Gulf Karnataka Forum Meets Karnataka CM in Bangalore
by Shodhan Prasad
Pics by Hari Prasad
Daijiworld Media Network
Bangalore / Dubai, Jun 17: Gulf Karnataka Forum’s (GKF) maiden successful meet at Lotus Hotel on the 21st May 2010 with the initiative of Herman Lewis and James Mendonca , a delegation of Six under the patronage and leadership of B.R. Shetty, took another bold step ahead by participating in the Global Investors Meet held recently at the Palace Grounds Bangalore wherein more than 10,000 people attended from all over the world. This golden opportunity was used by the GKF delegation to meet and discuss the objectives of the Gulf Karnataka Forum with Yediyurappa, the honorable Chief Minister and Capt. Ganesh Karnik, Deputy Chairman of NRI Forum Karnataka.
The Gulf Karnataka Forum delegation was led by B.R. Shetty, Managing Director/CEO, New Medical Centre Group and Patron of UAE Kannadigas, and represented by Sayeed Khaleel, CEO Galadari Group and Advisor of Bhatkal Association, James Mendonsa, Managing Director of Reliable Fabricators and ex-President of Mangalore Konkans, Herman Lewis, Managing Director, Radio Spice105.4 FM, Afroz Assadi Managing Director of Northern Insurance Brokers & Leader of Sahib Community, & Ivan Fernandes, President of KEL-Global as members of the GKF delegation.
Soon after the return from the successful meet at Bangalore the delegates called a press invite to brief on the issues of NRK’s raised during their meeting with B.S. Yeddiyurappa, Chief Minister of Karnataka and Captain Ganesh Karnik, Deputy Chairman, NRI Forum Karnataka.
It was said that the above delegates met Chief Minister three times during the whole event on different occasion. However their exclusive meet with the Chief Minister on 4th June, 2010 along with Capt. Ganesh Karnik was really worth as they made a video presentation to the Chief Minister who provided them a VVIP treatment during the session. Chief Minister Yeddiyurappa who is also the Chairman of NRI Karnataka Forum, expressed his happiness about the formation of Gulf Karnataka Forum with the initiatives taken by powerful leaders of various Karnataka based Associations in the Gulf. Yeddiyurappa said that ‘you should have taken this initiative much more early and was surprised why so far no one took up this issue’ though the Government was expecting. He expressed his solidarity and full support to the Forum and has requested Capt. Ganesh Karnik, Dy. Chairman, NRI Karnataka Forum, Govt. of Karnataka to have a meeting in Dubai with the Gulf Karnataka Forum en-route his tour to Bahrain on 25th & 26th of June, 2010.
Gulf Karnataka Forum neatly had drafted a request letter in Kannada addressed to the Chief Minister, Yediyurappa with various issues relating to the non-resident Kannadigas pending since long, which was presented during the meet. Following are the answers and solutions committed by the Chief Minister during the successful meeting.
On Higher Education for NRK Children:
Regarding the differentiations for the NRK students on admission to higher studies like for Medical and Engineering in Karnataka Universities, the Chief Minister instructed his deputies to find a positive solution to treat NRK students on par level with local students from the next academic year. He promised to minimise the differentiations in this regard.
He also agreed that the compulsory Kannada written test in the CET (Common Entrance Test) would be very difficult for NRK students as they do not have Kannada as a subject in the Gulf schools here and agreed to the suggestion of GKF introduce Kannada Oral Test instead to facilitate entry on clear merit for higher studies courses in Karnataka.
He was kind enough to agree to send a high level delegation every year to the Gulf to advise and create awareness on NRK Children’s higher education courses available, investment opportunities for NRK entrepreneurs, and other matters of interests of the NRK in the Gulf.
On Ration Cards for NRK:
Regarding the issue on Ration Card and Identification Card he said that a plan is already in place to arrange issue NRI Card and soon it will be materialised.
The proposed NRI Card for Karnataka non-residents is a replacement card in place of ration card and identity card and can be used for all the purposes except obtaining ration
On the Housing projects for NRK:
Regarding quota on housing projects he stated that Housing Boards cannot have special reservation since the Board is allotting homes for the less privilege whose income is less than Rupees 2 lakh and that the NRK’s are any time having income more than that slab.
However, he said that, government has made provision to on any housing project initiated by NRI’s who wish to built housing in Karnataka wherein the Government of Karnataka can allot free land to develop such approved projects subject to NRI’s holding two third of the completed project and one third of built up area to be given back to the Government to allot the same for weaker section of both local and NRI’s.
