YEAR

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

1989

* GOPIO organization was formed at the first convention of PIOs. Passes 23 resolutions including PIO Card and Dual Citizenship for NRIs/PIOs from Govt. of India and Concerns of rights violations in different countries. U.S. Postal Service releases two First Day Covers to honor the First Convention at a special Post Office set up at the Convention Venue.

1990

* Filed human rights violations petition to the U.N. on behalf of PIOs in Fiji in 1990.

1992

* Filed human rights violations petition to the U.N. on behalf of PIOs in Sri Lanka.

1993

* Second Global Convention in New Delhi. GOPIO adopts its constitution and conducts the first election.

1994

* GOPIO proposed PIO card to Govt. of India.

1995

* Special meetings with various heads of states with large Indian population.

* Release of the book in New York, “Indian Diaspora, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,”

1996

* Trinidad Investment Meeting with P.M. Basdeo Pandey, New York

1997

* Freedom 50 Conferences to celebrate India’s 50^th, New York, June, July and August.

* Conference “Changing Role of Indian Women Worldwide,” Mumbai, November.

1998

* Conference on Senior Citizens of Indian Origin, New York, in September that resulted in the formation of National Indian American Association for Senior Citizens, Inc.

1999

* GOPIO’s 10^th Anniversary Celebrations & GOPIO Convention ‘99, New York, September.

2000

* Inauguration of GOPIO Business Council, New York, April; * Conference on Social Services for the community, formed of South Asian Council for Social Services in New York; * GOPIO Convention 2000, Zurich, Switzerland. Campaigned on Fiji Crisis, met the U.N. Human Rights Commission.

2001

* GOPIO accredited by the U.N. as an NGO to participate in the World Conference Against Racism.

* GOPIO’s Solidarity Rally against terrorism. Funds raised to benefit American Red Cross.

     2002

*  GOPIO’s tribute to Dilip Singh Saund, first U.S. congressman of Indian origin, January 2002

* Third European Regional Conference, Leiden, The Netherlands, June 2002

* Hosts Third Global Indian Entrepreneurs Conference and Indian and NRI/PIO Economic summit, September 12-14, 2003

     2003

*  GOPIO Conference, “Perspectives and Issues of PIO Communities,” New Delhi, January 8, 2003

* Gaddar Movement Celebrations, May 2003, Santa Clara, CA, USA; * GOPIO – Belgium Conference – Dec. 4, 2003

     2004

·          GOPIO Convention 2004, New Delhi, January 7-8, 2004, Conf. on Human Rights Experience, New York March 20, 2004

·          GOPIO Belgium Conference on India-EU Trade/Investment, Europe-India Chamber of Commerce (EICC) formed.

     2005

·          GOPIO Convention 2005, Mumbai, January 5-6, GOPIO/EICC Conf. on India EU Strategic Plan, Euro Parliament, Nov. 9^th

     2006

·          GOPIO Convention 2006, Hyderabad, January 5-6, 2006

·          GOPIO demonstration in front of the UN against Govt. of Trinidad & Tobago for not following rule of law, September

·          GOPIO/EICC Conference on EU-India Partnership at the European Parliament, November 8-9, 2006

·          GOPIO campaign to pass US-India Nuclear Energy Cooperation Bill in the US Congress.

     2007

·          GOPIO Convention 2007, Elects New Officers, New Delhi, January 5-6, 2007

     2008

·          GOPIO Convention 2008, Organizes Summit on Education for the Indian Masses, New Delhi, January 6-7, 2008

     2009

·          GOPIO Convention 2009, Chennai, Jan. 2009 and GOPIO 20^th Anniversary Celebration, New York, August 2009

     2010

·          GOPIO Convention 2010, New Delhi, Jan. 2010 and Successful Campaign on Indian Passport Surrender Rules

·          First Women of Indian Origin Conf., London and GOPIO Annual Conf., London, October 25-27, 2010

·          First GOPIO Health Summit on Health and Wellness of Indian Diaspora, New York, Nov. 12-14, 2010

     2011

·          GOPIO Convention 2011, New Delhi, Jan. 2011 and GOPIO Caribbean Regional Convention, May 2011

·          GOPIO Biennial Convention, Edison, New Jersey, USA. Elects a new team as officers.