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GOPIO NEWS
January 1, 2012
A Publication of the Global
Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO)
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Issue: XI-1 |
January 1, 2012 |
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Join Our List |
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HAPPY NEW YEAR
NOTE:
GOPIO is a community
supported non-profit organization taking up issues of the Indian Diaspora and
attempting to unifying the community in its common causes. Support GOPIO by
becoming a Life Member or chapter member. Once can become Life Member online by
visiting http://www.gopio.net/online_membership.html.
GOPIO News is a FREE bi-monthly
newsletter of GOPIO International, based in the USA. We need your help in
reaching out more NRIs/PIOs around the world. Please go to the bottom of the
news bulletin and click the FORWARD button and type e-mail addresses of
your friends and relatives. One could also subscribe this newsletter by visiting www.gopio.net and type in the e-mail
address. All preivous issues of GOPIO News are provided at GOPIO News Archives.
If you do not wish to receive this newsletter in future, please click
SafeUnsubscribe at the end of this newsletter.
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GOPIO TO HOST NRI/PIO
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES CONFERENCE SESSION AT ITS JAIPUR MEETING IN CONJUNCTION
WITH PBD ON JAN. 6TH
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GOPIO International has scheduled its Annual Conference and Community Service
Awards (CSA) Banquet on January 6, 2012 in Jaipur, India along with GOPIO's
General Council Meetings on January 6, 2012 preceding Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
(PBD2012) events of January 7 - 9, 2010. Rajasthan Governor H.E. Shivraj Patil
and Chief Minister Hon. Ashok Gehlot will speak at at the banquet to be held at
the Marriott Jaipur on Jan. 6th evening
Photo above: Rajasthan
Governer H.E. Shivraj Patil and Chief Minsiter Hon. Ashok Gehlot
Program outline as follows:
Date - Friday, January 6, 2012
11:00am GOPIO Executive Meeting
12:30pm Lunch
1:30pm Regional & Country Reports
4:00pm Conference Session on NRI/PIO Investment Opportunities and Networking
with Indian Businesses
7:00pm Cocktails and Networking Reception
8:00pm GOPIO CSA Banquet
Detailed Program
11:00am GOPIO Executive
Meeting (Not open to the public)
Venue: Sapphire 1 Conference Hall, Marriott Jaipur Hotel
12:30pm Lunch
Venue: Hallway, Outside Sapphire 1 Conference Hall, Marriott Jaipur Hotel
1:30pm Regional & Country
Reports (Open to the public) Venue: Sapphire 1 Conference Hall, Marriott
Jaipur Hotel
Markandey Rai - Kenya
Dr. Anand Singh - South Africa
Ved Prakash Goojha - France
Ena Maraj - Trinidad & Tobago
Radha Krishnan - Indian Organizations in the USA
Dr Piyush Agrawal - North America
Dr. Mohan Gautam - Netherlands
Suman Kapoor - New Zealand
Jean Ramsamy - Reunion Island
Dr. Sai Giridhar - Middle East
Umesh Chandra - Australia
Dr. C. Thomas - Muscat
Prem Lashkery - Nepal
Datuk A. Vaithilingam - Malaysia
Prabhu Ganesan MP - Sri Lanka
Dr Winston Tolan - Jamaica
Sunny Kulathakal - GOPIO Council Reports
Dr. Piyush Agrawal - GOPIO Chapter Developments
GOPIO-Jaipur - Gopal Mehta/Viswas Jain
GOPIO-Bangalore - Elizabeth Kulathakal
GOPIO Tel-Aviv and GOPIO-Ahmadabad - Dr. Thomas Abraham
4:00PM Session : NRI/PIO
Investment Opportunities
Venue : Marriott Hotel Jaipur
Detailed Program
Welcome -
Convener Munish Gupta
Introductions - GOPIO President Ashook Ramsaran
Remarks - GOPIO Chairman Inder Singh
Inaugural Chief Guest - Shri. Rajendra Pareek, Minister of
Industries, NRI, Economics & Statistics Rajasthan Govt., Jaipur
Minister Rajendra Pareek
Speakers
Mr. Yadvendra Mathur, IAS - Rajasthan Financial Corporation
Theme: The changing/ new India with rapid liberalization, economic reforms,
legal system and good economy luring NRI/ PIO / Foreign Investors
Mr. Nirankar Saxena, FICCI Director, Center for Technology
Theme: India Commercializing Innovation and Technology Overseas, and
Opportunities for Overseas Indians to participate
Ms. Sujata Sudarshan, CEO, Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC-CII/MIOA
Initiative)
Theme: Facilitating NRI / PIO Investment Opportunities, an MOIA initiative
Shyamsundar Kadur, India-Trinidad &Tobago Chamber of Industry & Commerce
(Managing Director of SS International Ltd.)
