GOPIO NEWS BULLETIN

May-June, 2004

CONTENTS

· GOPIO WELCOMES NEW MINISTRY OF NON-RESIDENT INDIAN AFFAIRS

• EUROPEAN NRI/PIO NETWOKING CONFERENCE
• NO TAXING OF NRI INCOME FROM FOREIGN ASSET SUPREME COURT
• INDIAN ARRIVAL DAY CELEBRATED IN TRINIDAD
• THE OTHER SIDE OF OUTSOURCING
• GOPIO CHAPTER NEWS

- GOPIO NORWAY CHARTS FUTURE PLAN

- GOPIO-METRO DC AND OTHER GROUPS GIVE SEND-OFF TO AMBASSADOR MANSINGH

- DR. SUSHILA GIDWANI-BUSCHI APPOINTED AS NORTH AMERICAN REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT OF GOPIO

• PIOs ACHIEVE

- Two More NRIs in the British House of Lords

- Two Indian Americans in Bushs New Commission

- Scientist of Indian Origin Awarded Prestigious US Fellowship

• GOPIO PLANS CARIBBEAN PIO CONFERENCE
• NFIA AND AIA SCHEDULE CONGRESSIONAL LUNCHEON AND WHITE HOUSE BRIEFING
• AIF AND UNF IN PARTNERSHIP
• GOPIO LIFE MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTER FORMATION
• EDITORIAL BOARD

GOPIO WELCOMES NEW MINISTRY OF NON-RESIDENT INDIAN AFFAIRS

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) has welcomed the creation of a new ministry of Non Resident Affairs headed by Jagdish Tytler. We have been campaigning for this ministry for the last 10 years, said GOPIO President Inder Singh.

GOPIO had submitted memorandums, passed resolutions and even made appeals in person to various officials including the prime minister, for the creation of such a ministry that would look after the interests and welfare of the global Indian community, which numbers over 22 million worldwide. As recently as January, 2004, GOPIO in New Delhi conference passed the following resolution:

WHEREAS, people of Indian origin have been making tremendous contributions to India's development by bringing new technologies and businesses, by investing in core sectors of the economy, by contributing to India's foreign exchange reserve, by helping in areas of education, health and charitable activities. WHEREAS, the NRIs/PIOs have been instrumental in building a good image of India outside; WHEREAS, thousands of NRI/PIO individuals and organizations have been participating in the charitable and developmental activities of India;

GOPIO URGES the Government of India to establish a Ministry of Overseas Indians similar to the Ministry of Overseas Chinese in China, so as to facilitate all NRI/PIO related issues and activities through this ministry.

In 1989, for the first time in the history of overseas Indians, an attempt was made to bring the global Indian community together on one platform. During the week-long convention in New York, representatives of twenty-six countries including some ministers and PIO heads of state, took active part in the deliberations. At the conclusion of the convention, a new organization, the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) was established to network the global Indian community.

The people of Indian Origin living outside India have numerous achievements, individually and collectively. We in GOPIO believe that NRIs/PIOs have contributed significantly to the countries of their adoption and have added a special glitter to the resurgence of India, said Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman of GOPIO. We also believe that the destiny of India's Diaspora, in many ways, is intertwined inextricably with the fortunes of India and the NRIs/PIOs are bound to India by the umbilical cord of history, culture, tradition, social and economic ties, Dr. Abraham added. Many NRIs/PIOs worldwide are engaged with the homeland more deeply than ever before.

We, therefore, hope that the new ministry would address and monitor the concerns of NRIs/PIOs, interact and relate more fruitfully, provide greater awareness of available opportunities which can harness the enormous resources, tremendous potential, rich experience, talent and expertise of NRIs/PIOs, Inder Singh added.

GOPIO has suggested that the new ministry should coordinate the NRI affairs being conducted by different ministries including External Affairs, Home, Commerce and Finance. All these individual segments dealing with NRIs should be brought into this new ministry, said Dr. Abraham.

