Jeddah, Dec 23: The Karnataka NRI Forum Jeddah recently organized its 15th annual general body meeting on December 15. The event, held at The Village Restaurant Banquet Hall in Jeddah, aimed to discuss community welfare and achievements. The gathering included community members, distinguished guests, and featured Raza Ali Khan, country manager of Air India and Air India Express - Western Province, Saudi Arabia, as the guest of honor.

During the meeting, Raza Ali Khan expressed gratitude to the forum for its efforts in promoting the welfare of Kannadigas. He commended their initiatives in fostering unity, preserving culture, and providing support to the NRI community. Khan acknowledged the KNRI Forum Jeddah’s delegation for their proposal to start direct passenger flight services from Jeddah to Mangaluru. He assured that Air India management is considering the request with top priority.

Outgoing president Mohammed Mansoor welcomed the guest of honor and attendees. He thanked everyone for their support during his tenure and presented a memento to Raza Ali Khan as a token of appreciation. The outgoing general secretary, Peter Mascarenhas Udupi, presented the forum's annual report, outlining achievements in cultural events, cricket tournaments, educational programs, and social welfare projects.

The financial report for 2022-2023 was presented by treasurer Habib Rahman Uchila, emphasizing transparency and responsible financial management. The new executive committee for 2023-2024 was formed under the supervision of election officer Dr Ashfaq Maniyar Bijapur.

The newly elected executive committee includes Sabu Chandran as president, Shaikh Saoud Yermal as general secretary, Arifulla Shariff and Habib Rahman Uchila as vice presidents, Mohammed Imran as treasurer, and Mohammed Ismail as joint treasurer. Additional coordinators and committee members were also appointed for the 2023-2024 term.

The annual general body meeting, hosted by Saoud Yermal, concluded with a vote of thanks from Mohammed Imran. Attendees enjoyed a diverse culinary experience and cultural performances.

The office bearers team of 2023-2024 term has the following additional coordinators and executive committee members. Joint secretary R Dorai Swamy from KGF, coordinators – cultural Mohammed Kaleem from Raichur and Rajesh Suvarna from Mangaluru, coordinator – sports Mohammed Fayaz from Udupi, chief coordinator – Mahboob Ali Khan from Bengaluru and assistant chief coordinator Peter Mascarenhas from Udupi, internal auditor – Rafeeq Ahmed Bengaluru, advisors – Mohammed Mansoor Mangaluru and Dr Ashfaq Maniyar Bijapura.

Mukarram Khan Bengaluru, Faize Abdul Razak Shaikh Mangaluru, Mohammed Haneef Sakleshpur, Denis Noronha Udupi, Jerry Gomes Murudeshwar, Suhail Malik Rayachuru, Mohammed Saifuddin Sami Mysore, Mohammed Irshad Sandi Belagavi, Thomas Daniel Hubli, Shakil Ahmed Raichur, Mahantesh Bagalakote, Salim Hubbali from Belagavi, Zeeshan Mansoor Bale-Hannooru, Raza Ali Khan Bengaluru, Waseem Ahmed Tumakuru, Mohammed Sajid Kanakapura, Mohamad Arshad Husain Mangaluru and Qamar Sada Bhatkal.

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New Delhi, May 17 (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday hit out at the government for "informing" Pakistan about targeting terror infrastructure as part of Operation Sindoor, saying it was a crime and asking who had authorised it.

In a post on X, Gandhi questioned External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar for publicly admitting that the government of India (GOI) had informed Pakistan of the action and asked how many aircraft the Indian Air Force lost as a result.

"Informing Pakistan at the start of our attack was a crime. EAM has publicly admitted that GOI did it. Who authorised it? How many aircraft did our air force lose as a result?" said Gandhi, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha.

He also shared an undated video of Jaishankar saying India had informed Pakistan of the action against terror infrastructure on its soil.

Jaishankar can be heard saying in the video, "At the start of the operation, we had sent a message to Pakistan, saying, 'We are striking at terrorist infrastructure and we are not striking at the military.'"

"So the military has the option of standing out and not interfering in this process. They chose not to take that good advice," the minister can be heard saying in the clip.

The Press Information Bureau (PIB), however, has debunked claims that Jaishankar had said India informed Pakistan ahead of Operation Sindoor. In a post on X, the PIB's Fact Check Unit said the minister had not made any such statement and that he was being misquoted.

Operation Sindoor was the Indian offensive against terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.