Theme: NRI Opportunities in Trinidad & Tobago and the Caribbean Region
Hon Prabha Ganeshan, Member of Parliament, Sri Lanka
Theme: Investment Opportunities in the New Sri Lanka
Dr. Muhammed Majeed, President, Sabinsa Corp. (New Jersey, USA) and Sami Labs
(Bangalore, India)
Theme: Experience as NRI investor in India
Presentations
Kotak Mahindra Bank, Mumbai, India
IL&FS Trust Company Ltd, Mumbai, India
Interactive Session - Moderator
Closing Remarks and Note of Thanks - Mr. Viswas Jain, Co-Coordinator,
GOPIO-Jaipur
7:00pm GOPIO International
Annual Banquet & Community Service Awards 2012
Venue : Ruby Grand Ballroom, Marriott Hotel Jaipur
By Invitation or advance registration (Pay at door Rs. 1,500 after reservation;
Pre-register online at GOPIO Website, www.gopio.net- USD$ 30)
7:00pm - 8:00pm Cocktails - Networking.
8:00pm Award Ceremony
Program
Welcome - Program Convener Munish Gupta
Greetings - K. N. Gupta, Outgoing President GOPIO India & Director, Government
Liaison, GOPIO International
Greetings - Gopal Mehta, GOPIO Jaipur Coordinator
Introduction of GOPIO Officials: Chairman, President, Vice Presidents,
International Coordinators and Council Chairs
Remarks by GOPIO Officials - Inder Singh, Chairman and Ashook Ramsaran,
President
Remarks - H.E. Shri Shivraj Patil, Governor of Rajasthan
Remarks - Hon. Shri Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister of Rajasthan
Remarks - Hon. Shri Rajendra Pareek, Rajasthan Minister - Industries, NRIs
Presentation GOPIO Community Service & Special Awards
Recognition of Sponsors - Kotak Mahindra Bank, L&FS Trust Company Pvt. Ltd,
Marriott Jaipur Hotel and PIO TV
Closing - Sunny Kulathakal, Executive Vice
President, GOPIO International
Note of Thanks - Dr. Piyush Agrawal, Senior Vice
President, GOPIO International
GOPIO Community Service
Awardees
Faisal Kottikollon (Bahrain)
Raghunath Manet (France)
Prof. Ved Prakash Nanda (USA)
Dr. Rami Ranger, MBE (UK)
Dr. Ajeet Singhvi (USA)
Datuk A. Vaithilingam (Malaysia)
Hendry H Wickramasinghe (Sri Lanka)
GOPIO Special Award
Hon. K. Mohandas, Secretary Shipping and Transport and former Secretary,
Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs
Program Emcee
Dr Thomas Abraham, Immediate Past Chairman, Executive Trustee of GOPIO Intl.
Foundation
CONFERENCE AND BANQUET
SPONSORS
"Kotak Mahindra Bank is
happy to be associated with GOPIO and looks forward to its presence at the GOPIO
Annual Conference & Community Service Awards 2012. Kotak Mahindra Bank is in the
forefront on the engagement with NRIs and PIOs across the globe to offer
investments and wealth management services to NRIs and PIOs. Kotak can be a
perfect financial partner for GOPIO and its member and can support GOPIO on
joint initiatives. Kotak Mahindra Bank has a comprehensive suite of best in
class investment products and services for NRIs across the globe which includes
deposits, remittance, mutual funds, life insurance, loan and other banking and
investment products and services."
 IL&FS Trust Company Ltd.,
India (ITCL) is among the
largest integrated trust companies, offers Trusteeship, Fiduciary & para-Legal
services to infrastructure & financial services industry - government & individuals, and
administers over USD 48 billion worth in assets under a gamut of Corporate and
Family Trusteeship services. ITCL understands the PIOs/NRIs connection with
India, and the long pain-staking efforts in building businesses, homes (family
and otherwise), real estate investments and charitable interests.
1. ITCL
'Family Office' Solutions provide a combination of legal structures aimed at protecting
family assets from personal and legal risks, ensuring
seamless transfer of assets to legal heirs/ chosen individuals/ charities
without encountering any legal hurdles/ complexities/ disputes, preservation of Business and Family
records, Art & Artefacts,Consolidated Reporting and Monitoring of Investments,
integrated back office support including accounting, legal and tax, compliance
and secretarial services, and, Real estate
administration and Property Management.