GOPIO-BELGIUM PLANS NRI/PIO NETWORKING CONFERENCE IN BELGIUM

GOPIO-Belgium invites INDIAN COMMUNITY in Europe to participate in the NRI/PIO Business Networking Conference on 4 October 2004 in Brussels

As reported in the March issue of the GOPIO News Bulletin, the GOPIO Belgium is organizing a European level conference on NRI/PIO Business Networking for Trade and Investment and Contribution of Indian Diaspora in Building Europe on 4th October 2004. The objective of the conference is to develop strategic relations with the European Union and draw the attention of key European institutions to the economic importance of the Non-Resident Indians and Persons of Indian Origin (NRI/PIO) community in the European Union member states and also to demonstrate the role the Global Indian Community can play in strengthening and expanding EU-NRI/PIO relations within the framework of the EU Economic and Social Policy document. The Seminar is being organized in association with the Indian Embassy in Belgium and in collaboration with the GOPIO Europe and the GOPIO International Business Council. The venue is: ITUH Auditorium, 5, Boulevard du Roi Albert II, B - 1210 Bruxelles (Belgium).

GOPIO-Belgium expects an impressive participation from the PIO/NRI community living in Europe, from EU based institutions and many multinational corporations. In addition to the several dignitaries from India and other countries, participation of interested business bodies and Chambers of Commerce in EU countries is also envisaged. This in fact will be the largest gathering of the NRIs/PIOs in Europe in recent times and will afford an opportunity to the Indian Diaspora to promote trade and investment.

Conference invitees include leaders of the Indian Community in Europe, the NRI/PIO Business leaders, the Chamber of Commerce, diplomats and social workers. Some of the confirmed Speakers are; Nirj Deva and Neea Gill, Members of the European Parliament, Dr. Mohan Kaul, Director General of the Commonwealth Business Council, Vivek Bharati, Adviser, FICCI, Jagdish Makwana (Switzerland), Dwarkesh Shah (Germany), Jasbir Sachar (UK). Representative of the Government of India, senior diplomats of various Belgium based foreign Missions (having the presence of Indian Diaspora); high level officials of the European Commission have been invited. GOPIO is also sending out invitation letters to the important dignitaries in India. Mr. Keith Vaz, MP (UK) has also been invited to address the participants. Participants from United States and Gulf region are also expected to attend the event.

The conference will also discuss the concept of establishing EU-India Chamber of Commerce. The GOPIO-Belgium invites the Indian Diaspora to attend the conference as their presence will open a new chapter in GOPIOs efforts to develop strategic relations between NRIs/PIOs and Europe and the European Institutions.

GOPIO-Belgium is seeking individual and company sponsorships for this conference.

NRI/PIO Entrepreneurs and Businessmen are urged to register early since the total number attendees to the conference has been limited. Conference registration is FREE and will be given on a first come first served basis. GOPIO also invites all NRI/PIO Chambers of Commerce in Europe to become Association Sponsors of this conference, which is the first of its kind in Europe.

For more information and registration, please contact: Sunil Prasad, President GOPIO-Belgium, Website: www.gopio-belgium.be E-mail sunil.prasad@coditel.net, Tel & Fax: 0032-2- 469 2677 or Tel: 0032-2-224 0203. Conference info can also be accessed on GOPIO International websites: www.gopio.net or www.gopio.com

NO TAXING OF NRI INCOME FROM FOREIGN ASSETS INDIAN SUPREME COURT

Giving a major boost to the inflow of foreign exchange, the Supreme Court has ruled that the Indian revenue authorities can not tax NRIs on their income from properties abroad. It said the treaties for avoidance of double taxation between India and other countries will override provisions of Income Tax Act, thus the income derived by an NRI petitioner from his property in Malaysia is exempt from tax in India under the Indo-Malaysian treaty of 1977.

This judgment may have a bearing on certain pending petitions challenging the Indo-Mauritius Double Taxation Avoidance Treaty. It has been alleged in those petitions that the Centre was losing huge amounts in tax as many companies were operating in India after registering in Mauritius just for the purpose of avoiding payment of tax.

