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GOPIO NEWS
August 15, 2019
A Publication of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO)
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| Issue: XVII-5 | August 15, 2019 | |
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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.
We resume GOPIO News again after brief period of few months. Most of us were out in India for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and afterwards it got delayed due to some unavoidable circumstances.
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.
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GOPIO-INTL. AND CHAPTERS PAY TRIBUTES TO THE LATE MINISTER SUSHMA SWARAJ
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CONDOLENCE MESSAGE
Global Organization of People of Indian Origin conveys its heartfelt condolences in passing away of Smt. Sushma Swaraj, who served as External Affair Minister with Prime Minister Modi from 2014 to 2019. As minister looking after the Overseas Indian Affairs, GOPIO have had a close working relation and cooperation on many of the NRI and PIO issues as well as on new initiatives from her ministry.
We have been working with Sushmaji since she has been the leader of BJP in the Lok Sabha.
In her passing away, we will miss a Statesman as well as a sincere and able political leader.
GOPIO International conveys its heartfelt condolences. May her soul rest in peace.
Dr. Thomas Abraham
Chairman
Sunny Kulathakal
President
Photo: GOPIO delegation meeting with the then Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj on Sept. 23rd, 2018 in New York; From l. to r.: GOPIO Intl. Coordinator-at-Large Dr. Asha Samant, Consul General Sandeep Chakravorty, GOPIO Gold Life Member and Chairman of Parikh Worldwide Media Dr. Sudhir Parikh, GOPIO Vice President Ram Gadhavi, Minister Swaraj, GOPIO Chapter Validation Committee Chair Dinesh Mittal, GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, GOPIO Secretary Dr. Rajeev Mehta, GOPIO Intl Coordinator-at-Large Lal Motwani, GOPIO-CT President Anita Bhat and TV Asia News Anchor Rohit Vyas
Photo - The Late Minister Sushma Swaraj in discussion with GOPIO Delegation in New York on Sept. 24, 2017 From l. to r. Minister Swaraj, GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, GOPIO's Chief of Board of Advisors H.R. Shah and GOPIO-North Jersey President Rajul P. Shah
Photo - GOPIO delegation with Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj. From L. to R: Dr. Piyush Agrawal, Sudha Agrawal, Suman Kapoor, Raj Purohi, Lord Dilji Rana, Late Sushma Swaraj, Dr. Thomas Abraham, Radha Krishnan, Ritesh Agrawal and Late Ambassador J.C. Sharma on Jan. 6, 2011
GOPIO Chapters worldwide joined hands with other community organizations in organizing condolence and prayer meetings.
GOPIO Executive Vice President Ishwar Ramlutchman organized a candlelight prayer and condolence meeting on August 7th at Sanlam Center, Empangeni, Keazulu Natal. South Africa.
GOPIO Triolet North participated jointly with the OFBJP Mauritius in a Shradhanjali paying tribute to the late Minister Sushma Swaraj. Many ministers and political leaders from Mauritius attended the event.
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| GOPIO-BIENNIAL CONVENTION TO BE HELD IN BERLIN, GERMANY, NOV. 8-10, 2019 AND FINALE IN PARIS, NOV. 11, 2019 |
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Scores of delegates from across the world are preparing to attend the twinned city congress of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (Gopio International) - marking a milestone of 30 years - in Europe in November.
For the first time since Gopio International was founded in 1989 with the diplomatic endorsement of the Indian government in New Delhi that a world gathering of the most influential Indians will be hosted in two famous landmark cities - Berlin and Paris - from 8-12 November.
Particularly significant within the double-header programme is the celebration of Diwali, the worldwide celebration of the Festival of Lights by millions of Indians in mainland India and about 30 million diaspora Indians spread across more than 100 countries.
The forthcoming conference is headlined as the "Indiaspora meeting in Europe" under the banner theme, Strengthening Global Connections.
The 30th biennial convention takes place in the German city of Berlin from 8 to 10 November, and the entourage travels to France for the second leg of the extraordinary meeting on 11-12 November in Paris, according to the head of mission of the local organising committees in both host cities.
Gopio International has dispatched a call for speakers, panelists and thought leaders to contribute to the dual gatherings.
