RIYADH — Non Resident Indians (NRIs) in Riyadh have demanded the Indian government to recognize the contribution and services of blue collar employees and dedicated social workers by conducting Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) in Gulf countries. So far only rich businessmen and entrepreneurs have been awarded by the Indian government. A brainstorming session was conducted by the Indian organizations at Niagara banquet hall and there they initiated the efforts to get recognition for common Indians in Gulf countries. All the Indian organization will send a memorandum to the Indian government through Indian Embassy in this regard. Mohammed Quaiser, president, Tanzeem Hum Hindustani, was the chief guest. He said his organization had made representation to the then Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Rajiv Shahare to recognize dedicated social workers and as a result of this Indian government presented PBD award to Shihab Kottukad from Saudi Arabia in 2015. He also said that the time slot of the issue related to the Indians in Gulf countries should be increased in PBD. He advised the organizers to involve all the organizations in Riyadh and get suggestions in this regard during the next meeting. Bala Chandran Nair, general convener, NRK Welfare Forum, said that the common Indian workers in Saudi Arabia have many issues and many social workers and organizations work in tandem with Indian Embassy to help them in every possible ways. He also said that Kerala government has started several schemes for the benefit of the Gulf NRI's like pension, and similar schemes should be initiated by the Indian government for all the Indian workers in the Gulf countries. The number of Indians in Saudi Arabia is more than three million and they are the largest Indian passport holding community outside India. Likewise their problems and issues should be given priority by the Indian authorities. Journalist K.N. Wasif read out his article published in Siasat daily and yahind.com. He said that the Indian government took good initiative by conducting PBD in all the Indian missions, but unfortunately it was stopped this year. He said Gulf PBD should be conducted every year in one of the city in Gulf countries and Indian workers and organizations should be recognized by the Indian missions. Muneeb Pazhoor, welfare coordinator, Indian Social Forum, appreciated the Indian Embassy's help for the Indians by arranging timely departure of the Indians facing several problems. Obaid ur Rahman, chairman, Bihar Foundation, said that a quiz competition should be conducted for the students of Indian schools on various schemes of Indian government like Digital India, Swach Bharat, Namo Ganga etc under the patronage of Indian Embassy. Dr. Dilshad Ahamad, MC at IISR, suggested that the Indian businessman, entrepreneurs and professionals like engineers, doctors, teachers etc. who are serving since long time should be recognized. Dr. Mohammed Ahsraf Ali, president, All India United Society, said that the Indian Embassy officials are personally recognizing and appreciating the good work of Individuals and organizations. Recently Anil Nautiyal invited office bearers of AIUS for dinner and appreciated their services during the recent crises faced by Indian workers of Binladin Company and Saudi Oger. He said such type of gesture and appreciation should be shown by the Indian government. Shaji Mohammed said that every Indian in the Gulf country is an ambassador of India and everyone should try to attract Saudi nationals to India for medical tourism and the government of India should encourage the Indians in this regard. Shafi Sattar, chairman, IISR, Mohammed Jabbar, Telangana NRI Forum, Ghulam Khan, representative from Rajasthan, Niyaz Ahamad, Ahsas, Sayeed Haroon also spoke on this occasion. Earlier Mohammed Rafeeq, chairman, Mumtaz Group while welcoming the guests, said that the common workers are the backbone of the community their remittances play an important role in Indian economy they should be recognized. We initiated this to get them their long due recognition. Kaunain Shahidi conducted the proceedings and recited the verses of holy Qur'an to start the function, attended by a large number of Indians.
