Bengaluru: Saudi KNRI Forum urges govt to allow NRI students to appear for CET


Media Release

Bengaluru, Jun 10: A delegation of Karnataka NRI Forum-Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, led by its president Roshan Rodrigues and cultural secretary Syed Shakeel Ahmed, met deputy chairman of NRI forum Karnataka Dr Arathi Krishna under the mentorship of Mangaluru South MLA J R Lobo at Vikas Soudha, Bengaluru on June 6.

KNRI Forum Jeddah president Roshan Rodrigues handed over a letter requesting the higher education ministry of Karnataka to allow NRI students especially from Gulf countries to appear for CET exams like other students from Karnataka.

Roshan further explained to Dr Arathi that there are around five million Indians working in all the six GCC countries and around two million Indians working in Saudi Arabia alone. It has been proven time and again that nearly 90% of all Indians are engaged in labour and mediocre level jobs where the salaries are not very attractive compared to the present salary scale of government and private companies in India.

Since the economy of Saudi Arabia is now in recession period due to low crude oil prices, even the salaries are being revised downward by several local companies as well as government sector of Saudi Arabia.

Now, with this mediocre income, when the children pass their XII standard, through Indian Embassy schools, affiliated to CBSE, New Delhi, the children are not allowed to appear for state sponsored CET tests, especially in Karnataka, not even the meritorious students. They are told they should avail seats in professional colleges like medical and engineering under NRE quota by paying huge donations, which ranges from Rs 75 lac to Rs 1.5 crore, depending upon the college, course and state / district they choose.

With the kind of income mentioned above, an NRI will never be able to educate his children in professional colleges, the delegation said.

"How can these more than 80% of Indian workers who hardly can afford any savings, arrange such a hefty amount? This policy is purely discriminatory, arbitrary and anti-NRI. Further, certain states have adapted this NRI policy and certain states have refrained," they said.

Roshan Rodrigues requested Dr Arathi Krishna to do all that is necessary to scrap the policy of excluding NRI students from Karnataka state CET exams and give them an equal opportunity together with local students to appear for CET exams.

"Let merit be the criteria for both local and NRI students," he urged.

Several issues pertaining to the labourers working in Saudi Arabia were discussed, like the recent case of Saudi Binladin and Saudi Ozer company where the workers were not paid their salaries for more than six months, KNRI Forum Saudi Arabia fed thousands of workers for months, and handed over basic necessities in their camps, helped them go back to their homes by giving them airway tickets etc.

Deputy chairperson of NRI?Forum (Karnataka) Dr Arathi Krishna said the Forum has sought a budgetary allocation of Rs 10 crore towards realizing its plans.

Dr Arathi said the plans include setting up of database of NRIs from the state, followed by organizing pre-departure orientation programmes, 'Namma Ooru Namma Naadu', divesting powers over attestation of marriage certificates (of those couples going abroad) and authorization of job recruiting agencies, to name a few.

Substantiating the plans, Dr Arathi said that while there are over a million Kannadigas staying abroad - mostly in Gulf countries, there is no accurate database of the people from the state-origin abroad. Hence, it is imperative to create a database based on their jobs, skills among other distinct qualities.

Once the database is available, it is easier to hear their grievances with district-level committees too in the making. Similarly, pre-departure orientation programmes are essential to create awareness among the people travelling abroad for employment, who would be unaware of rules and regulations pertaining to those countries, she said.

There are instances of people landing behind bars due to lack of awareness of local rules and regulations. It is only later that they approach the dedicated offices seeking help in bailing them out from the problem.

Similarly, in the case of recruitment agencies, there are instances of contractors taking job aspirants for a ride, she said.

Dr Arathi Krishna promised to take up these issues with the chief minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah who is also the chairman of NRI department in Karnataka and resolve the above issues. In this regard the KNRI Forum has requested J R Lobo to liaise with the department concerned and advise us on the progress at the earliest.

Dr Arathi Krishna also promised to take up these issues with the ministry of foreign affairs and the authorities concerned.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Carol Dsouza, Mangalore/ riyadh

    Sun, Jun 11 2017

    Great initiative taken by the KNRI forum. I truly hope they seriously consider it and help the students. Thank you

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Roshan Rodrigues, Madanthyar/ Jeddah

    Sun, Jun 11 2017

    We started our mission since long .Mr. J.R Lobo sir , is helping us reach our voice to government, He is not only taking this issue but . Trying to have Nri forum like Kerala in our state. This time I hope all our dream will come true because Dr. Arathi Krishna is great officer and very well aware about the pain of all Nris. She is really blessing for all of us. Soon many Nris issues going to solve specially gulf Kannadigas..
    I sincerely thank Dr. Arathi and Mla J.R.Lobo sir. For their sincere efforts..

    Roshan Rodrigues
    President of KNRI forum Jeddah.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • sabu chandran, Bangalore

    Sun, Jun 11 2017

    Excellent effort and a great step by Knri forum and appreciate the effort taken by the forum President Mr . Roshan.
    It's a very important task that the knri is tackling and once approved will be a mile stone for knri and the entire kannada community.

