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Dubai : State, Central Leaders Attend Gulf Karnataka Forum Meet
by Shodhan Prasad
Daijworld Media Network - UAE
Dubai, Jun 28: Gulf Karnataka Forum’s Special Meet was successfully held at Lotus Metro Downtown Hotel Apartments, Deira, Dubai on 25th of June, 2010 attended by a number of guests and invitees who were glued to the seats for 5 hours of non-stop presentation and speeches from noted speakers not only from UAE but also from AGCC Countries and India.
The programme as scheduled started at around 10.00 am with Registration Counter at the entrance for the invitees and members to get enrolled with their details. Light refreshments were also served during the initial networking period. A wide stage was erected with beautiful background of Gulf Karnataka Forum’s (GKF’s) name and logo.
Padmashree Dr. B.R. Shetty, the strong pillar who lead the GKF’s recent delegation to Bangalore along with Herman Lewis, James Mendonza, Syed Khalil , Afroz Assadi and Ivan Fernandes to meet B.S. Yediyurappa, Chief Minister of Karnataka was the first leader to enter the venue on the programme day. Other delegates who arrived from India are Capt. Ganesh Karnik, Dy. Chairman, NRI Karnataka Forum & Oscar Fernandes, Congress Parliamentarian along with his wife Blossom Fernandes. The Chief Guest of Honours were H.E. M.K. Lokesh, Indian Ambassador to UAE and K.K. Kumar, Convener ICWC, Dubai. Other guests were representatives of various Karnataka Associations in other parts of the Gulf.
Ganesh Rai, Ex-President of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah opened up the programme with a beautiful notation of his welcome address while all the Chief Guests inaugurated the event with traditional lighting the lamp. This was followed by prayer by Monish Ganesh Rai.
Herman Lewis the main organizer and the man behind GKF initiative, later briefed the progress of the Forum and the future plans they have in their agenda. His informative power point presentation started with a slide saying ‘One Voice and one platform of Gulf Karnataka Residents’. He covered on the initial workings of GKF as to what made the formation of GKF, the story behind it, the historical meeting with Karnataka Chief Minister and the successful formation of a united front for Kannadigas of the Gulf with the blessings of Dr. B.R. Shetty. The following were the immediate actions taken by the Government of Karnataka on the proposal presented by GKF during their visit:
- Treating NRK children on par with Local in CET exams, and Kannada oral exam instead of Written
- NRK identification cards in place of ration cards
- NRK help-line office at three places as a single window
- Insurance schemes in collaboration with National insurance companies
- Encourage NRI housing projects
- High level delegation to inform and educate NRK’s on Welfare activities, Children education, investment opportunities, etc.
- Partner in progress in the welfare of Karnataka people living in the gulf
As per Herman’s presentation, the result and immediate achievement of GKF’s initiative is “The sangam of three - Non Resident People living in Gulf, Govt. of Karnataka and Govt. of India”. He explained the main objectives of GKF which says, ensure the welfare of the Non Resident people of Karnataka, redress their grievances and safeguard their rights, enhance the feeling of One community (NRK in the Gulf), Represent the needs and common interests, Solutions for long standing concerns, Promote cultural, religious, harmony, Promote knowledge, entrepreneurship & Help the weak, needy and exploited NRK’s.
He also highlighted other concerns which are “about ourselves, our families living here, Job security, legal issues, exploitation, medical help, identity & Social, economical, cultural issues. GKF’s other concerns back home were Children’s education, Protection of family and property back home specially parents, Family and self health, accident and life insurance, Housing, Resettlement on return, Pension schemes, Information system –awareness & Socio economics problems. Going forward Herman said, that the GKF will see into Unity and vision, Single platform, Partnership in progress, Professional approach, Dedicated team work, Regular follow ups, Involving everyone & Bridging the gaps.
GKF has agenda in the days to come is to form a Governing council with Representative from each recognised association /organisation, Form a Executive council with representations from Govt. of Karnataka, Indian Embassy, Indian welfare committee, and elected representatives from the Governing council, Advisors – nominated, Patrons – nominated & Definite term in the office. The final say was that “Where there is a will there is a way” and GKF requested a strong support from one and all, specially the business community, Govt. of Karnataka, Govt. of India, and every person of Karnataka origin.
Supporting to the call by Gulf Karnataka Forum, Capt. Ganesh Karnik spoke next and humoursly said that Herman has covered everything which he wanted to explain. He further explained how Government of Karnataka thought of the formation of a united cell for the Kannadigas abroad to investigate the problems and find solutions to ease the gap between Government and the People in all perspectives. He also said that Yediyurappa Government has taken lot of initiatives and has always supported to the formation of this kind of body and today has appointed him to take care of this unit abroad. Government of Karnataka is happy that at least now the people’s representatives have taken this good initiative and formed Gulf Karnataka Forum to which Karnataka Government will provide all its support to the fullest possible. His assurances provided added strength to the Forum created in a short span of time and is now standing tall with the equal co-operation by the member associations of Kannadigas in the Gulf.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Later Ivan Fernandes spoke on the Global Investors Summit held recently where he attended with the GKF’s delegation and shared some of the short comings he has experienced. His concerns were about nil contribution on investment/development in the coastal region other than the usual expansion of MRPL. He said he had earlier taken initiative to create a forum of entrepreneurs setting up an IT SEZ which is his core expertise but was saddened with the slow approach and support. He felt that, “if no political connection then there will not be a road for any successful project”. He says that unless the Government seriously thinks on tackling the current issues and problems, investors will continue to evade investing back home.
