Jeddah: Dr Arathi Krishna, Deputy Chairman, NRI Forum, Government of Karnataka interacted with expatriates from Karnataka in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah during her visit on February 25.
A felicitation and interaction programme was organised by KNRI Forum Jeddah at Village Restaurant, here. Dr Arathi Krishna was the chief guest. Tahir Ali, Management Committee Member, International Indian School Jeddah, was guest of honour. Mohammed Saifuddin Sami, President of the KNRI Forum, presided over.
Several non-resident Kannadigas, presidents and members of different organizations of Kannadigas in Jeddah such as Jamiyattul Falah, Hidaya Foundation, Gulbarga Charitable Trust, All India Overseas Cultural Congress, Indian Social Forum, Jokatte Muslim Association, SKP Brothers, Bhatkal Community and Indian Fraternity Forum attended the event.
Giving a brief introduction to NRI Forum Karnataka, Dr Arathi Krishna said, it was a dream and vision of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to forge a symbiotic relationship between Karnataka and its Diaspora. She appreciated the activities carried out by the KNRI Forum to help the needy by assisting in medical, education, self-employment and promoting swachha bharath programme by sponsoring toilets projects in school in rural areas of Karnataka.
She highlighted the policies and programs of the Karnataka government and her department. Audience applauded when she informed about the government’s plan to set up a Videsh Bhavan in Bengaluru offering integrated services of passport, attestation and e-migration to help the applicants. She also said that the government was examining a proposal of considering NRK students as locals for the admissions to the professional courses, which is a four year old demand of KNRI Forum Jeddah.
She advised all the non-resident Kannadigas to register their names and get the NRK cards through which Karnataka government want to help overseas Kannadigas throughout the globe. Also she said that, there will be skill development programmes in each district offices. Currently having tie up with Dubai government, they will visit to conduct training for Kannadigas in different parts of Karnataka, which will help them carry out their work professionally when they arrive abroad.
For those who are returning to their home town, if they want to adopt any village to develop, there is a scheme called “Namma Ooru, Namma Naadu”, under which government is willing to help and provide necessary financial support.
She said that her first and foremost aim as a deputy chairman is to facilitate the interests of the NRIs on front of development work for the betterment of NRIs specially based in Gulf countries by introducing NRI policies.
Mohammed Saifuddin Sami, in his presidential address, appreciated the support and encouragement of Dr Aarathi Krishna to the forum and thanked her for the energizing activities of the NRI Forum, as it strives to help the NRKs and to assist poor and needy people back home in Karnataka as well. He said Dr Arathi Krishna is the first lady to become a Deputy Chairperson in the history of Karnataka and to visit maximum countries to reach Non Resident Kannadigas associations to strengthen the relations between them and her department. He thanked her for her immense support in NEET & CET issue routing him through ministry of education and Karnataka Examination Authority in Bengaluru.
General Secretary of the forum Yashwanth Amin introduced the chief guests. He introduced Dr Arathi as an artiste, a good singer, and a dedicated social worker while mentioning her abilities in management, communication and leadership.
Senior NRCC member of Jamiyatul Falah Mohammed Mansour while speaking requested Dr Arathi Krishna to coordinate for long awaited request to run direct flight from Jeddah to Mangaluru by Air India. he also requested to introduce schemes helping for the Kannadigas to establish themselves in India, returning back home after losing jobs from the gulf.
The visiting guest was honored with a memento, bouquet, and a shawl as token of appreciation for her kind gestures towards the forum. Representatives of various organizations also honored her.
Programme started with the welcome speech by Syed Nasir Khursheed, Vice President of the forum. Dr Firoz Mulla, Executive Committee member, was MC. Mohammed Kaleem, Cultural Secretary, Mrs Mali Roy and Hidayat Mangaluru entertained the audience with melodious Kannada patriotic and Hindi songs.
Asif Momin, Executive committee member, while proposed vote of thanks. Earlier Mohammed Saifuddin Sami and core committee members Arifulla Shariff, Jalal Baig and Irfan from CGI office – Jeddah received Dr Arathi Krishina at King Abdul Aziz Airport, Jeddah.
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