Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai (SP)

Dubai, Apr 24: NRI Kannadigas based in Dubai held discussions with the Indian consulate general at Dubai Vipul Shah, and former vice-president of NRI Indians Committee Arathi Krishna, about problems and challenges faced by them on account of coronavirus pandemic that has created havoc all over the world, through video conferencing facility. Apart from difficulties experienced by the Kannadigas here, they also discussed future plans.

It may be recalled, Daijiworld media had held a live television show ‘Dear Kannadigas in Gulf - 'We are with you', a campaign to support NRIs in Gulf countries. In response, Dr Arathi Krishna and Vipul Shah interacted with different Karnataka organisations about the problems arising out of the coronavirus pandemic situation and listened to their suggestions and agreed to convey the same to state and ministry of external affairs, Government of India.

Precautions and priorities connected with undertaking return trip to India once the intensity of the pandemic eases and flights to India resume, were also discussed. Karnataka NRI Forum president Praveen Shetty, wanted to know the advance preparations being undertaken by the central government to bring back the NRIs in the UAE when the flights between the two countries begin operations. Vipul said that so far the central government has not taken any concrete decision and that the foreign affairs ministry will soon take a decision. He assured to convey the decision to Shetty once it is taken.

Dubai NRI Kannadigaru president and entrepreneur Naveed Magundi, urged the government to give priority to NRI Indians here who have lost jobs, pregnant women, senior citizens and those who need urgent treatment, upon resumption of flights to India. Vipul promised to see that these people get priority and he will take the lead in ensuring this.

To a question raised by Hidayat Addur, vice president of BCCI UAE unit, about isolation ward facility, the consulate general said that several doctors and nurses from Aster Group owned by entrepreneur Azad Mupen, have been serving at different spots where quarantine facilities have been created by Indian NRIs Union. He asked people to contact the consulate general's office at Dubai if any of the NRI Indians are diagnosed with COVID infection and there is delay in getting them admitted and treated in isolation wards.

Arathi Krishna said that she is always prepared to bring to the attention of Karnataka government about any issues faced by Kannadigas. She said that suggestion on how to quarantine people travelling from here to Karnataka, what precautions to be taken, how to identify district-wise spots etc, will be brought to the notice of union minister for civil aviation Hardeep Puri and union secretary for civil aviation Padeep Singh Kharola, joint secretary in the Arab section of the foreign affairs ministry T V Nagendra Prasad, foreign secretary Harshvardhan Shringla and special task force team.

Sharjah Karnataka Sangha patron Harish Sherigar demanded free tickets for poor workers who may be willing to return to India once the flights resume. He also noted that as air fares are at the peak during May and June usually, and wanted interests of NRI Indians who are already in problems, to be protected. Vipul said that care will be taken to extend maximum facility by utilizing Indian Community Welfare Fund. Likewise, he said, with help from NRI organizations, efforts would be made to extend facilities to maximum number of Indians.

Karnataka Media Forum UAE president Imran Khan brought to the notice of Dubai consulate general about food arrangement, medicines, ration etc now being extended by Dubai NRI Indians team represented by Naveed Magundi, Hidayat Addur, and Sunil Ambalattara for the NRI Kannadigas in distress. The consulate general hailed Indian organizations and communities for always taking initiatives to render such services for the needy.

Dubai NRI Kannadigas vice president and advocate Sunil Ambalattara, Basava Samiti Dubai representative Chandrashekhar Lingadahalli, Karnataka Sangha Dubai general secretary Daya Kirodian and entrepreneur Ronald Martis participated in the video conference.


Watch below: ‘Dear Kannadigas in Gulf - 'We are with you'