Let's not forget, 3 million Indian expats happily living in Saudi Arabia!

[email protected] (Coastaldigest.com Web Desk)
August 3, 2016

Jeddah, Aug 3: The Indian community in Saudi Arabia have condemned the one-sided and irresponsible reporting by a section of Indian media on labour issues between an ailing private firm and its Indian employees.

1saudi

Pointing out that about three million Indians including people from all faiths are working and living happily in Saudi Arabia, they said sacking of employees by some firms due to crisis is a rare case.

They expressed sincere thanks to the Saudi government for hosting such a huge number of non-resident Indians (NRIs), which not only constitute the largest expatriate group in the Arab Kingdom but also the largest number of Indian passport holders living anywhere in the world. They thanked the Kingdom for ensuring the safety and welfare of the Indian community.

Sadashiva Shetty, an NRI businessman from south Indian city of Udupi in Saudi Arabia, says that he did not face any discrimination in the Kingdom in past 20 years. “Nearly three decades ago, my family was one of the poorest families in my village in India. After coming to Saudi Arabia I have earned money and respect. Now, the people of my village give me royal treatment whenever I visit my home” he claims.

“I do not know why media is portraying as if all Indians in Saudi Arabia are starving to death,” wonders Siddiqui, an NRI businessman, who spent several years in Saudi Arabia. A few construction companies in the Kingdom have gone out of business due to financial constraints and it resulted in layoffs for workers of different nationalities, not only just Indians, he says.

Speaking to an Arab daily he said: “Private firms in India like Kingfisher, Sahara and many others went bankrupt and their workers lost jobs. Has the Indian government given them jobs? Forget about helping the workers, Kingfisher owner Vijay Mallya ran away from the country to evade loans repayment and the government failed to catch him.”

Abdulhaq Bastavi, an Indian IT expert, said there is no point reporting that Indians are starving or stranded here as they can solve the issue with the employer and go home. “In labour disputes, workers have the option of approaching the courts.”

Mojib Siddiqui, an Indian journalist in Saudi Arabia, claims that mainstream Indian media is planting stories on labour issues of Suadi in a deliberate attempt to shift the focus from their government, which is under fire for failing to stop violence against Dalits and Muslims. It's a ploy to appease the principal minority that they are concerned about Indian Muslims working in Saudi Arabia.”

He added: “If the situation had been alarming for Indian workers, how come remittances sent by NRIs from the Kingdom is highest?”

Mohammad Akram, a marketing head at the Saffat Aviation said the Indian media exaggerating the number to blow it out of proportion. “Laying off workers by an ailing firm is nothing new,” he said adding there are dozens of Indian firms firing their staff for financial reasons.

Comments

Irshad
 - 
Wednesday, 3 Aug 2016

There is a not a single Incident people killed because of eating beef or any thing else Great and Number one Saudi Arabia.

A. Mangalore
 - 
Wednesday, 3 Aug 2016

During my vacation , in my own city in India , after 10 pm , my car was stopped by the police and questioned several times, but in my 25 years experience , even 2 to 5 am , I was driving in the city along with my family, never ever any police man or anyone stopped my car and questioned me.
Like me thousands of Indans are earning with highest respect. We are much grateful to this country. Whatever our religious we are called here as \Hindi\" only.
Mrs. Susma Swaraj made one or two companies issue into a big
issue and mentioned that people are starving here. I don't think anyone will sleep here without food. If a person have 2 riyals is enough to buy 6 pcs of bread and youghurt , which can fill anyones stomach. people have made wrong propaganda.
In any cases Saudi nationals are more generous in distributing free food than any other countrymen."

shaji
 - 
Wednesday, 3 Aug 2016

Indian Media (there is exception) is only lying and fooling people to keep away from the failure of BJP Govt and from the goondagiri / terrorist activities by sangh parivar terrorist groups.

Sadashiva Shetty
 - 
Wednesday, 3 Aug 2016

Thanks CD for posting this report. It's timely. Everything has a positive angle too. Normally media ignores such positive angle.

aharkul
 - 
Wednesday, 3 Aug 2016

Best Country in Gulf is Saudi Arabia. We have freedom and no question of facing problem. And every commodities available in a cheapest rate. I am working in this country since 13 years. So far I did not get any problem either from employer or from this country.

I respect all the King who serve this country giving full support to Indian expatriates and security. It is a marvelous. We won't get such facility in any country. More over here we have a holy place to perform Umrah and Hajj. Subhaanallah. Hats off to our great king Salman who is giving good facilities to expatriate in utmost care. May Allah Subhanau Thala give him a good health and long life Aameen.

Tufail
 - 
Wednesday, 3 Aug 2016

but skilled and low level labors arent..... So please highlight those

Mohammed SS
 - 
Wednesday, 3 Aug 2016

Our India is going through such a bad era that they cannot solve their own problem, always peeping others plate, it cannot solve border problems and our eyes on Pakistan all stupid, Jobless goondas gathered in this BJP/RSS ruling they know only tying saffron ropes on hands and shoulders and all kind of nonsense believe, finally they only recognize their Mother as Cow and do not agree and recognize their own father to whom they born an OXE

Syed Mohiudin
 - 
Wednesday, 3 Aug 2016

I am proud to say that I am also one among 3 million those who happily living in Saudi Arabia.

