KWAR plays Good Samaritan for stranded Indian couple

September 2, 2013

Riyadh, Sep 2: Karavali Welfare Association Riyadh (KWAR) came as silver lining to stranded Indian couple, in Riyadh, who had almost lost hopes of reaching their motherland.

Vijay Fernandes and his wife Preethi from Byndoor near Kundapura were brought to Riyadh on work visa. While Vijay aspired to work as a driver, his wife was hopeful to work as a domestic maid. One Mr Abdul Khader, an agent in Mangalore painted a rosy picture of life in the Middle East and within no time, the couple decided that bright future awaited them in Riyadh.

Vijay, an auto driver back home in Kundapur and Preethi, a domestic maid working in Mumbai paid Rs 50,000 each to realize their dream of working in the Middle East.

They were flown to Riyadh and what happened next is tragedy.

On reaching the house of their sponsor, they realized that the little they had back home was better than what was in store in faraway land. The sponsors ill-treated them and even denied them proper food and other basic facilities. The worse was that the two were kept separate to the extent that they could not even see each other. Minor mistakes of the two were penalized and for four months they were denied salary.

While the two had no means to contact their family, with the help of a Bangladeshi maid working in the vicinity, the two managed to run away. With the help of a Good Samaritan, they managed to reach safe place in Riyadh.

KWAR's role

On reaching Riyadh, they learnt about KWAR and contacted the office-bearers. KWAR immediately plunged into action and helped them to get temporary passport from Indian Embassy and arranged Exit visa. KWAR also arranged for their Air tickets from Riyadh to Mangalore via Mumbai. Office-bearers of KWAR contributed generously and handed over cash to this couple for their safe journey back home.

The couple reached their hometown and their family called and thanked KWAR and all those who helped them to come out of the crisis.

Kwar Vice President Mr. Parvez Ali and the Treasurer Mr. Rajesh Kumar handled the entire case.

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‘Have letter, next step is...’: MUDA on Siddaramaiah’s wife’s offer to return plots

News Network

October 1,2024

Mysuru: The Mysuru land authority at the centre of a financial and political storm - involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and alleged losses of ₹ 45 crore to the state - has received an offer of restitution from his wife, the urban development body's Commissioner, AN Raghunandan said.

"I am in possession of a letter written by Siddaramaiah's wife regarding her intention to return 14 plots (of land). The Chief Minister's son, Yatindra Siddaramaiah, came to our office and delivered the letter. We will take legal advice for the next step..." he told reporters in Mysuru.

Mr Raghunandan also confirmed anti-corruption officials from the city's Lokayukta branch had written seeking cooperation in its inquiry into the charges against the Chief Minister.

He said the Mysuru Urban Development Authority, or MUDA, "will cooperate with the investigation".

The Enforcement Directorate, however, have not reached out as yet, Mr Raghunandan said. The ED, a federal agency, has filed a money laundering case against Siddaramaiah.

There have also been calls for the CBI, another federal agency, to investigate charges against the Chief Minister, but that appears unlikely now given the Karnataka government has withdrawn general consent for its operations in the state. Law Minister HK Patil made the announcement last week.

He ruled out any link with demands for the Chief Minister to be investigated by the CBI, which reports to the BJP-led central government and the ruling Congress and other opposition parties have claimed is being used by that party to target rival leaders, particularly before elections.

On Monday - three days after the Lokayukta filed a case against the Chief Minister, and hours after the ED launched its probe- Siddaramaiah's wife said she had planned to give up the land earlier but was advised against it the allegations against her husband are "politically motivated".

But now, she said, she had made up her mind as "no house, plot, or wealth is more important than my husband's honor, dignity, and peace of mind". She also said the decision was hers alone; "... I am not aware of my husband's opinion on this matter, nor do I concern myself with what my son thinks".

And, in a comment seen as a calculated swipe at the opposition BJP, which is leading calls for the Chief Minister's resignation, his wife also made an emotional appeal to "all political parties and the media" to "please not drag women of political families into the controversy to settle political scores".

Investigative action against the Chief Minister follows the Karnataka High Court quashing a challenge to Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot's order sanctioning Siddaramaiah's prosecution.

Subsequently a trial court ordered framing of charges and directed the Lokayukta to complete the investigation within three months. The ED case was filed based on the Lokayukta FIR.

Siddaramaiah faces an inquiry into claims Parvathi was allotted 14 plots of land in an upmarket Mysuru area as compensation for land elsewhere - holding a far lower value - taken for infrastructure projects.

The Chief Minister has denied all charges and refused calls to resign.

He has been backed by the Congress and his deputy, DK Shivakumar, who is also the state unit boss, and also by members of his cabinet, including IT Minister Priyank Kharge. However, some within the Congress also want him to quit, such as former Assembly Speaker KB Koliwad.

"I will fight. I am not afraid of anything. We are ready to face the investigation. I will fight this legally," he said last week after the High Court had quashed his challenge to the Governor's sanction.

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