B.G. Mohandas, Ex-President of Karnataka Sangha Dubai and Media personality of Gulf Kanndiga.Com spoke on the utilization of Media and said that the media should support hand to hand with the developing programmes of the Forum and assured all support. Later C.R. Shetty of Karnataka Sangha Dubai spoke and assured all support to GKF. Sarvotham Shetty of Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha also spoke on the poor people’s needs which are out right ignored by the current government officials. He said that GKF should look into the majority basic needs of the poor people instead of talking tall of few peoples demand and said that GKF should compile all these and forward it to the concerned authorities in the Government for a quicker action and solution. Other leaders of various associations both in UAE and the Gulf spoke on various issues including Prakash Naik of Karnataka Sangha Oman.
Most of the problems raised were of common nature which included quicker facilities to solve NRK’s problems under one window. As practically NRK’s gets one month holiday in a year and during this period they normally try to finish off with various pending issues of their full year but return unsuccessful due to lack of support from the concerned authorities who usually take a long time sending them from pillar to post not caring to the basic needs of these NRK’s who normally put lot of investments in the infrastructure development. Hence the common voice is to have a single window approach for all their requirements.
The speech by Lokesh, the first Kannadiga Indian Ambassador to UAE was really a humours one in Kannada wherein he covered some of his experience with the Government Departments while his tenure in India. He assured that the times have changed and there is a progress in those departments and also said that now GKF is lucky currently to have the support of Karnataka Government with Ganesh Karnik and Central Government with Oscar Fernandes and he being the Ambassador will try to connect people for with easy access in solving the day to day problems wherever possible. He congratulated the GKF and wished all success. K.K. Kumar of ICWC also blessed and promised all support to GKF.
Later Ocar Fernandes spoke on the occasion and said that GKF should be lucky to have a good association of law makers in the government both in Central and State Governments that they should be able to tackle all their problems in the days to come. He said that GKF should take this opportunity in good sense and put their grievances with the concerned for a quicker solution. He also assured his full support and assistance to GKF in their future programmes.
B.R. Shetty the main patron of GKF spoke on the event and requested all the leaders of various associations throughout the Gulf region to whole heartedly support Gulf Karnataka Forum in their effort to tackle all the pending issues remaining from a long period unitedly and with all their great support. His call was whole heartedly supported by many other members of various associations who spoke and confirmed their commitment to GKF.
M.K. Lokesh, Captain Ganesh Karnik, Oscar Fernandes and K.K. Kumar were felicitated with flowers, shawl and letter of appreciation. The honours were done by patron B.R. Shetty on behalf of GKF.
Next was the inauguration of the web site created by Navin Sequeira for Gulf Karnataka Forum named http://www.gulfkarnatakaforum.com by the Chief Guests together. James Mendoza concluded with vote of thanks.
A sumptuous buffet lunch was set by Lotus Hotel which was savored by all the invitees in a relaxing mood enjoying the week end.
Later in the afternoon was question and answer session and in the questionnaire section wherein many invitees raised various questions for which Capt. Karnik replied politely. Rajesh Sequeira coordinator Karnataka NRI forum requested for the former Airport Chief Vasudeva to be brought back to Mangalore as General Manager from his current deputy to Coimbatoor. He also requested on the development and repairs of main roads in Mangalore. Thomas Sequeira requested for a common ID Cards for which Captain Karnik replied that your passport could be your identity for NRI. Finally the question and answer session concluded with Karnik saying that further questions can be put through the co-coordinator of GKF Herman Lewis.
In conclusion Herman Lewis said the formation of GKF was only possible because of the whole hearted support of Dr. B.R. Shetty, Capt. Ganesh Karnik, Dy. Chairman, NRI Karnataka Forum, All the leaders and members of Karnataka Associations in the Gulf, Karnataka businessman in the Gulf, support of the Media specially, http://www.daijiworld.com, http://www.gulfkannadiga.com, Namma TV, Radio Spice105.4 FM and other connected media of Karnataka. He made special mention of the enormous support and hard work put in by James Mendonca of Reliable Group and Afroz Assadi of Northern Insurance in the successful formation of Gulf Karnataka Forum in this part of the world.
It was a historical meet which resulted in a direct connectivity of the Government of Karnataka with the NRK’s residing in the Gulf for a quicker solution of the grievances currently faced which earlier were left behind un-noticed.
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