Some of the highlights include visits to the sights and sound of Berlin - among the famous sites is the Berlin Wall that separated communist East Germany from democratic West Germany and was torn down during the detente of the 1980s following the unification of Germany.
Delegates will travel together to the French capital.
In Paris, tours have been arranged to the Versailles Palace, Mont Saint Michel and the Eiffel Tower as well. A GOPIO meeting is on the schedule at the French Parliament.
Within the build up to the Diwali celebration, visits to other tourist attractions are being planned in the "City of Love" with Espace Reuilly as the central location.
For more information, contact the following convention officers:
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
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| SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR DIASPORA CHILDREN FOR ACADEMIC SESSION 2019-'20 | |
Government of India launched a scheme called "Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children" (SPDC), in the academic year 2006-2007, for the wards of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to assist them in pursuing Under Graduate courses in Indian Universities/Institutes.
Under SPDC scheme financial assistance for specific undergraduate courses in Professional and Non-Professional courses (except Medical and related courses)is provided towards tuition fee, admission fee and post admission services. The scheme is applicable to NRIs and PIOs from 66 countries.
Under the scheme, PIO/NRI students are awarded a scholarship of up to US$4,000 per annum for payment of tuition fee, admission fee and post admission services for Undergraduate courses in Engineering, Technology, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Commerce, Management, Journalism, Hotel Management, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and other courses. The scholarship is applicable to students who have already secured admission in an Indian institution. Admission is permitted only in Central Universities, NAAC "A" Grade Institutions, National Institute of Technologies (NITs), School of Planning & Architecture (SPAs), and Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIITs) as covered under Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) scheme.
In case of any technical assistance, please contact following:
SPDC Portal Support Team, EG & IT Division, MEA, 1025, A Wing, Jawaharlal Nehru Bhavan
23-D Janpath, New Delhi 110011, Email: technicalcellegit@mea.gov.in, Tel. +91 11 4901 8371
In case of any assistance/clarification regarding Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children, please contact following: Section Officer, OIA II Division, MEA, 925, Akbar Bhawan, Chankyapuri, New Delhi 110021, Email: so1oia2@mea.gov.in, Tel.: +91 11 2419 7927; Or Visit www.spdcindia.gov.in
Last date for application is Nov. 30, 2019.
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GOPIO-KOCHI CAMPAIGNS ON NRI ISSUES
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Mr. Sajan Parayil, an NRI businessman committed suicide at Anthur in Kannur district of Kerala due to the mental agony after he was denied license for his Convention Centre where he had invested Rs. 15 crores, from his savings, working in Nigeria.
This incident brought to light many similar instances in Kerala where NRIs who had invested their hard-earned money had lost substantially due to abnormal procedural delays, harassment or obstacles from local authorities in granting licenses.
All the Pravasi organizations across the world reacted very strongly and this led to a global teleconference wherein over 343 NRIs from various parts of the globe participated. Spearheaded by the Pravasi Malayali Conclave, other NRI organisations including GOPIO- Kochi Chapter, FOKANA, FOMAA, WMC participated.
Mr. Raju Abraham MLA, Mr. V.D. Satheesan MLA and Mr. Radhakrishna Menon (BJP), Mr. Tom Jose, IAS Chief Secretary and Mr. Jayakrishnan Namboodiri from NORKA also participated in the tele conference. Mr. Alex Koshy Vilanilam was the Chief Coordinator of the Global Tele Conference and Mr. Aniyan George (USA) of FOMAA moderated the event.
Mr. Kurian Abraham, GOPIO International Regional Coordinator for South and Mr. Balagopal Veliyath, Secretary - GOPIO Kochi Chapter participated in the teleconference representing GOPIO - Kochi Chapter. Mr. Kurian Abraham spoke in the teleconference and gave his views on how to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in future.
Subsequently, a team of Pravasi Conclave met the Chief Minister on 05 July, 2019 and presented a Resolution passed by the Pravasi organizations. Click to read the resolutions to Kerala Chief Minister. Mr. Shaji Baby John and Mr. Alex Koshy Vilanilam, GOPIO Life Members were a part of the 5-member delegation which met the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister gave a patient hearing and appreciated the initiative taken by the Pravasi Conclave for setting up a Pravasi Arbitration & Mediation Centre at Kochi. A copy of Dhanam magazine with an article by Mr. K P Sankaran on why businesses fail in Kerala was also presented to CM during this meeting.
