Memorandum presented to President of India

A memorandum, explaining the demands and problems faced by Non- Resident Kerlites and Gulf Returnees, was presented to President of India H.E. Smt. Prathibha Devisingh Patel by Sri. S. Ahamed Chairman, Kerala State NRI’s and Gulf Returnees Co- Ordination Council and Sri. Kaddakkal Ramesh, Vice Chairman of the Council in the presence of Sri. Christy Fernandez, Secretary to President of India.

Her Excellency listened to the grievances patiently and promised to take appropriate action to help NRKs and Gulf Returnees in a positive approach. Lakhs of Kerlites are working in different parts of the world since last several decades, which has helped our state to improve the quality of life of people in Gods Own Country. The standard of living of majority of Keralites are equal to that of European Countries. Improved health conditions, high quality education, good roads and houses, posh hotels owned by NRIs and more job opportunities in the I.T. sector are some of the achievements Kerala gained in the recent part.

When there was poverty and unemployment in the state, opportunities in the Gulf Countries came as a heaven for the youth of Kerala. Foreign currency remittances by the hard working and sincere youth of Kerala working abroad made a facelift to the state. But our Government has not extended full support to the NRIs to make their life more comfortable abroad and in India. Delay in getting new passports, very high airfare to the Gulf sector, shortage of Malayalam speaking staff in the Indian consulates abroad are some of the problems faced by Non- Resident Keralites. Dual citizenship has been a very long pending demand of the NRIs which has been logically accepted by the Central Government. It is a good news for the Indians abroad that their right for vote in elections has been implemented in the recently held elections in India

All Kerala Gulf Returnees Organization (AKGRO) which was formed in 1988 by its founder President Sri. S. Ahamed is the first of its kind in Kerala, which has influenced the Central and State Governments to form Non Resident Indian Affairs Departments. During the last several years, thousands of Keralites have returned to our state due to loss of job or bad health. The financial situations of these Gulf Returnees are very bad and good majority of them are struggling to make both ends meet.

AKGRO has presented several memoranda to Central and State ministers explaining the urgent steps to be taken by the Governments to help the poor Gulf Returnees. Rehabilitation of Gulf returnees is an important matter which requires immediate attention and priority from the Government. Pension has to be provided to all those Gulf Returnees who have completed the age of 55. Interest free loan should be provided to women Gulf Returnees to start home based small industries. Financial assistance for medical treatment, education and marriage of poor Gulf Returnees also will be very helpful. Separate job reservation should be kept for Gulf Returnees in the Government and Private Sector.

High priority should be given to the security of family members of Gulf employees, who stay back in our State. Government and police officials should give special consideration for this aspect, as the law and order situation is deteriorating in the State. Government should take initiative to give training to those people who wish to go abroad, about the laws prevailing in those countries. NORKA can play an important role in this aspect. Office bearers of different Pravasi Organizations should be included in NORKA and other Committees constituted by the Central and State Governments, so that actual problems can be seriously discussed in those committees and solutions acceptable to all can be found out. We hope the NRI departments at the Centre and State will consider

the grievances and proper steps soon.

Kadakkal Ramesh 0091 9387801535. email:kadakkalramesh@gmail.com

S.Ahmed 0091 9847131456