JEDDAH — Dr. Arathi Krishna, deputy chairman of NRI Forum – government of Karnataka, was feted by KNRI Forum Jeddah at Village Restaurant. KNRI Forum President Mohammed Saifuddin Sami and core committee members Arifulla Shariff, Jalal Baig and Irfan from CGI office received her at the airport here. Dr. Arathi Krishna, representing a state government organization formed for the welfare of NRIs of Karnataka living around the globe, was chief guest of the event. Tahir Ali, IISJ management committee member, was guest of honor and Sami presided over the event. Large number of Kannadigas attended the gathering and among them were members of KNRI Forum with families, KNRI life members with KNRI sponsors, presidents and members of different organizations of Karnataka in Jeddah (Jamiyattul Falah, Hidaya Foundation, Gulbarga Charitable Trust, All India Overseas Cultural Congress, Indian Social Forum, Jokatte Muslim Association, SKP Brothers, Bhatkal Community and Indian Fraternity Forum). While speaking at the event, Dr. Arathi gave a brief introduction about NRI Forum Karnataka. She said, this is the dream and vision of visionary Chief Minister Siddaramaiahji to forge a symbiotic relationship between Karnataka and its Diaspora. Dr. Arathi said, “NRI Forum strengthens similar initiatives of the central government as well as few other states of our country.” She added, I have an honor to be here in Jeddah to address the gathering of different NGOs from our beloved state of Karnataka. She appreciated the activities carried out by the KNRI Forum to help the needy by assisting in medical, education, self-employment and promoting Swachha Bharath Program by sponsoring toilets projects in schools in rural areas of Karnataka. She highlighted the policies and programs of the Karnataka government and her department, which would like to formulate in the coming days. The audience applauded when she informed there is a proposal to construct NRI Bhavan in Bangalore and a welfare trust would be set up at each district level where all the process of attestation of certificates and documentation for NRIs can be processed in one building. She further added, the proposal of considering NRK students as locals for the admissions to professional courses is under consideration and Karnataka government is serious to resolve this issue, which KNRI Forum Jeddah had initiated and following it up dedicatedly since four years. She advised all the non-resident Kannadigas to register their names and get the NRK cards through which Karnataka government wants to help overseas Kannadigas throughout the globe. She also said that there will be a skilled development program in each District Offices. Currently they having tie up with Dubai government and they will visit to conduct training to our Kannadigas in different parts of Karnataka, which will help them to do their duties and responsibilities very professionally when they go abroad. For those who are returning home town, She said, if they want to adopt any village to develop, then there is a scheme called “Namma Ooru, Namma Naadu”, and under this scheme, the government is willing to help and provide necessary financial support. She said my first and only aim as a deputy chairman is to facilitate the interests of the NRIs in development work and for the betterment of NRIs specially based in Gulf countries by introducing NRI policies. KNRI Forum President Sami appreciated the support and encouragement of Dr. Aarathi and thanked her for the energizing activities of the NRI forum, as it strives to help the NRKs and to assist poor and needy people back home in Karnataka as well. He said Dr. Arathi has visited maximum countries to reach non resident Kannadigas associations to strengthen relations between them and her department. He thanked Dr. Arathi for her immense support in NEET & CET issues routing him through Ministry of Education and Karnataka Examination Authority in Bangalore. General Secretary Yashwanth Amin introduced the chief guest, and said we are happy to see Dr. Arathi in Jeddah. He highlighted Dr. Arathi as an artiste and a good singer, a dedicated social worker while mentioning her abilities in management, communication and leadership. Senior NRCC member of Jamiyatul Falah Mohammed Mansour requested Dr. Arathi to coordinate and act on long awaited request to run direct flights from Jeddah to Mangalore by Air India. He also requested to introduce schemes helping Kannadigas to establish themselves in India after losing jobs in Gulf. Dr Aarathi was honored with a memento, beautiful bouquet, and shawl as a token of appreciation. Different prominent organizations from Karnataka also presented the chief guest with bouquets. Program started with the welcome speech of Syed Nasir Khursheed, vice president of the forum, and master of ceremony was Dr. Firoz Mulla, executive committee member. Mohammed Kaleem, cultural secretary, Ms. Mali Roy and Hidayat Mangalore entertained the audience with melodious Kannada patriotic and Hindi songs. Vote of thanks was delivered by executive committee member Asif Momin. — SG