the background symbolizing the inauguration by the traditional lighting of the lamp.

With all the dignitaries on the stage the official launch of Karnataka NRI Forum UAE’s Logo launch was done in a professional way by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Founder President Praveen Kumar Shetty later welcomed the guests and rendered speech in true Kannada depicting the importance of the Forum. He briefed about the formation and said that eight months ago he was hearing a lot of grievances by Kannadigas specially in UAE who were not able to address their issues anywhere with the Government of India. Hence was always thinking of forming an NRI cell based on the success of similar organisation of the neighbouring state Kerala ( NORKA).

With assistance of former MLA H Srinivas he was successful in meeting the CM in several occasions which resulted in success in formation of Karnataka NRI Forum. He also said that the 36 board members of this cell are truly based with the district wise representation of whole of Karnataka irrespective of any caste creed or religion. While anticipating full support from all Kannadigas all over UAE he assured smooth and good functioning of the forum for any grievances and concerns of Kannadigas.

Followed was the oath taking process officially organized by the Forum with the lead by H.E. Vipul inviting the Team of NRI Forum, the Honorary President Dr. B.R. Shetty & the working President Praveen Kumar Shetty for the oath taking ceremony. This continued with the Vice Presidents, General Secretary, Joint Secretary, Treasurer, Joint Treasurer & Executive Members doing the honours respectively.

Honorary President Dr. B.R. Shetty spoke on the event and welcomed Indian Consulate General H.E. Vipul and Chief guest Honourable Shri. Siddaramaiah and expressed his happiness for the arrival of the chief minister for the first ever inauguration of Karnataka NRI Forum. He invited non resident Kannadigas to invest in friendly state Karnataka and said that he already invested in few ventures such as Jog Falls tourism development plus major hospital administration in Udupi and also dialysis centre in all hospitals throughout Karnataka. He also added that the Abu Dhabi Government is very keen in opening investments with Government of Karnataka.

Later Minister of Food, U.T. Khader promised full cooperation to the KNRI – UAE and said that his government will look into the grievances of all NRIs with due importance and in quick manner.

Siddaramaiah was felicitated with flower bouquet, fruit basket, Felicitation letter and Memento by KNRI Team. Followed was honour by various Karnataka based organisations in UAE who presented the Chief Minister with flower bouquet one by one.

Speaking after felicitation, Siddaramaiah said that he is very happy that Kannadigas in UAE in the leadership of Praveen Shetty has taken up this initiative in forming the first Karnataka NRI Forum in UAE. He said that any Kannadigas residing outside India should always remember that he is an Indian first and then Kannadiga.

He said “Wherever you live, however you live be a Kannadiga anytime. ( the quotation refers to the well known poet Kuvempu – Yelladuru iru, yenthadaru iru, yendendigu nee Kannada vagiru)”. He briefed that under his leadership Karnataka has become a complaint free state but also assured that any grievances of the citizens will always be his first preference to address.

Karnataka now has become No. 1 investment friendly state for Indians and also No. 2 as friendly investors state for foreign direct investments, he added.

Chief Minister proudly said that he had successfully completed all his 168 manifestos he had promised during his previous election campaign much before his governor’s period. He promised full cooperation and support with legal financial assistance to the newly formed Karnataka NRI Forum UAE and said that this forum should be an example for others to follow.

Main Sponsors of the event were later honored on the stage with shawl and mementos for their contribution. The programme ended with vote of thanks rendered by Sarvotham Shetty.

Also Read: Siddaramaiah invites NRI tycoons in UAE to invest in Karnataka

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News Network
January 10,2020

Bengaluru, Jan 10: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Friday launched 'Sapthapadi', a mass marriage program in Bengaluru.

The state authorities will provide a mangalsutra worth Rs 40,000 and Rs 5,000 to the groom. They will also give Rs 10,000 to the bride after marriage.

The state government has also informed that the department has shortlisted some temples where the mass marriages will be held.

Yediyurappa also confirmed that the government will help communities like Muslim and Christians also to organise mass marriage as per their respective rituals.

According to the state government guidelines, issued last year in November, both parents of the couple should attend the ceremony if the duo wants to avail benefits of this offer but those who want to marry without their parent's permission do not stand a chance here.

Also, those wanting a love marriage will not be able to reap the benefits of the scheme. The plan is to conduct about 1,000 marriages in 90-100 temples.

The couples wanting to tie the knot are expected to register themselves 30 days before the scheduled date in the temple. Following which a list will be prepared.

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News Network
February 1,2020

Mysuru, Feb 1: The local police have arrested a man stabbed his irresponsible wife after she apparently hurt him with her naughty TikTok videos in Periyapatna of Mysuru district.

According to police, Srinivas stabbed his wife Savitha for TikTok videos where the latter featured with a different man.

The couple was not in good terms and was staying separately since few years. Savitha was residing in Mysuru and she used to send TikTok videos posing with another man to Srinivas.

The couple had two children, who reside with Srinivas, who was upset with the videos and invited Savitha to the birthday party of one of their children at Periyapatna.

