GOPIO SPECIAL NEWS BULLETIN
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2005
NOTE: This is a monthly newsletter of
GOPIO International, based in the
CONTENTS
- GOPIO INDUCTS FOUR PIO LEADERS ON
ITS HONOR ROLL
o
LAKSHMI
MITTAL IS BUSINESSMAN OF THE YEAR
- HONORARY DOCTORATE TO SIR GULAM NOON
- GOPIO METRO-DC AND OTHERS JOIN
HANDS TO HOST CONGRESSMAN JINDAL
- NRI CELL IN ANDHRA PRADESH
- MORE DIRECT FLIGHTS BETWEEN
- US AND
GOPIO INDUCTS FOUR
PIO LEADERS ON ITS HONOR ROLL
GOPIOs 2005 Pravasi Bharatiya Community Service Awards were also presented to
seven community activists/leaders for their numerous contributions to the
NRI/PIO communities in their respective countries. The awardees included Farook Khan of
The chief guest at the
awards banquet was Jagdish Tytler,
Minister for Overseas Indians Affairs. Addressing the delegates, Tytler complimented GOPIO for focusing on the points of
interest between
The two day GOPIO
conference was formally inaugurated by Maharashtra
Governor S.M. Krishna, in the glittering hall Roof Top Rendezvousof
Taj Palace & Towers near Gateway of India in
Mumbai on Jan 5, 2005. Addressing a packed hall which included local
dignitaries, diplomats, businessmen and delegates, Krisha
said that the 22 million strong Diaspora living outside
The Governor also released
the conference souvenir and a book Voices of the Diaspora written by Prof. Anand Mulloo of
Earlier in the afternoon
the Conference heard the area reports from North America by
GOPIO-Detroit President and NFIA President-Elect Radha
Krishnan, South America and Caribbean by GOPIO-Suriname Secretary Harold Ramdhani and Tinidad & Tobago
human rights activist Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, Europe by GOPIO-Belgium President Sunil Prasad,
Middle East by GOPIO Vice President Sunny Kulathakal,
Far East and Southeast Asia by Malaysian Social Strategic Foundation
activist Thiruselvam Narayanasamy,
and Pacific/Oceana by GOPIO Australia Coordinator Noel Lal.
This was followed by a media conclave on Indian Diaspora and Global media
presided over by S.V.Raju, a senior Mumbai based
Editor of Freedom First. Kumar Ketkar, Editor of LokSatta while delivering the key note address, decried the
lopsided coverage of NRI/PIO issues by the Indian media based both in
On January 6, GOPIO
Academic Council was inaugurated at Taj President
Hotel, Mumbai. Former Trinidad & Tobago Prime Minister.Basdeo
Panday delivered the keynote speech while former Fiji
Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry
addressed the gathering. GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham said that the
Academic Council would be the focal point of the Diaspora studies and network
the academicians engaged in teaching and research of diasporal
subjects in various institutes of learning around the globe. Panday said that it was necessary to have a clear concept
on Diaspora by realizing that it was not homogeneous and that there should be
more interest in the less privileged sections. He wondered whether it was
enough to say that only common cultural heritage was the bonding factor of the diaspora. In his view the relationship between India and
the Diaspora should be governed by a consideration that each will help the
other, that Mother India should be strong so as to enable the Diaspora to
derive its strength from this factor and that India should benefit from the
tremendous economic power from the 22 million strong Diaspora located in 74
countries. He complimented GOPIO for its commendable initiative in networking
the Indian diaspora.
Mahendra Chaudhry urged that
Dr.Jagat Motwani, Chairman Academic
Council chaired the session on Indian Diaspora, Social, Political and Economic
issues. Dilip Mehta, CEO Rosy Blue
The Session on GOPIO
Connect-Helping in developmental, philanthropic and Educational Activities was
chaired by Prabodh Gupta, Chairman, GOPIO Philanthropic Council. Prof. Manubhai Shah, Chairman Emeritus, Consumer Education and
The session on Business,
Technology and Investments was chaired by Dwarkesh
Shah, Chairman of GOPIO Business Council,
GOPIO Conference 2005
concluded with several resolutions including demand for Rajya
Sabha seats for NRIs,
voting rights for Indian citizens living outside India, restoring Not Ordinary
a Citizen (NOR) status from two to nine in the income tax on global income of
returning NRIs/PIOs and repealing the new VCA
clearance rules for NRIs for adoption of orphaned
children from India (for detailed text of the resolutions, visit http://www.gopio.net/gopio_2005_resolutions.htm).
GOPIO has also urged Govt. of India to take pro-active stand on political and
human rights violations NRIs/PIOs. In another
resolution, GOPIO has supported
THIRD
PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS TERMED A SUCCESS
The Third Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was
inaugurated by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on
January 7th, 2005 at the Navi Nagar in Mumbai. Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Jagdish Tytler welcomed the
delegates. The keynote address was delivered by Surinam Vice President Jules Rattankoemar Ajodhia who spoke on
the trials and tribulations of the Surinamese Indian community.
