JAIPUR: Non-resident Indians have hailed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s announcement that the government would allow them to vote and participate in the election process, a long-tanding demand of the diaspora.

Full Coverage on the Pravasi Divas

Inaugurating the annual diaspora conclave, the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, here Sunday, the prime minister said the government has issued notifications for registration of overseas electors under the Representation of People Act, 1950, to allow NRIs to vote in Indian elections.

“It was long overdue. I am very happy with the government’s decision,” said P.V. Pillai, a delegate from Dubai.

“I laud the government’s decision to grant voting rights to non-resident Indians. Though we are a small part and we cannot change anything by voting, but still I strongly feel that right to vote is a basic right and it is a step in the right direction,” said Vasu Chanchlani from Canada.

Hiro N. Shivdasani from Ivory Coast said: “I am very happy with the decision. The Indian government has finally fulfilled its promise to Indian expatriates. It will give us an opportunity to participate in government formation.”

“I also request the government to allow dual citizenship. They should also do it soon,” he said.

However, there were a few who had apprehensions about the process.

Rajeev K. Jain, a US-based entrepreneur, said that how the NRIs will exercise the power to vote is still undecided.

“The Indian government should provide us clear guidelines on voting rights. I think that the process is still not clear. I strongly feel that the government should make it transparent and corruption free, the voting should be allowed electronically or through internet,” he said.

Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi had said that the objective was to further increase engagements with diaspora.

“Our objective is to raise the level of engagement to go beyond mere investment related issues and address a broader agenda,” he said in his address at the conclave Sunday.

Mangalore, 4 Jan, 2012 : The first Coastal Business Development Summit Organised by the state in Mangalore on Wednesday morning resulted in 38 MoUs being signed for a total Rs 1506 crores, capable of providing employment to around 4700 persons in the region.

FKCCI, KCCI, and several other departments of the state, besides NRI Forum joined hands in the meet at TV Raman Pai Convention Centre in Kodialbail. Three Congress MLAs attended for sometime.

CM DVS Gowda addressed the gathering, after inaugurating the event. He said 280 projects out of 387 for which MoUs had been signed in a Global Investors Meet in 2010, are being implemented with an investment of Rs 5 lakhs crores in all.

The state had given priority to investors, Indian or foreign. An agri-business Summit was held in Bangalore recently. Such meets raised high employment opportunities, and better farm prices.

He promised to set right DK industries in proper look-out, and make Mangalore an economic hub.

The Shiradi Ghat will be made motorable by end of this month. He wanted environment friendly enterprises in the coastal region, CM observed. Several state ministers and MP Nalinkumar were present on the occasion.

Capt Ganesh Karnik

The two-day Coastal Business Development Summit, organised by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) here, received investment proposals in the areas of hospitality, seafood processing, pharmaceutical sector, and agri-based industries in three districts of coastal Karnataka.

Summing up the two-day sessions of the summit here on Thursday, Capt Ganesh Karnik, Member of Legislative Council of Karnataka, said that 38 MoUs (memoranda of understanding) estimating an investment of around Rs 1,506 crore were signed for investments in these sectors.

These investments are likely to come into the region in the next one to two years.

Added to this, some entrepreneurs have shown interest to invest around Rs 400 crore in the business-to-business (B2B) sessions held on the sidelines of the summit.

He urged the FKCCI to initiate follow-up actions both at the investors end and at the Government end to make these investment proposals a reality.
Region-specific business development summits

Capt Karnik said that he will submit a proposal to the Government to organise such region-specific business development summits in the state, and congratulated FKCCI for initiating such a move.
SECTOR-SPECIFIC COURSES

Participating in a technical session earlier in the day, Prof G.V. Joshi, Professor of Economics at the Nitte-based Justice K.S. Hegde Institute of Management, said that the higher education institutions in the region should plan courses in tourism, infrastructure management, and food processing, as most of the investment proposals in the region are from these sectors.

Stating that many of research findings have remained at the level of higher education institutions, Prof Joshi said there should be a mechanism to transfer these research findings from the education institutions to the administrative machinery. This will help boost growth of many sectors in the region.

