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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coastaldigest.com news network
May 20,2020

Dubai, May 20: Dubai-based Karnataka Sports and Cultural Club’s humanitarian services in charge Naseer Karaje team have appreciated the efforts of Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner, Mangaluru Airport director, NGOs of Mangaluru, and MLA for extending a royal welcome to second batch of repatriates from Dubai that landed at Mangaluru Airport on May 18.

There was so much of confusions when 1st batch of repatriation flight landed in Mangaluru airport on 12th May due to lack of proper arrangements and co ordination.

This time due to proper arrangements and special supervision by the DC everything was driven smoothly. It has given a confidence to all the Manglurean expats of Dubai in returning to their native places, the KSCC said.

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January 28,2020

Riyadh, Jan 28: The celebration of the 71st Republic Day was held on January 26th by the Central Committee of the Indian Social Forum Riyadh at the Ramada Hotel Auditorium in Riyadh. People from different Indian states and different religious backgrounds were present during the event.

The program was inaugurated with the unity song, Saleem Moulavi– Regional committee member India Fraternity Forum/Riyadh inaugurated the program.

Social Forum Central Committee president Janab Harris Mangaluru chaired the program and welcomed the guests. In his presidential speech he described and uncovered stories of freedom struggle and participants of Indian Muslims for the freedom fight. He urged everyone to fight against unconstitutional Citizenship Amendment Bill which passed by Centre government. He said that the We will continue its agitation against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the NRC and would not relent unless the Union government withdrew the Act.

Indian Social Forum Karnataka State Committee member Janab Mohammed Naveed delivered the Republic Day message. He said India was formed based on concept of ‘unity in diversity’ and it becomes every Indians’ responsibility to safeguard it. He expressed concern over CAA, NRC and NPR. Across India, students at other universities are against the Citizenship Amendment Act passed by Centre government.  The law offers amnesty to undocumented migrants from three neighboring Muslim-majority countries but only if they are non-Muslim. Critics say that by excluding Muslims, the law establishes a religious test for Indian citizenship, in violation of the secularism enshrined in India's constitution. The Indians, irrespective of caste, creed, religion and region have firmly resolved to oppose the draconian laws and fascist moves to debar the poor. Constitution granted to every person and citizen of India who are not ready to put them on a test of ideology of RSS and programs of BJP to implement the Brahmanist mind-set. He said that the police atrocities against CAA/NRC/NPR protesters had increased only in BJP-ruled States and  there were several loose ends in the police story about the incidents leading to the firing.

Eng Shahul Hameed – Coordinator of Tamil Nadu Islamic Federation, Dr. Jahangeer Ahmed - Assistant professor/King Saud university, Mohammed Rafi – Gen Secretary of India Fraternity Forum Regional Committee, Mr. Abdul jaleel– Vice President of Indian Islahi Center, Mr. Basha –Member of IFT Executive Council , Mr. Ajmal Hussain – Member of Pravasi Forum central Committee, Younus Wallan – President Humanity Forum Riyadh. All delivered the message on the eve.

Basheer Karandur, General Secretary of Social Forum Central Committee, welcomed the gathering and Social Forum Riyadh Tamilnadu State Committee President Jabir presented the vote of thanks. Abdul Basheer was master of ceremony.

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Media Release
June 24,2020

The Overseas Indian Cultural Congress (OICC), Bahrain, has charted aircrafts to repatriate stranded expatriates to India. 

Boby Parayil, General Secretary, OICC National Committee, Bahrain has thanked all those who supported in this cause.

“The aircrafts were not licensed and were in crisis until the last minute. Finally, Mohammed Mansoor, president of Bahrain chapter of Indian Overseas Congress approached IOC Middle East in charge Dr Arathi Krishna, who helped get permission to operate flight to Kozhikode,” he said in a release. 

All mandatory approvals from the Foreign Ministry of Affairs and other government officials were accomplished by Dr Arathi Krishna. OICC has expressed gratitude to her for her timely support, he said. 

OICC is also grateful to former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy for doing necessary arrangements to get all the approvals for flight landing in Kerala, he added.

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