Udupi: Opportunities and Challenges in the Gulf - A Fruitful Seminar
 
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Pics: Prajwal Ukkuda
 
Udupi, Jan 5: A day long seminar was  organized by 'Karaval Milan' Dubai at the Ashraya Restaurant Hall in Brahamavar on Jan 4, 2009 . The seminar was benefited by youth of surrounding parishes who gathered to get more knowledge on opportunities and challenges in the  Gulf.
 
The seminar was inaugurated by Fr Baptist Menezes, Episcopal Vicar of Udupi region. The inaugural function was meaningful as representatives belong to 10 various parishes of Kundapur - Kallianpur Varado marched in a candle light procession  holding each alphabet  of 'KARAVAL MILAN DUBAI'
 
Fr Menezes in his inaugural address hailed the contribution of Gulf residents of coastal Karnataka who have sacrificed major part of their lives, specially many youth who spent their peak of youthful life in the desert and helped in the upliftment of families back home.

Mandavi Builders' Jerry Dias, ICYM Udupi director Fr Peter Pinto, CHL founder John Lewis, Karaval Milan president Rony Nazareth, local Karaval Milan leader Naveen D'Souza were also present on the dais.
 
 
The session was started immediately after the inaugural session . The  first speaker Walter Nandalike, editor-in-chief of daijiworld.com  shared his experience in the Gulf. He emphasized three main  points, namely 'Freedom' 'Partiality' and 'Exploitation' in the Gulf and one should compromise on such issues in general. Though it does not happen everywhere in the Gulf, there are several people who return from gulf and  complain about these issues. Since it is a foreign land, and expatriate community has  little control over it. A compromise on such issues is the only key to the success there. He also highlighted the positive part of the Gulf, as several thousands of Mangaloreans have spread across the Gulf and a majority are of a helping nature. Gulf is also a platform for exhibiting the talents for many people through various organizations. He opined.

Fr Denis D'Sa, Director of Fr Muller Medical College explained how the bridge has been built between the Gulf and coastal Karnataka. He admired the people of coastal Karnataka who are greatly helpful in nature and responsible for social and economic changes in the back home. Because of their sacrifices and hard work, many developmental and socio-changes have happened back home. He said
 
 
Kishore Gonsalves, writer, thinker and founder of Barkuronline.com   highlighted the negative facts of the Gulf giving the  current situation in the Gulf. He narrated how the cost of living has increased these days in the Gulf specially in the UAE. Middle class families will end-up with more  loan, than saving anything for the future. The education fees, living cost, and other expenses have outclassed the general income for the bread winner, he opined.
 
 
Wilson D'sa, NRI entrepreneur from Dubai  trained the youth into facing an interview while applying for jobs in the Gulf. He also explained the current employment opportunities in the Gulf. He  conducted practical sessions, telling them how to face an interview without fear.
 
At the concluding ceremony, Fr Sacria of the Syrian Church Brahmavar was the chief guest, and Walter Nandalike of daijiworld.com was the  guest of honor.

Three achievers from the region, well known singer composer Wilson Olivera, Gulf Voice of Mangalore winner Vinay Lewis, and Barkuronline founder Kishore Gonsalves who is known as 'Kishoo Barkur' were honored by Fr Scaria for their achievements . On behalf of Karaval Milan Dubai , they were honored with a citation, garland, a shawl, fruits and a memento.
 
Walter Nandalike unveiled  the Karaval Milan's table calendar for the year 2009.
 
Fr Scaria his concluding remarks hailed Karaval Milan for giving new thoughts  for the betterment of people for the region. He liked the idea of organizing training programmes for the youth where they learn about the current situation in the Gulf.
 
Vitory Karkal  with his great vocabulary and style, compered the entire event beautifully .Nanu Marol proposed the vote of the thanks.
 
Karaval Milan President Rony Nazareth, local correspondent Naveen D'Souza and Founder president Charles Mascarenhas were also in the dais. 

Promising composer and singer from Kundapur varado Nelson Lewis and his troupe presented melodious Konkani number during the intervals.