Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Consul General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai has pledged to personally follow up on serious and urgent cases affecting members of the Indian community for a quick resolution of their issues. “Though most of the cases are labor-related, there are serious and genuine cases that have been brought to my notice where personal intervention is needed. I'll personally follow up on these cases,” Kidwai said at the inaugural “Open House” session at the consulate premises. “Five such cases which need urgent action were brought to my attention,” he said at the end of the one-on-one interaction between community members and consuls. Over 100 members of the Indian community attended the event, which is to be a monthly fixture. In an organized meeting in which community members with grievances were asked to fill a registration form before interacting with the concerned consuls, social activists from various community groups had come to assist their brethren. One social activist, who did not want to be named, said he had just come to observe the procedure in order to be prepared to tell people in need about this avenue for help. When asked why an Open House when he had already announced an "open door" policy for the Indian community, Kidwai said: “Not many availed of that (open door policy). Maybe it could be due to it being week days, maybe many were not aware of it and maybe they were diffident about approaching me. “With this Open House being held on a weekend, there is every opportunity for these people to meet us and seek redressal or solutions to their problems.” Two tragic cases brought to his notice by welfare groups were overseen by the Consul General, and he promised quick action. One was from Kerala and the other from Tamil Nadu. Papputy, from Kerala, has been afflicted by a serious ailment and is wheelchair-bound. He is a laborer and his iqama has expired. Now he wants to go home. “We will contact and request the sponsor to settle this case,” Kidwai said, adding, “We'll seek other solutions too.” Subhaiah Malaichami hails from Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu. He is in the Kingdom for 20 years. He escaped four years ago from his local sponsor, who did not pay him, and began working at a construction site. A workplace accident — a forklift crashed into him — rendered him unfit for work after cutting his urinal tract. After operation he now walks around with an external bag. Kidwai was appraised of this case by Tamil social activists. Consul Pranav Ganesh and Vice Consul Doss for consular services, Consuls S.R.H. Fahmi and Raj Kumar for community welfare and Consul Prabhat K. Jain for labor issues were at hand to establish a direct interaction with the Indian public. Kidwai, meanwhile, said admissions to the kindergarten section of the Indian International School, Jeddah, was ongoing, adding that a notification on the basis of seats available would be issued for admissions to higher classes. With regard to the amnesty for those languishing in jails, Kidwai said, we are working within our remit to assist these people. “At least 446 Indians are currently in jail in the western region alone,” he said, “We are trying our best to assist them.” Kidwai said the registration of the people's grievances would go a long way in helping us to seek solutions.