While dismissing the Commissioner of Income Tax's appeal, a Bench of Chief Justice S Rajendra Babu and Justice G P Mathur said as the immovable property, from which the gain was derived, was situated in Malaysia , the tax laws of India would not apply to the said income.

INDIAN ARRIVAL DAY CELEBRATED IN TRINIDAD

Indian Arrival Day in Trinidad was celebrated jointly by the Indian High Commission, the National Council of Indian Culture, the University of West Indies and Mahatma Institute for Cultural Cooperation (MRICC), with a seminar on May 21^st and 22^nd at the university of West Indies. The theme pf the seminar was The Indian Diaspora in the Caribbean: The Global Interface. Topics ranged from social and economic linkages to literature, culture and historic perspectives of the Diaspora in the Caribbean. Presentations were followed by lively discussion.

GOPIO was represented by its North American Vice President Dr. Sushila Gidwani-Buschi, who presented a paper on Diaspora and Global Issues.

THE OTHER SIDE OF OUTSOURCING

Watch Thomas L. Friedman reporting for New York Times TV. The Other Side of Outsourcing - Premieres in North America, Thursday, June 3, from 10-11 PM (ET/PT) on Discovery Channel Encore presentation (7.30 am June 4 in India), and Monday, June 7, from 9-10PM (ET) Discovery Times Channel (6.30 am June 8 in India). Other countries, check local programs.

GOPIO CHAPTER NEWS

GOPIO NORWAY CHARTS OUT FUTURE PLAN

GOPIO Norway organized its first Executive cum get together of the NRI/PIO living in Oslo on 19th May 2004 under the President ship of Mohan Singh Varma. This was the first official meeting of the Chapter since its formation in March and was designed to connect with the INDIAN Diaspora and discuss future plan and activities. Jagdish C. Pant, First Secretary of the Indian Mission in Norway who addressed the meeting thanked the GOPIO Norway for taking the initiative to connect with the Indian Diaspora and assured all co-operation. It was decided that GOPIO Norway, in close co-operation with Indian Embassy, shall host the flag hoisting ceremony on the Independence Day on 15.th August. J.C. Pant assured that the Embassy will start negotiations with the Norwegian authorities regarding the question of Dual citizenship. The Secretary of the GOPIO Norway Ravi Saigal reported that that GOPIO Norway will participate in the European NRI/PIO Business Networking Conference in Belgium on October 4, 2004.

The Norway Chapter President Mohan singh Varma can be contacted at mohansinghvarma@hotmail.com

GOPIO-METRO DC AND OTHER GROUPS GIVE SEND-OFF TO AMBASSADOR MANSINGH

GOPIO-Metro DC joined hands on April 18 at the Martins Crosswind in Greenbelt, Maryland with the Indian American Community organizations in Washington Dc area to give a community farewell reception/dinner to the outgoing Indian Ambassador to the US Mr. Lalit Mansingh and Mrs. Indira Mansingh. Ambasador ManSingh returns to India after a very successful tenure. His excellent service to India and the Indian American community has brought India and USA closer than ever. His tenure has been marked with numerous achievements; the most recent of them has been the formation of "Friends of India" Caucus in the U.S Senate.

Ambassador Mansingh glorified the evening with his eloquent speech. As usual, he mesmerized the audience with his carefully weighted words and an inspiring list of achievements India has made in the recent years. The Indian American community members who attended the event were left with a feeling of pride, hope and optimism of the future of India and the Indo-US relations. A standing ovation following his speech, magnified with a thundering uproar of clapping hands, was a testimony of the mark he left on the hearts and minds of the Indian American community.

The event was significant also from the standpoint of the Metro-DC Indian American community. The event brought numerous Metro-DC Indian American organizations together for a common purpose. Not often does one sees this kind of solidarity and co-operation among diverse groups and different organizations. Metro-DC GOPIO was among the leading organizations to make this event happen.