A three-day conference
consisted of (a) Plenary sessions with senior cabinet ministers of India
including Finance Minister P. Chidabaram (b) Special
interactive sessions with select Diaspora leaders including Lord Navnit Dholakia, former Fiji
Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry,
Former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Basdeo Panday(c) Parallel sessions on Knowledge-based industry,
Healthcare, Education, Finance, Entertainment, Voluntary Sector, Media, Tourism,
NRIs in Gulf, Science and Technology etc. (d) Special
programs for the younger generation of the Diaspora. There was also interactive sessions with State Governments
of India; a multi-product Exhibition showcasing
At the concluding session
on Janaury 9th, President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, President of India confered
the Bharatiya Samman Awards
to 11 eminent PIOs. "Enrich the nations that you
live in, not only in financial terms, but also with your honor and
self-dignity," said President Kalam. Kalam told the delegates to remember "the greatest pravasi Bharatiya, Gandhi",
who, in Nelson Mandelas words, went to
The President also asked PIOs to set up an overseas
Indian research foundation with a seed capital of $100 million, which would
help develop the technology to predict natural disasters like the Tsunami.
Recipients of Bharatiya Samman awards are
telecommunications czar Sam Pitroda, Hong Kong based
businessman M Arunachalam, South African social
activist Amina Cachalia,
Tanzanian leader J K Chande, German litterateur Alokeranjan Dasgupta,
Manila-based scientist Sant S Virmani,
South African leader Ahmed Kathrada, Trinidad and
Tobago's opposition leader Basdeo Panday,
Britain-based political scientist Lord Bhiku Chhotalal Parekh, US-based
political scientist Sunil Khilnani and UAE
businessman M A Yusaffali.
Awardees who could not be present at the event were economist Jagdish Bhagwati, Hollywood
filmmaker Manoj Night Shyamalan,
novelist Vikram Seth and Indo-Fijian golfer Vijay
Singh.
Due to Tshunami,
the cultural evening and the Bollywood show were cancelled.
The main organizer FICCI also saved enormous amount of money at food festival
since drinks were not served at the evening dinners. Many delegates raised the
issue of where these saved money are going and suggested that FICCI should
donate this amount to Prime Ministers Tsunami Relief Fund.
GOPIO
INITIATES TRACING-OF-ROOTS SEMINAR
On January 8,
2005, a panel session titled TRACING OUR ROOTS was held at Pravasi
Bharatiya Divas in close coordination and support
from the Ministry For
Overseas Indians. This session was proposed by Ashook
Ramsaran, Secretary General of GOPIO, who presented
the theme after introduction by panel chairperson Hon Basdeo
Panday, the former Prime Minister of Trinidad &
Tobago. The session dealt with the essential need of people of Indian origin,
numbering over 22 million, most of whom want to trace their roots back to the
villages of their forefathers who left
The panel session
examined the historical background, experiences and insights of those who lived
though some of it, the general scope of the proposed global database project
and the objectives in mind, with due consideration to the practical aspects,
and the potential benefits of such a worthwhile initiative. Prof Mohan
Gautam of The Netherlands discussed how the overall
history of migration of Indians to many lands outside of
The presentation
made an outstanding and valid argument on the need for this undertaking. It
portrayed the needs of those who languish in several countries not knowing but
could be given the opportunity to find out more about their forefathers.
It would identify the respective parties and processes involved, the scope and
objectives and the global aspects of this unique undertaking. It made a broad
appeal to all parties that need to be convinced of their respective
roles, the obligations and the responsibilities
and the potential benefits as well, viewed from all aspects. The theme
solicited wide appeal globally and attempted to garner support from social,
political, academic and business segments of PIO society.
The panel
participants included Shamshu Deen,
a genealogist from Trinidad who has been successful in tracing the ancestral
villages of many PIOs living in
Hon Jagdish Tytler, Minister For Overseas Indians, who has taken
a personal interest in this session since it was first proposed to him in 2004
by Ashook Ramsaran,
participated in the session as well. Minister Tytler
re-iterated his interest in the project, his ministrys support and the welcome
proposal for some funding to initiate the project.
There were
several interactive questions, comments and positive responses from the session
audience, highlighting the interest of many PIOs who
attended Pravasi Bharatiya
Divas. One such person was Deo Gosine,
formerly of Trinidad and now living in the
The session
concluded with a very positive and progressive agenda to proceed with
initiation of the global database project as envisioned in the session
proposal. GOPIOs Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran will be working
closely with the Ministry for Overseas Indians towards this noble objective
that has received universal interest and appeal.
GOPIO
APPEALS FUNDS FOR TSUNAMI VICTIMS REHABILITATION
The world's most powerful
earthquake in more than 40 years struck deep under the
In
The whole world saw the
images of victims on TV many times. It is an enormous natural calamity.
Millions of people underwent harrowing experiences and lost all belongings, property, family or both. The
magnitude of this tragedy is enormous and the survivors are looking up to
various agencies, governmental and humanitarian and NRIs/PIOs
for help.
