Dubai : Beary Forum Felicitates Oscar Fernandes
Report by Shodhan Prasad
Pics by Ramcy Fernandes
Daijiworld Media Network - UAE
Dubai, Feb 15: Beary’s Cultural Forum UAE hosted a felicitation programme to visiting veteran Congress leader, Rajya Sabha MP Oscar Fernandes at Coral Deira Hotel during his private visit to Dubai on 14th February, 2010. The programme started at around 9 pm.
Dr. B.K. Yousuf, President of Beary’s Cultural Forum UAE and Dr. Kaup Mohammed, General Secretary of Beary’s Cultural Forum UAE welcomed Oscar & Blossom Fernandes on to the dais. They were accompanied by their son, Oshan Fernandes. Also present on the dais were Zafrulla Khan, Chief Advisor of BCF & MD of Zain International, Syed Khalil, President of Indian Islamic Centre & CEO of Galadari Group, Thumbay Moideen Managing Director of Gulf Medical University, A.K Sulaiman, Vice President of Janata Dal, Udupi.
M.E. Muloor, Vice President of BCF started with Quran recitation further explaining the meaning of the phrases written in Quran. Dr. Kaup then presented the objectives of the Beary’s Cultural Forum and those activities they are involved in all through these years. Present were Noel D Almeida, President of Sharjah Karnataka Sangha, Ganesh Rai Ex-President Sharjah Karnataka Sangha, B.G, Mohandas, Ex-President of Karnataka Sangha Dubai, Prabhakar Ambalthare, ex-President of Sharjah Karnataka Sangha, Tantri, General Secretary of Karnataka Sangha Dubai, L.V. Puthran, President of Mogaveers UAE, Herman Lewis, MD of Radio Spice, 105.4 FM, Zafrulla Khan MD of Zain International, Vinay of Namma T.V. Shivanand of Swiss Perfumes, Veteran Somayaji, Abdul K. Rahman of Kodi Mosque Coondapur and Mohan Attavar, President of Billawas Dubai & N.E. who was welcomed with flower and was wished for his Birthday. Even at the end of the programme Oscar played a happy birthday song with harmonica he carries with him normally, which was appreciated by all.
Dr. Yousuf handed over the flower bouquet to Oscar Fernandes while Mrs. Yousuf handed over the flower to Blossom Fernandes.
Dr. B.K. Yousuf who is also the Director of Mepha Switzerland and ex-President of Karnataka Sangha Dubai opened up his speech highlighting the good deeds of BCF specially in education field throughout these 7 years of existence in UAE. Also BCF have felicitated many visiting important personals to UAE and have provided medical aid to the needy. He also praised Oscar as one of the simple down to earth political leader of Karnataka we have at present. Oscar is also responsible for opening up the direct flight facility from Jeddah to Mangalore for which BCF thanked him. Dr. Yousuf also thanked Zafrulla Khan and Thumbay Moideen for their dedicated service towards the society.
Dr. Kaup presented the World Beary Convention and Chammana 2010 invitation and briefed the objective of holding this convention. The World Beary Convention and Chammana 2010 will be held on April 2, 2010 at Raddisson Hotel, Dubai as announced. There will be speakers and renowned business personalities from around the world. Also gave details of the two day programme which is scheduled. Cultural programme, Award and felicitation to noted personalities are some of them to name. An invitation to this programme was distributed to Oscar and formed Chief Minister of Karnataka, S.M. Krishna.
Later Oscar inaugurated the new website of BCF www.bcfuae.com and Dr. Kaup explained the highlights of the site nicely designed for not only the members of BCF but also to other Kannadigas around.
Zafrulla Khan addressed the public in Kannada and even told the importance of speaking in Kannada while we are away from our motherland. He emphasized the importance of respecting our mother land, its rich language and develope oneness. Also he stressed the importance of education to uplift the community from minority status which needs to be developed.
Syed Khalil spoke and supported the issue taken by Zafrulla Khan. He also spoke on the direct flight service to Mangalore and said this is one of the costliest and poor service provided by the monopoly airline. He requested the authorities to arrange allow other airline to operate in this sector to improve the facility. He added that he Beary Community should not think themselves as minority and need to work on self support with taking initiative in education.
