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
March 2,2020

Bengaluru, Feb 2: The monthlong budget session beginning on Monday, which will mark BS Yediyurappa’s maiden budget in his fourth term as chief minister, is expected to be a fiery one.

The opposition JD(S) and Congress have already threatened to stall proceeding until BJP legislator Basangouda Patil Yatnal apologises for his controversial remarks against freedom fighter and centenarian HS Doreswamy. Yatnal had called him a fake and a Pakistani agent.

Disruptions are also likely to pose a threat to speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri’s novel idea of having a two-day discussion on the Constitution of India to commemorate 70 years of the country’s Independence.

Both opposition parties have scheduled legislature party meetings early on Monday and they could coordinate on issues on the floor of the house to put the BJP — especially Yediyurappa — on the backfoot.

Yatnal is not known as a “hardliner”, but his attack on Doreswamy has garnered support from several ministers including CT Ravi, KS Eshwarappa and V Somanna. Yediyurappa may have a hard time defending his party’s line.

The BJP is yet to schedule its legislature party meeting, but MLAs suggest the party will allow the issue to be raised and debated in the legislature. “Both have expressed their point of view. Let there be a discussion on the matter, but not allowing the house to function will only be a waste of the state’s time and money,” said deputy chief minister CN Ashwath Narayan.

Besides the Doreswamy issue, Yediyurappa will also deliver his reply — postponed from February 20 — to the debate on the governor’s address. The issue of student Amulya Leona Narona’s arrest on a charge of sedition, the Bidar sedition case involving a parent of a school student, pro-Pakistan writings on walls in places in north Karnataka, introduction of NPR and the anti-CAA stir is also likely to feature during the lengthy session.

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News Network
January 2,2020

Bengaluru, Jan 2: The Congress leadership in Delhi is expected to start the process of selecting a new party chief for Karnataka next week. There are strong indications the race has narrowed to DK Shivakumar and MB Patil.

Party insiders said the leadership almost finalised Shivakumar’s name as the president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), but the decision was put on hold after requests by some senior members.

“It’s not that we are against Shivakumar. We think the party should have a Lingayat at the helm since community strongman and chief minister BS Yediyurappa is at the fag end of his long political career. There’s an opportunity here for a Congressman to occupy that space,” said a senior Congress politician, who didn’t want to be named.

That’s where the candidacy of Patil, a Lingayat, scores high.

The party, however, doesn’t want to compromise on quality and wants an efficient KPCC president who can unite two rival factions within the party, one led by Siddaramaiah and another by former union minister KH Muniyappa.

The need to pick a new state president arose after Dinesh Gundurao resigned from the post last month, taking moral responsibility for Congress’s poor showing in the byelections. Siddaramaiah also stood down as Congress party legislature leader.

The insiders said the new KPCC chief could be announced after January 16. The party might also appoint two working presidents and a new legislature party leader, who will automatically become the opposition’s voice in the assembly.

For the latter position, the name of senior Dalit politician and former deputy chief minister G Parameshwara is doing the rounds. But the party, the sources said, could still ask Siddaramaiah to reconsider his decision and stay on.

Many Congress members had raised questions over his stewardship after the bypoll disappointment. They said on his watch, the party had also fared badly in the assembly and Lok Sabha elections, demanding that he be held accountable.

Siddaramaiah is expected to visit Delhi next week to discuss the leadership issue with party boss Sonia Gandhi. Some other senior Congress members, including BK Hariprasad, are also likely to meet her.

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News Network
May 21,2020

Bengaluru, May 21: Karnataka reported 116 fresh cases of coronavirus on Thursday, taking the state tally to 1578. 

So far, 570 people have been cured and discharged while 41 have succumbed to the virus, informed the state health department.

Out of the 116 cases, 71 have a history of inter-state travel history to Maharashtra.

Out of the 116 cases, 27 are from Udupi alone, 15 cases are reported from Mandya and 13 are from Hassan. Bengaluru Urban saw seven new cases.

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