He attacked her with a knife soon after she reached the function venue, Police said.

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coastaldigest.com news network
April 17,2020

The unexpected lockdown to prevent spread of covid–19 has caused a serious damage to the lives of Indian expatriates irrespective of laborers and entrepreneurs in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Different stories of expatriates' ordeals are emerging from the region. 

Abdul Razaq, hailing from Udupi in Karnataka has been running small scale business at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, based on oil refinery projects of the government. He was undergoing medical treatment for his cancer which is in fist stage. He explaines his ordeals caused by lockdown and stopping the flight facility. 

“I was regularly visiting home country for the treatment of cancer. Now I cannot go as international flight service has been stopped. I expect that government will hear problems of expatriates and will arrange facilities to take us back to home”, he said.

Mubeen from Bengaluru was working on temporary basis  for a company in Jubail. He had lost his jobs like some of his colleagues due to the lockdown.

“As everything was alright, I had brought my parents recently to Saudi Arabia on a visit visa. Things changed drastically with covid-19 attack. Continuous lockdown caused burden over the company and they removed temporary employees like me to control possible losses” he said.

“Now owner of the flat has been harassing me for the rent. I do not have money either to pay rent or to cover daily family expenses. I do not know what to do further”, he added. 

Iqbal from Mangaluru left for Saudi Arabia to help his family. He got a job in a juce centre in Dammam recently. Corona lockdown made his life difficult. He is eager to return his home country. 

“I came to Saudi Arbia because of financial difficulties as I had not found any job with good salary there. I thought I can earn well by going to Saudi Arabia. However, here too the salary was not so good. Now juice center is closed due to lockdown and sponsor is giving very small amount of money as salary through which we cannot afford our expenses and our families back in home,” he said.

“Here It is not easy get help of fellow Indians since most of them have their own ordeals. I would like to return home country; there however we can manage to get help of friends and relatives. I am looking forward the help of Indian government to start air facility for stranded NRIs,” he said. 

Mohsin from Mysuru is a taxi driver in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. He was earning on commission basis. Now Saudi government banned movement of taxis in the region, which pushed him and his fellow taxi drivers into trouble.

“We were earning commissions daily on the basis of trips. Now we cannot move outside with taxi since it may cause us to pay the fine of SR.10000. How can I manage my expenses and family members in home?”, he asked.

There are cases of pregnant women who have to return India for delivery. Those who brought family here on visit visa will not have insurance. Delivery charges and any kind of medical facilities without insurance in Saudi Arabia is very expensive. Expatriate Indians with such problems are awaiting government's help.

“I had brought my wife on one year visit visa. Now she is pregnant and I have to send her back to home for delivery. If lockdown continues, it is difficult to send back and we have to spend big amounts for delivery without insurance. It is a big burden to me as I work for small salary in a company”, said Yunus from Hyderabad, who is living in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Lockdown is haunting even entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia. Most of expatriates in the industrial hub of Jubail are doing business based on Saudi Government’s oil refinery projects. Saudi Arabia temporarily stopped most of the projects as part of public health safety measures to maintain social distance. 

“We are doing business based on oil refinery projects. Now projects are stopped. We brought around 1100 people on work permit visa on temporary basis. And also, we have around 1200 permanent workers. It is a big burden to provide them with food, accommodation and salary. It may cause a big loss for our company”, said owner of expatriates company, Sheikh Mohammed.

Saudi Arabia had reported first corona virus affected case in March 2, 2020. At the end of March, it was 1600 and now it already corssed 6000. Saudi Health ministry has cautioned the number of affected people may rise 10000 to 200,000 and directed for more precautionary measures. In such case, the Indian expatriates may have to face crisis in the region. 

Indian expatriate organizations are demanding for immediate intervention of Indian government to ensure better quarantine facility and treatment of NRIs in Saudi Arabia as the cases are increasing rapidly. The condition of laborers in some of the camps are such that seven to eight people should share a single bed room. 

“Normally if there is a flat, it will consist three to four bed rooms. In single bedroom companies will provide three four bunk beds and six to eight people should share the room. In such cases, if a person affected with virus it will spread quickly to others. Thus, Indian government should ensure quarantine facility for NRIs”, says Wasim Rabbani, president of Indian Social Forum, Eastern Region, Saudi Arabia. 

President of Karnataka Non Residential Indians, A forum for the NRI organizations of Karnataka, Zakaria Muzain says Indian Government should immediately interfere to bring back those stranded NRIs who wish to return home. Government should intervene to pressure Indian embassy to take the issues of troubled expatriates. 

“Government should make special flight arrangement for such NRIs in trouble. It should also arrange quarantine facility for those who return to India. Already there are many Non-Governmental charity organization which have come forward to give their facilities for NRIs”, he said. 

NRIs from all categories are looking forward for the help of Indian government. It is important to Indian government to take quick action as the problem is increasing in Saudi Arabia.

Comments

Althaf
 - 
Monday, 20 Apr 2020

Help from modi government is a nightmare 

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