Dr Arathi Krishna assures sops for non-resident Kannadigas in Gulf

coastaldigest.com news network
February 26, 2018

Dammam, Feb 26: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government has taken a series of measures for the welfare of the non-resident Kannadigas in Gulf, said Dr Arathi Krishna, Deputy Chairperson of NRI Forum of Karnataka government.

Speaking at a felicitation programme organized by the NRI Forum of Eastern Province in Saud Arabia’s Dammam, recently she said that the government’s first priority is to distribute NRK cards for all non-resident Kannadigas.

She said that the government has already earmarked funds in the budget this year for the welfare of NRKs. Government’s official wing, NRI Forum, has already set up NRI welfare centers in commissioner office at each district, she said and assured that the Forum will make necessary arrangements for the Saudi returnee Kannadigas in the wake of ongoing job market crisis.

She was given a warm felicitation by Mrs Joey Fernandes, Mrs Madhav Ameen and women fraternity representatives. Zakariya Bajpe Al-Muzain, president of the Karnataka NRI Forum of Eastern Province, and other office bearers presented her mementos.

In his welcome address, Zakariya Bajpe lauded the historical visit of Dr Arathi Krishna and appealed Kannadigas to come under one platform so that NRKs in Saudi Arabia can engage with Karnataka government.

Community leaders, business elites, organizational representatives from Eastern Province attended at the event held at Hotel Holiday Inn Alkhobar. They welcomed NRI Forum’s strategies towards addressing the issues of NRKs.

KNRI Forum of Eastern province handed over a memorandum Dr Arathi Krishna urging the Karnataka government to take pragmatic steps and draft policies and systems as the basis for the protection and welfare of Saudi return Kannadigas as well as the ones who continue their stay in Saudi Arabia for the job purpose. Representatives from several NRI organizations briefed their activities and contribution for the social cause in Karnataka. 

Saudi Ministry of Labor & Social Development representatives Abdul Latheef Saleh Al Naeemi, Abdul Khalik Al Qasimi, Sadik Abdullah Mud Al Abbasi, Karnataka NRI Forum of Eastern Province’s Vice presidents Madhav Ameen and Joey Fernandese, General Secretary Mohammad Shareef, Treasurer Sheikh Expertise, Secretaries Qamaruddin and Salahuddin were also present. 

Mohammad Firoz member of the KNRI Forum of Eastern Province briefed about the NRKs in Saudi Arabia. Mohammad Shareef, General proposed the vote of thanks. Arif Jokatte and Mohammad Iqbal hosted the felicitation event.

The event was sponsored by Expertise Co, Real Tech Industrial Services Co, Al-Muzain Contracting Co, Sa-ad AL Gahtani Co, Al-Manafa Transport Services and Mr. Madhav Ameen.

Prior to the Dammam event, Dr Arathi Krishna interacted with the NRKs working in the industrial projects in the industrial city of Jubail. She visited Expertise Co Labor camps where large number of NKRs work.

Dr Arathi Krishna’s official Saudi Arabia visit was aimed at assessing the problems faced by the Kannadiga expatriates in the Kingdom. She is the first woman politician from Karnataka to undertake official tour to Saudi Arabia. For the Kannadigas living in Saudi Arabia, this was a much awaited tour of an official representative from government of Karnataka.

Comments

SHAMSHUDDIN MOHAMMED
 - 
Tuesday, 27 Feb 2018

ONLY ELECTION GIMMICK , WHERE IS THE BUDGET FOR NRE, NRK IN LAST BUDGET SESSION , NOTHING !! OH AAAARTHEEE KRISHNAAA...... WE ARE ALREADY CHEATED FROM CONGRESS PARTY ERLIER. NOTHING WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU JUMLA FOR ELECTION......

Hasan Riyadh
 - 
Monday, 26 Feb 2018

But, please tell us when all your promises will be fulfilled? It should not be Amit Shah’s jumla. 

Shahul
 - 
Monday, 26 Feb 2018

All the credit goes to all the Karnataka based organizations in Dammam,Jubail,Riyadh and Jeddah for their support,hard work,dedication and cooperation for the success of felicitation programmes to Dr.Arathi Krishna Deputy chairperson Karnataka NRI Form in Riyadh,Dammam,Jubail and Jeddah. And also all the sponsors and well wishers for their unconditional support.Now it is the responsibility of all the like minded organizations to form a National level Karnataka NRI Forum and facilitate to register in Karnataka under the guidance and leadership of Dr.Arathi Krishna.

