By PNS News Agency Riyadh, KSA
The non-resident Indians (NRIs) from Bihar could not exercise their franchise in the crucial elections back home recently, but they did not spare any efforts in contributing to the victory of secularism against communal forces. The community members, during the elections, worked in close co-ordination with their relatives in their state to make sure the secular fabric and composite culture remain intact in India. They also took to the social media to pass their message.
Leaders of different NRI organizations in the Kingdom came together to celebrate the landslide win of the the grand secular alliance (Mahagathbandhan), during the weekend in Riyadh. The Bihar International Society for Welfare and Solidarity (BISWAS) and the Bihar Foundation hosted functions separately, which were attended by a cross-section of NRIs in the Saudi capital.
BISWAS hosted a brainstorming session on Saturday, entitled “Formation of new government in Bihar and our future course of action,” which was attended by the representatives of voluntary organizations and community members.
They, however, maintained that the new government would be ultimately judged by its performance in terms of improving the quality of life of the common people including security, implementing policies that reduce the gulf between the haves and have-nots, effective literacy, pro-farmer land reforms, sanitation facilities, free health facilities and improving infrastructure like electricity.
The session was presided over by Mohammed Quaiser, president of Tanzeem Hum Hindustani, while among community representatives who spoke on the occasion were BISWAS president Mukhtar Khan and general secretary Akhtar-ul-Islam Siddiqui, India Islamic culture center convener Murshid Kamal, Bihar Anjuman president Syed Muneer, Jamia Millia Alumni Association President Ghizal Mahdi, Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association general secretary Arshad Khan, Islamic Reserach Foundation (IRF) representative Salim Zubaidi, senior Alig Tariq Masood.
The session was moderated by Ahsan Nadwi. All the speakers expressed happiness maintaining that the people of Bihar once again showed the rest how “political maturity” is exercised especially when voting in such a crucial election with decisive mandate. Bihar Foundation organized an interactive session on Friday night on the victory and government formation wherein Bihar Foundation Chairman Obaidur Rahman, IISR Principal S.M. Shaukat Perwez, DPS-Riyadh Principal Mairaj Khan and Dilnawaz Roomi congratulated the people of Bihar for such a wonderful verdict in favor of the secular culture.
They also maintained that the result sends out a loud message that the filthy politics with the use of metaphors of communal hatred have been rejected by the public at large in the state of Bihar.
Rahman said that he will raise the concerns of the NRIs from Bihar for redressal and exuded hope that the government will do the needful.
He said the foundation, a registered society of the Bihar government which comes under the Department of Industries, will urge the government to work for a direct flight from Riyadh and Jeddah to Bihar.
(Courtesy- Arab News)