Daijiworld Media Network - Dammam
Dammam, Jun 11: Covid-19 pandemic has taught plenty of lessons to humankind. People in distress are being helped by many Samaritans. Further, many large-hearted people volunteered to help the needy in their own way sending a strong message 'we are human first - rest is next'. Looks like this has created a real impact in today's society.
One such humanitarian deed rendered by Mangalurean entrepreneur duo has won the hearts of millions. Ullal native Althaf Ullal and Basheer Sagar, a native of Shivamogga, who runs SAQCO Contracting Co, a business firm in Dammam, have done an exemplary charitable deed by sponsoring a full chartered flight to bring people in distress to Mangaluru airport.
Althaf Ullal and Basheer Sagar
As many as 61 senior citizens, 55 pregnant women, 35 infants and children, many others who lost jobs, and people on visit visa were completely sponsored by the duo free of cost. The chartered flight Gulf Air GF7272 from Dammam, Saudi Arabia, landed in Mangaluru in the early hours of Thursday, June 11.
Speaking to Daijiworld, SAQCO founder Altaf Ullal said, "I could not see the pain of few people who desperately wanted to reach their native places in Karnataka. Many of them were here on visit visa, due to free visit visa offer from Saudi govt. But COVID-19 pandemic forced them to get stranded here. Many have lost job, pregnant women wanted to go back desperately, and elderly people just could not stay back here. Almighty has blessed us, and we are doing our bit.
“We have made sure that no employees of our company or their relatives have boarded the flight. No religion, caste, creed was considered and we have purely worked to send back people who desperately needed to reach home and those who required medical attention. We have also borne the complete COVID test and quarantine expenses back in Mangaluru,” he said.
Dr Arathi Krishna helps to clear legal hurdles
Dr Arathi Krishna, former diplomat and former NRI Cell chief, went out of her way to make Altaf's dream of sending the chartered flight to Mangaluru airport.
Dr Arathi Krishna
Appreciating Dr Arathi’s help, Altaf said, "We had spent sleepless nights in the last 7 days. New problems would arise every day due to technical and documental issues. But one person who stood by us was Dr Arathi Krishna. No words are enough to appreciate her work. She has stood with us like a rock, communicated with the External Affairs minister of India, Indian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Civil Aviation ministry, Mangaluru Airport Authority, Mangaluru district administration, airlines and even with Saudi ambassador to India. Without her, this mission would have been impossible.
"If a person without any power or authority can do this, then I must tell you that she is unselfish and charitable to the core. She has done all this on her individual capacity. Karnataka government must appoint her as NRI chief on independent capacity without considering party affiliations. She has not only helped us, but almost every associations in the gulf in connection with repatriation of Indians," said Altaf.
Speaking to Daijiworld, Dr Arathi Krishna said, "I have been receiving requests from all over the world. It is all due to my personal relationship with some of the diplomats, I could help some of the stranded NRIs. Being a diplomat myself, I can understand the pain of NRIs. I am doing whatever within my means during this tough time of Covid-19 pandemic."