A group in Kerala has chalked out a detailed plan for rehabilitating returning migrants from Saudi Arabia, even as India's Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed met yesterday with Saudi Ambassador to India Dr. Saud Mohammed A. Al-Sati in New Delhi to discuss the problems facing Indians in general that are emanating from the Nitaqat system recently introduced in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Indian expatriates from Kerala have a huge presence in the Kingdom. Ma’din Academy, a charity and educational entity, which is also working for the welfare of non-resident Indians (NRIs), announced the rehabilitation plan that includes training programs, counseling sessions, career guidance, soft skill development programs, family orientation camps and help desk.
Minister Ahamed yesterday discussed several issues including implementation of the Nitaqat system.
A special center, ‘Ma’din Lifelong Learning Centre,’ has been established to implement these projects. Ma’din educational centers in India and Ma’din committees in the Gulf countries will be part of the rehabilitation initiative.
"Most of the religious, political and cultural organizations and educational centers in Kerala work with the generous contributions from NRIs. This is the time for payback," Sayyid Ibrahimul Khalilul Bukhari, chairman of the Ma’din, told reporters recently.
Experts will lead special counseling sessions for the returnees and their families to overcome the psychological and emotional problems. Special training will be held to guide them about the opportunities in India and other countries.
Facilities at Ma’din polytechnic college, Industrial Training Institute, Arts and Science College, schools and language resource centers will conduct the professional training camps. Crash courses have been planned in fields like mechatronics, civil, mechanical, electrical and information technology.
Anticipating an exodus of unskilled workforce migrated through improper channels, Ma’din Academy has already conducted three trainers’ training sessions to undertake this programs.
"We can wait for the government actions and reliefs but it takes time to implement projects. So, Ma’din takes this as our duty toward the NRI community. All our 28 educational centers and resources have come forward support this move,” Bukhari said.
Ma’din also joins hands with Hamburg-based UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning and various government departments to conduct training sessions and to plan longterm rehabilitation projects.
Ma’din will guide Pravasee returnees to complete their discontinued studies.
A special committee headed by Bukhari has been constituted to supervize the execution of these projects. NRIs and their family members can register with special help desk on 0091 9048140233.
Plans afoot to rehabilitate Gulf returnees