Subsequent to the meeting with CM, it has been decided to set up a Pravasi Arbitration & Mediation Center at Kochi. The building for locating this Centre has been identified and is expected to function from here within 3-months time.
This is a part of the initiative by GOPIO Kochi Chapter to help and provide assistance to the NRIs.
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GOPIO-CT HONORS SIX INDIAN AMERICAN ACHIEVERS AT A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET
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"It was again a celebration not just of the accomplishments of our awardees, but also a tribute to a strong and vibrant Indian-American community that has excelled in almost all areas," Dr. Thomas Abraham, Founder President and chairman of GOPIO International, who is also a Trustee of GOPIO-CT and chairman of the Awards Committee, said, in his opening remarks, while setting the tone for the 13th annual Gala and Awards Nite.
Organized by The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO)-Connecticut Chapter in the Ballroom at the Sheraton Stamford Hotel on Saturday, July 27th, 2019, the event honored six distinguished Indian Americans for their achievements and contributions to the greater good of the larger society. The theme for the banquet this year was titled 'A Better Tomorrow, Green Carpet Gala' with emphasis on environmental balance and social justice.
 Photo: Consul General Sandeep Chakravorty and Senator Richard Blumenthal with GOPIO officers during cocktail reception
Photo: GOPIO officers at cocktail reception and a view of the reception
Welcoming everyone, GOPIO-CT President Anita Bhat said, "Our mission at GOPIO-CT has been to, actively participate in the local community through involvement in community events and providing advocacy on issues important to Indian Americans. This lofty goal of providing services and a political voice to the local Indian population has evolved into an exemplary community service organization thanks to the tremendous support of our local Indian community."
Bhat described the many flagship events the organization conducts every year. "We take pride in serving at local soup kitchens, addressing important issues through speaker series, participating in local walkathons, celebrate Diwali festival, India's Independence Day, Cricket matches, organize Health Series, recognize high achievers and our scholarship program funds many students' education, Bhat added.
The 2019 awardees are: Connecticut State Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan for achievement in Political involvement; Dr. Ravi Dhar is George Rogers Clark Professor of Management and Marketing, Yale School of Management and Professor of Psychology at Yale University for Business Management; Dr. Sathya Motupally, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Doosan Fuel Cell America for Engineering; Dr. D.R. Nagaraj, Principal Research Fellow at Cytec Solvay for Applied Sciences and Dinyar Wadia, Principal of Wadia Associates for Architecture. In addition, GOPIO-CT President's Award for a young professional will be presented to Dr. Asha Kapur Shah, Associate Hospital Epidemiologist and Associate Director of Infectious Diseases at Stamford Hospital.
Photo - GOPIO-CT Awardees honored at the Banquet on July 27th, from l. to r.: Prof. Ravi Dhar; Dr. Sathya Motupally, Connecticut State Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan,Dr. Asha Kapur Shah, Dr. D.R. Nagaraj and Dinyar Wadia
India's Consul General from New York Sandeep Chakravorty, in his address, thanked GOPIO for playing a major role in cementing US-India relations and appealed to lawmakers including Senator Richard Blumenthal who was in the audience for their support to promote bilateral relations.
Photo: US Senator Richard Blumenthal speaking at the banquet. Seated at the extreme right is Indian Consul General Sandeep Chakravorty
"India has a special relation with Connecticut since Indian companies are setting up their office in Connecticut as Infosys opened its Technology and Innovation Hub in Harford," said Consul General Chakravorty.
Consul General Chakravorty also complimented the Indian American community for its achievements in education, income level, economic standing and contributions to the American society. Chakravorty invited the community to attend public the reception for Prime Minister Narendra scheduled to be held in Houston on September 22nd.
Photo: Dignitaries speaking at the Banquet. From l. to r.: Indian Consul General Sandeep Chakravorty, Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling, New Canaan First Selectman Kevin Moynihan and CT Assemblyman Dr. Prasad Srinivasan
Senator Richard Blumenthal said that there are bilateral issues between the US and India which need to be resolved. A previous Friend of India award recipient from GOPIO-CT, Senator Blumenthal said that US-Indian relations would emerge stronger.
Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling said that Norwalk Public Library would have an India collection of books which will be launched on September 15th at the library.
