Convene legislature party meet to discuss ACB, Kharge tells Siddu

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

Kalaburagi, Mar 16: Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner B Sharat has banned the sale of liquor and ordered the closure of bars and restaurants in the district until further orders in the wake of coronavirus scare.

On Sunday, Sharat said that the public gatherings including local markets, village fairs, Urs festival in Kalaburagi district have been banned.

"Gatherings including local markets, village fairs, Urs festival in the district have been banned as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus until further orders," Sharat said.

The Karnataka Health Department on Sunday said that all the family members and other contacts of the 76-year-old man who died of coronavirus in Kalaburagi are being monitored closely.

The state government has said that six cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the state as of now, including one person who died.

"Till date, six COVID-19 cases have been reported in the state including one death. The 5 Coronavirus positive cases are in isolation at the designated hospital in Bengaluru," the government said.

Riyadh, Apr 24: As many as eleven Indian nationals have died due to COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia.

"As per information available with the Embassy as of April 22, eleven Indian nationals (four in Madinah, three in Makkah, two in Jeddah, one in Riyadh and one in Dammam) have passed away due to COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia," the Embassy of India in Saudi Arabia said in a press release on Wednesday.

It urged the Indian community to remain calm and avoid spreading of rumours amid the COVID-19 crisis.

"The Embassy also reiterates the need for the community to remain calm and avoid spreading of rumours that may create panic. It is important that social media is not used to disseminate false messages and spread hatred along communal lines that can vitiate the atmosphere," the Embassy said.

"As stated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, COVID-19 does not see race, religion, colour, caste, creed, language or borders before striking, and our response and conduct should attach primacy to unity and brotherhood," it said.

Moreover, several measures on the supply of food, medicines and other emergency assistance to Indians in need are being implemented across the Kingdom.

Earlier, Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ausaf Sayeed on April 22 had interacted with Indian community volunteers from the smaller towns all across the Kingdom to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 situation, and evaluate the implementation of various measures to ensure the welfare of Indian nationals.