NOTE: 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.

GOPIO is a community supported non-profit (US IRS 501 (c) (3)) 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. One can become Life Member online by visiting http://www.gopio.net/online_membership.html.

Join our mailing list - https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001ZaS58ajNOw0ZzxgfHKK9GN-MIsqSqr8d

The GOPIO BIENNIAL CONVENTION in Berlin was not only to celebrate the 30th anniversary of GOPIO International, but also to mark the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall. GOPIO and its members were welcomed to the German Bundestag, Parliament on Friday 8th November 2019, a special historical day. It was a matter of mere coincidence that the previous week, German Chancellor Angela Merkel was welcomed by PM Modi in India.

After this meeting, the GOPIO Members visited the rooftop terrace and the dome of the German Bundestag just having a better idea of the works of Parliament, and the sights of the important surrounding buildings during the 230-metre-long ascent and descent.

Photo - GOPIO women delegates visiting the German Parliament in front of German Chancellor's residence

Following the visit of the Bundestag, within 10 minutes walking distance, the GOPIO delegates had Executive Council Meeting in the Hall of the Neumann’s Restaurant. During this meeting, through a round table with the presence of Exec. VP of GOPIO International Ishwar Ramlutchman, all the delegates expressed their views about the different issues and future of GOPIO.

GOPIO International Coordinator of Europe Mehen Poinoosawmy officially launched the GICC Europe. As from now all the GOPIO chapters of Europe can launch their GICC chapters. Despite his busy calendar, Mr Frank Henkel, Former Interior Minister, Berlin who is currently Senator came to support this initiative of GOPIO International. A book on the History of the Indian Diaspora – GOPIO: Making an Impact was presented to the Honorable Minister by GOPIO Chairman Dr Thomas Abraham. Businesswoman Mrs. Bindu Sodhi has been nominated by GOPIO-Berlin Chapter as the coordinator of this effort in Berlin.

Photo top - Former Interior Minister Frank Henkel at the GICC-Berlin launch being presented a book 'Global Indian Diaspora' by GOPIO Intl. Coordinators Rita Abraham and Dr. Asha Samant; Photo bottom - GOPIO women delegates at the welcome dinner.

See more photos at https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNiEAlJnKCGPDEM_8goZ9y1Q5udSADOXHTqivLNYAXCcFtGyh4M97QMCNaDA36maQ?key=WDlLODRKeGEzQWpraTMyZklpRnJtTlVmM0E2d2pR

The convention was officially inaugurated on Saturday 9th November 2019 at the conference hall of the Gäestehaus der Polizei in Berlin, starting with the lighting of the lamp ceremony. Convention Convener Barjinder Sodhi and Mrs. Bindu Sodhi welcomed the guests and delegates to the convention from different countries: South Africa, USA, Canada, Reunion Island, Martinique, Mauritius, UK, Netherland, Germany, France, Australia, The Middle East (Bahrain. Dubai, Oman, etc.) and India.

Photo above – Convention Inauguration with an invocation dance . Sitting on the dais, from l to r: Mehen Poinoosawmy, Sunny Kulathakal, Deepak Kaul, Deflef Wagner and Dr Thomas Abraham

Then followed a series on conferences on the following topics:

- TOPIC 1: BREXIT- Business and Financial impacts to India and Indiaspora

- TOPIC 2: Entrepreneurship: Towards a …Diaspora engagement strategies: Entrepreneurship and Investment.

- TOPIC 3: Business and Finance: Challenges and opportunities for by Indiaspora to cooperation policies and financing. 

- TOPIC Challenges and Contributions of Women of the Diaspora: From ‘Gender Equality’ and ‘Women’s Empowerment’ to ‘Global Justice’ in a Global world.

Chhaya MATHUR, CEO Business Implicits, Paris, France. 

Click here for more Convention photos, i.e. https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNmSabltGUFCZ1sRv4MpLJ6qSsdozhTH-v9o-E6uVYbmhtS3YEG04XyqHQ8tpZwQQ?key=UGt2dkh5NHEwVzBNRXhnNXI3YW9lMHF6U0Q5UzFn

During the Awards ceremony, the following persons were recognized with the Shri Inder Singh GOPIO Community Service Award for their outstanding contributions done for the Community in their respective countries: Dr Ezhil Anand (UK) , Dr Vimal Khosla (Paris, France), Mr Krishan Kishore Mathur (Bahrain) and Professor Rajen Pillay (Durban, South Africa). Two awardees Michele Michael (Durban, South Africa) and Gurmeet Kalra (Agra, India) could not be present due to unforeseen circumstances. (See awardees photo above).

