Muscat: Hundreds of NRIs take part in 'Baandhavya 2018’

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.

In a humanitarian gesture to help fellow citizens in distress, the first in the series of chartered 
flights arranged by Thumbay Group, UAE and the Bearys Cultural Forum (BCF) Trust, 
Mangalore to repatriate stranded Kannadigas in the UAE took off from Ras Al Khaimah 
International Airport in the wee hours of 21st July 2020. The flight was fully occupied, with 186 passengers, all of them desperate to fly back to India for various reasons.

The initiative was conceived and implemented under the leadership of Dr. Thumbay Moideen - Founder President of Thumbay Group & Founder Patron of BCF and Dr. B K Yusuf, the 
President of BCF. The flight was organized on a purely charitable basis, with all necessary 
steps and precautions in place to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers. Thumbay Group assigned its fleet of buses to transport the passengers free of charge from their residences in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman to the airport. The organizers also provided free meals and refreshments to the passengers, in addition to PPE kits and face-shields distributed free of 
charges.

The passengers on the first flight included many elderly individuals, people with serious 
illnesses like heart-related health issues and diabetes, pregnant ladies and little children as well as people who had lost their jobs and those with expired visas. Dr. B K Yusuf – BCF President, Dr. Kaup Mohammed - BCF General Secretary, other office bearers of BCF, as well as Thumbay Group’s representatives Mr. Farhad C – Director of the Hospitality Division of 
Thumbay Group and Engr. Farwaz P. C. – COO of the Construction Division were present at 
the airport to see off the first group of passengers.

Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Thumbay Moideen said, “This joint initiative of Thumbay 
Group and BCF is to support our fellow Kannadigas desperate to fly back home. We are happy that we have been able to reach out to many of them, to help them fly home to their families. We thank the Governments of the UAE and India, and the Indian Consulate, Dubai, for their support in making this happen. In the coming days, many more stranded Kannadigas would be repatriated under this joint initiative.”
Dr. B K Yusuf thanked Dr. Thumbay Moideen and the office-bearers and members of BCF for 
their efforts to make the initiative a success.

“We are proud that this initiative has brought relief to many Kannadigas and their families today. BCF is grateful to Thumbay Group for its support and partnership for all our humanitarian programs for the support of the needy.”

Dr. Kaup Mohammed said that it was a matter of pride that the much-awaited Thumbay-BCF 
repatriation flight had been carried out successfully. “Measures have been taken to ensure the safety of the flight and its passengers throughout the journey,” he said. He also thanked all the social organizations including Bhatkal Jamath, BCCI, BWF, KCF, DKSC, Kodagu Kannadigas, 
Kannadiga Help Line, Dubai Konkans and KSS, for their support. He specially thanked Mr. 
Syed Hassan Razeen, the owner of ARISTOCRAT Travels for his support in the ticketing, 
boarding and related processes. On behalf of Milano Optics Group and Maxcare, free gift 
hampers were distributed to selected passengers.

The passengers were received at Mangalore airport under the leadership of Mr. Mumtaz Ali - patron of BCF and other distinguished personalities of Mangalore including Mr. Moidin Bava - former MLA, Mr U. T. Ifthikhar, Mr. S. M. R Rashid - President of BCCI central committee and many others. The passengers were transferred to the hotels where they had registered for the mandatory quarantine.

The second flight under this joint initiative is scheduled to take-off from Ras Al Khaimah airport to Mangalore on 24th July 2020. A few more similar repatriation flights are to soon follow, in the coming weeks.

On Friday, February 7, 2020 Tulu Koota Kuwait under the leadership of Dynamic President Ramesh S Bhandary and coordination of Sports Secretary Roshan Quadras  held its annual picnic at Mishref Garden, Kuwait.  Although slight drizzling on the   previous night had caused great concern amongst committee members , yet the  windy and dusty weather did not lessen the enthusiasm and excitement of Tulu Koota Kuwait members.  Over 1000 members enjoyed the fun filled day.

MC of the occasion Mr. Manoj Shetty & Ms. Priya Devadiga welcomed the audience and Chief guests for the event Dr Jeshna Rajan- Badr Al Samaa Clinic, Dr. S.M.Hyther Ali- Chairman of TVS Hyder Group, Mr. John Simon- Group Manager for Corporate Sales and Event Marketing ,  Al Mulla Exchange, Mr Pradeep, owner of Geetherb medicine and Mr. Lokesh & Team from NH Assets.  The program kicked off with Kuwait & Indian National anthem. The guests in their address to audience, praised Tulu Koota Kuwait unwavering efforts to unite people through language, and also the solid philanthropy and charity work being carried by the association was applauded. The presidents  of different South Canara  association in Kuwait were also amongst invited dignitaries for the event, and were welcomed with flower bouquet. This was followed by the release of “ Tulu Nada Jathre flyer”.

Tulu Koota Kuwait President, Ramesh S Bhandary in his speech welcomed the dignitaries and emphasized the significance of the annual picnic gathering. He further elaborated on the innovative concept of “Tulunada Jathre ” being initiated this year, and requested fervent support and participation from all members in  this wonderful program scheduled to be held on Friday,  March 27, 2020 at Indian Central School Indoor Ground Abbasiya. 

As part of days celebration TKK’s Flag hosting  was done  by President , Ramesh Bhandary. “Go Green Global concept” by Tulu Koota members   was the highlight of the inaugural ceremony.  This act was directed by talented committee member Mr. Suresh Salian.

The act beautifully conveyed the message of sustainability, and climate change and raised awareness on how to fight it, how to live green.  The traditional inaugural of the sports event was done by breaking of coconut by Sports Secretary Mr. Roshan Quadras.  TKK First Lady Mrs Anitha Ramesh Bhandary led the sports march holding the traditional torch followed by the  Go Green Global team holding different country flags with plant pots, followed by President, committee members and Sponsors of TKK. The president officially inaugurated the Sports Event by officially lighting the Sports Lamp.

After the inauguration ceremony, the members and kids actively participated in day long sports games and activities meticulously planned out by the Sports committee  for different age groups.  Passing the parcel, Veggies collection, ball bucket, veg shopping , macroni race, hockey, kutti donne, sack race, lagori,  breaking the pot , tyre race, slow cycling, water ballon race, musical chair , kabbadi, volley ball, throw  ball , tug of war, housie housie, kept the members and their families  engaged and entertained. The winners for the competitions were awarded with trophies towards the end of the exciting day.

Delicious and authentic Mangalorean lunch for the event was served by Oriental Restaurant Kuwait.  Sounds and lights support for the event was provided by Anand, while the beautiful moments were captured in camera by Mr.Blen Dsouza and Mr.Rajesh Devadiga

Tulu Koota Kuwait takes this opportunity to thank its committee members, members and volunteers for their dedicated efforts and team spirit and active participation that eventually lead to the huge success of Family Picnic 2020. The Event Sponsors were Al Ahleia Insurance Company SAKP, Al Mulla Exchange, Khain Properties Udupi, Badr Al-Samaa Clinic, TVS Hyder Group and Geetherb.