KNRI Forum Jeddah seeks Siddaramaiah’s intervention in solving woes of Saudi Kannadigas

coastaldigest.com news network
August 5, 2018

Bengaluru, Aug 5: A delegation representing the Karnataka NRI Forum Jeddah, led by its president Mohammed Saifuddin Sami recently met Siddaramaiah, former chief minister and the incumbent chairman of the coordination committee of government of Karnataka, and discussed burning issues of expats from the south Indian state in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The delegation also comprised of Peter Ronald Mascarenhas, General Secretary, Jalal Baig, Joint Secretary, Faizee Razak Shaikh, Executive Committee Member, Shakeel Ahmed, former cultural secretary.

Handing over a memorandum to the former CM, the delegation requested him to use his good offices in reinstating Arathi Krishna as the Deputy Chairperson of the Karnataka NRI Forum of the government of Karnataka as she had taken many initiatives for the betterment of NRIs of Karnataka origin. Siddaramaiah, not only gave a patient hearing, but also promised to take up these issues with the Chief Minister Kumaraswamy.

Subsequently the delegation met Tanveer Ahmed, Spokesperson of Janata Dal (Secular) seeking his intervention and support in arranging a meeting with the Chief Minister which he agreed. The delegation likely to meet the CM within a week.

The memorandum includes following demands:

1. Even though Kannadiga student study in CBSE affiliated schools, when they pass out grade 12 examination and come back to India, they are not allowed to appear CET examination in Karnataka. They are not treated on par with other residents of Karnataka. As a result, they are forced to pay huge capitation fee, even though most of these people are semiskilled and unskilled and belong to low and medium income group.

2. Due to the new tax policy and Saudization in Saudi Arabia, thousands of Kannadigas have returned and are returning from Saudi Arabia. However, when they come back, they face problems of jobs, health care, housing and education.  They need to be provided with facilities such as, special insurance, loan facilities, housing facilities and educational scholarships.

3. There is a large number expatriate population from Karnataka in the Western and Central Region of Saudi Arabia. Even though there is a direct flight service from other Middle East countries to Mangalore, there is no direct flight service from Riyadh and Jeddah to Mangalore. This is long pending demand and needs to be addressed at the earliest.

4. Continue the process of creation of a Database bank of “Non-Resident Indians of Karnataka origin” and innovative "KARNATAKA NRK CARD".

5. Create a mobile App for easier access.

6. Support KNRI Forum – Saudi Arabia in organizing various cultural, literary and promotional events in Saudi Arabia and charity events back in Karnataka.

7. Assist Non-Resident Indians in Saudi Arabia in their investment initiatives in Karnataka.

8. Karnataka has great potential in the areas of exciting tourism, quality healthcare services and professional educational opportunities for other nationals. For the state cooperation with the Gulf, there are opportunities in infrastructure development, IT and BT sector, scientific research, besides pursuits in various other sectors.  KNRI Forum SAUDI Arabia would like to promote these opportunities in Saudi Arabia and take this to the next level.

9. Currently we are facing lot of problems in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ranging from labor issues to social issues, we require an efficient leadership to tackle them.

10. To take care of the NRI issues of Kannadigas, we need a nodal officer in the capacity of Deputy Chairman of Karnataka NRI Forum at Bengaluru. We request your good self to kindly look into the matter and re-appoint Dr. Arathi Krishna as the Deputy Chairperson of "KARNATAKA NRI Forum" in order to achieve its goals and implement the initiatives taken by her in the best interest of overseas Kannadigas and Karnataka.

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News Network
June 24,2020

Bengaluru, Jun 24: About 8,48,203 students will appear in the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) examination tomorrow, i.e., June 24, said Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu on Wednesday.

Students have been advised to report to the examination centre three-hour before the commencement of the examination i.e., at 07:30 am. The examination will commence at 10:30 am.

Early entry to the centres will also help maintain social distancing that is very much essential during the pandemic, minister for primary and secondary education S Suresh Kumar said.

"SSLC exams to take place tomorrow. About 8,48,203 students will write the exam. Social distancing needs to be followed and the mask should be used. Minister of Education and I have already held a lot of meetings. Students from containment zones will be carefully handled," said Sriramulu.

Commenting upon the situation arising in the state due to COVID-19, Sriramulu said, "There is a panel of experts to decide about lockdown. There has been an opinion that the COVID-19 test should be increased. Workers, traders, and others should be categorised in 15 categories and tests must be conducted," he added.

Sriramulu further said that there will be a meeting of task force on the coming Monday.

"All the issues will be brought to the notice of the Chief Minister at the task force meeting, then CM will take a call on what needs to be done," he said.

Meanwhile, Suresh Kumar, Minister of Education inspected the schools and places where SSLC exams will be held.

Earlier Karnataka Education Minister S Suresh Kumar had announced that SSLC examinations, which were stayed in view of the coronavirus pandemic, will be conducted 'between June 25 and July 4' in the state.

According to the Union Health Ministry, Karnataka has 9,721 COVID-19 cases including 150 fatalities.

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News Network
March 3,2020

Bengaluru, Mar 3: Bengaluru mayor Gautam Kumar on Tuesday said that the decision to ban protests in front of Town Hall was made by the council and not only by him.

"The decision to ban the protest in front of the Town Hall was made by the entire council and not only my decision. Also, the things which are approved by the councillor are also read by the ruling party leaders," Bengaluru mayor told media.

"Still it is the discretion of the Commissioner to take a call after the council also. As of now, we have banned any protests in front of Town Hall," he added.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders staged a protest against Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Mayor Gautam Kumar and BJP at Council BBMP building against the decision.

"If people will start protesting, it will badly affect the traffic of the city," said Kumar, while commenting on the protest. If they want to talk about the matter, let us have a healthy discussion. I don't have a problem with and I don't think the ruling party has a problem too," he added.

On Sunday, pro-Kannada activist and former MLA Vatal Nagraj staged a protest in front of Sir KP Puttanna Chetty Town Hall (Bangalore Town Hall) against the decision taken by Bengaluru mayor.

Talking to reporters, Nagraj had said: "He does not know the history of the Town Hall. It is a historic building and protests can be staged there."

"Mayor's decision is against Bengaluru's tradition and culture, that's why we are condemning it and are protesting against this decision. We will not allow Mayor's programs in Bengaluru and he will be shown black flags", he added.

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News Network
May 12,2020

Bengaluru, May 12: Nurses are the frontline warriors in the fight against COVID-19 and their commitment towards duty is commendable, said Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on World Nurses Day on Tuesday.

The Chief Minister was speaking at the inauguration of Miss Florence Nightingale's bicentennial anniversary organized by Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences at his home office 'Krishna'.

The Chief Minister said that the care and service provided by the nurses enhance the chances of recovery for any patient.

"In spite of the stress and pressure they go through everyday, nurses render quality service in the providing healthcare. There is an enormous demand for nurses around the world. I appeal to nurses to continue to render their quality service in this fight against COVID," he said.

Speaking at the event, Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar said that the nurses are the backbone of the healthcare services and their role in the fight against corona is so large that the whole system would have gone for a toss without their services.

The Minister said that the Nurses have been renamed as Nursing Officers in recognition of their service.

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