Gulf Retirees Association Karnataka raises returnee issues in high-level meetings
Bengaluru: The Gulf Retirees Association Karnataka, under the leadership of former NRI Shahul Hameed, met with Arathi Krishna, Deputy Chairperson of the Karnataka State NRI Forum, at her office in Vikas Soudha to discuss the challenges faced by Gulf returnees.
The meeting included a detailed interaction with individuals who had spent several years working across Gulf countries and have since returned to Karnataka. Discussions centered on a range of pressing concerns, including financial instability, employment challenges, social reintegration, healthcare access, and educational needs.
The Association highlighted the acute financial difficulties experienced by many returnees, noting that despite decades of overseas employment, a significant number return without adequate financial planning or viable job opportunities. This mismatch between their experience and available employment has led to widespread economic insecurity.
Social isolation and health-related concerns were also raised. The lack of access to affordable healthcare and social support has contributed to the struggles faced by many returnees. In response, the Association has undertaken various initiatives, including awareness programs, health camps, and counselling services to aid in the reintegration process.
The Association urged the Karnataka State NRI Forum to take concrete steps toward policy intervention and support mechanisms tailored to Gulf returnees. A formal memorandum outlining these concerns and proposed solutions was also submitted to L.K. Atheeq, Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, at his office in Bengaluru.
Distinguished Toastmaster Shameer Ahmed, himself a former NRI, conveyed his best wishes to the Forum and assured his continued support for future initiatives aimed at improving the lives of returnees.
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Cong takes swipe at PM over India not being part of US-led 'Pax Silica' grouping
New Delh (PTI) The Congress on Saturday said it is perhaps not very surprising that India is not part of a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure silicon supply chain, given the "sharp downturn" in the Trump-Modi ties, and asserted that it would have been to "our advantage if we had been part of this group".
Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the news of India not being part of the group comes after the PM had enthusiastically posted on social media about a telephone call with his "once-upon-a-time good friend and a recipient of many hugs in Ahmedabad, Houston, and Washington DC".
In a lengthy post on X, Ramesh said, "According to some news reports, the US has excluded India from a nine-nation initiative it has launched to reduce Chinese control on high-tech supply chains. The agreement is called Pax Silica, clearly as a counter to Pax Sinica. The nations included (for the moment at least) are the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia."
"Given the sharp downturn in the Trump-Modi ties since May 10th, 2025, it is perhaps not very surprising that India has not been included. Undoubtedly, it would have been to our advantage if we had been part of this group."
"This news comes a day after the PM had enthusiastically posted on his telephone call with his once-upon-a-time good friend and a recipient of many hugs in Ahmedabad, Houston, and Washington DC," the Congress leader asserted.
The new US-led strategic initiative, rooted in deep cooperation with trusted allies, has been launched to build a secure and innovation-driven silicon supply chain.
According to the US State Department, the initiative called 'Pax Silica' aims to reduce coercive dependencies, protect the materials and capabilities foundational to artificial intelligence (AI), and ensure aligned nations can develop and deploy transformative technologies at scale.
The initiative includes Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia. With the exception of India, all other QUAD countries -- Japan, Australia and the US -- are part of the new initiative.
New Delhi will host the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 on February 19-20, focusing on the principles of 'People, Planet, and Progress'. The summit, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the France AI Action Summit, will be the first-ever global AI summit hosted in the Global South.
Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump on Thursday discussed ways to sustain momentum in the bilateral economic partnership in a phone conversation amid signs of the two sides inching closer to firming up a much-awaited trade deal.
The phone call between the two leaders came on a day Indian and American negotiators concluded two-day talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement that is expected to provide relief to India from the Trump administration's whopping 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods.
In a social media post, Modi had described the conversation as "warm and engaging".
"We reviewed the progress in our bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments. India and the US will continue to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity," Modi had said without making any reference to trade ties.
