Local Youths Stranded in Kuwait to Return Home Soon – MLA Vedvyas Kamath
Mangaluru: “In recent days, the issue that is being discussed by the print and electronic media is about the 35 people from Dakshina Kannada stranded in Kuwait. The video made by this group of people went viral. In the video, they were seen asking for help from MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and myself so that they can return home. However, they never provided any contact number or any other information. But, within two to three hours, I found out where they were in Kuwait and made provisions for their food as well as accommodation. Through the help of organizations like the Bharathi Pravasi Parishad and Tulu Koota Kuwait as well as a few Muslim charities, we were able to look after them”, said MLA Vedvyas Kamath in a press meet held at the BJP Office, Kodialbail here, on June 21.
Addressing the mediapersons Kamath said, “At that time, I promised them that I would bring them back home. Since I had given them my word, I would like to announce that air tickets have been booked for the 35 people stranded in Kuwait, and they will be coming home in a matter of few days. The stranded youths said that they tried calling a leader from the opposition but were unable to reach him. Since they didn’t have my phone number, they shot the video with the aim of making it go viral. I obtained copies of their passports and sought the help of MP Nalin Kumar Kateel as well as Union Minister DV Sadananda Gowda. I would like to express my gratitude to them for helping the victims.”
Kamath further said, “The President of Tulu Koota Kuwait Ramesh Bhandary also contributed a lot to bring the stranded victims back home. I would like to thank him as well. Since the past few days, the question of who is going to sponsor the air tickets has come up repeatedly in media reports. At that time, senior party leaders advised me to talk to the agency in Mangaluru that had sent them there in the first place. Therefore, I proceeded to speak to Prasad Shetty who is the owner of Manikya Associates, the agency through which the victims had gone to Kuwait.
He also said, “At first, Shetty was reluctant to sponsor the air tickets as he already had a police case filed against him. However, I managed to convince him. However, merely arranging air tickets was not enough. The Kuwait authorities also demanded an outgoing document that costs two thousand rupees each. These documents are only valid for six to ten days and have been arranged for the stranded youths. I believe that I have successfully discharged my duties as an MLA of this region. We are all eager to welcome the youngsters back to Mangaluru in the coming few days.”
District BJP members Ravishankar, Prabha Malini, Nitin Kumar, Premanand Shetty, and others were also present.