2. ITCL Offers Corporate Trusteeship and
Administration for Conventional and
Capital Market Debt Issuances (Term Loans/ Debentures/Bonds/Commercial
Paper), Private Equity and Venture Capital Funds, Employee Stock Options /
Employee Welfare Trusts, Collective Investment Schemes, and, Securitization
Trusts. Contact:familyoffice.itcl@ilfsindia.com
 Marriott Hotel Jaipur is proud to be the host hotel
and hospitality partner of GOPIO International for the 2012 Annual Conference &
Community Service Awards on January 6, 2012, at Jaipur. Marriott Jaipur is a
new, modern, convenient and comfortable hotel. GOPIO International members are
encouraged to avail of the special rates - Rs. 6,600 plus tax for double
occupancy including breakfast. Marriott Jaipur is strategically located
close to the heart of the city as well as the airport. It offers perfect
accommodation for leisure as well as business travelers with 300 spacious rooms
including 15 suites and 1 Presidential suite, catering to the MICE and leisure
traveler. Marriott Jaipur hotel is a perfect destination where work and pleasure
blend seamlessly into each other. Marriott Hotel Jaipur ( www.jaipurmarriott.com) has
a special offer for GOPIO
International Members. Visit http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/jaimc?groupCode=PIOPIOA&app=resvlink&fromDate=1/3/12&toDate=1/11/12.
Jaipur Marriott Hotel, Near Jawahar Circle, Ashram Marg, Jaipur - 302015,
Rajasthan. Tel: +91 141 4567777 Fax: +91 141 4567887
 PIO TV ( www.pioTV.com)
is a unique digital multi-media and
new media platform connecting the Diaspora amongst itself, and with India. PIO
TV covers India and the Diaspora world daily from an overseas Indian
perspective. PIO TV is proud to partner with GOPIO International each year to
provide a comprehensive coverage of the Annual Conference & Community Service
Awards of GOPIO International in conjunction with Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. Watch
2012 GOPIO International conference and PBD 2012 in Jaipur, India, on Jan. 15 PIO TV (www.pioTV.com). PIO
TV has over 4 million minutes of archived videos spanning coverage from around
the globe. Share Diaspora Stories with PIO TV, contact@pioTV.com. PIO
TV to be launched January 15, 2012 in Canada!
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GOPIO TO HONOR SEVEN FOR
COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SENIOR INDIAN BUREAUCRAT WITH SPECIAL AWARD AT THE JAIPUR
BANQUET |
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GOPIO has selected seven to receive community service awards at the annual
banquet to be held on Jan. 6th. The senior most Indian Administrative officer,
Shnipping Secretary and former MOIA Secretary K. Mohandas will be recognbized
for his services to the Indian Diaspora community. This year's award recipients
are as follows:
Faisal Kottikollon
(Bahrain) - Entrepreneur/industrialist. Founder
President/CEO of Emirates Techno Casting synergy comprising of several
successful companies. A visionary industrialist and philanthropist, a man widely
respected for his business acumen and compassion for the underprivileged. As the
founder-chairman of the UAE-based KEF Holdings, he has scripted a phenomenal
success story that continues to inspire many entrepreneurs. Many years of
service in practicing corporate social responsibility as well as setting up the
Shabana & Faizal Foundation charity organization directing funds and support for
the betterment of deprived people.
Raghunath Manet (France) - Prominent exemplary classic Indian
dancer and teacher with exemplary contribution to social and humanitarian
activities that include active collaboration with UNESCO for promotion of art
and Indian culture worldwide. Pro bono community volunteer service as teacher of
vocal, instrumental, Ayurveda, yoga and classic dance at his own institution.
Offering basic education, training facilities, shelter & access to art &
culture, including handicrafts, to particularly the disabled, blind persons and
kids and disadvantaged persons through his own school based in Pondicherry.
Participating in voluntary activities for AIDS/SIDACTION. Funding for
Reconstruction of Historical sites and Temples in South India by performing
Freely.eg. "The famous Temple
of Tanjore".
Prof. Ved Prakash Nanda
(USA) - Director of the
International Legal Studies Program at the University of Denver and an
internationally renowned jurist. He was also the former president of the World
Jurist Association and President of the World Association of Law Professors.
Prof. Nanda is the recipient of the 2004 Gandhi, King, Ikeda Award; the 1997
United Nations Association Human Rights Award; and the 1990 World Legal Scholar
award. He has authored or co-authored 22 books in international law and is
widely published in law journals, magazines and newspapers. He has been a
Distinguished Visiting Professor and Scholar at a number of universities in the
United States and abroad. One of the founding team setting up GOPIO
International for the cause of protecting and furthering the human rights of
PIOs; a professional of excellence and dedication to community service. A
staunch supporter of forging better bilateral ties and understanding between
India and US and India and many other countries.
