By Hassan Cheruppa

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Ramesh Chennithala, prominent leader of the Indian National Congress party and leader of opposition in the legislative assembly of the southern state of Kerala, held talks with Mohammed Noor Rahman Sheikh, consul general of India, at the consulate on Thursday.

During the meeting, Chennithala praised the Saudi authorities for their unstinted support to the Indian expatriate workers, who constitute one third of the over 10 million expatriate population in the Kingdom.

On his part, the consul general briefed Chennithala on the great efforts being made by the consulate in serving the one-million strong vibrant community in the western region of Saudi Arabia, especially in passport, labor, and welfare related issues.

Chennithala, accompanied by his wife Anita Ramesh, also met Hamna Mariyam Khan, consul of commerce & press, information and culture.

Earlier, the Indian community members, led by the western regional committee leaders of Overseas Indian Cultural Congress (OICC) received Chennithala upon his arrival at King Abdulaziz International Airport. They included K.T.A. Muneer, Zakeer Hussain Edavanna, Mohammed Iqbal Pokkunnu, and Mamadu Ponnani.

On Thursday, Chennithala had interaction with prominent members of the Indian business community and spoke on “Future of Kerala: Vision and mission.”

He addressed separate meetings of community leaders and OICC workers. Chennithala was the chief guest at the inauguration of the one-year long activities of “Snehasparsham” (Touch of compassion) program held at Impala Garden, Sharafiyyah, on the occasion of the 36th anniversary of the overseas outfit of the Congress party.