IFF Karnataka hosts NRI family get-together in Riyadh

Bengaluru, May 18: Over two months after his appointment as the Karnataka Congress President, DK Shivakumar is likely to take-over the reigns of the party officially on May 31.

"There are two dates, May 31 and June 7. He is most likely to officially take over as KPCC President on the 31st," sources close to Mr Shivakumar told PTI.

After remaining in a virtual vacuum for nearly three months, the party high command on March 11 appointed Mr Shivakumar, known to be the Congress' chief troubleshooter in crisis situations, replacing Dinesh Gundu Rao as KPCC chief.

Mr Rao had quit the post in December 2019 after the party's dismal show in the bypolls when it won only two of the 15 seats and yielded 12.

Congress sources said once the appointment letter came from the high command, he has been KPCC president and officially taking charge was just a formality.

"He will be officially handed over the party insignias and responsibilities relating to bank accounts and cheques, among other things, that has been traditionally followed," they said, adding the official take over was delayed by the coronavirus.

After his appointment as KPCC president, Mr Shivakumar has been meeting a host of senior party leaders and leading the party in the fight against coronavirus.

These include setting up of Congress' COVID-19 task force, alerting the government in its management of the crisis, holding weekly video conferencing with leaders of party's local units to gather information, among other things.

Sources close to Mr Shivakumar said the official take over would be a simple event, looking at the current situation due to the pandemic.

"Very few select party leaders and office bearers, say about 50 odd people, are likely to be in attendance at the simple event at KPCC office," they said, adding that arrangements may be made to telecast the event live for the benefit for party workers and local leaders.

A six-time MLA, Mr Shivakumar had a long wait for his appointment to the coveted post, due to opposition within. There were reports that Congress Legislature Party leader Siddarmaiah had lobbied in favour of one of his confidants for the top job.

In a first, appointment of three KPCC Working Presidents- Satish Jharkiholi, Saleem Ahammed and Eashwar Khandre, was seen as an attempt by those apposing Mr Shivakumar, to weaken his hold on the party.

Riyadh: On the occasion of 71st Republic Day of India, Karavali Welfare Association Riyadh (KWAR) conducted BLOOD DONATION CAMPAIGN on the 17th Jan 2020 at KING SAUD Universities King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh. 

This is one of KWARs Prestigious Humanitarian EVENT every year, as we are indebted to serve the society for a Great Cause.

The campaign began at 08:30 am with a theme of Republic Day Celebrations and went on till 3:30 pm. Irrespective of Friday being a weekend and holiday people came in good numbers to donate Blood. The Hospital Staff, The Doctors and the Blood Bank Technicians and others at King Khalid University Hospital were more than happy to serve all those who have participated in this campaign.

KWAR Thanks all the Hospital Staff especially Mr. Salman Baqsh for his introduction of KWAR to Blood Bank and all the arrangements for this campaign, without his support this could not been done. Dr. Zafar Mahmoud for his wonderful support during the campaign and Mr. Abdullah Al Saman for his outstanding Hospitality throughout the campaign. KWAR also thanks all the donors who came all the way voluntarily for this Great Humanitarian Cause. As a token of gesture KWAR awarded Certificate of Appreciation to all the participants.

And KWAR would like to thank specially Mr. Nasir, Representative of Blood Helpline Karnataka, who encouraged many donors and made them to actively participate and donate blood for this noble cause.

KWAR’s core activities was on display on the screen, with most of the Committee members were present at the venue to serve the donors. KWAR thanks all the members, the Executive committee and all those who took their valuable time to organize this event successfully and thank all our well-wishers who supported us for the BLOOD DONATION CAMPAIGN. We in KWAR wish every Donor and the participants a healthy life ahead, and we need everyone's active participation in all our Future events.

Bengaluru, Jun 3: Deputy Chief Minister CN Ashwath Narayan on Tuesday invited investors in the Electronics System and Design Manufacturing (ESDM) sector to Karnataka, as the state contributes 64 per cent to the sector's total exports from the nation.

During a video conference organised by Invest India for a few select states with leading ESDM players across the globe, Narayan said, "We are the largest chip design hub and home to 70 per cent of India's chip designers."

Karnataka has introduced industry-friendly policies from the beginning and it continues to be the leader in attracting technology-specific investments, he added.

"Karnataka has an estimated GSDP of almost USD 220 billion. We were the first to come out with IT, BT, ESDM, and AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) policies to give a push to the growth of the technology sectors and innovation. We also have vibrant automobiles, agro, aerospace, textile and garment, and heavy engineering industries," Narayan explained.

"We have created sector-specific SEZs for key industries such as IT, biotechnology and engineering, food processing and aerospace,'' he said.

However, the state government is planning ahead as it has initiated talks with other countries.

"We have held multiple consultations with the private sector to seek inputs for returning to business as we ease the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. We are also initiating dialogue with countries across the globe to understand future plans for their companies in the post COVID era and discuss how the Karnataka government can support that," the Deputy Chief Minister stated.

"Karnataka has attracted cumulative FDI inflows in the state from 2000 to 2019 which were recorded at USD 42.3 billion," he said.

Referring to the Karnataka ESDM policy 2017-2022, Narayan further said, "We aim to stimulate the growth of 2,000 ESDM start-ups during the policy period and create 20 lakh new jobs by 2025.