Dr Ramachandra Bhat, Professor at College of Fisheries, Mangalore, who participated in the technical session on fisheries sector, said that thermal power plants and rapid industrialisation are a threat to the fisheries in the coastal region.

The fisheries sector need not depend on international market for its growth as there is growth in domestic market also, he said.

However, he admitted the fact that fisheries colleges and other research institutes have failed in extension activities to boost the fisheries industry.

vinayakaj@thehindu.co.in

Date: Tue, Nov 22, 2011 at 12:16 PM

Subject: Coastal Business Development Summit on Jan 3-4, 2012 at Mangalore

To: Capt Ganesh Karnik, Dy Chairman, NRI Forum,

Dear Sir,

This is in continuation to my phone call of today. FKCCI is organising a Coastal Business Development Summit on 3rd & 4th January 2012 at Mangalore. This summit is supported by Department of Industries & Commerce, GoK. We would like to invite the NRIs from the Coastal Region for the summit.

We request you to forward the list of NRIs, preferably from the Coastal Region to enable us to invite them for the summit.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

Shama Prasad
Dy. Secretary
Email: shamaprasad@hotmail.com

Karnataka Chief Minister Mr. B. S. Yeddyurappa has accepted to inaugurate “Amerikannadothsava”, to be held on 09-10 July, 2011, at Ravindra kalakshethra, Bangalore.

Navika President Dr. Keshavababu met the chief minister in last month and invited him to inaugurate the conference. CM has accepted the invitation and has lauded Navika for its efforts to bring together the Kannadigas and American Kannadigas.

“Amerikannadothsava” convention planned by NAVIKA to be held in Bangalore on July 09 & 10, 2011 will get support from NRI Forum, Karnataka.

Addressing the press conference held at Bangalore, Deputy Chairman of NRI Forum Karnataka, Capt Ganesh Karnik said, “NRI Forum Karnataka – is happy to invite the ‘Amerikannadigas’ to Karnataka. We are looking forward to this special event & meet of native Kannadigas and Amerikannadigas, and happy to take part in great cultural and social exchange that happens on the occasion. It will be a homecoming experience to the Amerikannadigas”. “NRI Forum will extend its whole hearted support to NAVIKA and the Amerikannadothsava’ convention”, he added.

Terming NRKs as week-end Kannadigas, Purushottama Bilimale from New Delhi said: “We have rich literature and culture, but not many know about it in the north. There is an urgent need to introduce our literature to north Indians. Historically, Karnataka has welcomed people, imbibed their culture and grown in strength. However, very few people ventured out from here.”

The ensuing sessions weren’t without valuable suggestions. Amarnath Gowda of AKKA ( Association of Kannada Kootas in America) from the USA said: “Preserving and promoting Kannada is in our hands. The government can’t do it. Please elect good representatives, so that they strive for promotion of Kannada and prosperity of Kannadigas.” Endorsing his views, G Kumarappa from Kolkata felt that publicizing Kannada and culture and promoting tourism would go a long way in broadening the state’s rich knowledge and culture.

Dr Manjunath from Mumbai stressed on the role of people and said: “Saving Kannada is not in the hands of the governments, but with the people. First, people should send their children to Kannada medium schools.”

Stressing on the power of people, they said: “Send knowledgeable and dedicated MPs so that they effectively raise their voice of Kannada outside the state.”

Lahari Velu reaching Belgaum with 2000 plus boxes of 50 MP3 CD’s that contained 3000 songs priced at Rs.2999 were released by Dr Neeraj Patil, London Kannada Sangha and Dr Bharathi Vishnuvardhana released the audio book brought by Lahari Recording Company on this occasion.

The toughest job and the rarest treasure for all music lovers of all areas of culture and heritage the Lahari Recording Company ‘Hachchevu Kannadadha Deepa’ is now available on the stands at Vishwa Kannada Sammelana.