Prominent among those who had attended and spoke at the annual gala included, Connecticut State Senator Tony Hwang and CT State Assemblymen Dr. Prasad Srinivasan. Echoing similar sentiments, Connecticut Assemblyman Dr. Prasad Srinivasan, in his eloquent speech highlighted the need for Indian Americans to come together, stand united and work for the greater good of the larger American society. Senator Hwang congratulated GOPIO for bringing the community together. New Canaan First Selectman Kevin Kevin Moynihan said that New Canaan was happy to have Indian Americans who have made outstanding contributions to the society.
The sold out and much anticipated event was attended by over 250 guests from across the state of Connecticut and New York, including community leaders, elected officials, and honorees and their families. The gala included a cocktail reception, dinner, music, and eloquent speeches, touching life-stories and inspiring narratives on the lives of the six distinguished honorees. The program was compered by GOPIO-CT's immediate past president Shailesh Naik and Vice President Bhavna Juneja. The gala began with a mesmerizing Kuchipudi dance 'Swara Pallavi' by Roopa Modha. Comedian Dr. Sandip Sen took the stage after the award ceremony with his clean jokes on he community and society at large.
For the fifth year in a row, GOPIO-CT Scholarship for College Tuitions were given to four young students from Connecticut towards their higher education. The scholarships were presented to Rahul Katre who graduated from The Academy of Info Technology and Engineering, Stamford; Rishabh Sahu, who graduated from Stamford's Westhill High School; Annwesha Roy Chowdhury who is enrolled at the Norwalk Community College and Anne Jordan Nanai who graduated from Greenwich High School.
 Photo - GOPIO-CT Scholarship Winners 2019. From l. to r.: GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, Ashok Nichani of Nichani Family Business Group, First County Bank VP and Commercial Loan Officer Brad Lupinacci, Dr, Michael Parry of Stamford Hospital, Recipient Annwesha Roy Chowdhury, Sabinsa Corp. Senior Advisor Jaisankar Nair, Recipients Rahul Katre and Rishabh Sahu, First County Bank Asst. Vice President and Branch Manager Paul U. Isla and Scholarship Committee Chair Shelly Nichani
The GOPIO-CT executive committee consists of Anita Bhat, President; Santosh Gannu, Exec. Vice President; Bhavna Juneja, Vice President; Prasad Chintalapudi, Secretary; Gayatri Mahesh, Jt. Secretary; Viresh Sharma, Treasurer; and Shelly Nichani, Immediate Past President. Board of Trustees are: Shailesh Naik - Chair; Dr. Thomas Abraham - Secretary and Comptroller; Srinivas Akarapu, Neelam Narang, Varghese Ninan, Sanjay Santhanam and Anita Bhat- Ex-Officio. The Scholarship Committee has Shelly Nichani (Chair), Pradeep Govil, Bavna Juneja and Viresh Sharma as its members. Board Members are: Meera Banta, Louella D'Silva, Jaya Daptadar, Ritu Johorey, Rajneesh Misra, Udaya Neelam, Beena Ramachandran and Ramya Subramanian.
 Photo: GOPIO-CT Awardees and scholarship recipients with Dignitaries and officials
After the award ceremony Miss India Connecticut Alka Marala and Mamatha Puttaswamy performed Bollywood dances following which the audience joined in.
Over the last 13 years, GOPIO-CT, a chapter of GOPIO International has become an active and dynamic organization hosting interactive sessions with policy makers and academicians, community events, youth mentoring and networking workshops, and working with other area organizations to help create a better future. GOPIO-CT - Global Organization of People of Indian Origin - serves as a non-partisan, secular, civic and community service organization - promoting awareness of Indian culture, customs and contributions of PIOs through community programs, forums, events and youth activities. It seeks to strengthen partnerships and create an ongoing dialogue with local communities.
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| INDIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY TO HOST PM MODI AT A PUBLIC RECEPTION IN HOUSTON ON SEPT. 22ND | |
Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) has joined Texas India Forum as a Welcome Partner for this event (www.howdymodi.org). The members of GOPIO organization have a chance to register for exclusive free passes before general registration opens. To register as a member of Global Organization of People of Indian Origin, contact gopio@optonline.net.
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GOPIO Organization Code will be provided to all members.
