Kuwait: The Indian Social Forum (ISF), a new platform for the Indian community in Kuwait was formed on 13th March 2015 at the Integrated Indian School Abbasiya in the auspicious presence of Mr. A. Saed, national president of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and other national and state leaders of SDPI. The historical event was witnessed by thousands of people.
Mr. Abdusalam, Central president of ISF introduced the forum and its activities. He said that the objective of forming a new organization is to have a common platform for all the Indians regardless of language, region, religion or profession. “We are optimistic that this will enhance all-round development of the Indian community in Kuwait”, he added. “In fact the overwhelming response of the Indians in Kuwait from different states of India and different walks of life made this dream a reality”, he said.
He further said that, the forum’s prime focus shall be welfare of the weaker sections among the expatriates by taking active part in identifying their problems and helping them to resolve the same through all possible ways including legal and government channels.
The following names were announced by Mr. A. Saed as the central state committee office bearers. Central committee office bearers: Abdusalam (Kerala), president, Alavudin (Bihar), vice president, Amjat Ali (Tamilnadu), General Secretary, Thayif Ahmed (Kerala) Secretary and Sameer (Karnataka), Secretary.
North Zone: ShajahanTirupati (Andhra Pradesh), President and Amanulla Kurnool, (Andhra Pradesh) General Secretary. Karnataka: Refeek Manchi, President and Imtiyaz Ahmed, General Secretary. Tamilnadu: Shakeel Ahmed, president and Sikandar Pasha, General Secretary. Kerala: Mohamed Mustafa, President and Shanavas, General Secretary.
Addressing the huge audience after launching the new Forum, A. Saeed, National President of SDPI said that the NRIs have a larger and decisive role to play in shaping the future of India.
He expressed serious concern over BJP’s Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre veering away from the hyped development agenda on which it was propelled to power in the elections. Condemning the Land Acquisition bill 2015, he said it is anti-farmer and it appears that Corporate India has drafted it for the government. “The proposed Bill will authorize government arbitrarily to acquire lands from farmers under the pretext of development”, he said.
He criticized the plan of the BJP lead Central government to impose ban on beef all over India. Expressing his shock over the assent given by President of India to the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Bill, which had been pending for last 20 years, extending a ban on the killing of cows, considered sacred by Hindus, to bulls and bullocks; He said that beef ban is not a religious issue but a broader social and economic one linked to the liberalism that is the bedrock of Indian Constitution. It infringes on the fundamental rights of citizens to choose their own food, he added.
SDPI National Working Committee member Illyas Mohamed Thumbay, National secretariat member MK Faizi, Mr. Moahmed Shafi , SDPI Tamilnadu state general secretary Mr. Abdul Hameed, , Mr. Saifudeen Nalakath, President, Kuwait India Fraternity Forum, Mr. Alavudeen Vice President, ISF central Committee, spoke on the occasion. A poem by Mr. Peethan K Vayanad, a well-known Poet in the region was recited.
In addition to central and state committee office bearers of ISF, Shihabudeen TS, Secretary, KIFF, Mr. Abdullah Ibrahim Khokar, President, Adara Ithihadul Bopara were on the dais.
ISF General Secretary Amjat Ali welcomed the gathering and the Event Coordinator and ISF secretary Thayif Ahmed concluded the program with vote of thanks. Sameer Amanhosted the program.