The Karnataka government bureaucrats IM Vittalamurthy took the special initiative in this kind of treasure and of course it is a well deserved respect for the culture and heritage of Karnataka.

A day before the release of the 3000 songs Hachchevu Kannadadha Deepa’ Lahari Recording Company Velu handed over the set of 50 MP3 to Karnataka Kannada and culture minister Mr Karajola at the circuit house in Belgaum.

ಬೆಳಗಾವಿಯ ಕೆ ಎಲ್ ಇ ಮೈದಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ಶುಕ್ರವಾರ (ಮಾರ್ಚ್ 11) ನಡೆದ 2ನೇ ವಿಶ್ವ ಕನ್ನಡ ಸಮ್ಮೇಳನದ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷತೆ ವಹಿಸಿದ್ದ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ ಯಡಿಯೂರಪ್ಪ ಇದನ್ನು ಪ್ರಕಟಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಸುಮಾರು 100 ಎಕರೆ ಪ್ರದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಲಾಲ್ ಬಾಗ್ ನಂತಹ ಬೃಹತ್ ಉದ್ಯಾನವನ ಹಾಗೂ ಗಾಜಿನ ಮನೆ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಲಾಗುವುದು. ಇದಕ್ಕಾಗಿ 25 ಕೋಟಿ ರು ಹಂಚಿಕೆ ಮಾಡುವುದಾಗಿಯೂ ಹೇಳಿದರು.

ಅಲ್ಲದೆ, ಸುವರ್ಣ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಸಂಭ್ರಮ ಮತ್ತು ಈ ವಿಶ್ವ ಕನ್ನಡದ ಸಮ್ಮೇಳನದ ನೆನಪನ್ನು ಚಿರಸ್ಥಾಯಿಯಾಗಿಸಲು ಸಮಗ್ರ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ವಿಕಾಸ ಸಾರುವ ಮತ್ತು ಭವಿಷ್ಯದ ಮಾರ್ಗದರ್ಶಕ ವಸ್ತು ಸಂಗ್ರಹಾಲಯ, ಪ್ರಾತ್ಯಕ್ಷಿಕೆ ಒಳಗೊಂಡ ಥೀಮ್ ಪಾರ್ಕ್ ತಲೆ ಎತ್ತಲಿದೆ. ಈ ಪಾರ್ಕ್ ಅನ್ನು ನಾಡಿನ ಮಧ್ಯೆ ಯಾವುದಾದರೂ ಒಂದು ನಗರದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಲಾಗುವುದು. ಆ ನಗರದ ಹೆಸರನ್ನು ಶೀಘ್ರವೇ ಬಹಿರಂಗಪಡಿಸುವುದಾಗಿ ಅವರು ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು.

ಇದಕ್ಕೂ ಮೊದಲು ಮಾತನಾಡಿದ ವಿರೋಧ ಪಕ್ಷದ ನಾಯಕ ಸಿದ್ದರಾಮಯ್ಯ, ಗಡಿ ಸಮಸ್ಯೆ ಎಂಬುದು 45 ವರ್ಷಗಳ ಹಿಂದೆಯೇ ಇತ್ಯರ್ಥವಾಗಿರುವ ವಿಷಯ ಮಹಾಜನ ವರದಿಯನ್ನು ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಒಪ್ಪಲೇಬೇಕು ಎಂದು ಪ್ರತಿಪಾದಿಸಿದರು. ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರ ಕವಿ ಜಿ.ಎಸ್. ಶಿವರುದ್ರಪ್ಪ ಮತ್ತು ಜ್ಞಾನಪೀಠ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿ ಪುರಸ್ಕೃತ ಡಾ. ಯು.ಆರ್. ಅನಂತಮೂರ್ತಿ ಅವರು ಆಶಯ ಭಾಷಣ ಮಾಡಿದರು.