GOPIO Metro-DC president Dr. Renuka Misra, on behalf of GOPIO International and other GOPIO-DC board members, thanked the Ambassador Mansingh for his wonderful service to the community and India. Major sponsors of the community function included National Council of Asian Indian Organizations, India Cultural Coordinating Committee along with NFIA and FIA Metro Region.

GOPIO Metro-DC President can be contacted at renugopio@yahoo.com

DR. SUSHILA GIDWANI-BUSCHI APPOINTED AS NORTH AMERICAN REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT OF GOPIO

GOPIO Founding/Life member Dr. Sushila Gidwani-Buschi has been appointed as the North American Vice president of GOPIO by President Inder Singh. An economist, Dr. Gidwani-Buschi has served as GOPIO Treasurer since its inception. Commenting on the new responsibility, Dr. Gidwani-Buschi said that she would travel all over the USA and Canada to initiate new GOPIO chapters.

Those interested to start GOPIO chapters in the USA/Canada cities are requested to contact Dr. Gidwani-Buschi can be reach at 914-693-4219, E-mail: shilaji@aol.com

PIOs ACHIEVE

TWO MORE NRIs IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS

Two more NRIs - Diljit Rana and Sir Kumar Bhattacharyya - have been appointed to the House of Lords by British Prime Minister Tony Blair. While Rana, founder of Andras House, Belfast's leading property development company, and first Honorary Indian Consul in Northern Ireland is an independent, Bhattacharya, professor of manufacturing at the University of Warwick, belongs to the Labor pary. Prof Bhattacharyya, who was earlier made a CBE (Commander of the British Empire), advises government and industry on policy-making and strategy. Combining academic rigour with industrial flair, his goal is to spur innovations which are practical and actionable. Instead of endless 'best practice' theories, Bhattacharya explains how working methods need to match both technology and ambition.

OTHER LORDS OF INDIAN ORIGIN ARE:

• Conservative - Lord Bagri
• Labor - Lord Ahmed, Lord Parekh, Lord Paul, Lord Desai, Lord Flather
• Liberal Democrat - Lord Dholakia,
• Cross Bench - Lord Bhatia, Lord Prashar

TWO INDIAN AMERICANS IN BUSHS NEW COMMISSION

US President George W Bush has chosen two Indian Americans as Commissioners to the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Dr Akshay Desai from Florida and Joseph Melookaran from Kansas have been chosen by Bush as Commissioners to the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, a White House statement said here. Desai and Melookaran figure among the 14 people chosen for the advisory body. Vice President Richard Cheney presided over a ceremony at the White House on May 27^th to celebrate the announcements in absence of Bush.

SCIENTIST OF INDIAN ORIGIN AWARDED PRESTIGIOUS US FELLOWSHIP

Professor Kalidas Shetty of the University of Massachusetts, a scientist of Indian origin, is among five recipients of the first Jefferson Science Fellowship announced by Secretary of State Colin Powell. Shetty and four other scientists were feted by the State Department.

GOPIO PLANS CARIBBEAN PIO CONFERENCE

GOPIO is planning to convene a 1-day GOPIO Caribbean Regional Chapter meeting and conference on Caribbean People of Indian Origin (PIO) Diaspora to be held in a Caribbean country later this year.

The intent is to include all countries of the Caribbean with significant population of PIOs, to combine their individual and collective efforts, as part of GOPIO International, and to address issues of common interests and concern. This initiative is based on the GOPIO meeting held on January 9 in New Delhi following the GOPIO Convention and Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

Proposed topics of discussion would include practical ways to bring about more regional awareness of GOPIO, initiate and/or inaugurate more GOPIO chapters, focus on PIO interests in the region, and the role of the Caribbean PIO Diaspora as an integral part of the global Indian Diaspora.

The countries which would be included in the group are: Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname, The French Caribbean (French Guiana, Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Barths, St.Martin/St.Maarten), St Lucia, Jamaica (and all others with significant PIO population).

We solicit and encourage the responses from all those in the Caribbean region and others as well.  Kindly forward your suggestions, ideas and comments to ramsaran@aol.com as soon as possible so that your suggestions can be incorporated into the event agenda.

The exact date, place and complete agenda will be announced at a later time.