Photo Top - Photo - A view of the audience at the Awards Banquet; Photo Bottom - GOPIO officials and dignitaries with convention volunteers after their recognition at the Awards Banquet

Photo: GOPIO delegates at the Gurudwara Singh Sabha, Culte Sikh in Paris along with Gurdwara officials.

In the evening, the delegates had their rendez-vous with the French Indiaspora. This event was the finale to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of GOPIO and Diwali 2019 with a Gala Dinner for 400 invitees. Over 100 artists performed a non-stop extraordinary cultural programme with the different colourful costumes and music of the different states of India. The chief guest was Mme George Pau-Langevin, Member of French Parliament, who was also Ex Minister of Overseas Affairs of France. The chief guest presented the plaques to all awardees A 30th Anniversary Cake was cut on the stage by GOPIO pioneers and officials.  

In Paris nothing is done without a touch of glamour and beautiful ladies. The GOPIO’s 30^th Anniversary Finale program ended with a fashion show organized in partnership with our Miss France-India Team and Friends.

Mehen Poinoosawmy GOPIO EUROPE Conv. Chairman, Tel +33 6 70 46 88 85, Email: mpoinoos@gmail.com

Dr. Rajinder Tewari GOPIO EUROPE Conv. Convener, Tel: +31 6 5399990, E-mail: r.tewari@gopioholland.nl

Bajinder Sodhi GOPIO EUROPE Conv. Co-convener Tel: +49 172 591271. E-mail: restaurantneumanns@online.de

Community activist, volunteer and GOPIO’s Southern California Coordinator Dilip Butani passed away on December 5^th, while on vacation in India. The 70-year-old Butani was well known among Indian Americans because of his involvement in various community-based organizations. Dilip had gone on vacation with his wife Ratna to Dubai and then on to India where the couple stayed in their flat in Colaba, Mumbai. They were scheduled to return to Los Angeles on Dec. 7 when tragedy struck. A family member said he was completely fine and was posting and sending messages on Facebook and WhatsApp till late on that fateful day. He then complained of severe dizziness to his wife. With the help of neighbors, he was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead with a massive heart attack reported as the cause.

GOPIO News offers display advertising in the format shown above will also be displayed in GOPIO website. This form of marketing allows you to effectively reach over 50,000 people by direct mail. 

GOPIO-SYDNEY NORTHWEST ORGANIZES SPECTACULAR 10^TH ANNUAL ‘CARING AND SHARING’ EVENT

The glamorous and dazzling event, organized by Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Sydney North West Chapter, was held at Bowman Hall, Blacktown on 20^th October 2019. The GOPIO Sydney North West Chapter team has been conducting Caring & Sharing events for the last 10 years, raising much needed funds for the less privileged children in India and needy persons/organizations in Australia. The chapter annually supports Cancer Council of Australia and National Heart Foundation of Australia. Previously, the chapter helped victims of the Blue Mountains fire, the Fiji cyclone, the Nepal earthquake, FoxG1 and the underprivileged kids in Nigeria.

GOPIO Sydney North West Chapter’s President, Mr Harmohan Singh Walia and the team –Prof. Balkar Kang, Sumit Joshi, Kamal Joshi, Baljit Pelia, Parmjit Multani, Rosie Multani, Aman Singh, Rajvinder Singh, Neeru Singh, Sanjeet Hooda, Baljinder Singh and Ravi Singh have worked passionately towards the success of the 10^th Caring & Sharing event. Such events are a result of the spirit that we all have in us to care for the under privileged and needy. Therefore, the funds raised through these events become a symbol of hope for the needful. 

During the night of great cause and unlimited entertainment, there were scintillating performances from the Bollywood dance group, Dhamma Yoga kids, Giddha Group, and Bhangra Group that kept the spectators on the edge of their seats. Aman Singh, in her best attire, engaged the wonderful audience through her stage anchoring. Other attractions of the night, quiz prizes and energetic DJ, attracted the zeal and enthusiasm of all the guests present at the event. 

Generous offerings from the sponsors in Australia and the support of the dedicated individuals in India have made it possible for the team to extend a helping hand to over 5000 less privileged primary school children in India for the last 10 years. A few necessities that will be provided again to the primary school kids include warm clothes, shoes, socks, ceiling fans in classrooms, hand pumps for drinking water, water filters, RO filters, inverters with batteries, furniture, Daris, sound systems for prayers, sports items, stationary and other basic commodities as per the requirements of the remote area schools. This year, the Caring & Sharing event not only raised funds for kids in India, but also gave donations to the Cancer Council, the National Heart Foundation Australia, Kids in Nigeria for their righteous causes. Caringly, funds were also donated to needful overseas student, Captain Shikhawat’s family in Sydney, who is a cancer patient.

