Jeddah: Karnataka Non-Residents Indian Forum (KNRI) - For a Social Cause

by P A Hameed Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Saudi Arabia

• Cultural programme on Feb 5, 2009  at the Indian Embassy School Auditorium (Boys Section) Jeddah

Jeddah, Jan 29: An organization that extends helping hands to serve for humanitarian, social and community cause is the symbol of a vibrant society or community. To define it in sociological term, an organization is the group of individuals organized together for the achievement of certain set objectives. Here, forming an organization or association is no matter, but the prerequisite of such association is that its ‘objective’ shall be legal and to achieve a lawful end and it should be in action. 

B K Shetty - President

To achieve this milestone on the road of humanitarian and social activities, Karnataka Non-Residents Indian Forum (KNRI Forum) came into existence in 2007 at Jeddah, old capital of Saudi Arabia, with the grand inauguration by Consulate General Ausaf Saeed. KNRI is a voluntary, non-profit organization formed by NRIs belonging to Karnataka state, based in Jeddah, the historical city on the bank of Red-Sea and western province of Saudi Arabia. It has its legal entity as it was registered under the Karnataka Society Act Reg. No. SOR / DR/302 / 2008 -09.

Within a span of two years, KNRI has achieved a lot in the milestones of its objectives. Many people, mostly Mangaloreans, have contributed their lion’s shares in order to make and keep the organization active and functional to achieve its set goal. Fund raising is the main backbone of any organization, without which it cannot survive at all. KNRI raises its funds, which are being utilized for various humanitarian and social causes that are very transparent, as its president B K Shetty (Bala Krishna Shetty from Udupi) said while speaking to this correspondent of Daijiworld. Shetty is very confident that KNRI has achieved many landmarks in its way as it handed a donation of Rs 25000 to a widow whose husband died on duty in Yanbu on July 12, 2008. Besides, it has helped in several ways to those who are in the KSA and those who are back in Karnataka. Books and uniforms to orphans girls in Bangalore were also provided by the Forum. Further, the Forum has sponsored school fees for three orphans children of various communities of SOS – Bangalore. On September 22, 2008, the Forum has conducted a blood donation camp in Karnataka where many people came forward to donate blood for the needy people.

Further, he put forth the objectives of KNRI as below: 

• 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 students in Karnataka who are really in need of financial assistance and support to pursue their education, by providing loans and to promote the to pursue higher education (doctors, engineers, CA’s etc.)
• To provide help to them and to become a contributing member of the society;
• To organize blood donation camps in Karnataka and in the KSA
• To organize and assist medical care for the underprivileged in Karnataka and for those who are not covered under Medical Insurance in the KSA.
   
  The Forum is planning to cover some of the orphan kids under medical insurance scheme by taking group medical insurance
   
  As part of Forum's mission, in the year 2009 the Forum is planning to focus and support a deaf and dumb school in the outskirts of Bangalore.

Shetty also said that they have to achieve many more objectives which are set by the Forum. "We, the NRIs and members of all communities with the feeling of brotherhood, will be able to achieve our goal step-by-step with full cooperation. All our members are very enthusiastic and energetic to keep the Forum operational," he added.

He said KNRI has obtained the permission to conduct a cultural programme evening at the Indian Embassy School Auditorium (Boys Section) Jeddah on Feb 5, 2009, between 6.30 pm to 12.00 midnight.  Mohammed Aslam, Ex-resident of Jeddah and a well-known singer will entertain the audience through his melodious singing along with Sikhander who is another well-known singer based in Jeddah.

The fund raised through this event will be utilized to provide medical help to the deaf and dumb schools in Karnataka including the School (SAMVAAD) in Ganganagar, which is located on the outskirts of Bangalore.

Since this programme is open to all, the Forum expects 2000 audience. He also said that the Forum will give opportunity to the companies sponsoring the event to place and advertise their products and brands in the event place. Banners and displays will also be allowed to them.  Based on their contributions, Forum will be able to provide an ideal location for exhibiting their products.  The space will be provided on first-cum-first-serve basis.

He introduced the executive members of KNRI with their names and the Forum’s knri@yahoogroups.com
 
B K Shetty - President                                   
J Parameshwarappa, S A Kazi - Vice-president                      
Mohammed Mansour- Secretary                    
Raghavendra- Joint Secretary             
S M Jaffer- Treasurer                                  
Sreekanth - Joint Treasurer                           
Jagannath Shetty, K S Baliga, Anmol Restaurant.             

He cordially invited through press-media that all NRIs throughout the Kingdom and other gulf countries and if possible NRIs from other countries be present on the event.