Jeddah: Karnataka NRI , Unique Forum in Saudi Arabia – B K Shetty
Media Release

Jeddah, Apr 25: “We have been working relentlessly since the inception for the welfare of the people in both Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts in particular and Karnataka state in general in various fields like social-humanitarian, educational, health-medical, talent research and cultural among others,” said B K Shetty, president of Karnataka Non-Residents Indians (KNRI) Forum here. 

Shetty stated, “We are proud to say that we have achieved various milestones in our set objectives namely, providing support for education, financial aid to the talented students, blood donation and free medical check up camp, providing helping hand to those who are facing labour issues and other problems in the kingdom. Due to the help rendered to humanitarian causes and as a result of outstanding works, we are recognized both in the kingdom as well as in Karnataka as our organization was also registered in the Indian Consulate-Jeddah, besides the Karnataka Society Registration Act, said Shetty.

KNRI Forum, mostly consists of Mangaloreans and basically a non-profit social organization, which was inaugurated by Dr Ausaf Saeed, then Consul General of Indian Consulate in Jeddah, in 2007. The forum has the great objectives ahead of doing social and humanitarian activities for the people back in the districts and state including finding solutions to the problems being faced by the people in Saudi Arabia. 
 
Speaking to Dajiworld, “Unlike other organizations, our forum is unique and unparalleled, which is based on dual objective working for the cause of the people in the kingdom and back in the districts. Besides our various constructive programmes and activities, we voice our concerns about the problems, which the Mangaloreans and others alike are encountering in Jeddah and other parts of the kingdom. We provide counseling to the newcomers to the kingdom whenever we find that they have less or zero confidence in adjusting themselves to the new workplace and sponsors. Besides we take up various labour issues, motor vehicle cases and other concerns to the consulate for its appropriate involvement and action. Recently, a group of people, who came newly to a manpower company here and were facing some initial adjustment problems, were given counseling and their case was brought to the consulate here e for an amicable settlement with their company’s heads, he said.   
             
The forum has adopted and helped some students to pursue their education including medical, engineering, law and other professional degrees. It has adopted three orphan children & has been sponsoring their school fees for one year through SOS India. It has conducted free medical check-up and blood donation camp for the needy in the Districts and State. The range of the services covers who are in the kingdom and not covered under medical insurance. The financial help and other compassionate services were also provided to those who met accidents in Saudi Arabia. In all Rs 25,000 was donated recently to the widow, whose husband died in Yanbu, industrial city of the kingdom. Edward, who met an accident in Jeddah and could not afford medical expenses, was provided with Rs 25000. The forum’s help has also been reaching out to the families, whose bread-earners died due to heart attacks and other diseases in the kingdom. It has donated Rs 1 lac to the state Chief Minister’s Flood Relief Fund, through Udupi tahsildar, to be utilized for those who were the worst victims of the last year’s flood in Karnataka. It has also provided clothes and other materials to the people in flood-affected areas. 

The forum informed Daijiworld that it has been working in line with the co-operative guidance of the Indian Consulate in Jeddah. The consulate is getting the forum involved in its various welfare and other programmes. Recently, the forum organized a function to introduce its various programmes to felicitate the Indian ambassador Talmiz Ahmed, who appreciated the wonderful activities of the forum within a few years. 

Grand Social Event of April 29

It has organizing several social events and get-togethers every year to mark its anniversary and raise fund for the welfare programmess. A grand social event will also be held on Thursday April 29 by the Forum with the support of the Indian Consulate here. The members of the forum are expecting around 2,000 people from all over the kingdom to be present in the gathering that comprises variety of programmes including Dakshina Kannada special cultural events.