Will take up problems faced by Indian expats: Modi in Qatar

June 4, 2016

Doha, June 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi tonight assured Indian workers in Qatar that he will take up problems faced by them during his talks with leaders of this Gulf nation.

doha

Addressing Indian workers at a medical camp in downtown Doha, Modi said he is aware of the issues being faced by Indian workers and the companies that bring them here.

"I Am aware of the issues you are facing. I will talk about it when I meet the authorities," he said. Modi will hold detailed talks with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani tomorrow.

Modi noted that his first engagement during his two-day visit to Qatar on the second leg of his five-nation tour was a visit to the camp of Indian workers here.

"I came to Doha in the evening and the first programme on my schedule was to meet you all," he said. Qatar is home to over six lakh people of Indian origin.

Modi also interacted with workers after his brief address and shared refreshments with them. He shook hands with several workers during his 30-minute stay at the camp.

The prime minister said he wants to congratulate doctor friends for the good work they are doing in Qatar. "Happy to see regular health check ups being conducted here," he said.

Modi also struck a chrod with the Indian workers when he said, "When someone from your land, speaking your language comes, I am sure that would make you very happy."
"If you have some issues on changing some rules and regulations, I will work with you all to bring about these changes," he told the audience.

Modi said he believed that the leadership in the Gulf has a lot of love and belief in the Indian community in the region.

In this context, he spoke about the visit of Qatar's Emir to India last year and referred to his praise of the "unmatched contribution" of the Indian community to the development of his coutnry.

Modi also said India's global image is not made by its prime minister or its Ambassador but, "it's all of you through your behaviour, who earn India a good name." "This global goodwill is the biggest international reserve currency," he added.

Modi told the Indian workers in Qatar that monsoon this year will be good. "This year the best news is that it is going to be a good monsoon. When such news come, they bring with them a lot of happiness," he said.

India Meteorological Department had said earlier this week that there is no possibility of a "deficient" monsoon this year and 96 per cent chances are that the rainfall would be "normal to excess". The Prime Minister also appreciated the wellness centre for the workers, saying that it offered facilities like yoga and relaxation techniques.

At the event, Qatar's Minister of Public Health Dr Hanan Mohammad Al-Kuwari and Finance Minister Ali Shareef Al Emadi were also present.

Modi said he enquired about the health problems being faced by the workers and found that counselling and diabetes were the two main issues of concern. "Do work hard, but while doing so, please do focus on keeping your health and body fighting fit," he said.

Comments

SK
 - 
Sunday, 5 Jun 2016

Feku Maharaj should sit with NRIs, and listen to their problems, before taking the BOWL to the gulf countries.....In Qatar he says, he will work for that, But in Saudi he has no time to find out the problem of NRIs......

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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: In a decisive move to tackle the city’s deteriorating sanitation infrastructure, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has announced a massive ₹1,200 crore action plan to overhaul its underground drainage (UGD) network.

The initiative, spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV, aims to bridge "missing links" in the current system that have left residents grappling with overflowing sewage and environmental hazards.

The Breaking Point

The announcement follows a high-intensity phone-in session on Thursday, where the DC was flooded with grievances from frustrated citizens. Residents, including Savithri from Yekkur, described a harrowing reality: raw sewage from apartments leaking into stormwater drains, creating a "permanent stink" and turning residential zones into mosquito breeding grounds.

"We are facing immense difficulties due to the stench and the health risks. Local officials have remained silent until now," one resident reported during the session.

The Strategy: A Six-Year Vision

DC Darshan HV confirmed that the proposed plan is not a temporary patch but a comprehensive six-year roadmap designed to accommodate Mangaluru’s projected population growth. Key highlights of the plan include:

•    Infrastructure Expansion: Laying additional pipelines to connect older neighborhoods to the main grid.

•    STP Crackdown: Stricter enforcement of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) regulations. While new apartments are required to have functional STPs, many older buildings lack them entirely, and several newer units are reportedly non-functional.

•    Budgetary Push: The plan has already been discussed with the district in-charge minister and the Secretary of the Urban Development Department. It is slated for formal presentation in the upcoming state budget.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru police have arrested a 27-year-old NRI on his return from Saudi Arabia in connection with an Instagram post allegedly containing derogatory and provocative remarks about the Hindu religion, officials said on Monday.

The accused, Abdul Khader Nehad, a resident of Ulaibettu in Mangaluru, was working in Saudi Arabia when the post was uploaded, police said.

A suo motu case was registered at the Bajpe police station on October 11 after an allegedly offensive post circulated from the Instagram account ‘team_sdpi_2025’. Police said the content was flagged for being provocative and derogatory in nature.

During the investigation, technical analysis traced the Instagram post to Nehad, who was residing abroad at the time, a senior police officer said. Based on these findings, a Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued against him.

On December 14, Nehad arrived from Saudi Arabia at Calicut International Airport in Kerala, where he was taken into custody on arrival. Police said further investigation is underway.

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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: Public transport in Mangaluru is set for a state-led transformation as the government moves to deploy 100 new electric govt buses to replace unreliable private services. The initiative aims to provide a dependable alternative to private operators who have been frequently "cutting trips," leaving thousands of commuters stranded.

The announcement was made by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV during a public phone-in session. The move specifically targets routes where private bus service has become erratic, ensuring that citizens no longer have to rely on a fluctuating private sector for their daily commute.

Restoring the Govt Presence

The transport crisis was brought to the forefront by Ramayya, a resident of Bajal, who highlighted a growing trend of private buses skipping morning and night trips. With the previous KSRTC (govt) services discontinued, residents have been left without a fallback option.

To fix this, the DC confirmed that the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme will bring 100 government-owned electric buses to the city:

•    Phased Deployment: The first 50 of the new 100 government buses are scheduled to arrive by March 2026.

•    State Infrastructure: Two new government depots, including one at Mudipu, are being prepared for operations.

•    Recruitment: The state has already begun training a new batch of government bus drivers to ensure the fleet is operational the moment it arrives.

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