Media Release

Qatar, Jun 30: Karnataka Sangha Qatar (KSQ) - Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) operated a second chartered flight from Doha which departed at 11.00 am and arrived Bangalore Airport at 6.00 pm on Tuesday, June 29. The arrival back to India served as a major relief to the Kannadigas on board. Amid this, News24 conveyed their situation to the Government of Karnataka where they highlighted the need for operating more flights for repatriation of Kannadigas from Qatar.

KSQ - ICBF also extended their gratitude to the ambassador of India to Qatar, P Kumaran and the embassy officials. They also thanked the Karnataka government, CM Yediyurappa, union minister Sadananda Gowda, PS to DVS Govardhan, additional chief secretary Ravi Kumar, DC Meena Nagaraj, special officer to chief minister Dr Karthik for the swift support to get the state approvals.

Repatriation list was prepared by Karnataka Sangha in coordination with Embassy of India. The priority was given to elderly people, pregnant ladies and underpaid workers who are unemployed. Around five free tickets were given by ICBF to those who were unable to afford the price of the flight ticket.

Mahesh Gowda vice-president, ICBF, Subramanya Hebbagelu, joint secretary ICBF, Nagesh Rao president, KSQ, Muralidhar Rao general secretary, Karnataka Sangha, Sandeep Reddy former general secretary Karnataka Sangha, were the driving force behind the operation.

As per sources, more chartered flights to Bengaluru and Mangaluru by ICBF and Karnataka Sangha and more Vande Bharath are likely to conduct their operations in coming weeks.

"We get hundreds of calls for flight info, this flight has come as a big relief for Kannadigas who are really keen on reaching back home safely, Thanks to ICBF Mahesh Gowda and Subramanya Hebbagelu for there support," said Nagesh Rao, president Karnataka Sangha.