PFI, SDPI will be banned; party hopper MLAs who joined BJP will be awarded: K S Eshwarappa

Bengaluru, Jul 26: Paying tributes to the martyrs of Kargil war on its 21st anniversary, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Sunday said his government always stood by the soldiers and families of those who laid down their lives to protect the borders of the country.

"The government is always committed to the welfare of the soldiers. Karnataka has formed a separate department for the welfare of the soldiers and their families. We always stand with the families of the martyred soldiers," he said. He was addressing soldiers after paying tributes to the martyrs of the Kargil war at an official function organised on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas at the National Military Memorial Park in the city by the Sainik Welfare and Resettlement Department under the state Home Department. 

Yediyurappa described as a symbol of India's valour and sacrifices the Kargil Vijay Diwas, observed to commemorate its victory over Pakistan in the war that ended on July 26, 1999 with recapture of the territory in Kargil. He said the state government has given due compensation to the families of the Kargil martyrs and the soldiers who were injured.

Recalling the conflict, Yediyurappa said Pakistan had set its eyes on grabbing the vast terrains of Kargil and Drass sector in Jammu and Kashmir but the Indian soldiers successfully fought a deadly battle at a height of 17,000 feet where the temperature goes up to minus 30 degrees celsius.

"The sacrifices of our soldiers will remain etched in our memories forever. The tale of the 527 soldiers, who sacrificed their lives to save our country, is a constant source of inspiration for our youth," the Chief Minister said. He also noted Karnataka's contributions to the Indian army and said the state had given two Generals, one Field Marshall, many army officers and innumerable soldiers to protect the country's borders. 

Dubai, May 9: The wholehearted and collective effort of Karnataka NRI Forum, UAE and its president Mr. Praveen Shetty made it possible to have the first repatriation flight to Mangaluru – Karnataka from UAE. The Union Minister of India Mr. Sadananda Gowda tweeted on May 8th that the evacuation flight will fly from Dubai on May 12th with stranded citizen of India in UAE.

The whole world is under the impact of pandemic Covid 19. Government of India has announced the flights to repatriate its stranded citizens from all over the world. Sadly, the first batch of the announced flights had no mention of any flights from Gulf countries to Karnataka.

In Gulf countries, especially in UAE, thousands of Kannadigas are working for their livelihood. In this population major part is shared by coastal Karnataka people who belong to Mangalore, Udupi and other nearby districts. This lack of consideration of Mangaloreans for repatriation was made whole Kannadiga’s in deep sadness, where as many Kannadiga’s were waiting for flights to obtain urgent medical assistance and other medical support back in their home country.

Once after obtaining the news of not having flights to Karnataka from UAE, Mr. Praveen Shetty immediately actioned and wrote letter to concerned departments and ministers under the banner of KNRI. Mr. Praveen Shetty was in continuous follow up with Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka Dr. Ashwath Narayan, Mr C.T. Ravi Minister for Tourism of Karnataka, Union Minister of India Mr. Sadananda Gowda, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs (India) Mr. Pralhad Joshi, Minister of Railways of India (Minister of State) Mr. Suresh Angadi and officials of Aviation ministry along with other concerned departments.

The efforts have now given the result and finally the confirmation has been obtained from Mr. Sadananda Gowda about consideration of repatriation flights to Mangalore from Dubai on May 14th. It is expected that Aviation ministry will officially announce the flight arrangement and other operational information shortly.

Speaking to media, Mr. Praveen Shetty said, Karnataka NRI Forum is always committed to serve  Kannadigas and the collective effort of core committee members, ministers of Karnataka & Govt of India including the Aviation & other concerned ministries made possible the most important and much awaited flight to Mangalore from UAE to repatriate expats who are in need. I thank each and everyone who joined their hands to make this possible.

Mr. Praveen Shetty is a well-known businessman in UAE who manages Fortune Group of Hotels in UAE & Georgia. He selflessly given his 3-star hotel to UAE ministry to operate as Quarantine facility to people who are under observation with Covid 19. Also, he joined his hands with organizations in UAE who are extending their helping hand to needy people in UAE.

With the help of likeminded businessmen and professionals, the KNRI forum under the leadership of Mr. Praveen Shetty along with ‘Dubai Anivasi Kannadigaru’ started a helpline called “Kannadigas Helpline” through which they received around 3000 requests for food, medical, legal and other assistance. They aided many Covid infected people with quarantine and isolation by the help of Dubai Health Authority, Ministry of Health, Dubai Police and Consulate General of India under the guidelines of Dubai Govt.

Mr. Praveen Shetty expressed his gratitude to Dubai Health Authority, Ministry of Health, Dubai Police and Consulate General of India for their professional guidance and help to Kannadigas during the pandemic Covid 19 situation.

Air India has pre-scheduled the Special Evacuation Flight from Dubai to Mangalore on 14/5/2020 to 12/5/2020 after constant persuade.

New Schedule:

Flight no - IX 0384

Timing:
Dubai - 16:10
Mangalore - 21:10

*All timings local @airindiain @PIB_India @PIBBengaluru

— Sadananda Gowda (@DVSadanandGowda) May 9, 2020