Photo Left - GOPIO-LA organizers with Health Summit speakers and panelists; Photo Right - Audience at the Health Summit

Appearing in the 2020 calendar are Seema Verma, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Dr. Nina Radcliff, a board-certified anesthesiologist in New Jersey, and the niece of the king of Udaipur, Rajasthan; Priya Yadav, who was adopted from a Pune orphanage when she was two, is an accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer and a sophomore at Emory University; Patti Tripathi, who lost her mother very early on at the age of 56 to a rare lung disease but also notes that the “fiercely protective and hugely supportive mom of three lived to see her only daughter accomplish her dream of becoming a trailblazing network news anchor; Dr. Naina Sachdev, the medical director of the Beverly Hills, Calif.-based NainaMD Anti-Aging and Regenerative Clinic; Veena Rao, the founder and editor-in-chief of NRI Pulse and her mother Frances M. West, who founded Ogmobosho School for the Blind in Nigeria; Atlanta, Georgia-based singer-songwriter and performer Movina Nagarajan, who released her debut single, “Call Me Baddie,” in 2018; Elementary education teacher Marsha Nicholas-Nigri, who also runs Café Amici, an Italian restaurant in Sarasota, Florida, with her husband; Raji Venkat, an accomplished coloratura operatic singer as well as a Bharatanatyam dancer and teacher; Payal Patel, an international award-winning multilingual communications professional based in Chicago, Ill., and a strong advocate for girls’ education; tennis player Sania Mirza, who is the winner of six Grand Slam titles; tennis player Natasha Subhash, who has been ranked the No. 1 player in the country in categories like girls 12 and under, girls 14 and under, and girls 16 and under; lawyer-activist Abha Singh, and Dr. Sujatha Reddy, a board certified Ob/Gyn and an Emmy Award-winning medical journalist.

For more information, or to purchase the calendar, visit www.saristosuits.org.

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 2/3^rd 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 with people of Indian origin all over the world. If you do not have a chapter in your city, please visit the GOPIO website (www.gopio.net) and get details of chapter initiation (visit http://www.gopio.net/chapter_initiative.htm). This 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 - Dr. Thomas Abraham, Stamford, Connecticut, USA, Tel: +1-203-329-8010, E-mail: gopio@optonline.net

GOPIO President – Sunny Kulathakal, Bahrain, +973-39441956, India +91-9845756692, E-mail: kulathakal44@gmail.com

GOPIO Executive Vice President – Ishwar Ramlutchman, Durban, South Africa, Tel: +27-83-3578747, E-mail: ramlutchmanishwar@gmail.com

GOPIO Vice President – Ram Gadhavi, Wayne, New Jersey, USA, Tel: +1-973-699-8582, E-mail: ram@gadhavi.net

GOPIO’s Global Ambassador – Issac John, Dubai, UAE, +971-50 625 9941, E-mail: isacjohn@gmail.com

Executive Trustee of GOPIO Foundation - Inder Singh, Tarzana, California, USA, Tel: +1-818-708-3885, E-mail: indersinghusa@gmail.com

GICC Chairman - Niraj Baxi, San Jose, California, USA, Tel: 408-307-9845, E-mail: nbaxi@insuranceplanning.com

To become a Life member of GOPIO, visit http://www.gopio.net/gopio_membership.html, print and fill up the form and send it with a check to:. GOPIO International, PO Box 1413, Stamford, CT 06904, USA

Chief Editor: Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman, GOPIO International (Stamford, CT, USA)

Editor: J. Nami Kaur, Media Council Chair, GOPIO International (New York, USA)

Associate Editors: Layla Matthew (Bangalore, India), Harry Walia (Australia), Marlan Padayachee (South Africa)

Webmasters: Abu Thomas (New Rochelle, NY, USA) and Prashant Gupta (Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India)

Contributors of this issue: IKewal Kanda, Treasurer, GOPIO International (Norwalk, CA, USA); Mehen Poinoosawmy, GOPIO Europe International Coordinator (Paris, France), Jagmohan Dhaliwal, President of GOPIO Sydney,

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

Visit GOPIO’s Official site at www.gopio.net or www.gopio.com

+1 (203) 329 8010 

gopio@optonline.net