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IKF and NK persevere the single point agenda – appointment of Dy Chairman

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Newskarnataka.com, the favoured news portal of Kannadigas the world over, has been highlighting the concerns of Non-Resident Kannadigas the world over through a series of live conversations with the Country representatives of the International Kannadigas Federation (IKF) on its YouTube Channel. With six episodes aired, (see an analysis of episode 6,  here ) the issues and concerns they have raised on the show have already gained traction with the state government and the pressure is building to address their concerns post haste.

More than 120 pro-Kannada organizations across 34 countries have been appealing to the state government for assistance on various fronts through these conversations. But is the state Government listening?

NK and IKF on behalf of millions of KNRI  world over have been persistently knocking at the doors of the State Government and appealing with folded hands to appoint the Dy chairman to the KNRI forum at the earliest. The conversations will continue till the appointment of DyChairman and also beyond.

The 7th edition of the much-admired talk show with representatives of the International Kannadigas’ Federation (IKF) was held on 20/02/2021 with Mallikarjuna Gowda,  Ex-President. Kannadiga Dubai, Shashikanth, President, Sirigannadigaru -UK, Abdulla Monu, Past President Karnataka Muslim Culture Association Qatar Ex vice President Tuluoota Qatar Advisor,  SKMWA & Member Karnataka Sangha Qatar. CA Valerian Dalmaida, Mentor, Spearhead Media Group, hosted the talk show with Kiran Nirkan as co-host.

“Assurances from political leaders are not implemented,” says Mallikarjuna Gowda Ex-President. Kannadiga Dubai

Kannadiga Dubai, Gowda said, began functioning in the year 2007. “We conduct socio-cultural programmes for promoting Kannada culture among the younger generation. Our programmes include Vara Sanchara, Sangeetha Sourabha. Under the programme titled “Uralli Sanmana”- Honouring at native. , we have honoured distinguished personalities like late Shivakumara Swamiji, founder of Siddaganga Education Society, Channaveera Kanavi, Kannada Poet,  Gururaj Hoskote, Singer”.

On the occasion of Kannada Rajyotsava, organization instituted the Kannada Ratna Prashasthi and honoured distinguished personalities from the film Industry, like Dwarakesh, Shrinath and the writers Sudhamurthy, Nissar Ahmed and many such people.

Usually, for their important functions, the organisation invites politicians as Chief Guests and honours them, Gowda said. “On behalf of the Kannadigas living here, we also submit our appeals, memorandums to the visiting dignitaries and we have received many positive assurances”.

Expressing annoyance at the lack of follow up action on these assurances, Gowda lamented, “the sad part is that once they return, these assurances are forgotten. We are not blaming them as they are engaged in their busy schedule and none is there to follow-up our issues. The appointment of the Dy Chairman to the KNRI forum is the right step in this regard. Noticeably, the Kerala Govt has appointed Commission for Keralite NRIs, appointed a retired Justice as the Chairperson and sufficient funds have been allocated to address the welfare needs of NRIs like insurance, employment etc. On these lines, we appeal that a Dy Chairman for the NRIK forum to be appointed with the powers of a Minister.”

“We are hopeful that our voices are heard by the Government of Karnataka  through this platform“ Shashikanth, President, Sirigannadigaru -UK

Highlighting the fact that more than 18,000 people from different professions, like doctors, engineers, etc are living in the UK,  Shashikanth said proudly, “we initiated the online platform ‘sirigannadigaru’ mainly to address problems being faced by students who come to the UK for higher studies. As per the immigration rules students are required to produce a surety. These students were exploited by the agents by demanding a huge amount for obtaining surety. Our members came forward and are helping these students with surety”.

Shashikant told the panel that Kannada Rajyotsava is being grandly celebrated in the UK and in other countries around the world where Kannadigas are resident. This, he said, is a matter of great pride for all of Kannadigas.

On how they keep people involved in various activies, Shashikanth said, “we are now reaching out to people through WhatsApp groups. Particularly during Covid time, due to restrictions on movement, we organised and helped needy people through this group. Veeresh Tumkur did commendable work in this regard.”

Going back to the issues students are facing in the UK, Shashikanth said, “Students who come here with the hopes of getting a job after their studies are facing problems in getting suitable employment. In the aftermath of the Covid, the job market here has badly been affected. As a result, students who have to spend large sums of money and have taken loans to service their education expenses, are suffering from depression. We are extending emotional support to them.”

“We are facing the music, rules here are changing every now and then,” says Abdulla Monu, Former President Karnataka Muslim Culture Association Qatar, Ex-Vice President, Tuluoota Qatar, Advisor SKMWA & Member Karnataka Sangha Qatar

Monu began by highlighting the paradox of a multiplicity of Kannadiga Welfare organizations and their unity in serving the people of the state. “We have 8 organisations affiliated to the Indian embassy here. These include the Tulu koota Qatar, Karnataka Muslim Association and Karnataka Sangha, Mangaluru Cricket club, Billavas Qatar, Bunts Qatar, Mangaluru Cultural Association, Karnataka Social forum. Though these are organisations with different entities, we have a strong network with each other. We conduct family get-together and organise various cultural events. Kannada Rajyotsava is celebrated grandly every year”, Monu said.

Continuing, he said, “however, there is an impression that all those who work in the gulf belong to the rich category, but a majority of the people here are workers earning minimum wages. The children of these working-class people deserve concession in fees in Schools and colleges in Karnataka”, he asserted.

But he was very critical of the frequent changes in the rules. “The rules here are changing very frequently, particularly VISA and immigration regulations. Those who intend to come here on an employment VISA should get updated knowledge about these rules. Presently the minimum wage here is 1000 Qatari Riyals per Month which is equal to 20,000 INR in addition to food and accommodation facilities”.

Dalmaida, concluding the show said, “the KNRI forum is the brainchild of Hon’ble Chief Minister which came into existence 12 years back. He is the Chairman of the NRIK forum and we do not wish to see a defunct forum in the absence of Dy Chairman. We have completed seven episodes in this series and 21 Kannadiga representatives from different Countries have voiced their concerns regarding the appointment of a Dy Chairman. We will continue our efforts in this direction till the appointment of Dy Chairman and also later for the welfare of KNRI and the welfare of Kannadigas as a whole”.

Watch the full conversation here….

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Talekana Krishnadas Rai

The author holds a degree in MSW, LLB, is a practicing advocate & HR consultant with over 33 years of experience in the field of Human Resource Management

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