    Hat's off to the entire forum Knri

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Momin Mohd Ilyas, Bhatkal (NK) Karnataka - Presently Working in Jeddah

    Sun, Jun 11 2017

    All the best to KNRI Jeddah President Mr. Roshan Rodrigue & his Team. Good Job Mr. Roshan for carrying the message to Vidhana Soudha, Bangaluru.
    Excellent move to help & support KNRI students. Request the Karnataka Government authorities to support us in the best interest of the Karnataka & India.
    Our sincere THANKS to Dr. Arathi Krishna Charmian NRI Forum Karnataka for her support and guidance. Our appreciation & THANKS to MLA JR Lobo for his continuous support and guidance to Jeddah KNRI Association.
    As a strong TEAM, Together we can make make the difference for the benefit of our young upcoming students, the leaders of tomorrow.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dadapeer hayath, Davangere/Jeddah

    Sun, Jun 11 2017

    With this relentless efforts of KNRI, I hope our dreams will come true

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mohamad Saheb, Karkala

    Sun, Jun 11 2017

    Good luck KNRI President, Mr Roshan, your hard work and efforts for NRI’s will be commendable. Hope Govt. will consider the request for which will fulfill the dreams of NRI’s long pending issue.

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sun, Jun 11 2017

    Karnataka has the best colleges in India ...

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • NN, Mangalore

    Sun, Jun 11 2017

    Very genuine issue. Govt. should consider it favorably. All NRIs should get the same privileges that Indian citizen are getting and be allowed to choose their permanent place of residence anywhere in India.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • G Prashanth, Bangalore/ Jeddah

    Sun, Jun 11 2017

    A very good initiative by KNRI Forum Jeddah , the govt should consider the request . This will open opportunities for the meritorious students of KNRI studying in gulf countries. I wish &thank Mr. Roshan and the team all the best in their efforts

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Aijaz Ahmed Shimoga, Jeddah

    Sun, Jun 11 2017

    Very good initiative and great efforts. Thank you Mr. Roshan Rodrigues, Shakeel Ahmed and the entire team of KNRI Forum Jeddah. Thousands of NRI Kannadiga students will be benefitted.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mohammed Firoze, Mangalore/ Muscat

    Sun, Jun 11 2017

    Good initiative taken by KNRI Jeddah team.
    Let it be common for all NRI.
    Let's hope the best

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nadeem Ahmed, Bangalore based in jeddah

    Sat, Jun 10 2017

    Great efford by Roshan and Shakeel bhai I request all KNRi peoples to support them all to achive the goal will be great for the future students.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sadashiva Marakala, Udupi

    Sat, Jun 10 2017

    Looking at the size of Indian population in KSA, government has to consider KNRI request. On behalf of Indian community, we urge the government to consider our request and this time around we genuinely hope and believe that the government will not disappoint us.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • R Mallar, Kasaragod/ Dubai

    Sat, Jun 10 2017

    Currently NRIs are indeed allowed to write CET under Horanadu Kannadigaru quota. So what exactly is the demand?
    One beurocratic issue is about domicile certificate - You need a Tahasildar to certify that the parents are from Karnataka. For this you need ration card - NRIs either don't have ration card or can't have one!
    The Mangalore Tahasildar refused to accept passport or PAN card as proof!

    DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nithyananda Beskoor, Udupi,Dubai

    Sat, Jun 10 2017

    Good Move by KNRI Jeddah team, Dubai KNRI should follow suit in requesting the Karnataka Govt. It will really help our children :)

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • SHABBIR AHMED RAJAB, Jeddah

    Sat, Jun 10 2017

    May our request be accepted and dream come true; since it was a long awaited dream of KNRI Forum Jeddah. I would like to thank Mr. J.R. Lobo, Mr. Roshan R. (President KNRI Forum Jeddah) and entire members of KNRI Team. Best of Luck. Shabbir Ahmed.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Khaleel Ahmed, Udupi

    Sat, Jun 10 2017

    Good initiative taken by KNRI Jeddah

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Elias Pasha, Bangalore / presently in Jeddah

    Sat, Jun 10 2017

    Mr.Roshan, its a great thought to process this initiative, We all congrajulate u and wish u a great success.

    DisAgree [1] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Jery Mary Dsouza, Riyadh

    Sat, Jun 10 2017

    Very good initiative by Roshan Rodrigus.It should have been done earlier.Still it is not too late.I hope dream come true.Wish you all the best.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Faizee Razak Sheik, Manglore / Yanbu, Saudi Arabia

    Sat, Jun 10 2017

    We hope our request will be accepted this time as we have been chasing this issue since long.
    I would like to thank Mr. JR Lobo, Mr. Roshan Rodrigues, President KNRI Forum Jeddah and entire KNRI Team. Lets hope for the best.

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Niaz Ahmed, Dubai

    Sat, Jun 10 2017

    Dear President,
    With this effort if yours and the forum , thousands of kannadigas will benefit. It has been a cherished dream of all of us.
    Thanks to you and the forum.
    Niaz Ahmed

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Irshad Ahmed Mavad, Jeddah / bangalore

    Sat, Jun 10 2017

    I do agree and strongly support the movement by KNRI

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Yash, jeddah

    Sat, Jun 10 2017

    We hope our request will be accepted this time as we have been chasing this issue since long. I would like to thank Mr. JR Lobo, Mr. Roshan Rodrigues and entire KNRI Team. Lets hope for the best.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mohamed Arif, Udupi/Muscat

    Sat, Jun 10 2017

    Good Work !!! its really a long pending issue. Hope this time our Govt will consider KNRI s request. Appreciate efforts of Mr. Roshan Rodrigues , President KNRI Jeddah in this regard.

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • syed shakeel ahmed, jeddah

    Sat, Jun 10 2017

    Let's hope for the best, we have full hope with the present Karnataka government under the leadership of Siddaramaih. Dr Arthi Krishna is abled leader with international exposure. Definitely she will make this happen.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • bk shetty, aroor ksa

    Sat, Jun 10 2017

    all the best well done Mr.Roshan.
    It is my privilege to congratulate you for your hard work.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Bengaluru: Saudi KNRI Forum urges govt to allow NRI students to appear for CET



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