Media Release

Jeddah, Jun 20: Roshan Rodrigues of Mangalore was unanimously elected the president of Karnataka Non Resident Indian Forum (KNRI), Jeddah during its 7th annual general body meeting held recently here. KNRI is the only nonprofit social organization in Saudi Arabia which represents the entire Karnataka state and strives to help needy Kannadigas in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and India.

In his opening speech Roshan Rodrigues thanked all the members of the forum for believing in him and accepting his leadership. He highlighted that KNRI is one family and the Forum's goal is to take care of all needy kannadigas. On behalf of the forum, he congratulated the first student from Dharwad district adopted by the Forum on completing her studies and on her selection in a campus interview by one of the leading software exporting companies.

He also reminded the members of the aims and objectives of KNRI Forum and appealed to them to strive towards achieving those goals by providing financial and social support to needy kannadigas. He requested all committee members to perform their duties with 'than, mann, dhan' strategy and appealed to the seniors to guide him to perform these tasks smoothly.

A committee of 29 members was chosen.

The newly-elected office bearers are:

Roshan Rodriguez - President
Manzoor Ahmed (Hassan) and Sabu Chandran (Bangalore) - Vice-presidents
Syed Nasir Khursheed (Gubarga) - General secretary
Yashwanth Amin (Mangalore) - Joint secretary
Aijaz Ahmed (Shimoga) - Meeting coordinator
Sri Harsha (Bangalore) - Treasurer
Habib Rahaman (Udupi) and Syed Haseebuddin (Bangalore) - Joint treasurers
Niaz Ahmed (Mysore) – Press and public relation secretary
Mohammed Saif (Mysore) - Cultural secretary
Mohammed Kaleem (Raichur), Mohsin Khan (Bidar) and Pravin Netekar (Sirsi-Karwar) - Joint cultural secretaries
Peter Mascarenhas (Udupi) - Sports secretary
Arif Shimoga - Joint sports secretary
Shaikh Saoud (Udupi) - IT coordinator
Mukarram Khan (Bangalore) - Membership coordinator
Mohammed Mansoor (Mangalore), Vasu Manchegowda (Mandya) and Krish Jangal (Hubli) - Advisory council members

Mohammed Arif (Udupi), Alok Pattar( Hubli), Mohammed Saheb(Karkala), Imtiaz Ahmed (Shimoga) Syed Shakeel Ahmed (Bangalore), Momin Mohammed Iylas (Bhatkal), Faizee Razak Sheik, (Mangalore), Mohammed Saleem Khaleefa (Gulbarga) were elected as executive members.

S M Jafar conducted the election session and advised the new committee to come up with ambitious plans for the welfare of Karnataka residents in particular and the Indian community in general. Mohammed Mansoor congratulated the newly elected body and advised them to work with positive spirit and elevate the forum to a higher level.

Vasu Manchegowda outlined the KNRI forum’s vision and urged Kannadigas to play a vital role to reach and help poor and needy people. Outgoing president Krish Jangal congratulated the new team and said social work demands time, energy and dedication. He said God will reward for serving the community, and it will also develop managerial skills.

Secretary Nasir Khursheed described this forum as a group of family members and requested members to “keep the same spirit of unity which is our identity.”

Yashwanth Amin requested Kannadigas residing here to join the forum, by contacting the Forum through email: knriforumjeddah@gmail.com.

The programme was compered by Niaz Ahmed Mysore) and Sabu Chandran delivered the vote of thanks and specially thanked the Indian Consulate for its tremendous support towards the KNRI Forum in Jeddah.