Saudi-based NRI Zakariya Jokatte chosen for Karnataka Rajyotsava Award
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Mangaluru: The Karnataka government’s Department of Kannada and Culture has announced the 2025–26 Karnataka Rajyotsava Awards, honouring Zakariya Jokatte, founder of Al Muzain Company in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, and chairman of M Friends Charitable Trust in Mangaluru, under the “Non-Resident Kannadiga (NRI)” category.
Born on May 10, 1958, in Thokur, Jokatte, Zakariya is the eldest of five children of Haji B. Shekhoonji and Katheejamma. His journey from humble beginnings to becoming a successful global entrepreneur is marked by sheer hard work and perseverance. Having discontinued his formal education early, he began his career doing small-scale jobs, selling jaggery, welding, and working as a daily-wage labourer. During his early years abroad, he even carried cement up to the 28th floor of a building as part of construction work.
After years of tireless effort, Zakariya established Al Muzain Manpower Company in 2008 at Jubail, along with his eldest son Zaheer and three employees. The company gradually expanded to employ over 8,000 workers, with a target of creating 10,000 jobs by 2027.
Following the success of Al Muzain, Zakariya went on to set up several other enterprises, expanding his business footprint across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, London, and India. He also entered the education sector by founding an international school in Al Khobar in collaboration with Yenepoya Institutions. Plans are underway to establish a hospital and medical college as part of his future vision. He is also working on AI innovation projects and development initiatives for the coastal region.
Currently residing in Bolar, Mangaluru, Zakariya lives with his wife Hazra Zakariya. Their three sons Zaheer, Nazir, and Zahid, are involved in various business ventures abroad.
As chairman of M Friends Charitable Trust, Hidaya Foundation, and Zara Family Charity Trust, Zakariya has been at the forefront of social service. He serves as a director, advisor, and sponsor for several organisations across Karnataka, contributing extensively to the welfare of the poor and underprivileged. His philanthropic work and business excellence have earned him numerous awards and recognitions at national and international levels.
Reacting to the award, Zakariya said he had never applied for the recognition, and it came as a pleasant surprise.
“I never sought awards while doing social work. I didn’t even know about the nomination some of my friends worked behind the scenes to make this happen. I grew up in poverty, so I understand the pain of the needy and always try to help them. When the award was announced, I was in Saudi Arabia, preparing to travel to Jaipur for a friend’s wedding on November 1. The news left me overwhelmed. This honour has not only brought joy but also reminded me of my greater social responsibility. I sincerely thank the state government for this recognition,” he said.
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Ex-PM Devegowda warns opposition of electoral losses if they continue to allege 'vote chori'
New Delhi (PTI): Former Prime Minister H D Devegowda on Monday said the Opposition parties would "suffer" if they continue to raise allegations of "vote chori" and create suspicion in the minds of voters by blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.
Participating in a discussion on election reforms in the Rajya Sabha, he criticised the Opposition for making a mockery about the Prime Minister "in the streets and on the public platform".
"This (India) is a very big country. A large country. Congress may be in three states. Remember my friends please, by using the words 'vote chori' you are going to suffer in the coming days. You are not going to win the battle," Devegowda said, referring to the Opposition members.
He asked what the Opposition is going to earn by "blaming Narendra Modi's leadership and creating a suspicion in the mind of the voters" through the claims of "vote chori".
"What has happened to their minds? Let them rectify," Devegowda said.
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The former prime minister said that during his over seven decades of public life, he has never raised such issues of vote theft despite facing defeat in elections.
He also cited a letter written by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru regarding inclusion of "18,000 votes" (voters) in Kerala.
"Why I am telling this (because) during the Nehru period also, there were certain lapses in the electoral system," said Devegowda, who was the prime minister between June 1, 1996 and April 21, 1997.
He said that the Congress party faced defeat in the recent Bihar elections despite raising the issues of mistakes in the electoral rolls.
"What happened after that even after so much review (of voters list). Think (for) yourself! You got six MLAs," the senior Janata Dal (Secular) leader said.
Devegowda questioned the Opposition as to why they want to make allegations against the prime minister on the issue of the voters list?
"Election Commission is there. Supreme Court is there. The Election Commission has given direction to all the state units to rectify all these things," he said.
Devegowda said people of the country have full confidence in Narendra Modi's government and it will come back to power after the next Lok Sabha elections as well.
K R Suresh Reddy, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party's Rajya Sabha member from Telangana, said that electoral reforms are the backbone for a healthy democracy.
He said a large and diverse nation like Indi needs clean electoral rolls.
Asserting that strict re-verification should not become a mechanism for exclusion, Reddy said no eligible voter should lose their right to vote simply because accessing paperwork is difficult.
He said while the concern definitely is on the voters' exclusion, "we should also be equally concerned about the percentage of voting."
"What is happening in voting today? Once the election ends, the drama begins. The biggest challenge that the Indian democracy has been facing in spite of two major Constitutional amendments has been the anti-defection. Anti-defection is the name of the game today, especially in smaller states, especially where the legislatures are small in number," Reddy said.
The senior BRS leader suggested creation of a parliamentary committee "which would constantly look into the defection" and "ways and means to cutting that".
AIADMK's M Thambidurai raised the issues related to election campaigning.
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"Election campaigns are one of the important election processes. In that, political parties must be given the proper chance to campaign," he said and cited problems faced by his party in Tamil Nadu in this regard.
Thambidurai said political parties were facing hardships in Tamil Nadu to conduct public meetings and to express their views to the public.
YSRCP's Yerram Venkata Subba Reddy stressed on bringing electoral reforms at both the state and national levels.
He also suggested replacing Electronic Voting Machines with paper ballots in all future elections.
"EVM may be efficient but can't be trusted. Paper ballot may not be efficient but can be trusted. You need trust in democracy," Reddy added.
