-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Wishing all Goanetters | | a Prosperous | | and | | Happy New Year - 2006 | | Goanet - http://www.goanet.org | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://news.webindia123.com/news/showdetails.asp?id=214388&cat=India Gulf NRIs vent their ire at diaspora meet Hyderabad | January 09, 2006 5:15:06 PM IST
The problems faced by NRIs in the Gulf found an echo at the fourth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here Monday with some delegates bitterly criticising the Indian government for neglecting them. The speech of R.K. Singh, protector general of emigrants, ministry of overseas Indian affairs, at the session on "Indians in Gulf" was marred by repeated interruptions from delegates. Singh found himself in a tight spot as delegates from all sides attacked the government for only making promises and doing nothing concrete to address the problems of millions of workers, who are living "a life of hell". The problems ranged from the irregularities committed by recruiting agencies in sending blue collar workers on visit visas instead of job visas, thus landing them in deep trouble; exploitation of women workers, especially maid servants; lack of proper medical insurance; to absence of government help in repatriating dead bodies. So angry were the delegates that they forced keynote speaker Binod Khadria of Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, to cut short his speech. "We are not here to hear lectures and discussions. We've had enough of this. We want solution to the problems of Gulf NRIs," said a delegate. Others endorsed his view. The session, chaired by M.M. Hassan, chairman of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs, suggested that the problems of Indian workers be taken up at the highest political level. It demanded that the prime minister or president of India visit the Gulf countries. Several delegates raised the issue of unclaimed bodies in hospitals. They said many bodies were being buried as their relatives could not afford the heavy expenses or complete the lengthy formalities to bring them back. Soman Baby, associate editor, Gulf Daily News, Bahrain, said he had to issue appeals in local newspapers for donations from the local community for sending the bodies back and for treatment of poor workers. "It is a shame for a country of a billion people," he said and wanted to know what the Indian missions were doing in this regard. Krishnamurthy Kumar, convenor of the Indian Community Welfare Centre, Dubai, said despite Indian Airlines doing the noble service of transferring bodies free of cost, it still costs 3,000 Dirham (about Rs.30,000) for embalming the bodies and other expenses. The speakers, including Andhra Pradesh's minister for information and public relations, Mohammed Ali Shabbir, said the workers were either committing suicide or suffering heart attacks due to physical and mental trauma. Saeeduddin from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, raised the issue of the cremation of the bodies of Hindus in the kingdom, which is not allowed, and said the government should take up this issue. (IANS) -- Cheers, Gabe Menezes. London, England -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | | | | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --------------------------------------------------------------------------
