Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Dec 7: The state government has nominated presidents and members for various corporations, authorities and committees. However, it has still not given thought on establishing NRI Forum for the Kannadiagas of the state which is very much needed to help the people of the state living abroad.

NRI Forum of Karnataka was founded in 2008 by the then chief minister of Karnataka B S Yediyurappa. However, from the past two years, no one is nominated for the position of vice-president of the forum.

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Lacs of NRI Kannadigas got stuck in various countries during the coronavirus pandemic. That too in gulf nations, many went without food also. During that time, many eminent NRI personalities had brought the necessity of nominating a vice president for the NRI Forum of Karnataka. But it seems the government is not bothered about the suggestion given by NRIs.

Many states including Kerala and Tamil Nadu help their people through the NRI Forum of their respective states. The Kerala government has got NRI secretariat also and gives an annual grant of Rs 170 crore for the same.

“The government remembers the NRI Kannadigas only during the Lok Sabha and assembly elections. They pressurize the NRIs to come to Karnataka and vote. But once the elections are over, no one is there to hear their woes,” opine the disappointed Kannadigas living abroad.

NRI Kannadiga Mohandas Kamath, who works and lives in Kuwait, says, "NRI Forum of Karnataka is very important organization for Kannadigas living abroad. As the vice president is not nominated for this forum, we do not know to whom we have to appraise our difficulties. The government should immediately respond and nominate vice president to the forum."