by P.A.HameedPadubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Saudi Arabia
Jeddah, Jun 30: The last weekend was colorful and voice of hearts for the Kannadigas especially for the Mangaloreans in Jeddah, an historical city and old Capital of Saudi Arabia, situated on the bank of red-sea. The night was day, and the dark was light when KNRI Forum (Karnataka Non-Residents Forum) has celebrated its first Anniversary on 19th June 2008 at Lora Compound in Jeddah.
The Forum is a voluntary, non-profit organization formed by NRI’s hailing from the state of Karnataka, which is based in Jeddah. The Forum, which was kicked off by flagging green light by His Excellency Dr. Ausaf Saeed (Consul General of India) last year, which is on 24th August 2007, is included mostly of the Mangaloreans irrespective of any barriers. Multi-farious objectives were set by the Forum as it mainly aims to provide help and support services to the needy Kannadigas working and living in KSA and in Karnataka; to provide financial support to the talented but deprived students in Karnataka by providing loans for pursuing higher education (Doctors, Engineers, CA’s etc,.); helping them become a contributing member of the society; to organize blood donation camps in Karnataka; to organize free medical check-up’s for the underprivileged in Karnataka and for those who are not covered under Medical Insurance in the KSA and other humanitarian services regardless of caste, religion and other barriers.
B.K. Shetty, the President of the Forum said-“The people of different fields like Doctors, Engineers, Chartered Accountants, Businessmen, Educationists and other professionals have been rendering their voluntary services for the cause of the community services through this Forum; we need active support and encouragement from all Karnataka communities in Jeddah to do humanitarian services”.
“The event was very colorful and enjoyable and more than 1500 people had gathered in the Compound to celebrate the Forum’s first annual day; variety of cultural programs were also conducted”-Mr. Manohar Bhandary, Mangalorean, who is one of the key person behind the Forum, said.
R.S.Kharayath, Visa Consul, Consulate General was the chief guest.
Dr (Prof.) Muhammad Ijaz, Principal of Al-Warood International School, Iqbal Yousuf, H.Vishwanath Hegde, Advisor KNRI as well Vice President Intermodel Services, Raffiuddin Fazal Bhoy were other the guests on dais in the event.