Dr. Arathi assures welfare of Gulf Kannadiga NRIs

DAMMAM — Several measures have been taken by Karnataka state government for the welfare of Gulf Kannadiga NRIs and the rolling out the NRK cards for NRI Kannadigas will be the first priority of the authorities, said Dr. Arathi Krishna, deputy chairman of NRI Forum government of Karnataka at a felicitation ceremony held in her honor by Karnataka NRI Forum Eastern Province here on Saturday. She said that the Karnataka government has already allocated budget this year for NRI welfare activities. Government’s official wing NRI Forum Karnataka has already set up NRI welfare centers in commissioner office at each district, and she assured that the forum would make necessary arrangements for the Saudi Kannadigas returnees. In order to address the issues currently faced by the Kannadigas in the Kingdom, Dr. Arathi Krishna made an official tour of Saudi Arabia. For the Kannadigas living in Saudi Arabia, this was a much-awaited visit of an official representative from the state government. Community leaders, business executives, organizational representatives from Eastern Province were present at the event held at Hotel Holiday Inn Al-Khobar. They welcomed NRI Forum’s strategies to address the Kannadiga NRI issues. Earlier Dr. Arathi had visited various labor camps in Industrial City of Jubail to have direct interaction with Kannadigas workers. She, is a dedicated social worker, a philanthropist and called ‘Malenada Indira’ by her fans. As a guest of honor of Saudi Arabia, she was felicitated by Mrs. Joey Fernandes, Mrs. Madhav Ameen and Women Fraternity representatives. Zakariya Bajpe Al-Muzain, president of the Karnataka NRI Forum and other office bearers, presented a memento and gifts to her. Addressing the event, Al-Muzain, applauded the historical visit of Dr. Arathi and appealed Kannadigas to join under one platform, so that NRKs can reach out to Karnataka government to take serious measures about the Saudi Kannadiga NRIs issues. KNRI Forum Eastern Province submitted a memorandum to the state government asking government to take pragmatic steps and draft policies and systems as the basis for improving the security and welfare of returning migrants as well as the ones who continue their stay in Saudi Arabia. During the event representatives from each organization briefed their activities and contribution for the social cause in Karnataka. Officials from the Saudi Ministry of Labor and Social Development, inculding Abdul Latheef Saleh Al Naeemi, Abdul Khalik Al Qasimi, Sadik Abdullah Md Al Abbasi were present. Also Al-Muzain, Vice Presidents Madhav Ameen and Joey Fernandes, General Secretary Mohammad Shareef, Treasurer Sheikh and Expertise, Secretaries, Qamaruddin and Salahuddin attended. Mohammad Firoz member of the KNRI Forum presented a brief about the Kannadiga NRIs in Saudi Arabia. Shareef, General proposed vote of thanks, Arif Jokatte and Mohammad Iqbal hosted the felicitation event. The event was sponsored by Expertise Co, Real Tech Industrial Services Co, Al-Muzain Contracting Co, Sa-ad Al Gahtani Co, Al-Manafa Transport Services and Madhav Ameen. Source: Saudi Gazette