Dr. Rami Ranger, MBE (UK) - A
very successful businessman with recognition from Her Majesty the Queen five
times, four times for business (Sun Mark Ltd) and once personally for community
service. This year the company was added to the Sunday Times most profitable 100
companies in Britain in their "Profit Track 100". He also devotes his time to
benefit society by launching ground breaking initiatives designed to strengthen
social cohesion in Britain. He has created hundreds of jobs for fellow Indians
and he also raises funds for worthy projects in India. He encourages the British
Indian community to become more publically and politically spirited in Britain.
In addition, he has also helped 5 fellow Indians to become Members of Parliament
in Britain to safeguard India's interest.
Photo from top left clockwise
- Faisal Kottikollon, Raghunath Manet, Prof. Ved P. Nanda, Hendry Vikramasinghe,
Datuk A. Vaithilingam, Dr. Ajeet Singhvi and Dr. Rami Ranger
Ajeet Singhvi, MD (USA) - Immediate
Past President of American Association of Physicians of India Origin (AAPI), the
largest organized association of PIOs and NRIs in the US. Worked for over 30
years towards better understanding between people of Indian and United States.
Prominent physician with faculty appointment at Loma Linda University Medical
Center, a Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology and the American
Gastroenterological Association. He served as the Chief of Staff at Hemet Valley
Medical Center from 2000 to 2004, and was also on the Hemet Hospital Foundation
Board. He is presently serving on the Board of Riverside County Medical
Association. He has been working closely with community leaders to address
issues of mutual interest, especially the first ever "Health India Think Tank".
Worked closely with community leaders to address issues of disease prevention
and health promotion amongst Indo-Americans.
Datuk A. Vaithilingam
(Malaysia) - A dedicated national leader of NGOs for social service and
community development in Malaysia; recognized as a righteous spokesperson for
the advancement of inter-faith advocacy and its role in fostering harmony within
the multi-religious communities of Malaysia. At the forefront in initiating and
implementing community development and social welfare programs in for in
Malaysia. He has helmed various leadership roles of Malaysia Hindu Sangam that
is Malaysia's national representative organization of the 1.8 million Hindus in
the country. He served as the President of the Malaysia Hindu Sangam for over 12
years until his retirement in 2009. He has also been a key founder member of the
Malaysian AIDS Council, as well as the Malaysian Consultative Council for
Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism & Taosim (MCCBCHST).
Hendry H Wickramasinghe
(Sri Lanka) - Secretary/Consultant at Office of Hon.
M.P. Praba Ganesan. Participated in the peace process activities in Sri Lanka at
the grass root level, representing Indian origin Tamils. An ardent activist in
promoting the Indian origin upcountry Tamils rights in socio-cultural and
political spheres and facilitating higher studies of upcountry Tamil students.
Made significant contribution in the service of preservation and betterment in
temples in Colombo. Actively campaigning for the civil rights of Indian origin
Tamils in Sri Lanka whom were disenfranchised in 1948. Participated with
Ministers and Members of Parliament in seminars and study tours on the Federal
System in most of the European countries since the year 2000. Many years in
support of the community in both public and social service, as well as your
exemplary achievements and your commitment to human rights.
SPECIAL AWARD - Hon. K. Mohandas (India)
 Secretary
K Mohandas is the senior most IAS officer in the Indian administration.
Currently the secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, Government of India,
earlier he served as the secretary in the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs
(MOIA). While serving as the Secretary of MOIA, Mohandas traveled in many
countries with large NRI/PIO population to reach out the overseas Indian
communities, to understand their issues and seek solutions to them. During his
term as MOIA Secretary, Mohandas made several initiatives from the Ministry of
Overseas Indian Affairs including Overseas Indian Facilitation Center (OIFC),
India Development Foundation of Overseas Indians and Global Indian Network of
Knowledge (Global INK). When MOIA initiated the Kolkata project at the urging of
GOPIO as a memorial for the PIOs who migrarted one century ago from India,
Secretary Mohandas came forward and helped to clear it from his ministry.
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GOPIO JOINS GUJARAT UNIVERSITY
TO ORGANIZE DIASPORA CONFERENCE IN AHMEDABAD, JANUARY 2012 |
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GOPIO joins hands with the Department of Study Abroad Program at the Gujarat
University to organize a conference with the theme, INDIA DIASPORA - Inter
Linkage and Synergy at Gujarat University campus in Ahmedabad on January 12 and
13th, 2012. See announcement below:
The impact of Indian Diaspora has motivated its homeland to map its history and
factors for migration. Concerns for economic, political, cultural and social
engagements of Indian Diaspora have been widely shown in the society. It has
also brought sociologists and researchers to look into the process of migration
and have found themselves into pondering upon the trends of Indian Diaspora.
The considerable presence of the Indian Diaspora in almost all parts of the
world and its insistence upon sending success stories back home in spheres
inspired homeland India to connect India with her Diaspora with renewed passion.
