Jeddah: JF and KNRI Forum felicitate JP Hegde, UT Khader

Jeddah, Apr 8: The local unit of Jamiyyatul Falah (JF) and Karnataka NRI Forum (KNRIF) jointly organised a felicitation programme for Udupi-Chikmagalur MP K Jayaprakash Hegde and Mangalore MLA U T Khader, who visited Saudi Arabia through the maiden Mangalore-Dammam flight. Coastdigest.com chairman Mohammed Asif was also present.

The programme at Jeddah Trident Hotel on April 5, commenced with recitation of verses from holy Quran by Shaikh Saoud followed by the patriotic song in Kannada by Mohammed Kaleem. President of Karnataka NRI Forum, Mohammed Mansoor welcomed and introduced the guests.

Mohammed Iqbal Yousuf, the Founder of Jamiyyatul Falah, Mohammed Aslam Kazi, Managing Director Basem International Shipping and Logistics Company Ltd, Vishwanath Hegde, Managing Director Intermodal Services of SA, Shabih A. Kazi, Founder Member of Jamiyyatul Falah, Rafiuddin Fazalbhoy, Founder of Indian Embassy School and members of JF and KNRIF were among the dignitaries who took part in the event.

S.M. Jaffer addressed a number of community concerns including direct flights between Mangalore and Jeddah, voting rights/Adhar cards for NRIs, admission to NRI children for professional courses, opportunity to participate in any governmental infrastructure/ development projects, establishing a NRI cell/ grievance cell, government housing project for small /medium income group etc.

The same was presented in the form of a memorandum to Jayaprakash Hegde by B P Abid, President of JF, Jeddah.

Mohammed Aslam Kazi and Br. B P Abid have presented the memento to Mr Hegde and Mr Khader on behalf of Jamiyyatul Falah Jeddah and Vishwanath Hegde and Mohammed Mansoor presented the memento to the duo on behalf of Karnataka NRI Forum, Jeddah.

Presenting a brief chronology of the organization before the audience, Mohammed Iqbal Yousuf said that JF was the first community socio welfare organization to be established in Jeddah to serve the poor masses back home and it has been serving for the last 25 years. He also highlighted the potential opportunities existing for participation under public private partnership (PPP) for Mangalore Airport and other infrastructure projects in Karnataka.

He said that earlier he had presented studies on the Mangalore Airport Development to the union minister M Veerappa Moily. A copy of his plan for further developing Mangalore Airport was submitted to Mr. J.P. Hegde. The idea of PPP was welcomed by Mr. Hegde and assured that he will raise the issues with the concerned authorities in India.

Krishna Jangal briefed the audience about the various activities under taken by Karnataka NRI Forum in Jeddah and services rendered to poor back home.

Mr. Hegde addressed the gathering with overwhelming applaud. Speaking about the current situation of regularizing the NRI illegals in the Kingdom, he informed that he and Mangalore MLA U T Khader had fruitful discussion with the Indian Ambassador in Riyadh. He assures that he will discuss the Mangalore – Jeddah direct flight issue with the concerned authorities. He also assured to take necessary action to resolve the issues outlined in the memorandum submitted to him.

Mr Khader said that he will stand shoulder to shoulder with the take up the issues of NRIs with the state government. He stressed that awareness programmes need to be conducted back home to educate the new comers to Saudi Arabia.

Mr  Asif assured that he will continue his efforts for the cause of direct flight from Mangalore to Jeddah.

Roshan Rodrigues, vice president Karnataka NRI Forum proposed the vote of thanks. The programme concluded with the dinner.