Mangalore, May 31: The Gulf Karnataka Forum is the brainchild of Herman Lewis of Radio Spice and Mayura Award Winner James Mendonca. The forum is to unite all the Karntaka-based organizations under one umbrella.
A meeting was convened to decide the formation of this forum at Deira at 4 p.m. on May 28. A number of founders and office bearers of various Karnataka-based organizations were present for the meeting. Herman Lewis gave a presentation in which he stressed the need for a forum with representatives from each association, at least two government ex officio members, Indian Consulate representatives, business communities’ representatives, and so on.
He listed out the strengths and weaknesses of UAE Kannadigas. Major issues such as higher education, insurance, priority housing, NRK schemes, ration cards/national id, business opportunities, employment opportunities, housing schemes, family protection programmes, help desk, and others were discussed.
The attendees unanimous agreed that various problems can be solved only by forming a single unified platform for NRI Kannadigas with a powerful leadership. Padmashree Dr. B. R. Shetty then announced the Gulf Karnataka Forum and said that he will take it as a challenge and make the forum a success.
The meeting concluded with the hope that the enthusiastic spirit would continue and that a strong Gulf Karnataka Forum would rise in the Gulf.