NORKA NEWS
Ente Gramam Ente Swapnam
NORKA Department, Government of Kerala have issued orders entrusting ROOTS-NRK Development Initiative to implement the project “My Village My Dream”
This is an intensive project that would ensure the overall development of the State with the assistance and participation of NRKs. NRKs could participate in the scheme either jointly or individually. The project envisages the arduous task of adopting any specific village in Kerala so as to develop the public amenities like the Government Schools, Government hospitals, Roads or public tanks/ponds there.
ROOTS-NRK Development Initiative will identify those amenities that are essential for the selected village. The amount that is needed for the development of the amenities would be provided by NRKs or NRK Associations to ROOTS who in turn would implement the project.
ROOTS-NRK Development Initiative will prepare the detailed project report and detailed action plan for each scheme under this project and submit the same to Government fro approval after identifying the funding individuals / Agency / Association for the same.
ROOTS-NRK Development Initiative will liaise with the concerned Heads of Departments for the smooth implementation of the project an d for the necessary assistance from them.
To assess the progress of the implementation of the project an Assessment Committee will be constituted with Hon’ble Minister (I&PA) as the Chairman.
Rehabilitation schemes for expatriates
According to the Chief Executive Mr. Satish Nambudiripad, ROOTS- NRK Development Initiative, under the department of NORKA is in the process of setting up long-term welfare and rehabilitation programmes for expatriates in the Gulf region, who are coming back home, due to reasons like amnesty and others.
Mr. Nambudiripad made this statement at a welcome ceremony in his honour, held at the Mini Bhavan auditorium of the Indian Overseas Congress in Dubai. Mr. Nambudiripad emphasized that, even though the rehabilitation of all expatriates returning home is not an easy task, the government would definitely try its best to help the situation. The visit to Dubai was part of his tour to the countries in the Gulf region, especially in the wake of the war in Iraq; to coordinate activities pertaining to those returning home on amnesty, and also to introduce the recently launched ‘Pravasi Swasraya’ scheme.
The ‘Pravasi Swasraya’ project is a joint venture of the Kerala Government and the Life Insurance Corporation of India, launched in January 2003. The project has six schemes, which would meet the requirements of expatriates belonging to different employment categories and pension benefits. The project basically caters to three groups viz. expatriates reaching Kerala, residing outside Kerala and those staying abroad.
Non-resident Keralites survey to be conducted
Roots- NRK Development Initiative is to embark on an extensive survey to create a data bank on the NRKs. This is perceived as a rewarding move by Roots to become more efficient, when it comes to the welfare activities of the NRKs who come to around 60-lakh with majority being Gulf Malayalees.
The new initiative will now place the Department of NORKA in a better position to address the issues of non-resident keralites and also to have a good understanding of the malayalee Diaspora, especially during highly unfavourable situations, like the latest gulf war. It is probably the first-ever independent department set up by any state for catering to the needs of its non-resident population. According to the officials of the Roots, the survey will classify the NRKs into three categories viz. those residing outside India, those living in other states of India and the Gulf returnees. The latest exercise by NORKA would assist them to create a comprehensive data bank regarding the NRKs with all necessary details about them.
NORKA Minister to woo more investments from Gulf countries
Unfazed by the belligerent atmosphere in the Gulf region, the Minister for NORKA, Mr. M. M. Hassan, is now on a tour of the Gulf countries with an objective to persuade expatriates to pick up stake in a company formed to promote development of the state. Mr. Hassan is visiting the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman to market ROOTS, a company floated by the Kerala Government last year. He has other plan propagate various schemes designed for the welfare and rehabilitation of NRKs. This includes formulation of Private Limited Companies in Food & Nutrition and allied sectors.
While leading a high level delegation, it will also be an occasion for Mr. Hassan to promote the Pravasi Insurance Scheme, a joint venture of the Kerala Government and the Life Insurance Corporation of India. According to Mr. Hassan the move to sell shares of ROOTS to non-resident Keralites was taken after taking into account the desire of several expatriates to invest in the newly floated company.
One of the key objectives of enlarging the scope of ROOTS is to set up a training institute for the welfare of non-resident keralites and those who return. The job scenario in the Middle East is changing fast and what is required is value addition to the educational and technical qualifications of those already working there and those who have returned, Mr. Hassan added. The high level delegation include Jiji Thomson, Secretary, NORKA, K. Satish Nambudiripad, Chief Executive, ROOTS and M. Aravindakshan, Joint Secretary, NORKA.
Large-scale reconstruction work in Iraq kindles hopes of Malayalees
The war clouds that unleashed its awesome destructive power over Iraq have started clearing out for better days. This ray of hope has ignited the hearts of thousands of job seekers, who have found a new pasture in the reconstruction scenario to follow in Iraq. The ever enterprising Malayalees work force with their expertise in reconstruction activities, stand to gain the maximum. In the backdrop of few US companies, who have started getting in touch with some of the overseas recruitment agencies in India to explore the possibilities of recruiting skilled and semi-skilled workers for the reconstruction activities in Iraq, the Non-Resident Keralite Affairs (NORKA) Department is also gearing up to tap the job opportunities in Iraq. ‘‘We are keeping our eyes open and will grab all opportunities that will emerge. A lot of job opportunities are likely to come up with the reconstruction of Iraq,’’ said NORKA Secretary Mr. Jiji Thomson.
Emirates to increase its service to five
By starting its service on Saturdays and Sundays, Emirates Airlines has increased its flight service in the Kochi-Dubai sector to five in a week. An airbus will be utilized for the purpose with a seating capacity of 234.
Gulf Air to touch Kochi in June
As a result of the agreement reached between the civil aviation authorities in India and the officials of the Gulf Air in New Delhi, Kochi would soon be added to the aviation map of Gulf Air. It is the premier airline operating as the national carrier for Bahrain, Oman and U.A.E. from the Middle East. Gulf Air would start its flight service from Kochi in the first week of June. In the beginning, Gulf Air will operate 4 flights a week in the Abudhabi-Kochi-Abudhabi sector and is the seventh foreign airline to start its flight service to Kochi.
Asianet now available in North America
The first private sector television channel in Kerala, Asianet Satellite Communications has commenced its telecast in North America and Canada. The telecast, which started in the first week of April, makes Asianet the first Malayalam television channel to cover the entire continent of North America. Asianet is already available throughout Europe since November last year. For more information, mail to Rajeev@estart.com- COURTESY NORKA NEWSLETTER