For further information, please contact:

Inder Singh (GOPIO President) @ gopio-intl@sbcglobal.net

Ashook Ramsaran (GOPIO Secretary General) @ ramsaran@aol.com

NFIA AND AIA SCHEDULE CONGRESSIONAL LUNCHEON AND WHITE HOUSE BRIEFING

The National Federation of Indian- American Associations (NFIA) and the Association of Indians in America have scheduled a Congressional Luncheon on Thursday, June 3rd at 11.30 a.m. at the US Capital. All delegates will be briefed at the White House at 3.30 p.m. Indian organization representatives are urged to participate. For information and registration call Dr. Parthasarathy Pillai at 301-935-5321, or Dr. Joydeb Roy at 301-926-3013 or Lal Motwani at 718-470-1026, or E-mail: Mahendra K. Shah at mashah16@yahoo.com. GOPIO-New York is a sponsor of this program. Participants from the New York area should reach GOPIO-New York president Lal Motwani for transportation arrangements.

NFIA can be contacted as follows:

President: Niraj Baxi, Tel: 408-725-7117, E-mail: nbaxi@nfia.net

Preisdent-Elect: Dr. Rajen Anand, Tel: 562-537-1077, E-mail: ranand2@csulb.edu

AIF AND UNF IN PARTNERSHIP

The American India Foundation (AIF) and the United Nations Foundation (UN Foundation) has announced the launch of a new partnership at a dinner May 14, 2004, at an evening fundraiser Hotel in Santa Clara, CA. The partnership will rally support for Indias development. More than 200 guests from high-tech firms and other corporations throughout California joined the program.

In 1998, Mr. Turner created the UN Foundation with his historic $1 billion gift to the United Nations and its programs. The UN Foundation has committed more than $28 million to Indias economic and social development, as well as to the protection of its environment. Launched in 2003, the UN Foundations Pride in India campaign is mobilizing resources to address the countrys most pressing challenges.

"India is at a critical point in its development and has set its eyes on eradicating poverty by 2020," said Timothy E. Wirth, former Senator from Colorado and President of the UN Foundation. "The UN is working hard to advance Indias goals, and the Indian Diaspora has a tremendous opportunity to work with the AIF-UN Foundation partnership and leverage UN expertise to make a difference in India at this critical juncture in its history."

AIF is dedicated to working on economic empowerment of women and education of the left out child in India . In three years, AIF has built an extraordinary infrastructure in India and the US to support the effective deployment of resources to have a multiplier effect in India s development.

"We strongly believe that partnerships with credible institutions like the UNF will be a more sustainable method of leveraging strengths in effecting meaningful social and economic change in India . We are excited about working with UNF and applaud the vision of Mr. Turner in philanthropy" said Lata Krishnan, President of AIF.

AIF has set a goal of raising $1 million from Indo-centric individuals, corporations and foundations in support of this initiative, and the UN Foundation will match contributions dollar-for-dollar. The UN Foundation and AIF also are exploring partnerships in other areas critical to Indias social development including empowering women, educating girls, and improving health services for children.

For more information on the UN Foundation and AIF, please visit: www.unfoundation.org and www.aifoundation.org.

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, Tarzana, California, USA, Tel: 818-708-3885, E-mail: gopio-intl@sbcglobal.net

GOPIO Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran, Fresh Meadows, New York city, Tel: 718/939-8194, E-mail: ramsaran@aol.com

To become a Life member of GOPIO, visit http://www.gopio.net/membership_form.htm and send it with check to GOPIO, P.O. Box 1413, Stamford, CT 06904, USA.

EDITORIAL BOARD

v Dr. Thomas Abraham (Stamford, CT, USA)

v Prashant Gupta (Chicago, IL, USA)

v Sunil Prasad (Brussles, Belgium)

GOPIO NEWS welcomes NRI/PIO related stories from all over the world. Be a volunteer correspondent or reporter. Contact Dr. Thomas Abraham at gopio@optonline.net

Visit GOPIOs Official site at www.gopio.net