Rukmaiah Poojary
 - 
Monday, 26 Feb 2018

Hope this programme yields positive result. Congrats to Dr Zakariya Bajpe, Expertise and others for the initiative.

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
November 30,2025

airportmetro.jpg

Udupi: The pontiffs of Sri Paryaya Puttige Mutt, the sacred seat of Jagadguru Shrimad Madhvacharya Moola Samsthanam, have submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister seeking comprehensive development for Udupi district. 

Proposal for International Airport

A key request is the establishment of an international airport. Highlighting that around 1,000 acres of land are available and suitable, the pontiffs noted that the existing Mangalore Airport provides limited international connectivity. They suggested the airport be developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or as a Greenfield Airport to boost trade, education, healthcare, and spiritual tourism.

Metro and Rapid Transit Connectivity

The proposal also calls for Metro Rail or Rapid Transit between Mangaluru and Udupi. The 55 km coastal stretch experiences heavy daily commuter traffic, causing congestion. The district administration is ready to prepare an initial project report for a Mass Rapid Transit corridor and requested inclusion under national urban mobility programmes to ensure safe, green, and time-efficient regional transport.

Port and Coastal Development

The pontiffs urged the development of an international-standard port with a cruise terminal along Udupi’s coast. They also requested fast-tracking of pending coastal tourism projects and revising Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms to encourage sustainable infrastructure and hospitality investment.

IT, AI and Technological Infrastructure

Support was sought for an IT and AI Innovation Park with incubation facilities under Digital India and Startup India initiatives. The proposal also emphasized the need for strengthened data security and cloud computing infrastructure to boost India’s technological independence.

Sports and Education Initiatives

The pontiffs requested national sports status for Kambala, along with financial and infrastructure support. They also sought the establishment of an AIIMS in Udupi, a new IIT campus, and approval for an IIM to promote higher education in the district.

Representation to the Prime Minister

Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Pontiff and Sri Sushrendra Tirtha Swamiji represented the pontiffs in submitting the comprehensive development proposal to the Prime Minister during his recent visit.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
December 2,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 2: Mangaluru International Airport responded to a medical emergency late on Monday night. Air India Express flight IX 522, travelling from Riyadh to Thiruvananthapuram, was diverted to Mangaluru Airport after a passenger in his late 30s experienced a medical emergency on board.

The Airport’s Operations Control Centre received an alert regarding the passenger’s health condition. The airport activated its emergency response protocol, mobilising the airport medical team and coordinating with stakeholders including CISF, immigration, and customs. 

Upon landing, airport medical personnel attended to the passenger, assessed his condition, and arranged to shift him to a local tertiary-care hospital for further treatment. The passenger’s relatives accompanied the passenger, who incidentally received necessary medical care on board, which helped stabilise the situation.

Following the handling of the emergency, the flight departed for Thiruvananthapuram at 2:05 am on Tuesday.

"We appreciate the cooperation of all parties involved, and this incident reaffirms our ongoing commitment to prioritising passenger safety and readiness to respond to unforeseen emergencies with professionalism and care," the Airport spokesperson said. 

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
November 28,2025

ministerPM.jpg

Mangaluru, Nov 28: Karnataka Health Minister and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Friday handed over Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the severe distress faced by farmers due to crashing crop prices.

PM Modi arrived at the Mangaluru International Airport en route to Udupi, where Gundu Rao welcomed him and submitted the letter. The chief minister’s message stressed that farmers are suffering heavy losses because maize and green gram are being bought far below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The state urged the Centre to immediately begin procurement at MSP.

According to the letter, Karnataka has a bumper harvest this year—over 54.74 lakh metric tons of maize and 1.98 lakh metric tons of green gram—yet farmers are unable to secure fair prices. Against the MSP of ₹2,400/MT for maize and ₹8,768/MT for green gram, market rates have plunged to ₹1,600–₹1,800 and ₹5,400 respectively.

The chief minister has requested the Centre to:

• Direct NAFED, FCI and NCCF to start MSP procurement immediately.
• Ensure ethanol units purchase maize directly from farmers or FPOs.
• Increase Karnataka’s ethanol allocation, citing high production capacity.
• Stop maize imports, which have depressed domestic prices.
• Relax quality norms for green gram, allowing up to 10% discoloration due to rains.

The letter stresses that MSP is crucial for farmer dignity and income stability and calls for swift central intervention to prevent a deepening crisis.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.