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This code is exclusive to members of Global Organization of People of Indian Origin and is required during the online pre-registration process.
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To get free Passes to "Howdy, Modi!" - a Community Summit in honor of the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, in Houston, TX, on September 22, 2019, register online at https://howdymodi.org/register after getting the passcode frm GOPIO.
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| GOPIO NEWS SPONSORS - Attorney Megha Bhouraskar (USA) and Nazareth Consulting (USA) | |
 The Law Offices of Megha D. Bhouraskar [MDB] is a NYC/USA-based law firm specializing in Business Transactions, Company Formations, Real Estate, Investments, Intellectual Property, Entertainment, and Entrepreneurial Mentorship. MDB advances the business opportunities for Indians Worldwide by using a specific set of skills that include: personal strengths, creativity, intuition, discretion, sense of community, attention and interactive collaboration.
Contact:
The Law Offices of Megha D. Bhouraskar,P.C.,
139 Fulton Street, Suite 902, New York, NY 10039, United States, Tel: (212)571-1770
** Note: GOPIO or GOPIO News does not endorse any sponsors or advertisers. |
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| GOPIO INTL. AND CHAPTER NEWS | |
LOS ANGELES AREA INDIAN COMMUNITY CELEBRATES AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY
Indian American Heritage Foundation, in association with GOPIO Int'l, GOPIO-LA, GOPIO-IE, GOPIO-OC, Federation of Indian Community of Southern California, Indo American Social Association, Excel Foundation USA, Rajput Association of America, and Apna Punjabi Group organized American Independence Day celebration on July 04, 2019 at Joy of Sharing Community Center, Norwalk and also paid tribute to Indian pioneers and patriots who started India independence movement in the USA in the early 20th century. The celebration included a seminar which covered topics such as America's war for Independence, Early Indian Immigration and Settlement, Struggle for US citizenship, Fight for India independence (Gadar Movement), Indian Americans' philanthropic Contributions to India and USA and Indian Americans who have made India and Indian Americans proud.
The seminar started at 11 am with national anthems of America and India by Henna Noor. Inder Singh, principal organizer of the event, in his welcome remarks, talked about Americans' sacrifices to gain freedom from the British. Many Americans lost their lives, properties, lifelong earnings during their fight for independence. He also talked about the early Indian immigrants' unimagined hardships, racial violence, bigotry, and discrimination which they faced in the USA.
Photo - Audience saluting as American natl.Anthem was sung
Vasu Pawar, President GOPIO Inland Empire spoke of American war for independence from the British. She said that the American colonies formed the First Continental Congress to persuade the British government to recognize their rights. When this didn't work, the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776, and war was declared. Independence from Britain was won in 1783. The colonies became states and United States of America was born as a country. Ashok Madan, past president NFIA, spoke about Early Indian Immigration and Settlement Problems which Indian Immigrants faced when they came to in the United States in the beginning of twentieth century.
Rajbir S. Husson, President Indo American Social Association spoke about India Independence Movement known as Gadar Movement which was started in USA to free India from the yolks of British rule. After WW1 started in 1914, several thousand overseas Indians went to India to free their motherland from the British. The British spies foiled their attempt to throw the British out of India. Many were arrested, 48 were given death sentence, and 69 life imprisonment. Inder Singh talked about the sacrifices of heroes of Gadar movement, Sohan Singh Bhakna and Lala Hardyal. Rani Kuusto talked about Kartar Singh Sarabha, Aparna Hande spoke about Vishnu Ganesh Pingley and Dr. Asmath Noor talked about Maulvi Barkatullah.
A young high schooler Sagar Dhunna spoke about Freedom is not free and won the hearts of the audience. He said, we live the way we do today because of the many brave men and women that have sacrificed their lives. There is no doubt that we paid a huge price for this freedom.
Kewal Kanda, treasurer GOPIO-Int'l, spoke about the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre and reminded the audience that this year is the centenary year of that incidence. He also told the audience how Gen Dyer sealed off the only exit and indiscriminately fired 1650 rounds in 10 minutes without warning and massacred over 1000 innocent and unarmed people who had gathered there to celebrate Baisakhi. Mahatma Gandhi was so moved by this massacre it became prelude to his full commitment to the cause of Indian nationalism and independence from Britain. Charu Shivakumar, President Excel Foundation, spoke about the struggle of Indians for US citizenship. After a long struggle, a bill was passed in the US Congress in 1946 allowing 100 Indians to become US citizens annually. President Truman invited Sardar JJ Singh and Anup Singh who had been fighting to gain citizenship rights, to the White House on July 2, 1946 to witness the signing off the bill into law.