ಕನ್ನಡದ ನೂರೊಂದು ಪುಸ್ತಕಗಳನ್ನು ಜಿ.ಎಸ್. ಶಿವರುದ್ರಪ್ಪ ಅವರು ಲೋಕಾರ್ಪಣೆ ಮಾಡಿದರು. ಕನ್ನಡ ನಾಡಿನ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ, ಪರಂಪರೆ ಬಿಂಬಿಸುವ ಪುನರಾವಲೋಕನ ಕೃತಿಯನ್ನು ಯು.ಆರ್. ಅನಂತಮೂರ್ತಿ ಬಿಡುಗಡೆಗೊಳಿಸಿದರು. ಸಚಿವರಾದ ಶ್ರೀರಾಮುಲು, ಜನಾರ್ದನ ರೆಡ್ಡಿ, ನಾಡೋಜ ಚನ್ನವೀರ ಕಣವಿ, ಡಾ. ಚಂದ್ರಶೇಖರ ಕಂಬಾರ, ಚಿತ್ರನಟ ಅಂಬರೀಷ್, ಕ್ರಿಕೆಟ್ ಪಟು ಅನಿಲ್ ಕುಂಬ್ಲೆ, ಕ್ಯಾಪ್ಟನ್ ಗೋಪಿನಾಥ್, ಹೊರನಾಡ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗ ಬಿ.ಆರ್, ಶೆಟ್ಟಿ, ಅಕ್ಕ ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕ ಮಂಡಳಿ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಅಮರನಾಥ ಗೌಡ ಮತ್ತು ಯುಕೆ ಕನ್ನಡ ಬಳಗದ ಭಾನುಮತಿ ಮುಂತಾದವರು ಮಾತನಾಡಿ, ತಮ್ಮ ಕನ್ನಡ ಪ್ರೀತಿ ಮೆರೆದರು.

ಸ್ವಾಗತ ಸಮಿತಿಯ ಪರವಾಗಿ ಸಚಿವ ಉಮೇಶ್ ಕತ್ತಿ ಮತ್ತು ಪ್ರಭಾಕರ್ ಕೋರೆ ಮಾತನಾಡಿದರು. ಡಾ.ಐಎಂ ವಿಠ್ಠಲಮೂರ್ತಿ ಸಮ್ಮೇಳನದ ಧ್ಯೇಯೋದ್ದೇಶ ವಿವರಿಸಿದರು. ಅಪರ್ಣಾ ಮತ್ತು ಶಂಕರ ಪ್ರಕಾಶ ಅವರು ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ನಿರೂಪಣೆ ಮಾಡಿದರು.

English summary
Karnataka CM Shri B S Yadiyurappa announced his government would bild a park in Belgaum and name it after Vishva Kannada Sammelana. ‘The unique park at a cost of Rs. 25 crore on the lines of Lalbagh in Bangalore will be developed’ said Shri Yadiyurappa in his presidential speech.

None could escape the charm of the mesmerising World Kannada Sammelana. The visual and cultural extravaganza, which began in the morning continued late into the night. The 50,000 capacity District Ground was too small to accommodate the sea of people, who had come to witness the momentous inaugural occasion in the evening.

Thousands returned disappointed for being unable to witness the historic event. However, some bravehearts found space atop the trees and buildings. How often does one gets to see their favourite poets, cricketer, actors, politicians, businessmen and non-resident Kannadigas on one stage?

The Saxophone and Clarionet jugalbandi by Kadri Gopalanath and Narasimhalu Vadavati performed in the backdrop of the setting sun that provided the perfect ambience for the glitz that followed later.

The people applauded, whistled, danced and sang for three hours. Clearly, Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan stole the show. She arrived behind schedule, but was welcomed with deafening applause by a cheering crowd. The songs, music and dance dramas between the celeb speeches only had an electrifying effect.

Lambeth Mayor Neeraj Patil took Ash by surprise by calling her a queen, while another speaker said: “This is Vishwa Kannada Sammelana (World Kannada meet) and we have a Vishwa Sundari (Miss World) amidst us.” The VIPs left around 9.45 pm, but the crowd sat unmoved, for they still had a lot of treat — songs by B Jayashree, cultural extravaganza by Kannada stars and a post-midnight laser show.