This conference will look into the cultural, social, economic and political
spheres of India's relations with its Diaspora and map on Diaspora history and
its contribution to India in IT, infrastructure, education, research and
technology, finance and banking, remittances, investments and oriental arts and
cultures.
The conference organizing chairs are: Dr. Neerja Arun (Study Abroad Program of
Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India), Dr. Thomas Abraham (Founder President and
Chairman Emeritus, GOPIO International) and Dr. Jagat Motwani (GOPIO Academic
Council Chair 2004-2009).
Although, the deadline to submit an abstract was November 10th, one may contact Dr. Neerja Arun to see
whether there are any slots available for presentation. Papers are invited for
the following categories:
INDIA DIASPORA - Inter Linkage and Synergy
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Here and there: merging spheres
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Transforming the local with global initiatives
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Funder's agenda: pitching ideas for development
And finally, Role of Indian Diaspora in re-conceiving and reconstituting faith
in physical and virtual places of spiritualism: India and Abroad
Contact: Dr. Neerja Arun, Study Abroad Program, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad,
India,drneerjaarun@yahoo.com or Dr. Thomas Abraham of GOPIO at gopio@optonline.net.
The International Indian
Diaspora Conference
12th and
13th January,
2012, GOPIO & SAP at Gujarat
University, Ahmedabad, India
For a registration form, contact the Conference Secretariat. Should you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact Dr Neerja Arun. Tel:
+91-79-26303153 or +91- 9825012984 Fax: ++91-79-27910213 E-mail: drneerjaarun@yahoo.com
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GOPIO TO HOST TRINIDAD &
TOBAGO PRIME MINISTER KAMLA PERSAD-BISSESSAR IN KOLKATA
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 GOPIO
International is hosting a special dinner in Kolkata on January 11, 2012 for
Trinidad & Tobago's Prime Minister, Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who is making a
historic visit to the Kolkata Memorial on the first anniversary of its
unveiling. Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the first female Prime Minister of the
twin-island state will be the chief guest at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) 2012
to be held in Jaipur on January 7-9, 2012.
The Kolkata Memorial pays tribute to those who left India as indentured Indian
laborers from 1834 thru' 1920 and is inscribed with memorial plaques in Hindi
and English in "recognition and remembrance of their journeys as Indian
indentured laborers taken to far away lands seeking better livelihoods for
themselves and their descendants".
It was inaugurated on January 11, 2011 at Kidderpore Depot along the Hoogley
River in Kolkata by Hon Vayalar Ravi, Minister of India's Overseas Indian
Affairs, along with now Chief Minister of West Bengal, Hon Mamta Banerjee. The
unveiling was a attended by hundreds from several countries including Guyana,
Trinidad, Surname, Guadeloupe, USA, Canada, UK, Netherlands, Switzerland, South
Africa, Kenya, Fiji, Mauritius, Re-Union Islands, New Zealand, Australia and
other many others countries where Indians and persons of Indian origin reside.
A large contingent of PIOs from the Caribbean region will be in attendance as
well as many GOPIO members from local and international groups. The event will
be one of the highlights of the first official state visit to India by Prime
Minister Persad-Bissessar.
Attendance to the planned luncheon is by invitation only. For seating
arrangements, RSVP is requested as soon as possible.
For details, contact: Mridul Pathak (Program Coordinating Chairperson) at calonline@gmail.com or
Arundhuti Ganguli at arundhuti.ganguli@gmail.com (or
Tel 91-98-3063-2422).
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PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS (PBD
2012) SCHEDULED FOR JAN. 7-9, 2012 IN JAIPUR |
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The 10th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) will be held from 7-9 January, 2012 in
Jaipur, Rajasthan. Shri Vayalar Ravi, the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs
(MOIA) and Civil Aviation, announced that the Chief Guest of PBD-2012 will be
the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Ms. Kamla Persad Bissessar. The theme
of PBD-2012 is "Global Indian-Inclusive
Growth". It was announced that
Rajasthan will be the partner State of the 10th PBD, which would provide the
Diaspora an opportunity to understand the vibrant culture and potential of
State.
Shri Ravi said that Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will inaugurate this
annual flagship event of the Ministry on January 8, and the President Smt.
Pratibha Devisingh Patil will deliver the valedictory address on January 9 and
confer the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Awards. He also informed that two
pre-conference seminars on 'Solar Energy- Investment' and R&D' and 'Social
Entrepreneurship-Water' will also be organized during the event.
The Minister said that more than 1500 delegates are expected to participate in
PBD-2012 from all over the world. He said that Government is making efforts to
make PBD more meaningful and interactive event that would address issues and
concerns of the overseas Indian community effectively. He also announced that
the event would be webcast online and summary of proceedings put out each day.
