Indian expats celebrate I-Day with gaiety, fervor

[email protected] (Arab News)
August 16, 2014

Expats celebrate I-Day1Riyadh/Jeddah, Aug 16: Members of the Indian community in the Kingdom donned patriotic colors on Friday as they congregated in the morning to celebrate their country’s Independence Day.

Flag-hoisting ceremonies took place at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Jeddah Consulate.

In Jeddah, a colorful ceremony was held in the premises of the Consulate General of India. Consul General B.S. Mubarak hoisted the national flag and read out the president’s address to the nation. Children from the International Indian School-Jeddah sang patriotic songs and entertained the audience. The Indian Embassy, located inside the Diplomatic Quarter, saw the dawn of an eventful day when Ambassador Hamid Ali Rao hoisted the tricolor at 8:30 a.m.

A large number of Indians working in different sectors attended the ceremony.

It was followed by the recital of the national anthem. The ambassador read out Indian President Pranab Mukherjee’s address to the nation.

“India demands creative thinking in governance that enables fast-track development and ensures social harmony,” said Rao, quoting from the president’s message. Rao extended greetings and best wishes to all Indian expatriates in the Kingdom and commended the members of the community for their constructive and proactive role in strengthening bilateral relationship.

Exuding hope that the Saudi-India bilateral relations will get stronger, Rao said: “The Kingdom is the part of India’s extended neighborhood and the complementarity of interests in energy security make the two countries natural partners.”

The vibrant ambiance at the Indian Embassy was represented by well-known personalities, administrators and teachers.

Patriotic songs were presented by students from the International Indian School-Riyadh.

The national flag also fluttered proudly in Jeddah, Dammam and other cities in the Kingdom.

Indian community organizations in Riyadh and other major cities across the Kingdom lined up many cultural programs to celebrate the special occasion. The 2.8-million-strong Indian community is the largest expatriate community in the Kingdom.

Expats celebrate I-Day2

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Media Release
May 2,2020

Dubai: In response to UAE health authorities encourage blood donation campaign Anivasai Kannadigara Okkuta - U.A.E, conducted blood donation camps on April 22 at Abu Dhabi Blood Bank Khaldiya and on 23/04/2020 at Blood Transfusion and Research Centre, Sharjah.

The Abu Dhabi camp was inaugurated by Head of Department of Abu Dhabi Blood Bank, On this occasion she gave brief inputs of the benefits and features of blood donation, urged the participants to spread greater awareness about the importance of blood donation and congratulated the AKO members for their selfless social service and wished all the best for their future endeavours.

Abdul Rasheed, President of AKO presided over the function and Anivasai Kannadigara Okkuta Vice President Mr. Mohammad Nasir appreciated the effort for organizing this camp and gathering youths to be a part of this noble cause as life is precious on this earth. "Each drop of blood counts much, so kindly take it as personal compassion to help unknown who requires blood with no relatives to help him/her.

In Abu Dhabi 41 and in Sharjah 49 donors participated in this event and donated their blood. It was nice to see cheerful smiling donors doing a great community work.
Blood bank staff and AKO Organizing team enthusiastically arranged the campaign which was witnessed by many members and leaders of various community organization of Karnataka.

Anivasai Kannadigara Okkuta President briefed the participates about the ongoing social work of AKO in this current COVID-19 pandemic grim situation AKO is working on following fields: AKO Members have stepped up to support needy community during the Covid-19 pandemic have gone out of their way to comfort those struggling to deal with the challenging situation.

While thousands of people continue to #StayHome, many are in quarantine, there are those on visit visa and stuck here, others have lost jobs or face salary cuts. AKO in coordination with UAE Embassy and other social organization have been able to ensure basic necessities are fulfilled with food provisions and medical assistance to needy.

Providing counselling to bachelors and families those are on quarantine and isolation.