Photo - GOPIO Foundation Exec. Trustee Inder Singh
Dilip Butani, GOPIO Area Coordinator, Southern California, talked about philanthropic contributions of Indians, which far outweigh those of any other recent immigrant community to the USA. Inder Singh, made power point presentation and showed names of Indian Americans who have significantly contributed in the fields of science, sports, education, economy, agriculture, yoga, politics, and in several other fields of human endeavor. He said that all these people have made Indian Americans proud and also India for their achievements.
Photo - Seminar organizers
About one hundred and fifty people attended the seminar. For many attendees, history of Indians in America as given in the seminar, was an eye opener. They had never known what early Indian immigrants went through and their struggle for American citizenship. Rajinder Dhunna, Baljinder Tahim, and Vilas Jadhav volunteered their time to help manage the event. A complimentary lunch was provided to all attendees.
Contact: Inder Singh, Executive Trustee, GOPIO Foundation, 818-708-3885, indersinghusa@gmail.com.
GOPIO-CT HOLDS A PICNIC WITH A FRIENDLY CRICKET MATCH
GOPIO-CT held its annual picnic in conjunction with a friendly cricket match between GOPIO-CT team vs Mad Dogs of Greenwich.at the Christiano field in Greenwich, CT. Mad Dogs bated and completed 30 over innings with over 160 runs. However, as GOPIO-CT started batting, rain stopped the game. Sanjay Santhanam served as Mad Dogs captain while Joe Simon was GOPIO-CT captain. Indian lunch was served. Overall it was fun event.
Photo: Some of the picnic attendees with the players
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NRIs AND PIOs ACHIEVE
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BRITISH INDIAN MEDICAL DOCTOR CROWNED MISS ENGLAND
A 23-year-old Indian-origin doctor has been crowned Miss England after fending off competition from dozens of other models, the media reported on Friday.
Bhasha Mukherjee, 23, from Derby, holds two different medical degrees, has an IQ of 146, making her officially a 'genius' and is fluent in five languages, reports The Daily Mail.
She was due to start her new job as a junior doctor in a hospital in Boston, Lincolnshire, just hours after the Miss England final ended on Thursday evening.
"Some people might think pageant girls are airheads, but we all stand for a cause," she said before the contest.
"My pageant career all started to happen while I was in the middle of studying at medical school - it took a lot of convincing for me to do it, but eventually I decided to do it to balance out my studying and give me a break."
Mukherjee was born in India. Her family relocated to the UK when she was nine.
She went onto complete two bachelor degrees: one in medical sciences and one in medicine and surgery from the University of Nottingham. As winner of Miss England, she will be entered into the Miss World contest and will also bag a holiday to Mauritius.
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| GOPIOs, NRIs and PIOs NEWS FEATURES |
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GOPIO EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT DONATES HOMES TO TWO HOMELESS MEN IN SOUTH AFRICA
GOPIO Executive Vice President, Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu, an Indian-origin philanthropist and Humanitarian in South Africa who has championed the art of supporting the underprivileged has taken US-based global organisation to greater heights.
Ishwar Ramlutchman have Built two homes, one for 70-year-old Msizeni Ntuli of rural Mzingazi Area and the other for Mr Gumede in KwaDlangezwa rural community outside Richards Bay in South Africa. These destitute families will now enjoy a peaceful night's sleep for the first time in over decades after they was given a brand-new house.
Ntuli, who suffered a stroke in 1995 forcing him to stay home permanently and Mr Gumede who is blind couldn't get a job will now be able to live in a dignified manner through the actions of Mr Ramlutchman. They both had previously lived in a dilapidated shack which leaked incessantly during heavy downpours. Mr Ntuli said that he would now sleep peacefully every night knowing that he had a proper roof over his head. "I am beyond delighted, because I've been living in my rundown house since 2008 and I now have a safe and spacious house I can call my own," Ntuli said. He said that all that he hoped for now was that the government's promises of employment opportunities for the youth would also see his son get a job because they were only surviving on his pension.