The interactive website would provide an opportunity for the Diaspora to
participate in the conference from any corner of the world. On the occasion, he
also launched the PBD website- www.pbdindia.org.
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GOPIO-BENGALURU AND
GOPIO-JAIPUR LAUNCHED, GOPIO-AHMEDABAD TO BE LAUNCHED ON JAN. 11TH |
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GOPIO-BENGALURU
CHAPTER INAUGURATED
The Bengalurue chapter of the Global Organisation of the People of Indian Origin
(GOPIO) was inaugurated by Justice Gopala Gowda, Chief Justice of Orissa High
Court, on Saturday, December 17, at Hotel Ashok in the presence of a select
gathering. Justice Gopala Gowda lauded the objectives of GOPIO and urged the
organization to spread the message of peace and humanism inherent in Indian
culture.
Dr.Siddharth Gautam, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and a
motivation speaker from the US, in his keynote address regaled the audience with
stories of Indian Diaspora's success everywhere. He said the best days of India
and Indians are ahead. Recalling the contributions of many professionals like
Vikram Pandit, Indrani Nooyi and Fareed Zakaria, he said Indians were emerging
as game-changers and agents of change. He has no doubt that tomorrow's world
leaders will emerge from India.
The meeting felicitated the newly elected Executive Vice President of GOPIO, Mr.
Sunny Kulathakal, and the first NRI from the Middle East to be elected to that
post. All the speakers appreciated Sunny's contributions. The logo of GOPIO,
Bangalore, was also unveiled on the occasion.
Others who spoke included Dr.Majeed from the US, M.K.Ramachandra, former
chairman of FKCCI, and Dr.Joseph V.J.Chairman, Garden City College, Bangalore.
Mr T.Ramappa, convener, GOPIO, Bangalore, proposed a vote of thanks. The
function was sponsored by Garden City College.
Photo above: Mrs. Elizabeth Sunny Kulathakal, Dr. R.K. Ramanathan ( outstanding
scientist)), B.N.Ramanath, Director, Sri Nagalakshmi Dyes & Silks Pvt Ltd, T.
Ramappa ( Former General Secretary, Chamber of Commerce ,Bangalore),
M.K.Ramachandra (Former President, Chamber of Commerce, Bangalore),
Aswathnarayana, (Senior Advocate), Ashok Saxena , Director, ADS Group, Sunny
Kulathakal, Justice Gopala Gowda, Chief Justice of Orissa High Court, Dr.Sid
Gautam, Mrs. Gautam, Dr. Muhammed Majeed, MD, Sami Labs,Bangalore, Naresh Kumar
, CEO, NK Associates, Dr. Kodur Venkatesh, Director, Einstein International
University
GOPIO-JAIPUR LAUNCHED ON
DECEMBER 23RD, 2011
GOPIO-Jaipur was
launched at an evening reception and meeting on Friday, December 23rd at
the Conference Centre, CEG Tower, B-11G
Malaviya Industrial Area in Jaipur. Attended by over former NRIs and those who
have close connections with NRIs and otehrs who do business with NRIs, the
meeting was addressed by GOPIO Founder President and Chairman Emeritus Dr.
Thomas Abraham.
Two Principal Secretaries of Rajasthan Government Mr. R.S. Verma and Mr. O.P.
Saini called on the audience to support this worthwhile cause and make a
successful linkage of Jaipur to the global Indian Disapora. Both officers
extended theri full support for GOPIO-Jaipur. After the speeches, an interactive
session followed where several issues of interest to those NRIs who have settled
back in India. A letter of intent was signed by five initial incorporators.
After the meeting, a sumptous dinner was served by CEG India Ltd and its
Presdent Vishwas Jain.
GOPIO-Jaipur has also served as a launching pad for a major GOPIO International
program to be held on Jan. 6th, i.e. GOPIO Conference and Community Service
Awards banquet on January 6th at Marriott-Jaipur.
Photo below: Rajasthan Principal Secretary for Public Works O.P. Saini speaking
at GOPIO_jaipur launch. Seted from L. to R. are: publisher J. Kothari, Dr.
thomas Abraham and Principal Secretary R.S. Verma
Photo above: Some of the participants at the GOPIO-Jaipur launch. Seated from
L. to R. are J. Kothari, Viswas Jain, Dr. thomas Abraham and Gopal Mehta
Former NRIs settled in
the Jaipur area and those interested in to network with NRIs/PIOs (i.e.
parents of NRI children and those with business interest) are requested to
contact the GOPIO-Jaipur Coordinators Mr. Gopal Mehta at 09928852100 (e-mail: mehtagopal@yahoo.com) or Mr. Viswas Jain at
09929094199 (e-mail:vishwas@cegindia.com).