The GOPIO has set up a
Tsunami Rehabilitation Fund and appeals to everyone, the NRIs/PIOs
in particular, to open your hearts and wallets and help
the unfortunate victims of Tsunami during this challenging phase of coping with
the tragedy.
Please send
your donation check to GOPIO (Tsunami Relief Fund) at
In the
For more information,
please contact GOPIO secretariat by telephone at 718/939-8194 or by email: ramsaran@aol.com
NRIs/PIOs ACHIEVE
LAKSHMI
MITTAL IS BUSINESSMAN OF THE YEAR
Lakshmi Mittal - the
According to Fortune, the immediate issue for the London-based dealmaker is a
$4.5-billion takeover of International Steel Group (ISG), a US-based company
that had been controlled by investor Wilbur Ross. This, the magazine adds, will
make Mittal Steel - "the company created by the
deal" - the world's largest producer of the commodity.
HONORARY
DOCTORATE TO SIR GULAM NOON
Sir Gulam Noon, originally from Mumbai, has been conferred with
an honorary doctorate of business administration by
Noon started
his family business in frozen Indian meals in 1989. His company operates the
largest factory in the world for ready-made Indian meals.
Professor Gwyneth Pitt, the dean of the faculty of business, while conferring
the doctorate said that Sir Gulam Noon, as an
industrialist and philanthropist was an inspiration to any person starting out
in business.
GOPIO
CHAPTER NEWS
GOPIO-
METRO-DC AND OTHERS JOIN HANDS YO HOST CONGRESSMAN JINDAL
On January 3rd,
2005, Dr. Swadesh Chatterjee,
Past President of IAFPE, organized a reception An Evening of Celebration in
honor of newly elected Congressman from Louisiana, Mr. Bobby Jindal at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Washington, D.C. GOPIO
Metro-D.C. President Dr. Renuka Misra
along with other community leaders, Drs. Sambhu Banik and Ram Singh were instrumental in helping Dr. Chatterjee in the organization of the event. Over 300
members of the American community, various dignitaries and representatives of
the Indian community attended the event. Among the high dignitaries were the
members of the India Caucus, Congressman Frank Pallone of NJ, Congressman
GOPIO Metro-D.C.
participated in community prayers and fund raising activity for Tsunami
victims. On January 29th, GOPIO Metro-DC organized Tsunami relief concert.
The chapter is still collecting funds. Contact: Dr. Renuka
Misra at renugopio@yahoo.com.
GOPIO
APPEALS FOR
The needs are tremendous. There is urgent need for food, clean water, shelter,
medicines and transportation. The Government of Guyana is using all its resources
and facilities to provide needed services and assistance. However, the needs
dramatically exceed all available effort that can be provided in such an
unprecedented emergency. Donations and assistance are urgently required to
provide much need relief currently and immediately afterwards when the waters do recede.
GOPIO extends this urgent appeal to one and all to give your
generous support to this immediate and worthy humanitarian cause. As you
have so willing made your support to the Gujarat Earthquake Disaster, the Fiji
Cyclone, the Assam Floods, the recent Tsunami Disaster and others, we
seek your support to assist in the Guyana Flood Relief. We ask you to
respond to our appeal and help.
Kindly send your tax deductible contributions payable to GOPIO
(Mark for Guyana Flood Relief): GOPIO International,
For further information and other details, please contact
Ashook Ramsaran, Secretary
General of GOPIO Int'l at 718-939-8194 (email: ramsaran@aol.com).
NEWS
OF INTEREST TO NRIs/PIOs AROUND THE WORLD
NRI CELL IN
ANDHRA PRADESH
The AP
Government has announced the formation of an NRI cell on 12th Jan 2005 under
the chairmanship of Shri Mohammed Ali Shabbir, Minister for Information and Public Relations.
MORE DIRECT
FLIGHTS BETWEEN
Virgin Atlantic
CEO Richard Branson recently announced that his Virgin Atlantic airline would
start direct flights between
US AND
The British government plans to triple the
fee to extend the visas of overseas students in British universities. Currently,
the overseas students pay 155 pounds for the extension of their visas for stay
in the country to finish a course. The government is considering an increase to
495 pounds.
The Vice-chancellors of many universities have warned the
government that raising visa extension charges for overseas students, including
students from
GOPIO LIFE MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTER FORMATION
GOPIO Individual Life
membership is open to all who believe in the mission of GOPIO. The one time fee
is $1,000 for those from developed countries and $500 for those from developing
countries.
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 President Inder
Singh,
GOPIO Secretary General
Ashook Ramsaran, Fresh Meadows,
To become a Life member of
GOPIO, visit http://www.gopio.net/membership_form.htm,
print and fill up the form and send it with a check to: GOPIO,
EDITORIAL BOARD
- Dr. Thomas Abraham (
- Prashant Gupta (
- Sunil Prasad (
- Sunny Kulathackal (
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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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