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PM Modi breaks bread with Indian construction workers in Saudi Arabia

[email protected] (Agencies)
April 3, 2016

Riyadh, Apr 2: In a special gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today broke bread with a group of Indian workers of a major construction project here.

modisaudi

Modi sat with the workers at the L&T workers' residential complex and had the meal with them shortly after addressing them during which he appreciated their contribution to development of Saudi Arabia.

"Eating together, hearing each other's thoughts & experiences...at L&T Workers' Residential Complex in Saudi Arabia," the Prime Minister tweeted along with a picture of him having food with them.

The Prime Minister's gesture was hailed by the workers.

"This is unprecedented. We will not forget it ever," said a worker from Kerala.

The Indian blue collar workers are engaged in L&T's USD 2 billion housing project here.

There are over 2.96 million Indian nationals working in Saudi Arabia, the largest expatriate community in the country, and nearly 90 per cent of them are blue collar workers.

Earlier, while addressing the workers, Modi said, "Dear brothers, it is your sweat and toil that has brought me here."

The Prime Minister further said, "Your sweat and toil is the pride of India."

"Several times you and your dear ones have written to me, mentioning your hopes, heart breaks and expectations. I feel a part of your family," he said.

Hailing their contribution, Modi said India is uniquely qualified to satisfy the needs of manpower that the world requires today.

Mentioning about issues of migration, he said, the government has started a programme called "e-migrate" and it is working to regularise migration.

The Prime Minister asked the Indian workers to contact the government through the portal 'Madad', which was launched by Ministry of External Affairs to address the grievances of overseas Indians.

"Madad portal is a digital way of getting your voice to reach me. When our community faces troubles we reach out to them immediately," he said, adding "We will open more worker resource centres. A second 24X7 Call Centre will be established."

Also Read:

Modi holds talks with Saudi King to boost strategic ties

PM Modi calls upon Saudi businesses to invest in India

PM Narendra Modi visits TCS' all-women IT centre in Riyadh

Modi announces 24X7 helpline for NRIs; worker resource centres in Riyadh, Jeddah

Comments

Suleman
 - 
Sunday, 3 Apr 2016

L&T entered Saudi Arabia since 4-5 years only. Contribution to Saudi Arabia by Metro rail construction is still ongoing & is peanut compared to the eastern region SABIC petrochemicals projects, Hadeed Saudi Steel Industry(Worlds Largest) Aluminium Industry(MAADEN), SADARA(Worlds largest chemical complex), SATROP etc.
Unemployment at homeland force us to migrate since 1970.
Unfortunate part is that we termed as NRI doesn't have the voting rights and back home a hefty fees to be paid for our school children if they want to come back and study in India.
We ultimately become \ Na Ghar Ka Na Ghat Ka\"....once returned for good."

PK
 - 
Sunday, 3 Apr 2016

IN MEDIA - PM Shines
IN FIELD - PM vanishes...

mohdalthaf
 - 
Sunday, 3 Apr 2016

Only Good at Drama. Fenku

Ummar
 - 
Sunday, 3 Apr 2016

Can do anything real except drama?
Bec before election he did same type of drama fooled everyone ...

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News Network
April 24,2020

Udupi, Apr 24: While several state governments and NGOs are actively working to provide essentials to the needy amid the COVID-19 lockdown, a fisherwoman in Karnataka's Udupi has proved that even a small gesture of help for others can make a huge difference in the society.
A fisherwoman, Sharadakka, distributed rice to 140 needy families in her neighbourhood during the ongoing lockdown. The contribution was made by spending all her life savings amounting to Rs 30,000. The amount was saved by her over a period of time in an effort to build a house for herself.
On Thursday Udupi Deputy Commissioner G. Jagadeesh visited her and ensured help to build her house.
"Spending her meagre earnings, Sharadakka generously filled many empty stomachs amid the nation-wide lockdown, which is a matter of pride," said the Deputy Commissioner.

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News Network
May 12,2020

Dubai, May 12: Free tickets are being offered by philanthropists and businessmen based in the UAE for deserving Indians who want to fly home.

Repatriation ticket prices have been set at around Dh700 to Dh750 per person depending on the destination. But there are many in UAE who cannot afford it, especially people who have lost their jobs or have medical concerns.