GOPIO-AHMEDABAD TO BE LAUNCHED
ON JANUARY 11TH, 2012
GOPIO plans to launch GOPIO-Ahmedabad in conjunction with the Diaspora
Conference organized by Gujarat University's Study Abroad program on Jan. 12 th
and 13 th . GOPIO Founder President and Chairman Emeritus Dr. Thomas Abraham
will be the guest speaker. Former NRIs settled in the Ahmedabad area and those
interested in to network with NRIs/PIOs (i.e. parents of NRI children and those
with business interest) are invited.
Program
5:00 pm to 5:30 pm - Networking Reception, Coffee/Tea and Snacks
5.30 pm - 7.00 p.m. GOPIO-Ahmedabad Launch, Talk, and Interactive Session
7.00 p.m. - Dinner (Venue will be announced later)
Date and Time:
Wednesday, January 11 th , 2012
Place:
Executive Meeting Room, Main Tower Building, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad
Confirm your participation by sending an e-mail to Dr. Neerja Arun 9825012984 or
079-25601314 or 26303153 (O) (e-mail: drneerjaarun@gmail.com)
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NRIs/PIOs ACHIEVE |
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INDIAN AMERICAN PREETA
BANSAL APPONTED TO KEY ADMINISTRATIVE POST
Indian American lawyer Preeta Bansal, who was an adviser to Barack Obama's
presidential campaign before serving in the administration, has been appointed
to a key administration post. Preeta Bansal has been appointed Member of the
Advisory Council of the Administrative Conference of the United States, the
White House said in a statement, which also announced the appointment of Boris
Bershteyn to the same position.
"I am proud to appoint such impressive individuals to these important roles, and
I am grateful they have agreed to lend their considerable talents to this
Administration. "I look forward to working with them in the months and years
ahead," Obama said in a statement.
A rising Democratic rising star, Bansal served as the General Counsel and Senior
Policy Advisor for the Office of Management and Budget from 2009 to 2011. In
that capacity, she was also a government member of the Council of the
Administrative Conference of the US, serving as Vice Chair from 2010 until 2011.
She is a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute and a member of the Council
on Foreign Relations.
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Bansal, who studied at the Harvard Law School, has earlier served as an adviser
to Obama's presidential campaign. Prior to joining the Obama Administration, she
was a Partner and Head of the Appellate Litigation Practice at Skadden, Arps,
Slate, Meagher and Flom, LLP, in New York City. She is the former Solicitor
General of the State of New York and a former law clerk to US Supreme Court
Justice John Paul Stevens. From 2003 to 2009, while in private law practice,
Bansal also was a Commissioner of the bipartisan United States Commission on
International Religious Freedom, serving as its Chair from 2004 to 2005.
INDIAN AMERICAN DR.
SHUVENDU SEN HONORED FOR VOLUNTEERISM AND COMMUNITY WORK
Shuvendu Sen, MD has been honored with Oscar Edward E. Award for Volunteerism
and Community work by the American College of Physicians, North Carolina chapter
on January 28th, 2011 at Washington Inn, Duke University, North Carolina. The
award was given due to his outstanding contribution to the community. Amongst
his many contributions, Dr Sen has been the founder Director of Project Access,
Harnett County, North Carolina, a non profit organization to treat patients with
no health insurance.
Formerly an Attending Physician of Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital, NC and
President, Harnett County Medical Society, Dr Sen has recently moved to Raritan
Bay Medical Center, New Jersey as Associate Director, Internal Medicine
Residency Program and Director, Medical Education.
Dr Sen, also serves as the Chair of the Surgical Technology Program at Long
Island University. He received The Men of Distinction Award from NY State
Senator Shirly Huntley on March 24th, 2008.
DR. PRAKASH NARAIN
BECOMES MAYOR PRO TEM OF CYPRESS, CALIFORNIA
The five-member City Council of Cypress, California approved Prakash Narain,
M.D., as the new Mayor Pro Tem of Cypress on December 12, 2011, effective
immediately. First elected to the City Council in 2006, he also served as Mayor
Pro Tem in 2009, and as Mayor in 2010. Narain won easily in his bid for
reelection in November 2010, as he ran unchallenged. He is the first
Indian-American and first physician elected to this City Council, and perhaps
the first Indian-American Mayor in the Southern California region. S ince the
city of Cypress has term limits, Mayor Pro Tem Narain's second and final term
will end in December 2014. He will hold the one-year term position of Mayor Pro
Tem until December 2012.
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NEWS OF INTEREST TO NRIs AND PIOs AROUND THE WORLD
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PHYSICIANS WITH OCL CARD CAN
PRACTICE/TEACH IN INDIA
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Indian Cabinet has approved the National Council of Human Resources in Health
(NCHRH) Bill that allows doctors who hold the Overseas Citizens of India (OCI)
status to work in India. They can also teach in medical colleges.
