Daijiworld News Network - Saudi Arabia Dammam, may 31:The NRIs hailing from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada district in Saudi Arabia are commited to unite together to achieve the goal of Mangalore attaining the International Airport status.
The first meeting in this regard was held on 20th April 2005 at the Sea and Shore Hotel Al-Jubail, by the West Coast NRI Forum - Saudi Arabia. The meeting was presided over by Vishwanath Kamath. The following office bearers were electedPresident : Mohammed AliVice President : Zakaria Organising Secretary : Shabbir AhmedSecretary : M. HebbarCoordinators : Mohammed Ali, Naveen Shetty and Jayram Shetty . The committee decided to collect all relevant data pertaining to the issue of the Mangalore Airport and to draft a Memorandum.
A fortnight later. the second meeting was held and it was further decided to conduct a signature campaign and discuss the further course of action.
The 3rd meeting was held on 26th May 2005 in Sea and Shore Hotel Al-Jubail and the attendance for this meeting was overwhelming. Hebbar welcomed the participants and Shabbir Ahmed present an update on the current status of the Airport issue. He stressed the need for the drive and initiative from like-minded people to work together towards this common goal with grit and determination.
The draft memorandum to be sent to Prime Minister of India was presented by K.Narayana for review. The members gave many valuable suggestions and felt that even though there are promises from the eminent politicians that the international flights will start from Jan 2006, the dream can only true if the central Government grants the international status to Mangalore Air port. It was very important that the Government should take wholehearted action in settling the hurdles of rehabilitation of people from the affected area, construction of new access roads etc...
Members pointed out that being Mangalore the only place in Karnataka which has a well developed sea port, connected by national highways and railway network, the up-gradation of existing air port into international air port would be a gateway to the outside world would usher development of this region. The members suggested to co-ordinate with all other NRI forums in the Gulf region and work together in order to achieve this common goal.
Members discussed the matter with the Indian Embassy consulate officials who were present in Al-Jubail Sharq hotel and they agreed to send the memorandum to Prime Minister’s office through the Embassy of India, Riyadh.
The President concluded the meeting with the following resolutions: -- The signature campaign will be carried through out Saudi Arabia starting from 27th May 2005.- The target date to complete the signature campaign is set for 9th June 2005.- The Bhatkal shops and Udupi/Mangalore restaurants will be the collection points for signed papers.- The memorandum will be sent to Prime Minister through Indian Embassy at Riyadh and to the other relevant dignitaries through DHL.
The meeting ended with a vote of thanks by Mohammed Ali.
