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Al Khobar, KSA, Jul 3: MASA – Mangalorean Association Saudi Arabia in Al Khobar is now a nine-month-old baby, but steadily growing.

Al Khobar residents of Mangalorean origin have put into operation their thoughts about meeting regularly and excahngin news and ideas, promoting talents, and helping the needy back home and in the country where they reside.

When the word spread about bringing together Mangaloreans, many enthusiasts along with their families joined. Though official formation of organization is restricted in Saudi Arabia, meeting as a social gathering with good intention or for a good cause will definitely not affect anyone.

Until now more than 160 members have registered with their families. When it began, just focusing on charity, MASA took-up the helping cause to their hand.

Their main objective is to help fellow-Mangaloreans in need who are residing in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia, esp. in respect of medical aid, school fee and finding employment opportunities through own sources, irrespective of caste, creed and religion. Keeping in mind the motto of charity, MASA has already taken up a case of medical aid to one of the Mangaloreans, Ravindra Poojary.

Poojary who was working in a private company in Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia, was under medical treatment . As his company could not meet the expenses related to his prolonged illness, he was deported to India and was admitted in Manipal Hospital straight away from Bajpe Airport. He was diagnosed as suffering from bone cancer with kidney failure. As he was the only breadwinner of the family, he ould not meet the medical expenses and the matter was referred to Mangalore Association (MASA). After confirming this case as genuine the assessment committee, MASA has contributed Rs one lac ( Rs 75, 000 collected on the spot at the Talent's Day competition, held on June 1, 2007 and Rs 25,000 from MASA fund). A cheque was handed over by one of the assessment committee member to the wife of Poojary at his residence in Malpe.

Besides this, MASA was also successful in providing jobs to a few Mangalorean candidates who were looking for jobs.

As part of entertainment part, Diwali festival was celebrated last year, where about 170 people gathered. In February 2007, MASA successfully organized a get-together and a sports meet in April 2007.

But the Talent Day organized on June 1, 2007 was more memorable with 250 people taking part. The young and the old alike exhibited their talent. It was a perfect platform to show their skills and talents.

Ravi Karkera, general secretary of MASA, speaking to daijiworld, says that this is just not pastime kind of gathering or one intended to harm anyone here, but as the saying goes " Winners do not do different things, but they do the things differently" .

He expects many more Mangaloreans indiscriminate of caste and creed to join them, so that the Mangalorean unity will grow here day by day.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: 

PRESIDENT 

KARUNAKAR SALIAN

VICE PRESIDENT 
MADHAV AMIN
 
GENERAL SECRETARY 

RAVI L KARKERA
JOINT SECRETARIES 
SANTOSH SHETTY
VIRAJ KUMAR SHETTY
 
TREASURER 
SURESH SHETTY

JOINT TREASURER 

RAI LAXMIKANT

EXEC COMMITTEE MEMBERS 
GOPAL SHETTY
DAYANAND SHRIYAN
AHMED GULAM BEARY
SADANAND POOJARY
SUKUMAR SHETTY
VICTOR SEQUIERA
SUJAY D SHETTY
CHANDRA SHEKARA

ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE: 

CHIEF 
MADHAV AMIN

MEMBERS 
SUJAY D SHETTY
KARUNAKAR SALIAN
GOPAL SHETTY
DAYANAND SHRIYAN
SADANAND POOJARY
AHMED GULAM BEARY
VICTOR SEQUIERA

INTERNAL AUDITORS

PRAKASH SHETTY
NARENDRA SHETTY

SPORTS COMMITTEE:
 
Committee Head 

SANTHOSH SHETTY

Members 
OSMOND D' SOUZA
GOPAL SHETTY (AMSYCO)
CHITTARANJAN SHETTY
SANTHOSH SHETTY(AL RUSHAID)
NIZAMUDDIN
NAVEEN SHETTY (JUBAIL)
CHANDRA SHEKARA
RAJESH DEVADIGA
SHARAT SHETTY
RAJESH P
NAYAZ AHMED
RIYAZ AHMED
KESHAV KUMAR
 
ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE:
 
Committee Head

RAVI KARKERA

Members 

NAVEEN BHANDARY
NAVEEN SHETTY (KBR)
DAYANAND CHOWTA
SHASHI POONJA
PRAMOD P. SHETTY
DINESH SHETTY
PRAVEEN D SHETTY
PRAVIN L SHETTY
AJAY KUMAR SHETTY
GANESH SHETTY
SUNIL SHETTY
CHANDRAHASA KARKERA

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