Regarding applying for the residential sites in the BDA projects in Bangalore, the condition of domicile is strictly followed; however the family members residing in Bangalore can apply.
He also urged NRK’s to invest in residential plots and projects developed by the local Govt. bodies in other districts and towns in Karnataka other than Bangalore
Security and safety of the Families and property of NRK:
About the safety and security of property and families of the NRK’s, the government said that the present NRK cells of NRI Forum Karnataka present in main centers at Bangalore, Mangalore and Hubli which will soon upgraded as NRK help centers to deal with any such concerns of NRK’s. There is also a proposal to increase these NRK cells to 5 in due course in the State. These centers are strictly monitored by the Government.
On the issue of having an information counter especially for the NRK’s he said that the NRK Cell itself will cover these areas and any one can lodge complaint and take up any issues relating to the NRK’s concerns with these Cell Centre’s.
On Insurance Schemes:
He agreed that the insurance schemes to meet the requirement of NRK are required and he instructed his deputies to work with various insurance companies to come up with special affordable schemes to target NRK for life, property and health insurance.
Health Insurance schemes for the families of the NRK were also suggested to be taken up.
On representation of NRK on various Govt. bodies/job reservation:
He said it would be difficult to have a reservation for NRK on Govt. bodies, especially in the syndicate and council of Universities, but suggested anyone who meets the requirement can contest for the election like the resident candidate.
Reservation of job for the returning NRK’s not possible, however they have the same rights as the resident to apply to job anywhere without any resolution or separate requirement
The Delegation also briefed on NRI Forum Karnataka which has been formed to forge a symbiotic relationship between Karnataka and its Diaspora. The Forum will provide information on socio-economic activities of Karnataka State and its development and also coordinate investment in the state across all potential sectors.
B.S. Yeddiyurappa, said that India has emerged as the country which attracts the largest quantum of investment from its Diaspora. With the State having earned a reputation as the most sought after destination for multinational corporations, especially in the technology area, the NRI Karnataka forum has been formed to attract more investment to the State. The NRI Forum will facilitate investors among NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) in setting up their ventures in the state. He urged the NRK’s to take more initiatives to bring prosperity and create employment in the State.
Chief Minister B. S. Yeddiyurappa, in his concluding remarks said that he and his Govt. will do anything and everything possible for the people of Karnataka residing anywhere in the world and for the spreading and upholding the Kannada culture and literature. He also promised that he would visit Gulf Countries by the end of this year to meet the people of Karnataka State residing in the Gulf.
The main aim of NRI Forum is to assist NRIs with their requirements in India, motivate NRIs for development and promotion of Karnataka's literature, cultural and heritage activities overseas and encourage NRI's for adoption of Educational Institutions in the backward areas of Karnataka so as to provide quality education to the children.
The NRI Forum also hopes to draw up on the knowledge reservoir of Diaspora for development of the State.
For now the Karnataka based Organization leaders in the UAE who successfully formed the common platform for the Non-resident Kannadigas (NRK’s) are proud to be the leaders of Gulf Karnataka Forum which will be fully supported by the respective members of other Gulf Countries as committed and are soon planning a meet in Dubai prior to the visit of Ganesh Karnik this month end in order to work in unity.
It is said that, with the formation of Gulf Karnataka Forum, at least by now Kannadigas around the Gulf may no more be ignored. All the problems and issues relating to the NRK’s will be taken up with due respect and presented to the government body from time to time who assured of full support with one of the elected body who will take all interest to solve the problems in a quick manner.
James Mendonca and Herman Lewis who are the main initiators behind the Gulf Karnataka Forum informed that Capt. Ganesh Karnik, Deputy Chairman of NRI Karnataka Forum, Govt. of Karnataka would be visiting Dubai on the 25th June 2010, under the instructions of the Chief Minister to discuss with the likeminded representatives of various Karnataka association in the Gulf.
A general meeting has been proposed on the 25th morning under the patronage of Dr. B.R. Shetty, in Dubai and the invitation would be sent to all the main Karnataka Organisations in UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain inviting two representatives from each organization to attend this meet to discuss future action of the GULF KANNADA FORUM. For further information and enquiries as well as any problems pertaining to the common interest to Non-resident Karnataka people, please email to mail@gulfkarnatakaforum.com
Also, they have requested all the Karnataka Organisations in UAE, OMAN, BAHRAIN, KUWAIT, SAUDI ARABIA, and QATAR to contact GKV with the names of their organization, office bearers and their contact numbers. Please mail your details to mail@gulfkarnatakaforum.com as soon as possible.
Also see:
Global Investors' Meet - Daijiworld Coverage: