KNRI Jeddah Celebrates Karnataka Rajyotsava Day
Jeddah: Expatriates from Karnataka celebrated the Karnataka Rajyotsava day which was organised by Karnataka Non-Residents of Indian (KNRI) Forum, at the Indian Consulate Jeddah recently.
Consul General of India, Mohammed Noor Rahman Sheikh, was the chief guest, Consul for Consul Affairs Anand Kumar, was the guest of honour. A large number of Kannadigas along with other community leaders attended the programme.
General Secretary of the Forum Yashwant Amin presented a PPP on the Mission, Vision, Objective and achievements of the forum with a message to the audience “MISSION 2020”, set by the forum to bring at least 5000 families of Karnataka from below poverty line to above poverty line and support the Swacch Bharat mission of Prime Minister and as a part of this mission KNRI Forum has already constructed hygienic toilets in 4 districts and aims to build 100 toilets in different parts of Karnataka by 2020.
KNRI Forum president Roshan Rodrigues welcomed the gathering. He thanked the Indian Consul General and consulate staff for giving KNRI forum, an opportunity to help the Indian labourers in the camps with the help of other organisations in Jeddah under the supervision of the Indian Consulate. KNRI and Consul General received a standing ovation from the audience for the services rendered to Indian expatriates during difficult times.
Roshan further said, “It is a pleasure to lead a highly qualified and dedicated team with Doctors, Engineers, Principals, Chartered Accountants, Office Managers and other professionals. It is a great honour and opportunity for me to be a part and leading such a result oriented team. Teamwork is very important to achieve the goals of the Forum”.
Addressing the gathering, Consul General Mohammed Noor Rahman Sheikh said, “The efforts of the Forum are recognised and highly appreciated in helping the needy and the underprivileged sections of the society back home in Karnataka and the recent relief activity was a great contribution in the field of service to humanity”.
He further said, “Karnataka is one of the progressive states of India and the people are well educated and active in social services and willing to come forward to work for the betterment of the society. Bengaluru is one of the best IT hubs in the world. He commented that on the basis of the Forum’s previous performance I tend to believe and have much hope that the forum can do much more to relieve misery and can transform 10 thousand families of Kannadigas instead of 5 thousand which is feasible and achievable”.
Noor Sheikh extended his support to the Forum in solving the grievances of Indian labourers from time to time in Jeddah.
Vishwanath Hegde chief patron of KNRI Forum a well-known businessman along with Dr Mohammed Hussain Maniyar ENT Surgeon a prominent social activist, both from Karnataka were felicitated during the occasion for their services to the Indian community. President Roshan was also felicitated by the executive committee for his services towards the Indian community in Jeddah.
Vishwanath Hegde and Dr Maniyar thanked the KNRI Forum for recognising their services. speaking on the occasion Hegde said, “I feel happy in helping the poor and needy people and I render my support to the KNRI Forum as they are always carrying out this task”.
Dr Maniyar said that the teachers play a very important role in building individuals, society and nation, therefore we should have respect for our teachers. He remembered some of his teachers who are no more in this world, but their memories still are live in his heart.
Famous Bollywood singer Mohammed Salamath who was in Jeddah on a business tour, attended the programme and entertained the audience by singing all time famous old and new Hindi songs. Other prominent singers from Jeddah, Mohammed Saif, Mohammed Kaleem, Mohammed Nawaz, Asha, Altaf Almelkar and Afifa Mahboob entertained the audience by singing old and new Hindi and Kannada songs. Dances were presented by the children from Indian schools and were choreographed by Priyanka Jagadish, Madhuri Manju, Pushpa Suresh and Reena Rego. A short comedy skit was presented by a group which was scripted by president Roshan.
Karnataka students of 10th standard, who are studying in different schools in Jeddah and secured 10 CGPA, Mohammed Iqbal Maniyar, Afra Ashfaq, Chinmayi Marakala, Hibba Hanif, Aliya parveen, Anchal jain, Sahana Manjappa, Samiksha Bhushan, Mithil Rajashekhar, Rayyan Mohammed Rafiq were felicitated on the occasion. On behalf of KNRI Forum Sabu Chandran conducted a raffle draw and 10 gifts were presented to the lucky winners. Jet Airways conducted a raffle draw and winner SP Singh got a ticket to Jeddah – Singapore – Jeddah.
Niaz Ahmed compered the programme and also conducted a quiz on Karnataka. The programme started with Kannada all-time favourite song from Gandhada Gudi by Mohammed Kaleem while Vote of thanks was delivered by Yashwant Amin.