Newskarnataka.com, the favoured news portal of Kannadigas the world over, has been highlighting the concerns of Non-Resident Kannadigas across the world through a series of live conversations with the Country representatives of the International Kannadigas’ Federation (IKF) on its YouTube Channel. With seven episodes aired, (see an analysis of episode 7, here ) the issues and concerns they have raised on the show have already gained traction with the state government and the pressure is building to address their concerns, quickly.
More than 120 pro-Kannada organizations across 34 countries have been appealing to the state government for assistance on various fronts through these conversations. But is the state government listening?
NK and IKF on behalf of millions of KNRI world over have been persistently knocking at the doors of the State Government and appealing with folded hands to appoint the deputy chairman to the KNRI forum at the earliest. The conversations will continue till the appointment of the deputy chairman and also beyond.
The 8th edition of the much-admired talk show with representatives of the International Kannadigas’ Federation (IKF) was held on February 28, 2021, with Prakruthi Mysore Gururaj, Coordinator, International Kannadigas’ Federation Australia, Sunil A R Legal Consultant, Dubai, and Revanasiddappa Hombali, President Kuwait Kannada Koota. C A Valerian Dalmaida, Mentor, Spearhead Media Group, hosted the talk show with Kiran Nirkan as co-host.
“As a Co-ordinator of International Kannadigas Federation, Australia I am proud to be associated with NK,” says Prakruthi Mysore Gururaj
Around 6.6 Lakhs Indians are living in the different Provinces’ of Australia and among them, around 10000 are from Karnataka Gururaj told the panel. “In Queensland, we have around 1500 Kannadigas. I was the President of Queensland Kannada Sangha during the year 2017-18”. Gururaj said, that as part of the regular programmes of the Kannada Sanghas, they used to conduct several programmes every year for the promotion of Kannada language, culture & heritage. But she says, “the imposition of pandemic restriction has curtailed our activities”.
On the celebrations organized, she said, “We celebrate various festivals like Ganesha Chaturthi and Ugadi Festivals and actively involve the younger generation in the celebrations. The Kannada Rajyotsava is our main event every year which is organised on a grand scale.”
Speaking about the challenges that Non-Resident Kannadigas face around the world, Gururaj said, “the problems faced by each country vary from that of the others. We did not face any serious difficulties pre-pandemic but have faced problems like loss of jobs and travel restrictions post-pandemic. This has badly affected the students who came here to pursue studies. Most of the students were doing part-time jobs during their studies for their living. Loss of part-time jobs has resulted in students struggling to manage boarding and lodging.”
The Kannada Sanghas here, she said, came forward to help these students and extended financial and other help. “We did not, however, get much help from the state government except for travel arrangements,” Gururaj lamented. She was very appreciative of the NK’s initiative of bringing NRKs together on its YouTube live platform to enable them to reach out to Kannadigas and Indians all over the world. “The programme content is very informative, and it should reach more people,” she said.
Sunil A R, Legal Consultant, Dubai, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse,”
Sunil, who has been practising law and providing free legal aid to Kannada Organizations in Dubai for the last 15 years said he was doing it, to create legal awareness. “I have been providing free legal aid to Kannada Organisations on Labour Rights and other legal issues. Laws here are extremely strict and it is the same for everyone,” he says and clears the misconception that locals have protection from the laws of the land. Most of the Indians are entangled in legal cases due to lack of awareness and passiveness toward legal documentation he says, and cautions, “it is always necessary to read all terms and conditions laid out in any legal document before signing it”.
“We should not break the law and at the same time we should be alert and cautious”.
He provided the following legal tips for viewers and readers of Newskarnataka.com:
- Before the closure of the tenancy contract, obtain a NOC from the real Estate agent/owner.
- Avoid using third-party ATM/Credit Cards.
- Do not accept money to your account from unknown sources.
- Avoid giving surety to strangers.
- Do not part with your Passport/hand it over to unknown persons.
- Before signing a document in Arabic, avail the facility of a translator as per the Law.
- Do not sign any blank cheques.
- Do not post any derogatory or insulting messages on social media!
- Be careful while joining any WhatsApp group.
- Do not use personal e-mails in offices.
His concern for people is not limited to the legal ambit. “Corona has taught us more lessons and we should co-operate with each other and develop the sense of universal brotherhood”.
“Food Mela – From Jola Rotti to Kori Rotti shows our bonding with culture,” says Revanasiddappa Hombali, President, Kuwait Kannada Koota
Speaking about how the Kuwait Kannada Koota, which was established in the year 1984 with a mere five families, has evolved into an organization that matters in the lives of Kannadigas in Kuwait, Homabali said, “over the years, the organisation has grown, and we now have 220 family members. Keeping the prime objective of the Association in view, we conduct programmes promoting Kannada language, culture, and heritage. Our focus is the younger generation”.
Speaking on various programmes held to augment culture, he said “Chiguru Balli” a successful programme of the Koota for the last 12 years conducts regular Kannada classes for the members’ children. The programme Dasotsava is to create awareness among children about the Dasas and saints of Karnataka. The programme schedule of Marala Mallige includes poem, painting and writing competitions”.
Kannada Rajyotsava, he said, is a mega event being organised by the Koota every year in November. “The Kannada Rajyotsava, during the previous year had the likes of GS Shivarudrappa, K S Nissar Ahmed, Sudha Murthy, NR Narayana Murthy, and Kaikini among guests”, he noted.
Celebrating our food is also giving due importance, says Hombali and adds, “Our outdoor Food fest programme is a delightful event. The variety of food items on display represent the cuisine of different parts of Karnataka. Food tastes better when you eat it with your friends. The objective of the Koota is not only sharing the food but also strengthening brotherhood and bonding.”
While sharing the notable milestones of Koota, he also appealed for help from the State Government. “The majority of the people here are working-class people. They have been badly affected due to the pandemic and they need help and support from the Karnataka government. Depending on the density of the population of Kannadigas; A Kannada Bhavana should be constructed with the facility of teaching Kannada. There is a need to issue an identity card for KNRIs,” he observed.
“NRIs are “required Indians” should not be treated as “Not Required Indians”. We are children of Bharathambe and Kannadamma. For our problems, we must fall back on our mother. We have been sharing our grievances with our mother state demanding the appointment of a deputy chairman for the KNRI forum. We hope that the state administration will listen to our prayers and pleas, said Dalmaida in conclusion.
Watch the full video here;