Thumbay Moideen in his speech welcomed all the guests and praised Oscar’s simplicity. He thanked all the office bearers of BCF for their good work and initiative towards community.
L.V. Puthran of Mogaveers UAE was invited to talk few words and in his speech he welcomed the leaders on the dais and said he also supports and accept the suggestion of Syed Khalil. He added that Mangalore roads are very poor and requested Oscar Fernandes to raise this point with the authorities there when he returns. He also mentioned about the lack of Central Bus Stand in Mangalore.
Kate Ramachandra, National Award Winner of Kannada Filmdom and Mahabali Moorthy was welcomed by Dr. Kaup.
Followed was the felicitation to Oscar Fernandes and Dr. Kaup read out the in detail the personal and political career of Oscar. Zafrulla Khan felicitated Oscar with Shawl while Dr. B.K. Yousuf handed over memento and Dr. Sachita Mohan Attavar presented flower bouqet to Blossom Fernandes. Also in the same dais M.E. Muloor conducted the felicitation to Dr. Kaup Mohammed. He read out Dr. Kaup’s achievements and awards before being felicitated jointly by Oscar, Zafarulla & Dr. Yousuf with memento. Dr. Kaup spoke few words in response to the honour given to him with standing ovation by all the invitees attended.
Oscar Fernandes who spoke fluently in Kannada and thanked the Committee of Beary’s Cultural Fernandes for inviting him and honouring in front of large audience. He said he is proud of all those Kannadigas who came here from different part of Karnataka and rose to great heights in different fields. He said India indeed is proud of them. He also said that he will brief the suggestions given by BCF Members to S.M. Krishna.
He referred about the Sanchar Commission report on minority affairs especially on Muslim community and said that the recommendations were given to implement by the Government of India. He also thanked Thumbay Moideen on his achievement and his support to the people of Karnataka living here on education and medical fields.
He too took up the issue of education and importance the community should take up to develop the community from backwardness. He also assured that he will take up the matter of poor direct flight facilities to Mangalore with the authorities in India. He mentioned on the non withdrawl of bank interest which the Muslim community does not avail on the deposits they keep in the Banks and said if they take it up and utilize this for the education of the poor brethrens in their community it will be of great help to them.
Next was the issue of road systems in Mangalore and assured that he will take up this issue also. Also he said that the Government has already sanctioned Rs.32 crores for the road development. He then mentioned about the International Airport Terminal in Mangalore which will be completed soon. He congratulated the BCF for their good activities they are in supporting their community in the field of education. He assured his full support and co-operation in any cause of BCF in the near future.
Finally he thanked BCF for the felicitation honour given to him.
Later was a question and answer session initiated by Ganesh Rai on the issue of NRI’s name inclusion in ration cards, voters list etc. which Oscar should take up with the authorities. Oscar responded to this and briefed about the current situation and said he will take up the issue with the authorities. Herman Lewis thanking BCF raised a question on national integration. He said people are now targeted on various issues and the political party or the government is not taking any action. He mentioned few things happened recently on Valentine’s Day etc. He said the people who are targeted are having no connection to any political party or groups. Oscar responded quickly that he will take up this issue also with the government. Muloor while thanking Oscar for taking up initiative in solving the problems briefed him on the various issues their community are facing back home in taking up the problems with government offices, police station etc. He requested that the government should take up a NRI cell to solve this problem for which Oscar agreed.
Oscar Fernandes was an ex-Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Labour and Employment in Dr. Manmohan Singh’s UPA Government in India and currently General Secretary, All India Congress Committee. He was previously elected from his home city of Udupi in Karnataka. Later he joined the Rajya Sabha.
The Executive Members of the Bearys Cultural Forum wholeheartedly witnessed this felicitation function. This included Vice Presidents of BCF namely M.E. Moolur, Aboosalih, Altaf, Latif Mulky and Shahda, President BCF - Sharjah Wing and other BCF members namely Haneef Kaup, Humayan, Habeeb, Haneef Perliya, Akbar M.B., Monakka, Afeeq, Ibrahim Beary, A.R. Beary, Tanveer, Razak Dewa and others.
Hanif, Jyothi & M.B. Akbar Mata of Karavali Track Music entertained the crowd with some melodious Hindi numbers beautifully sung and appreciated.
Mohd Saad gave the vote of thanks before conclusion which was followed by a sumptuous dinner.