The organizers thanked everybody especially, UAE Health Authority, Abu Dhabi Blood Bank Khaldiya and Blood Transfusion and Research Centre, Sharjah, Management and staff as well as donors for their time and support for the good cause.

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coastaldigest.com news network
August 6,2020

Dubai, Aug 6: Non-resident Indian entrepreneur and philanthropist Dewakara Alva passed away on Thursday August 6. He was 63.

Alva, who hailed from Mangaluru, was the director of Federal Insurance Brokers LLC, Dubai and was residing in Dubai for around four decades. He was reportedly suffering from health problems for last few months. 

He was a patron of Tulu and Kannada language and culture in United Arab Emirates. He was a member of various NRI organizations including UAE Tulu Koota and UAE Bunts

Alva is survived by wife Saritha, daughter Powshali, and son Manal.

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Media Release
July 30,2020

Jeddah: The first chartered flight for repatriation passengers from Jeddah to Bengaluru organized by Karnataka NRI Forum Jeddah – Saudi Arabia was successfully landed at Bengaluru airport by 01.00 am on 19th July 2020.

Spice Jet (SG9884) departed from King Abdul Aziz International Airport Jeddah by 05.00 pm local time with 177 stranded passengers which includes 12 Pregnant Woman, 3 infants, 44 Short term visa holders, 3 medical emergency patients and 115 migrate workers and labours from various districts of Karnataka state.

Karnataka NRI Forum Jeddah, a registered charitable organization under Government of Karnataka & Indian Consulate Jeddah - Saudi Arabia, helping the Kannadigas overseas & in Karnataka State as well, has initiated major role for helping stranded Kannadigas to travel back to home. During Pandemic hundreds of stranded Kannadigas were approached to the forum and requested to arrange special chartered flight to Bengaluru from Jeddah.

Initiating from collecting the data of passengers, the forum’s special panel including its President Mr. Mohammed Mansoor, Secretary Mr. Peter Mascarenes, Vice Presidents Mr. Nasir Khurshid, Dr.Ashfaque Maniyar, Chief Coordinator Mr. Shaikh Saoud, Cultural Secretaries Mr. Arifulla Shariff and Mr. Rajesh Suvarna, Treasurer Mr. Habib Rahman and Press Secretary Mr. Baig, the forum’s members have worked very hard to conclude this task very successful. 

The forum provided food packets as refreshment, complementary PPE kitsto each passenger as precaution against the spread of any infections while travelling and also guided all passengers by supporting them in Awdha portal (Saudi Passport Department) and Seva Sindhu portal registration of Government of Karnataka.

The official travel partner ITL Travel Management Company has rendered remarkable service to the passengers not only in ticketing but also supported with top priority in confirming the aircraft from SPICE JET and availed good service from ground staff at Jeddah Airport. 

All passengers have reached safely to their homes after completing the 7 days institutional quarantine at Bengaluru. 100% passengers had NEGETIVE report on Covid-19 test made on arrival as well as after institutional quarantine. 

In the press release published from the President, Mr. Mohammed Mansoor has expressed his prodigious gratitude to the Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia H. E. Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, Deputy Consul General of India - Jeddah Mr. Y Saber and Chief Minister of Karnataka State Shri B. S. Yediyurappafor providing necessary approvals and NOC for the chartered flight operation. He also conveyed his boundless appreciationto Shri B. Y. Raghavendra, Member of Parliament Shimoga District (Karnataka) for his swift support extended to the forum and as well to Dr. Aarathi Krishna, Ex-Deputy Chairperson – NRI Forum of Karnataka – Government of Karnataka for her significant guidance and support on completing this mission.

The forum has thanked all the officers in King Abdul Aziz International Airport Jeddah and Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru for the facilities provided to the passengers. The Forum has thanked all passengers travelled for their calmness and also thanked to all other members of the forum, Staff of ITL Travels and SPICE JET for their tremendous support extended throughout the mission accomplishment.

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