By IANS
Thiruvananthapuram : Lack of unity among numerous Kerala organizations working in Dubai is being said to be the main reason why the Kerala diaspora is unable to get many of its demands met by the state government.
“There is no unity because of reasons beyond our control. If there is unity, then we can certainly be a force and in certain pockets we can decide who and which party candidate should win the assembly elections here,” said Kareem Venkitangue, an office bearer of the United Malayalee Association (UMA) in Dubai told reporters here Monday.
The UMA is a coordination body of eight prominent socio-cultural associations that have been working in Dubai for the past three decades.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is today home to nearly a million Keralites, most of whom work in Dubai.
Representatives of these organisations are now here for the Jan 2-3 meeting of non-resident Keralites being organized by the Kerala government at Kochi.
“We do come regularly to present our problems to the government here. It is only through regularly raising our issues like high air fares, smoother emigration process, setting up of Kerala Airlines and also increased reservation for our children in professional educational institutions that the state government would consider our demands favourably,” added Kareem.