Rikaz
 - 
Wednesday, 3 Aug 2016

Saudi Arabia is a peaceful country...where they give first priority on security of expatriates...people love to work and make money over there...there is no restriction on beef eating....you can eat beef as much you can....no gou rakshakas.....super dooper.....

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News Network
March 19,2020

Bengaluru, Mar 19: The Karnataka government has extended the statewide coronavirus shutdown till March 31 as the number of positive cases rose to 14, of whom 11 are those who came in from foreign countries.

In an emergency Cabinet meeting, the state government set up a task force of four ministers to lead the defence against the virus. This core team will have Rs 200 crore to orchestrate the combat.

When chief minister B S Yediyurappa announced the shutdown last week, it was to be in force until March 21, but it was always unlikely that the Covid-19 scare would have waned by then.

Several more restrictions were announced today. Quarantine will be mandatory for all passengers arriving from foreign countries. While schools, colleges and business establishments will continue to be closed, restrictions have been extended to marriages, fairs and social functions as well.

Public entry to Vidhana Soudha, Vikas Soudha and the M.S. Building has been barred till March 31.

While setting up the task force, the government has earmarked Rs 200 crore for the coronavirus campaign. The chief minister said there is no dearth of funds for fighting the virus.

The task force will have deputy chief minister Ashwathnarayana, home minister Basavaraj Bommai, medical education minister Sudhakar, health and family welfare minister B Sreeramulu and chief secretary T M Vijaybhaskar.  Sreeramulu will head the task force.

The task force will monitor coronavirus cases on a daily basis and orchestrate the response of all stakeholders. It will issue a daily bulletin on the epidemic and also run awareness campaigns.

With quarantine now mandatory for passengers coming in foreign countries, community centres, hotels, convention centres, resorts and even PGs will be rented to accommodate the new arrivals.

The compulsory quarantine will be for 15 days.

A quarantine stamp will be imprinted on the right hand of passengers coming in from foreign countries.

Since the Centre has relaxed the rules for using SDRF funds, the state government will draw from it to contain the pandemic; therefore, there will be more funds available to all districts, chief minister B S Yediyurappa said in the Assembly.

In further measures, all passengers and suspected Covid-19 cases will be tracked by their mobile phones.

Primary stage

“We are in the first and second stages of the epidemic. The virus is still at a primary stage and has not spread to community level," medical education minister Sudhakar said in the Assembly.

"It is important that we do not let the epidemic enter the third stage. It is possible if we implement stringent measures. People have responded positively to the state government’s measures and are cooperating with our decisions," Sudhakar said.

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News Network
April 3,2020

Bengaluru, April 3: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Friday held a meeting with Muslim leaders and legislators, seeking their cooperation in containing COVID-19.

In a press statement, the Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said that the Muslim leaders have agreed to give details of persons who visited Tablighi Markaz in Nijamuddin and has also assured that they will convince the attendees to undergo tests for coronavirus and also follow quarantine rules.

CM Yediyurappa also informed media that the Muslim leaders are also advising the members of their community to offer prayers at home and also to stay indoors to maintain social distancing during "azan".

Also, an appeal has been made to the Muslim community to cooperate with the health workers during the treatment.

The Karnataka Chief Minister also appealed the masses not to pay heed to any sort of rumours pertaning to COVID-19. "Let all of us strictly follow precautionary measures and win the battle over caronavirus."

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News Network
January 25,2020

Mangaluru, Jan 25: Orange vendor Harekala Hajabba, popularly known as 'Akshara Santha' (the saint of alphabets), who went on to build a school at Newpadpu village on the city’s outskirts in 1999 is among this year’s Padma Shri awardees.

When Hajabba received the call on being nominated for the award, he was standing in a queue to buy rations.

As he is not fluent in Hindi, Hajabba handed over the phone to an auto driver, who conveyed the news that the Padma Shri award will be conferred on him.

The unlettered achiever set up a primary school from his meagre savings of Rs 150 per day,  selling oranges in Mangaluru. 

“The first time I felt bad for being an illiterate was when a foreigner enquired about the price of oranges in English. I did not know what he meant. So, I decided to start a school in my village,” Hajabba had said during a felicitation programme.

When Hajabba decided to start a school, he did not get any support. He started the school with 28 children.

The school today has been upgraded to a composite high school and is catering to the educational needs of hundreds of children in and around Newpadpu.

He ran from pillar to post in the Zilla Panchayat to make his dream come true. All cash awards he had received went into building the school. The United Christians Association, moved by the sight of his dilapidated house, built a 760-square-foot house costing Rs 15 lakh for him. 

Hajabba’s life was prescribed for the syllabus of three universities - Davangere, Kuvempu and Mangalore. His success story is also included in a Tulu textbook.

He won the Karnataka Rajyotsava award in 2013, Real Heroes award from TV channel CNN-IBN.

Hajabba, when contacted, said he could not believe his ears when told about the award.

New dreams

The frail vendor, in his 60s, humbly declared that he could achieve all this because of the support of all. Hajabba now dreams of upgrading the school into a full-fledged PU college.

Comments

Meethal Kasaragod
 - 
Sunday, 26 Jan 2020

A big Salute to him!

Great effort,

fairman
 - 
Sunday, 26 Jan 2020

Where there is will, there is way

May God help him.

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