Let's not forget, 3 million Indian expats happily living in Saudi Arabia!

[email protected] (Coastaldigest.com Web Desk)
August 3, 2016

Jeddah, Aug 3: The Indian community in Saudi Arabia have condemned the one-sided and irresponsible reporting by a section of Indian media on labour issues between an ailing private firm and its Indian employees.

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Pointing out that about three million Indians including people from all faiths are working and living happily in Saudi Arabia, they said sacking of employees by some firms due to crisis is a rare case.

They expressed sincere thanks to the Saudi government for hosting such a huge number of non-resident Indians (NRIs), which not only constitute the largest expatriate group in the Arab Kingdom but also the largest number of Indian passport holders living anywhere in the world. They thanked the Kingdom for ensuring the safety and welfare of the Indian community.

Sadashiva Shetty, an NRI businessman from south Indian city of Udupi in Saudi Arabia, says that he did not face any discrimination in the Kingdom in past 20 years. “Nearly three decades ago, my family was one of the poorest families in my village in India. After coming to Saudi Arabia I have earned money and respect. Now, the people of my village give me royal treatment whenever I visit my home” he claims.

“I do not know why media is portraying as if all Indians in Saudi Arabia are starving to death,” wonders Siddiqui, an NRI businessman, who spent several years in Saudi Arabia. A few construction companies in the Kingdom have gone out of business due to financial constraints and it resulted in layoffs for workers of different nationalities, not only just Indians, he says.

Speaking to an Arab daily he said: “Private firms in India like Kingfisher, Sahara and many others went bankrupt and their workers lost jobs. Has the Indian government given them jobs? Forget about helping the workers, Kingfisher owner Vijay Mallya ran away from the country to evade loans repayment and the government failed to catch him.”

Abdulhaq Bastavi, an Indian IT expert, said there is no point reporting that Indians are starving or stranded here as they can solve the issue with the employer and go home. “In labour disputes, workers have the option of approaching the courts.”

Mojib Siddiqui, an Indian journalist in Saudi Arabia, claims that mainstream Indian media is planting stories on labour issues of Suadi in a deliberate attempt to shift the focus from their government, which is under fire for failing to stop violence against Dalits and Muslims. It's a ploy to appease the principal minority that they are concerned about Indian Muslims working in Saudi Arabia.”

He added: “If the situation had been alarming for Indian workers, how come remittances sent by NRIs from the Kingdom is highest?”

Mohammad Akram, a marketing head at the Saffat Aviation said the Indian media exaggerating the number to blow it out of proportion. “Laying off workers by an ailing firm is nothing new,” he said adding there are dozens of Indian firms firing their staff for financial reasons.

Comments

Irshad
 - 
Wednesday, 3 Aug 2016

There is a not a single Incident people killed because of eating beef or any thing else Great and Number one Saudi Arabia.

A. Mangalore
 - 
Wednesday, 3 Aug 2016

During my vacation , in my own city in India , after 10 pm , my car was stopped by the police and questioned several times, but in my 25 years experience , even 2 to 5 am , I was driving in the city along with my family, never ever any police man or anyone stopped my car and questioned me.
Like me thousands of Indans are earning with highest respect. We are much grateful to this country. Whatever our religious we are called here as \Hindi\" only.
Mrs. Susma Swaraj made one or two companies issue into a big
issue and mentioned that people are starving here. I don't think anyone will sleep here without food. If a person have 2 riyals is enough to buy 6 pcs of bread and youghurt , which can fill anyones stomach. people have made wrong propaganda.
In any cases Saudi nationals are more generous in distributing free food than any other countrymen."

shaji
 - 
Wednesday, 3 Aug 2016

Indian Media (there is exception) is only lying and fooling people to keep away from the failure of BJP Govt and from the goondagiri / terrorist activities by sangh parivar terrorist groups.

Sadashiva Shetty
 - 
Wednesday, 3 Aug 2016

Thanks CD for posting this report. It's timely. Everything has a positive angle too. Normally media ignores such positive angle.

aharkul
 - 
Wednesday, 3 Aug 2016

Best Country in Gulf is Saudi Arabia. We have freedom and no question of facing problem. And every commodities available in a cheapest rate. I am working in this country since 13 years. So far I did not get any problem either from employer or from this country.

I respect all the King who serve this country giving full support to Indian expatriates and security. It is a marvelous. We won't get such facility in any country. More over here we have a holy place to perform Umrah and Hajj. Subhaanallah. Hats off to our great king Salman who is giving good facilities to expatriate in utmost care. May Allah Subhanau Thala give him a good health and long life Aameen.

Tufail
 - 
Wednesday, 3 Aug 2016

but skilled and low level labors arent..... So please highlight those

Mohammed SS
 - 
Wednesday, 3 Aug 2016

Our India is going through such a bad era that they cannot solve their own problem, always peeping others plate, it cannot solve border problems and our eyes on Pakistan all stupid, Jobless goondas gathered in this BJP/RSS ruling they know only tying saffron ropes on hands and shoulders and all kind of nonsense believe, finally they only recognize their Mother as Cow and do not agree and recognize their own father to whom they born an OXE

Syed Mohiudin
 - 
Wednesday, 3 Aug 2016

I am proud to say that I am also one among 3 million those who happily living in Saudi Arabia.