"Ishwarbhai's role in creating GOPIO chapters and championing social cohesion by working with people of all races is highly admirable," said Lucy Sigaban, President of the Johannesburg South chapter of the GOPIO in South Africa. "His recognition by His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuZulu as an adopted son and the only Indian-origin to be appointed as a trustee of the Royal Household in 2010 and to be given the Zulu Royal orders, a Zulu name, Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu, speaks volumes," Sigaban added.
Photo: Mr T G Mbele, Ishwar Ramlutchman, Mr Gumede, Mr Mkwanazi and community members
See videos of handing over the keys to the houses
https://www.facebook.com/GOPIOinSouthAfrica/videos/2318490591520795/
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NEWS OF INTEREST TO NRIs AND PIOs AROUND THE WORLD
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TRUMP ADMINISTRATION RULES COULD DENY HALF OF ALL GREEN CARD APPLICATIONS AND AGING PARENTS COULD ALSO BE DEINED VISA
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced Aug. 12 that it has finalized the controversial 'public charge rule,' which denies permanent status to immigrants who have received federal aid and benefits or are likely to do so in the future.
The new rule would potentially deny green cards to one million immigrants each year who are currently living in the U.S. and have received any of several forms of federal public aid, including food stamps - a program known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP - Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, and Temporary Aid for Needy Families, or TANF.
Immigrants applying for green cards must also be able to document that they earn at least 250 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, about $41,000 per year for a couple, and about $73,000 for a family of five.
Nationwide, about seven percent of Indian Americans live at or below the federal poverty level, according to data from the Migration Policy Institute. Undocumented immigrants are ineligible for most forms of federal public aid.
The new rule would also adversely impact immigrants who live abroad and are seeking permanent entry into the U.S. Those who are determined by USCIS to need federal public aid in the future, will also be denied a visa, potentially affecting about 13 million people each year. USCIS will use a variety of factors such as level of education, current income, ability to speak English, age, and chronic diseases to determine eligibility.
The rule would heavily impact Indian American families in several ways. Aging parents of adult Indian Americans would face many more barriers to permanent entry in the U.S. Elderly parents seeking to immigrate to the U.S. are unlikely going to be able to document being able to sustain a household income of $41,000 per year. Department of Homeland Security - of which USCIS is a component - may not consider the household income of their children in determining eligibility, since they would not be in that household when applying.
Indian parents who are over 61, with limited English proficiency and chronic health conditions would unlikely be able to attain a green card, said Rand, who formerly served as assistant director for entrepreneurship at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy during the Obama Administration.
Separately, H-1B holders and their spouses may also face hurdles in their ability to document a sustainable income. Many spouses of H-1B visa holders currently hold work authorization, a provision implemented during the Obama administration. Shortly after President Donald Trump took office, his administration announced its intent to cancel H-4 EAD. The revocation of that rule has not yet been finalized, but, if it does become a final rule, H-4 visa holders will have no income to document.
The new rule will allow USCIS to deny more than 50 percent of all marriage green card applicants. This would force an estimated 200,000 married couples each year to leave the U.S. or live apart indefinitely, The public charge rule has been entered into the Federal Register and will go into effect Oct. 15. Rand predicted the rule will be challenged in court, which may delay implementation. During a 60-day public comment period on a draft rule, the Department of Homeland Security received almost 64,000 final responses, with most people opposing the rule.
(Courtesy: India West)
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| GOPIO LIFE MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTER FORMATION | |
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 2/3rdthe 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 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
GOPIO Secretary - Dr. Rajeev Mehta, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA, Tel: +1-732-986-2584, rajimehta@hotmail.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
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| EDITORIAL BOARD | | |
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 (Ardsley, New York, USA)
Contributors of this issue: Ishwar Ramlutchman, Exec. Vcie President, GOPIO International (South AFrica); Kewal Kanda, Treasurer, GOPIO International (Norwalk, CA, USA); Mehen Poinoosawmy, GOPIO Europe International Coordinator (Paris, France); Kritilata Ram, Co-Chairperson of GOPIO Women's Council International and President of GOPIP Triolet North (Mauritius)
GOPIO NEWS welcomes NRI/PIO related stories from all over the world. Be a volunteer correspondent or reporter.
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