GOPIO NEWS BULLETIN

September 2004

NOTE: This is a monthly newsletter of GOPIO International, based in the USA. If you do not like to receive this newsletter in the future, please go to the bottom and click the unsubscribe url. If you feel the information contained here are useful, please forward this e-mail to your friends and relatives. One could also subscribe by visiting www.gopio.net and type in the e-mail address.

 

CONTENTS

  • GREAT EXPECTATION AND GREAT OPPORTUNITIES AT GOPIO TRADE AND INVESTMENT CONFERENCE IN BELGIUM
  • GOI ANNOUNCES DUAL CITIZENSHIP FEE
  • GOPIO COORDINATES EFFORTS WITH MALAYSIA YSS FOUNDATION
  • GOPIO CHAPTER NEWS
  • GOPIO TRINIDAD HOLDS AWARDS 2005 LAUNCH DINNER
  • NRIs/PIOs ACHIEVE

·        FIJI HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERT NAMED UN MONITOR

  • WHITE HOUSE CELEBRATES GURU GRANTH SAHIB ANNIVERSARY
  • GUIANA 1838
  • TAX ON NRI DEPOSITS DEFERRED TO APRIL 2005
  • APPEAL TO SUPPORT COMMEMORATIVE US STAMP IN HONOR OF LATE CONGRESSMAN DILIP SINGH SAUND
  • GOPIO URGES OF REJECTION OF RABUKA AS FIJIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE US
  • BIHAR CREATES DISCOVER YOUR ROOTS PACKAGE

·        APPEAL FOR AID TO FLOOD VICTIMS OF ASSAM AND BIHAR

  • GOPIO LIFE MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTER FORMATION
  • EDITORIAL BOARD

 

GREAT EXPECTATION AND GREAT OPPORTUNITIES AT GOPIO CONFERENCE IN BRUSSELS , BELGIUM

GOPIO TRADE AND INVESTMENT CONFERENCE OCTOBER 3-4, 2004

 

The forthcoming GOPIO Conference on "NRI/PIO Business Network for Trade and Investment and Contribution of Indian Diaspora in Europe" in Brussels (Belgium) on the 4th. October 2004 will ask the Indian Diaspora in Europe to play a pro-active role in Indias economic development. The Minister for Overseas Indians of the Government of India will be the Chief Guest and Dr. L. M. Singhvi, the Chairman of the Commission on Indian Diaspora will be the Guest of Honor. Keynote address will be delivered by Charles Tannock, Chairman, Friends of India Group in the European Parliament. In addition, several high profile business leaders and academicians are slated to address the Conference. The Conference is being organized in association with the Mission of India to European Union and in collaboration with the Indian Embassy in Belgium. At least eight leading companies of Europe are supporting the Conference.

 

The European Union is Indias largest trading partner, the major contributor of development aid and is home to a large and influential Indian Diaspora. GOPIO attaches a very importance to the coming event and 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.

 

The October event will be the largest gathering of the NRIs/PIOs in recent times and will afford unique opportunity to the Indian Diaspora to network. Further, the Conference will open a new chapter in GOPIOs efforts in developing strategic relations between NRIs/PIOs and Europe and European Institutions. The Conference will be attended by business leaders, policy makers, economists, manufacturers, exporters-importers, consultancy firms and social activists. In addition to the inaugural session, there will be technical sessions to discuss issues such as BPO, raising the profile of the Indian Diaspora, economic contribution of the Indian Community in Europe, if the Indian American experiment could be useful in Europe, launching of the Europe-India Chamber of Commerce, etc.

 

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION IS FREE. More than 225 NRI/PIO business and community leaders from 23 countries have already signed up for the Conference. Only very limited registrations are available now.

 

DETAILED PROGRAM

 

Sunday, 3 October 2004, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Comfort Art Hotel Siru, Place Rogier 1 - 1210 Bruxelles, Belgium

 

GOPIO INTERNATIONAL MEETING

10 am to 12.30 noon - GOPIO Executive Committee Meeting (not open to general public)

 

12.30 p.m. to 1.30 p.m. Lunch

 

OPEN CONFERENCE SESSIONS

 

1.30 pm to 2.30 p.m.

SESSION ON GOPIO COUNCIL PLANS AND REPORTS (open to everyone)

Moderated by Inder Singh, President, GOPIO International

Human Rights Commission - Ashook Ramsaran, Acting Chairman, GOPIO Human Rights Commission

Business Council - Dwarkesh Shah (Germany), Chairman, GOPIO Business Council

Academic Council - Dr. Jagat Motwani (USA), Chairman, GOPIO Academic Council

Cultural Council - Dharmatma Saran (USA), Chairman, GOPIO Cultural Council

Philanthropic Committee - Prabodh Gupta (India), Coordinator, GOPIO Philanthropic Committee

 

2.30 pm to 3.45 p.m.

SESSION ON EUROPEAN COUNTRY REPORTS (open to everyone)

Moderated by Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman, GOPIO International, USA

Speakers

Belgium - Sunil Prasad, President, GOPIO-Belgium (or alternate)

Switzerland Jagdish Makwana, GOPIO Life Member and Coordinator for Switzerland

Germany - TBD

France - Vimal Khosla, President, GOPIO-France

Norway - Mohan Verma, President, GOPIO-Norway

UK - J.S. Sachar, GOPIO VP for Europe

Netherlands Dr. H.U. Qureshi, President, GOPIO-Netherlands

Poland J.J. Singh, India Association, Poland

Other countries to present reports: Spain, Italy, Denmark, Portugal, Finland, Sweden (TBD)

(Each country report will be for 5 minutes. The reports will be followed by 10 minutes of open discussion)

 

3.45 pm to 4.00 p.m. Coffee/Tea Break

 

4.00 pm to 5.30 p.m.

SESSION ON INDO-EUROPEAN MEDIA COOPERATION (open to everyone)

Moderated by Mr. Sunil Prasad, President, GOPIO-Belgium and Mr. K.N. Gupta, President, GOPIO-New Delhi

 

5.30 p.m onwards - Individual meeting with media

 

EVENING PROGRAM - INFORMAL GET TOGETHER (TO BE DECIDED SOON)

 

Monday, 4 October 2004

"NRI/PIO Business Networking for Trade and Investment and Contribution of Indian Diaspora in Europe"

ITUH Auditorium, 5, Boulevard du Roi Albert II

B - 1210 Bruxelles (Belgium)

08.30 hrs Registration

0930 - 0945 hrs Welcome address by Sunil Prasad, President GOPIO, Belgium

0945 0955 hrs Address by: H. E. R. M. Abhyankar, Ambassador of India to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union

0955 1015 hrs Inauguration by the Chief Guest: Minister for Non-Resident Affairs, Government of India (TBC)

1015 1030 hrs Keynote Speaker:

Mr. Charles Tannock, Chairman, Friends of India Group in the European Parliament

 

1030 -1045 hrs Address by the Guest of Honor: Dr. L. M. Singhvi, Chairman, Commission on Indian Diaspora


1045 1055 hrs Concluding Remarks: Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman, GOPIO International

 

1055 -1105 hrs Greetings: Mr. Inder Singh President, GOPIO International

 

1105 1125 hrs Coffee/Tea Break

 

1125 1220 hrs Session I

Contribution of the NRI/PIO Community in the Economic Development of Europe

 

(12-15 minutes for each speaker)

Dr. Mohan Kaul, CEO and Director General, