Gulf Karnataka Forum Launched in Dubai

by Shodhan Prasad
Pics by Rajesh Sequeira and B G Mohandas

Dubai, May 29: It was a successful call initiated by the well known media personality Herman Lewis, known more as Radio Spice man, with the shoulder support of Mayura Awardee 2010 James Mendonsa to unite all the Karnataka based Organization leaders in the UAE in one premises to support a formation of a common platform for the Non-resident Kannadigas (NRK’s).

The meeting was arranged at the Lotus Residence Grand Majlis Ball room, Deira at around 4 PM on Friday the 28th May, 2010, wherein several representatives of various Karnataka based organization have assembled to discuss the issue. 

Those physically present were, Dr. B.R. Shetty, Patron of UAE Tulu Koota, Sayeed Khaleel, Advisor of Bhatkal Association, Herman Lewis, MD Radio Spice, Sarvotham Shetty, President Abu Dhabi Karnatka Sangha, Noel Almeida, President Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, Santosh Nazareth, President Mangalore Konkans, James Mendonsa, Advisor Mangalore Konkans, Mohan Attavar, President Billawas Dubai & N.E., Jennifer Mascarenhas, President SMKC, Noel Mascarenhas, Advisor SMKC, Mulimani, President Kannada Koota, MK Gajare, President of Basava Samithi, Shodhan Prasad, Representative of Nama Tuluveru UAE & Reporter Daijiworld Media, Stan Aqera, President Daiji Dubai, Albert Rodrigues, President, KEL, Ivan Fernandes, President KEL-Global, Prabhakar Ambalthere, President Margadeep Kasargod, Dr. Ramachandra Hegde Co-ordinator Amchigele, H.M. Afroz Assadi, Co-ordinator Sahib Community, Rajesh Sequeira, Co-ordinator, NRI Forumn, Prakash Payyar, President Dwani Pratishtana, John Monteiro, President, JAKC-Jebel Ali, Chandrashekar, President Billawara Balaga, Sateesh V., Co-ordinator Gaaniga Samaja, Ganesh Rai, Co-ordinator UAE Tulu Koota, K.R. Tantry, Co-ordinator UAE Tulu Koota, Clement Lobo, Advisor JAKC, Praveen Shetty, Bunts Association, Satish Poojary, Advisor Billawas Dubai & N.E., Bekal S. Raj, Secretary Kannada Sangha Sharjah, B.M. Dinesh Achar, Co-ordinator Kannada Sangha Sharjah, Satish Shetty, Co-ordinator, Karnataka Sangha Dubai & Daya Kirodian, Co-ordinator Karnataka Sangha Dubai.  Also present were Media personalities B.G. Mohandas, Ex-President Karnataka Sangha Dubai & Chief Editor of Gulf Kannadiga, Vinay Kumar of Namma T.V., Naveen Sequeira of Mai Bhas.com, Hariprasad and Herman Lewis of Radio Spice.

It started with the chairpersons on the dais Dr. B.R. Shetty, Sayeed Khaleel and Herman Lewis (said to be Amar, Akbar, Anthony) seated and a beautiful intelligent presentation by Herman Lewis on the issue.  The presentation mainly focused on suggestion to have a ‘United NRK Forum for the Gulf’ with representations from every associations in each country , representation of at least two Govt. ex officio members, representation from the Indian Consulate, representation from the Business community and finally world-wide recognition with regular delegations to tackle each segment.  The presentation also showed the strengths and weaknesses of Kannadigas in UAE and questioning themselves that ‘Do we think we are all one?’ Do we have problems and concerns? Are we prioritising our issues? Do we think of local issues/concerns? Is cultural programmes take front seat?, Do we remember other major issues only when dignitaries visit here?, What about follow up?, Is bringing politicians/leaders and honouring them yield results?, Are we doing enough?.  The answer for all these questions was unanimously answered as ‘Yes’ we need to form a ‘Gulf Karnataka Forum’ to tackle all these issues by all those assembled in the meet.

The meet also discussed the major issues of NRK’s like Children higher Education, Insurance (Life and Health), Priority housing -  NRK schemes, Ration Cards/ National Id, Business opportunities, Employment opportunities, Housing schemes, Family protection programmes, Help desk, Representations - various Govt. bodies & Other problems which needs to be placed on the future agenda.

It was unanimously agreed that the above problems can be tackled only by forming a single unified platform for the Gulf NRK with strong united front and leadership, to have single bold targeted voice –heard better and most effective, to have better follow ups, better results, better utilisation of resources
and finally better utilisation of available media.

All those who attended introduced themselves and suggested with guidance, advice and constructive opinions not only by participation but promising whole hearted support in the future for the great cause which resulted in the formation of "GULF KARNATAKA FORUM" announced by Padmashree Dr. B.R. Shetty.  Though there were certain doubts whether this will be successful or not Shetty said that he will take this as a challenge and would see that it will be successful whatever the hurdles he may have to face.  He committed that he will liaise with the officials concerned to take this forward and also will seek the support of the Karnataka based Associations elsewhere in the Gulf mainly Saudi, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait & Oman to join this, support and make ‘Gulf Karnataka Forum’ a strong body to fight for the rights of ‘Kannadigas’ in the Gulf which was neglected from a long time.

The historic meet concluded with expecting continuous participation and support from the fellow members and going ahead with fixing time frame, suggestions from all associations in the Gulf region, brain storming, guidelines and structure in the rising of a United NRK Front for the Gulf region.