Malayalam Communications Ltd and its Malayalam stations (Kairali TV & Kairali News) are giving away 1,000 tickets free. Those who wish to apply can submit their application to [email protected].

Indian businessman Dhananjay Datar, chairman & managing director of Al Adil Trading Company, is also giving away 300 tickets. He is liasing with the Consulate General of India (CGI) for the names. “This is the time we need to rise as a community,” he said.

Besides taking care of airfares, Datar will also bear the cost of COVID-19 testing fees for Indians from the UAE.

“The repatriation efforts undertaken by the government of India is one of the largest initiatives. I am just doing a small bit to help the community. There are many people who are not in a position to meet the airfare and COVID testing costs as they have lost jobs. I will be coordinating with authorised entities handing this to lend my support,” he said.

Pravasi India Forum, a welfare organisation in UAE, is giving away 100 tickets. The NGO on Monday, May 11, uploaded a registration form where people can provide their details. “Tickets will be given to those approved by CGI and for those who are in financial distress,” said Abulaise, president of Pravasi Welfare Forum.

Punnakan Mohammed Ali, general secretary Incas UAE committee, said it is also ready to give away hundreds of free tickets but only to genuine candidates. “We will evaluate each individual and only if they are approved by the consulate, we will give the tickets. But we are ready to help.”

Those who want to register can get more details on www.pravasiwelfareforum.com.They can also call 055-1025611.

Need for more flights

The gesture notwithstanding, many Indians are still waiting to get news on their repatration.

Social worker Shukoorali Kallangal, President, Abu Dhabi Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC), urged the government of India to add more flights to accommodate more passengers.

“Emergency repatriation services are the need of the hour. There are several expats with medical, financial distress. For those who came with the hope of a job – that too is a thing of the past now. Right now all they want is to go home and start something afresh there.”

Kallangal said: “Take the case of pregnant women. In many cases, their husbands have lost jobs or have been asked to go on unpaid leave. They are living hand to mouth and cannot afford medical costs. Due consideration should be given to them.”

Sreedharan Prasad, another social worker based in Ras Al Khaimah, said he is currently dealing with several emergency medical cases.

Consul General of India Vipul said plans are afoot to add more flights in the next phase of Indian repatriation. “The number of flights are being decided by India in consultation with state governments. This is not a normal situation we all are in. We are in the middle of a pandemic situation.”

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News Network
August 4,2020

Bengaluru, Aug 4: With preparations underway for conducting exams for the final semester/ year students in the state, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Dr CN Ashwathnarayan on Monday directed the respective universities to conduct exams for the backlog papers as well.

"In the wake of COVID-19, it has been decided to hold exams only for the students of final semester/year courses. It has come to our notice that some universities have decided against conducting exams for final year students who have a backlog to clear from previous semesters. This is unpardonable," the Deputy Chief Minister said.

"Our intention is to see that the final year students finish their course. In the present situation, conducting only final semester exams won't help. We have to help the students in clearing their backlogs," added Ashwathnarayan, directing all universities to compulsorily conduct these exams.

Meanwhile, Ashwathnarayan thanked the staff and officials of various government departments who were responsible for successfully conducting the CET exams even amidst the difficult situation in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

"In all, 1,94,419 students had registered for the CET exams, of which 1,75,428 wrote the exams. The percentage of students who took up the exams this year was equivalent to that of the previous years, in normal times," the DCM informed.

"After we successfully conducted the exams, Arunachal Pradesh is going to conduct the Public Service Commission exams on the lines of how we successfully conducted the exams. Likewise, even our KPSC has said it will conduct the exams. We must appreciate the good work of the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), which has set an example for others," Ashwathnarayan said.

The deputy chief minister said that 33 colleges in various districts across the state faced shortage of land and that it is the responsibility of the District Commissioners (DCs) to get the lands sanctioned for all these colleges.
In Bagalkot district alone land has not been sanctioned for six degree colleges, he said.

Reacting to this, Bagalkot DC Captain Rajendra assured to look into the matter as soon as he receives the proposal from department officials.

"Similarly, there is shortage of land for five Diploma colleges and 28 ITI colleges in different parts of the state. The DCs must immediately pay attention to this. Once they get the land, buildings will come up within no time," the Karnataka deputy chief minister said.

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