The Hindu Business Line : NRK meet in Thiruvananthapuram from Aug 5

FROM August 5 to 8 this year, the city will play host to a series of gatherings of non-resident Keralites. The events are being organised by the State Government's Non-Resident Keralites' Affairs Department (Norka).

Announcing this at a press conference in the city today, Mr M.M. Hassan, Chairman, Norka-Roots, and Chairman of the events' organising committee, said three separate meets of non-resident Keralites will be held in Thiruvananthapuram to discuss the problems of people from Kerala who are living outside the State.

The first of these events, `Samavayam' will be a gathering of Keralites who live outside India and will be held on August 5 and August 6. The second event, `Samanwayam', to be held on August 7, will be a gathering of Keralites who live and work in other parts of India.

The third event, `Samagamam', to be held on August 8 will be a meeting of Keralites who have returned to Kerala after working abroad. An exhibition on investment opportunities in Kerala and cultural programmes will also be held as part of the events.

Besides discussing the various problems of non-resident Keralites (NRKs), the meetings will also evaluate the action taken on the various suggestions made earlier by similar gatherings of NRKs.

Among those scheduled to speak at the events are the Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy; the Minister of State for Overseas Indians Affairs, Mr Jagdish Tytler; and the Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr E. Ahmed.

In response to a query, Mr Hassan said Norka was finalising its strategy on the issue of multi-purpose `privilege cards' to NRKs. Applications for the issue of the cards will, in fact, be accepted during the NRK meet being held in Thiruvananthapuram next month.

Possession of the `privilege card' will entitle NRKs to priority service in various Government departments, he explained. Also on the cards is a directory of NRK organisations, he added.

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