Arab spring leaves expat population worried about their jobs'

January 31, 2012

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Mangalore, January 31: The concerns of the Beary community fuelled by the uneasy political situation in West Asia were articulated at a discussion held here recently.

It highlighted that the Arab spring has left the expat population in these countries worried about their jobs and safety although the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council countries, barring Bahrain, have remained relatively unaffected amidst the recent wave of uprising.

The process of indigenisation in the GCC countries, spearheaded by Saudi Arabia, which is home to the biggest Indian expat segment in the Gulf region, has resulted in thousands of job-losses, it was stated.

The families dependent on the remittances of expats back home will feel the heat, said Y. Mahammad Beary, the president of the Mangalore Air crash Victims' Families Association. Since Dakshina Kannadigas constitute the largest chunk of the migrant population in the Gulf countries, the impact will be severe on the coastal district, he said.

Sulagna Mustafi, who is doing PhD on the subject in Mangalore,said the Beary community has benefited immensely by the philanthropic activities being carried out by the expats over the last two decades .

But Mr. Beary sought to highlight the sense of insecurity felt by the Beary migrants who are predominantly semi-skilled or unskilled workers.

He also said that the Government and the community would have to think about the rehabilitation of the Gulf-returnees if the situation becomes worse. Umer U.H. a social activist said, “Even before the Beary community could come up with a strategy to tackle the fallout of the death of the beedi rolling industry, it is confronted with the lurking threat of semi-skilled and unskilled workers in the Gulf returning home.”

He also said that increasing communalism was a major concern for the Beary NRIs who experience anxiety and anguish in a greater way than the people living here. “There had been several anxious calls to me from people in the Gulf wanting to know about the situation in Uppinangady following the recent untoward incidents,” he said.

“Many affluent NRIs are using their income to buy properties in India and increase their wealth in order to be able to lead a happy life in the Gulf,” said Junaida Sultana, a teacher from Malpe.

Issues like increasing conservatism among the Beary community, the widening gulf between the rich and the poor, the imbalance in the educational qualification of Beary girls and boys were also discussed.

Programme co-directors Mario Rutten (University of Amsterdam) and Carol Upadhya (National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore) were present.

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January 13,2025

Udupi: A resident of Karkala in Udupi district has accused five individuals of defrauding him of nearly Rs 2 crore under the guise of business partnerships.

Dawood Hakim, a resident of Ennehole in Marne village, Karkala, has filed a complaint stating that he operated a mobile sales and service business on Karkala Market Road for 15 years. He had known the accused for over two decades and trusted them implicitly.

According to Dawood, the accused convinced him to invest in multiple business ventures, including land dealings and a travel business, promising substantial returns and partnership benefits. Believing their assurances, Dawood reportedly handed over cash, gold, and a vehicle.

However, the promised profits never materialized, and the accused allegedly failed to return the money or assets. Dawood claims this deception has caused severe financial distress to him and his family, amounting to a loss of around Rs 2 crore.

A case has been registered at the CEN police station, and investigations are underway.

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January 8,2025

Mangaluru: Air India Express (AIE) has postponed its much-anticipated direct flight service between Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) and Singapore, citing low bookings. Passengers who had booked tickets for the inaugural flight scheduled for January 21 and subsequent dates have been notified of the cancellation through email.

In its email, AIE assured passengers of alternative travel arrangements, including connecting flight options between MIA and Singapore. However, the decision to delay the direct service has left travelers and travel agents disappointed.

An AIE official attributed the postponement to operational challenges but clarified that the airline has not abandoned plans for the route. “We are committed to starting the service, but there is no immediate confirmation on the new launch date,” the official stated. He further explained that sustaining a route requires consistent demand, and seasonal travel alone is insufficient to justify operations.

Another AIE representative admitted that the number of bookings for the inaugural flight was below expectations but declined to disclose specific figures.

Rajesh H Acharya, director of HQ Connections Pte Ltd in Singapore and coordinator of the Singapore Tuluver community, expressed his disappointment. Acharya, who has been advocating for a direct flight between Mangaluru and Singapore since 2017, said, “After years of effort, we finally convinced the airline to start this service, but it has now been deferred.”

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Acharya posted: "Did not expect such behavior from @AirIndiaX, now owned by @TataCompanies & @SIAirlines. If there are issues, travelers deserve to be informed well in advance. This decision needs investigation at the highest level."

The delay has raised questions among the travel community, with many hoping the airline will address these concerns and provide a clear timeline for the launch of the Mangaluru-Singapore direct flight.

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January 8,2025

tannirbhavi.jpg

Mangaluru: The Tannirbhavi beach stretch up to the forest department's Tree Park is on the brink of a remarkable transformation under the ‘One Beach, One Destination’ initiative. This ambitious project aims to elevate the beach into a top-tier tourist hotspot through comprehensive upgrades and strategic developments.

Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan MP shared updates during a press briefing on Tuesday, revealing that fresh tenders have been floated for maintaining the main beach. The technical evaluation of tenders for the Tannir Bhavi Blue Flag Beach is nearing completion, with the financial bids set to open shortly. “We are pleased to see major players participating in the tender process,” the DC remarked.

For the main beach, the maintenance contract will span 10 years. Meanwhile, the Blue Flag Beach’s successful bidder will face a progressive financial model—starting with a Rs 50 lakh payment in the first year, escalating to Rs 2 crore by the 10th year, alongside a minimum 5% revenue share for the administration. “Upon completion of the development, the beach will feature continuous activities to enhance its appeal,” he added.

Approximately 90% of the beach’s development work is already complete. Eco-friendly initiatives such as waste management systems and solar installations are operational at the Blue Flag Beach. While entrance work by Mangaluru Smart City Limited is ongoing, the beach remains accessible to the public. Entry fees, set in accordance with Blue Flag guidelines, aim to support sustainable maintenance efforts.

The ‘Blue Flag’ certification represents a global standard in eco-tourism, ensuring clean bathing water, state-of-the-art amenities, safety measures, and sustainable development. Karnataka’s Padubidri and Kasarkod beaches are among the few in India to hold this prestigious certification.

Mangaluru Smart City Limited is spearheading the development of the 1.8-acre area, with an investment of approximately Rs 16 crore. Once completed, the Tannirbhavi Beach is expected to stand out as a vibrant and eco-friendly destination, drawing tourists and locals alike.

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