Dubai: K'taka urged to set up ‘NORKA’; Kagodu pledges all support to investors

Dubai, Jan 10: Kannadigaru Dubai along with other Karnataka Associations jointly hosted a lunch meeting with well known Karnataka Assembly Speaker, Kagodu Thimappa who was on a private visit to Dubai on January 8. The meeting was held at Fortune Plaza Hotel, Ghusais, Dubai at 11 a.m.

Kagodu Thimappa along with patron of Kannadigas in UAE, Padmashree Dr. B.R. Shetty, Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha President, Sarvotham Shetty, KPCC Saleem, Annaji, President of Kannadigaru Dubai, Sadhan Das, Daughter of Kagodu Thimappa, Dr. Raja Nandini, and Presidents of various Karnataka Organisations along with Kannadigas lighted the lamp and inagurated the programme.

Dr. B.R. Shetty shared some of his lighter moments with Kagodu and also put light on his recent visit to Bangaluru wherein he was invited and offered one of the prestigious tourism developing at the world famous Jog Falls with his master plan in keeping continuity in the water falls throughout the year which currently flows for few months in the whole year. He raised his concern on the beaurocrats who tried to resist his ideas with very many reasons and of which he overcame all those hasles with the right approach. He said that he is not a land grabber and his only intention is to give back with his contribution to the state which he belongs to. He praised Kagodu on his role as a speaker and also said that he is one of the politician who never cares for a seat to fight for election as he is a true elected representative of the people.

Kagodu Thimappa was felicitated with shawl, Mysuru Turban, flower bouquet, fruits and memento by Dr. B.R. Shetty and others on the dais while Bhagya Sadhan Das read out the honour letter which was presented to Kagodu.

In response to the felicitation, Kagodu spoke with simplicity and said that this honour is not for him alone but will be dedicated to all the 224 members of the Karnataka State Assembly by the Kannadigas in UAE. He also added that he is proud that so many Kannadigas who have come all the way from Karnataka to earn a living and are doing well in UAE with their enterprising spirit.

He praised the systems in Dubai and other countries he has visited so far and said that everything including the traffic is systematically controlled unlike in Karnataka.

He said that just going round the world is not enough; one has to see, share and try to implement those development plans in our state and country as well. He said that there are still some greedy politicians who are not bothered to see to the development of the state instead look into their self development only.

He requested Kannadigas to come forward in the development of Karnataka in whatever way they could and promised his fullest co-operation to them. He added that whatever big or small project in development of Karnataka, Kannadigas in UAE are most welcome to come and contribute to their state.

In return he promised that he will support them in whatever possible ways including allotting them land if necessary for the project. He cited some examples of those business proposals which did not happen even after passing in the assembly. He said that the business proposals should create jobs to the people of Karnataka and he will extend his fullest co-operation to pass those programmes in the assembly.

He thanked and promised all support to Dr B.R. Shetty in his dream project beautifying Jog Falls a tourist attraction with his Rs 450 crores project to keep the flow of water falls throughout the year unlike currently which is only during rainy season.

Speaking on to the Speakers views Dr B.R. Shetty added that he is ready to contribute fully to the development of Karnataka and cited examples of his contribution towards one of the airport in Kerala State where the state body has made him one of the share holders. He also mentioned his active support in formation of Mangalore International Airport which is more useful for Keralites than Mangaloreans as the major travelers in this route are Keralites. Similarly we could have an international airport in Shimoga, being a central part of Karnataka which may be useful for all Kannadigas commercially, he added. He mentioned about the late Sh. Zayed the then Ruler of UAE whose dream on "quality healthcare for all, at affordable cost" was fulfilled by his organisation successfully and being honoured. Similarly should he be given the development of Victoria Hospital in Bangalore, he would have done it much better to world standards. Shetty also mentioned about the recent visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was offered with 75 million dollar grant by UAE towards the development projects in India which will be reflected in few years from now.

Later all the leaders of various Karnataka Associations, Media Representatives and well known personalities were invited to the dais and honoured with shawls.

Sarvotham Shetty spoke later and said that it would not be wise to put forth all the problems of Kannadigas to the Speaker who has come on a private visit to UAE.

However on behalf of all Kannadigas he would wish to put forth these points just for the knowledge of the Speaker who can raise these issues in the Assembly or push it through his source in the parliament even. He cited the governmental organisation called NORKA (Non Resident Keralites Affairs) of Kerala State which is doing a tremendous job for the non-resident Keralites and wished a similar organisation by Karnataka State for the Kannadigas. He stressed that this kind of step be taken by Karnataka State government which will boost all the Indians abroad and strengthen their rights.

He pointed out that there is a vacuum in the post of external non-resident Kannadigas Affairs Ministry after the exit of Ganesh Karnik, the Officer earlier posted to this Office. He also added few points on the international budget airlines, their facilities and their unaccepted fares during the peak season which really needs to be looked into while the airlines operating to other states do not have these kind of supernatural highs though the distance is much more than ours.

Though this falls part of the Central Aviation Ministry, we would just make a point in requesting the Speaker to put forth to the concerned, though many of the Central leaders have ignored this request of ours even after their promised visit here, added Sarvotham.

The programme ended with vote of thanks and sumptuous lunch. Vinay Nayak compered the programme.