Dubai: Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah officially inaugurated the newly formed official body for Kannadiga NRIs in UAE “Karnataka NRI Forum–UAE” at a grand function hosted in the Indian Consulate Auditorium, Dubai on April 28 and marked the event as a historical day for the Kannadigas in UAE.
Dr. Arathi Krishna, the Vice President of NRI Forum, Govt. of Karnataka, dignitaries from Karnataka, Padmashree Dr. B R Shetty, the Honorary President of the Forum and President elect Praveen Kumar Shetty were present during the official inauguration ceremony witnessed by various Karnataka-based businessmen, leaders of various Karnataka based Associations, 35 registered founder members of the newly formed Karnataka NRI Forum – UAE and other guests.
The programme started at around 3 pm with welcome note and briefing of the NRI Forum by Arathi Adiga who compered the cultural programme organised by Vishwanath Shetty and also read out the names of sponsors. Welcome dance was performed by the students of Impact Talent Performing Arts Training Centre choreographed by Vidhushi Aruna Umamaheshwari. Later, Klassical Rhythms presented a beautiful dance performance which was choreographed by Vidhushi Rohini Ananth. Followed was a dance performance by Radical Dance Studio choreographed by Vijay Jogi and another performance presented by Sankeerna which was choreographed by Vidhushi Sapna Kiran.
It was around 4 pm that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah along with the dignitaries arrived at the venue amid grand salutation with live drum beats and horns by a professional group who led the procession with traditional aplomb along with women groups who marched into the auditorium. Kannadigas inside the auditorium gave a standing ovation welcoming the main guests of the evening. It was a day to be remembered in the history of UAE wherein a warm welcome in traditional Karnataka style was accorded for the official inauguration of Karnataka NRI Forum – UAE.
At around 5 pm, Ganesh Rai took over the stage inviting the guests onto the stage for the official function. Dr. B R Shetty escorted Chief Minsiter Siddaramaiah onto the stage, Praveen Shetty escorted Indian Consul General H E Vipul while Prabhakar Ambalthare Minister U T Khader and Dr. Kaup Dr. Arthi Krishna.
The official inauguration started with UAE National Anthem while all the guests and audience stood with due respect followed by Indian National Anthem and Karnataka “Naada Geethe” presented with traditional touch with background video display of Karnataka.
Soon Prabhakar Ambalthare, General Secretary of Karnataka NRI Forum UAE welcomed the guests and audience and briefed on the programme. This was followed by traditional lighting of the lamp amid “Hachevu Kannadadha Deepa” song in the background.
With all the dignitaries on the stage, the official launch of Karnataka NRI Forum UAE’s Logo launch was done by Siddaramaiah.
Founder President Praveen Kumar Shetty later welcomed the guests and delivered a speech in Kannada depicting the importance of the Forum. He briefed about the formation and said that eight months ago he was hearing a lot of grievances by Kannadigas, especially those in UAE who had none to address their issues anywhere from the Government of India. Hence, he was always thinking of forming an NRI cell based on the success of a similar organisation by Keralites (NORKA), he added. “With assistance from former MLA H Srinivas. I could successfully meet the CM on several occasions which resulted in the formation of Karnataka NRI Forum”, he recalled. He also said that the 36 board members of this cell actually represented different districts of Karnataka irrespective of any caste, creed or religion. While anticipating full support from all Kannadigas all over UAE, he assured a smooth and effective functioning of the forum towards solving any grievance or concern of Kannadigas.
Followed was the oath taking ceremony officially organised by the Forum. H E Vipul invited the team of NRI Forum-Honorary President Dr. B R Shetty and Working President Praveen Kumar Shetty. This continued with the vice presidents, general secretary, joint secretary, treasurer, joint treasurer and executive members doing the honours respectively.
Honorary President Dr. B.R. Shetty spoke on the event and welcomed Indian Consulate General H E Vipul and chief guest Siddaramaiah and expressed his happiness over the arrival of the chief minister for the first ever inauguration of Karnataka NRI Forum. He invited non-resident Kannadigas to invest in friendly state Karnataka and disclosed that he already had invested in few ventures such as Jog Falls tourism development plus major hospital administration in Udupi and also dialysis centre in all hospitals throughout Karnataka. He also added that the Abu Dhabi Government was very keen on opening investments with the Government of Karnataka.
Later Minister of Food and Civil Supplies U T Khader promised full cooperation to the KNRI– UAE and said that his government would look into the grievances of all NRIs with due importance and quickly.
Siddaramaiah was felicitated with a flower bouquet, fruit basket, felicitation letter and memento by KNRI Team. This was followed by a series of felicitations to the CM by various Karnataka based organisations in UAE.
In return to the felicitation, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that he was very happy that Kannadigas in UAE under the leadership of Praveen Shetty had taken up this initiative of forming the first Karnataka NRI Forum there. He said that any Kannadiga residing outside India should always remember that he is an Indian first and then a Kannadiga. He quoted “Wherever you live, however you live be a Kannadiga anytime. (the quotation refers to the well known poet Kuvempu’s lines– Yelladuruiru, yenthadaruiru, yendendigu nee Kannada vagiru).” He briefed that under his leadership, for almost more than 5 years Karnataka had become a complaint free state but also assured that any grievance of the citizens would always be addressed on priority.
Karnataka now has become No. 1 investment friendly state for Indians and also No. 2 as friendly investors’ state for foreign direct investments, he added. Chief minister proudly said that he had successfully completed all his 168 manifestos as promised by him. He promised full cooperation and support along with legal financial assistance to the newly formed Karnataka NRI Forum UAE and said that this forum should be an example for others to follow.
Main Sponsors of the event were later honoured on the stage with shawl and mementos for their contribution.
Later, a question-answer session with the chief minister was organised by the Forum. Leaders and members of various Karnataka based organisations shot questions one by one on the subjects varying from NRI problems, education, investment and other current issues which was ably answered by the CM.
The programme ended with a vote of thanks by Sarvotham Shetty.
