Report by Clarence Pinto
Pics by Dilip Correa
Daijiworld News Network - Muscat
Muscat, Nov 16: The representatives of the NRI Forum (NRI Steering Committee ) in the Sultanate of Oman are constantly and steadily continuing their efforts to influence the high level officials of Indian Government and Airlines organizations to establish a direct flight from Muscat to Mangalore.
High level delegation of Indian (Indian Airlines Limited – New Delhi), comprising of Mrs Anita Khurana, Commercial Director – Indian , K. Shyam Sundar, Dy. General Manager (Marketing Planning – Indian, and Pankaj Srivastava – Regional Manager – Gulf are currently in Muscat for the last two days.
Dr. Satish Nambiar, Honorary Chairman of Indian Social Club and leading member of NRI Forum and Francis Aranha, the Mangalorean who initiated this campaign were at the Muscat Intercontinental Hotel to present the copies of the memorandum, which was earlier forwarded to the His Excellency Praful Patel, Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India and Kumaraswamy, Chief Minister of Karnataka.
As per the reliable sources, memorandum to the Indian Government and also, to the Karnataka Government has strong request emphasizing the urgent requirement of a direct flight to Mangalore.
On behalf of NRI Forum, Dr. Nambiar expressed a deep desire of the whole Coastal Karnataka expatriates living in Oman of having a direct flight from Muscat to Mangalore. He also expressed the strong views that this direct connection would benefit not only the people of Mangalore Coast but also thousands of expatriates from North Kerala and other districts surrounding Mangalore like Coorg and North Kanara.
Francis Aranha explained that the education field of Mangalore is very important and interesting to the Omani Nationals and many are already studying in various Mangalore Educational Institutions. He also indicated that Mangalore is becoming a strong center for developments of IT industry and Special Economic Zones.
Anita Khurana assured to extend a full support to the Mangalorean community in Oman and try her level best to fulfill their dream by introducing a direct flight from Indian. Indian is expected to get new aircrafts in June 2007 and then, Indian will have greater chances to do necessary work of introducing the direct flight to Mangalore. However, she has assured to look into the matter on priority basis and work on getting a direct flight to Mangalore at the earliest.
She also mentioned that during her stay in Oman for the last two days, Mangalore had been strongly highlighted by the local Indian Officials. She also indicated that the infrastructure in Mangalore airport has to be increased drastically to accommodate more flights.
The enthusiasm in community, that of Mangaloreans in the Sultanate of Oman, is unceasing. Every Coastal Karnataka expat in Muscat is very much eager to fly in a direct flight from Muscat to Mangalore.
Earlier Report:
Mangalore International Airport - Complete Coverage: