Karnataka state formation day celebrated in Jeddah

JEDDAH — Expatriates hailing from the southern Indian Karnataka state celebrated “Karnataka Rajyothsava” day, signifying the formation of the state by having a family gathering at a villa on the outskirts here. It was a fun-filled evening with music, dances by children’s groups, games and sports activity. Roshan Rodrigues, president of the forum, in his welcome address thanked the gathering for their presence and highlighted the activities of the forum and the updated them about the latest developments, most important ones being his meeting with the Karanataka state minister of education on the issue of eligibility of the Common Entrance Test (CET) for engineering and medical courses for NRI students studying in KSA. At the moment, the students are not eligible to sit for CET resulting in high fees for admissions. The govt is considering the proposal and modalities are being worked out. He requested parents of children from Karnataka to take the native language Kannada as an elective subject for their children in IISJ which was introduced following an initiative and subsequent follow up by the KNRI forum team. Roshan also highlighted the contribution of the forum to the Swacch Bharat Program launched by the Indian government by constructing toilets in girls schools all over Karnataka. The evening started with the traditional inaugural song from the super hit Kannada film of yesteryears, Gandhada Gudi by Mohammed Kaleem, followed by a patriotic song from the film Naya Daur by Mohammed Saif, Kaleem, Mohammed Nawaz and Mohsin Khan. This followed by foot tapping numbers from old and new Kannada and Hindi movies like Do Raaste, Abhiman, Qurbani, Mayooora, Sanju Weds Geeta, Masoom, Naa Ninna Marayalaare, Moggine Manesh, Dharmatma, Bayalu Daari, Chalisuva Modagallu, Himmatwala, Don 2, Yeha Jawanai Hai Diwani, Prince, Mere Hum Dum Mere Dost and finally from Bombay to Goa. Ms. Jaya and Ms. Madhuri regaled the audience with a peppy folk song. Ms. Dhanya rendered her voice to many songs and ‘in Aankho ki Masti sei, the hit song from Umrao Jaan was a particular favorite with the crowd forcing Dhanya to repeat her performance. Desert Dancers dance troupe led by Shinto set the stage alight with their performance in 2 dance numbers — one to a popular Hindi song, Tattoo from ABCD 2 and one more to a mix of Hindi songs. Syed Nasir Khursheed, vice president, had the audience in splits with his satirical Shayari on the social menace of dowry. Many gifts were won by the audience in the raffle draw held during the event. Sponsors, namely, Redtag, Intermodal services and RF Builders were felicitated for their assistance in holding the event. Miss Sahana Manjappa and Miss Ramsha Niaz Ahmed conducted the program as anchors and had the audience occupied with their humour and wit. Niaz Ahmed, press secretary, conducted a short quiz. Aijaz Ahmed, general secretary, delivered the vote of thanks. He expressed his deep gratitude and sense of appreciations towards all the executive committee members for their hard work to organize this event. He praised the efforts of children who performed on the stage. The evening ended with the national anthem.