The Bill is expected to go to Parliament soon from where it will then go to the
standing committee. The Bill includes penal provisions against authorities
running private medical colleges who fabricate figures about bed strength,
number of faculty members or infrastructure to get registration. The errant
authorities after the Bill is approved, will face three years of imprisonment
and a fine of Rs 25 lakh.
FOREIGN STUDENTS
CONTRIBUTE BILLIONS TO US ECONOMY
As per report by Migration Policy Institute, Foreign students contribute
significantly to the US economy. During the 2010-11 academic year, foreign
students and their dependents spent $20.2 billion between living expenses,
tuition, and other related fees. Many states, including California, Texas, and
New York, which receive the most international students, get substantial
economic benefits. New York state received $2.43 billion from students.
Last year saw an 8 percent increase in foreign students in the United States,
with 723,277 studying in the country. Because of financial benefits and
brain gain, various countries compete to recruit international students and,
after graduation, try to retain them to reap the benefits of their
advanced skill sets.
THE HIGH-SKILLED IMMIGRATION
ACT
The US House of Representatives has passed a bill modifying the visa system that
will allow highly skilled immigrants to obtain permanent residency status
faster. The Fairness for High-Skilled Immigration Act (HR 3012), eliminates
per-country caps on employment-based visas and institutes a first come first
served system.
Currently, immigration law limits employment-based green cards allowing
permanent residence for citizens from any one country to no more than seven
percent of the total green cards approved by the State Department in any
particular year. The rule makes it tougher for workers from big countries that
provide most of the foreign tech workers. Although it is easier to obtain a
green card for applicants from smaller countries that don't generate a
significant amount of applications. Individuals from India, the source of most
tech industry immigrants to the US, often have to wait up to 10 years for a
green card due to the per-country cap.
The High-Skilled Immigration Act aims to correct such imbalances by switching to
a first come, first served system for the roughly 140,000 employment-based green
cards awarded each year. In addition to eliminating numerical caps on
employment-based green cards, the Act would also raise the per-country cap for
226,000 family-related green cards from seven percent of the total to 15 per
cent.
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GOPIO LIFE MEMBERSHIP AND
CHAPTER FORMATION |
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GOPIO is a non-partisan, non-sectarian global organization with chapters in
several countries, actively promoting the interests of people of Indian origin
worldwide by monitoring and addressing current critical issues of concern, and
by enhancing cooperation and communication between groups of Indians living in
various countries.
GOPIO Individual Life membership is open to
all who believe in the mission of GOPIO. The one- time fee is $5,000 for
Platinum Life Membership, $2,500 for Gold Life Membership and $1,500 Silver Life
Membership and half the amount for each category for those from developing
countries and India.
GOPIO is looking forward to opening chapters
in all major cities of the world so as to network people of Indian origin all
over the world. If you do not have chapter in your city, please visit GOPIO
website (www.gopio.net) and
get details of chapter initiation (visit http://www.gopio.net/chapter_initiative.htm).
Process involves sending a letter of intent to start a chapter by a committee of
five people or more. For more information, contact:
GOPIO Chairman - Inder Singh, Tarzana, California, USA, Tel: +1-818-708-3885,
E-mail: gopio-intl@sbcglobal.net.
GOPIO President - Ashook Ramsaran, Fresh Meadows, New York, USA, Tel:
718/939-8194, E-mail:ramsaran@aol.com
GOPIO Executive Vice President - Sunny Kulathakal, Bahrain, Tel: +973 39441956
or +91 9845756692, E-mail: Kulathakal@yahoo.com
To become a Life member of GOPIO, one can sign up online at http://gopio.net/online_membership.htm or fill up the form and send
it with a check to: GOPIO International, PO Box
560117, New York NY 11356, USA.
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EDITORIAL BOARD |
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Chief Editor: Dr. Thomas Abraham, Founder
President and Chairman Emeritus, GOPIO (Stamford, CT, USA)
Editor: Ashook Ramsaran, GOPIO President (New York, USA)
Webmasters: Prashant Gupta (Hyderabad,
India) and Abu Thomas (New Rochelle, NY, USA)
Contributors of this
issue: Inder
Singh (Chairman, GOPIO Intl.), Nami Kaur (Secretary, GOPIO), Dr. Neerja
Arun (Ahmadabad, India), Munish Gupta (GOPIO International Coordinator for
Africa)
GOPIO NEWS welcomes
NRI/PIO related stories from all over the world. Be a volunteer correspondent or
reporter. Contact Dr. Thomas
Abraham, Tel: 203-329-8010, E-mail: gopio@optonline.net.
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