Rikaz
 - 
Wednesday, 3 Aug 2016

Saudi Arabia is a peaceful country...where they give first priority on security of expatriates...people love to work and make money over there...there is no restriction on beef eating....you can eat beef as much you can....no gou rakshakas.....super dooper.....

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coastaldigest.com web desk
May 10,2020

Mangaluru/ Bengaluru, May 10: Nearly 11,000 non-resident Kannadigas who are seeking repatriation from various countries across the world should be ready to shell out a huge amount for a two-week private quarantine in Karnataka before reaching their home.

The Kannadigas stranded in Gulf countries including UAE and Saudi Arabia have already expressed shock over the high airfare for repatriation during coronavirus lockdown. Another shocker is heavy quarantine fee once they reach their home state.

Officials in Mangaluru and Bengaluru have confirmed that administration has fixed charges for quarantine facilities starting from Rs 1,200 up to Rs 4,500, including food per day. 14 day quarantine will be mandatory for all healthy and asymptomatic international passengers. Hence, they should be ready to pay Rs 16,800  to Rs 63,000.

The other option is government quarantine centres: hostels run by social welfare, backward classes welfare and minority welfare departments but they are far from satisfactory. This is in stark contrast to the plush government quarantine facilities in Kerala.

In Mangaluru

The first repatriation flight to Mangaluru International Airport is expected to land on Tuesday, May 12 from Dubai.

The quarantine facilities include lodges, hostels and service apartments. Rates are fixed based on four categories: basic, economy, medium and premium. The basic facilities are mainly hostels of educational institutions, and the rest are budget and star hotels, said Rahul Shinde, probationary IAS officer, who is In-charge of the quarantine facilities for those being repatriated.

In Bengaluru

As many as 350 international passengers are set to arrive in Bengaluru at 3 am on Monday, May 11. So far, nobody has opted for government quarantine facilities, according to Lakshman Reddy, Joint Director, Social Welfare Department.

In Bengaluru, there are 55 hostels of the social welfare department, 51 of the backward classes welfare department and 12 of the minority welfare department. “We provide them with three square meals a day,” he added.

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coastaldigest.com news network
May 4,2020

Mangaluru, May 4: As the coronavirus lockdown norms have been relaxed in the coastal district of Dakshina Kannada, people will be able venture out for essential activities from 7 a.m to 7 p.m.

The lockdown was imposed in the coastal district on March 22 midnight to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Initially it did not apply to essential services such as sale of food, groceries, milk, vegetables, fruits, and meat and fish. Gradually the administration had to intensify the lockdown and allow those shops to remain open between 7 a.m. and 12 noon. However, today (May 4) onwards there will be relaxation of lockdown between 7 am to 7 pm. 

Precautionary measures like maintaining social distancing has been urged and use of face masks has been made mandatory.

Permitted activities

• Permission for plying of auto-rickshaws, cabs, private vehicles and bikes has been given. However only three occupants, including the driver will be allowed and no pillion rule is applicable for two-wheelers.

• OPDs, medical clinics are permitted to operate.

• Standalone shops, shops located in neighbourhood colony, residential complex will be allowed to operate.

• Private organisations can function with 33% staff capacity while allowing work from home for rest of staff.

• E-commerce activities only for essential goods permitted.

• In site construction activities in urban areas, rural areas including MNREGA works.

• Permission is only available to open the shop in the market and in the market complex.

Prohibited activities:

• Movement of individuals is not permitted for all non-essential activities.

• Travel by air, rail and inter-State movement by road.

• Functioning of schools, colleges, and other educational and training/ coaching institutions.

• Hospitality services, including hotels and restaurants.

• Cinema halls, malls, gymnasiums, sports complexes, bars, clubs, swimming pool, entertainment parks, assembly halls, etc; barber shops, spas and salons, textile and apparel(clothes) shops.

• Social, political, cultural, academic, entertainment, religious and other kinds of gatherings; and, religious places/ places of worship for public. 

• Shops in urban and rural areas, for non-essential goods not allowed in malls, markets and Market Complexes.

• All types of traffic movements will be prohibited after evening (7 pm to 7 am)

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coastaldigest.com news network
July 20,2020

Mangaluru, Jul 20: Former Union Minister B Janardhana Poojary has urged the people not to be afraid of coronavirus and lead a healthy lifestyle as he was discharged from hospital after completely recovering from covid-19.

The 83-year-old Billawa stalwart was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the city for over two weeks as he was tested positive for the coronavirus. Today he was discharged from the hospital. 

“There is no need to be worried about the covid-19. People should consume nutritious and immunity boosting food and lead a healthy lifestyle,” he said.

He also urged the people to follow all necessary guidelines such as maintaining physical distance, wearing masks and washing hands frequently to prevent the spread of the virus.

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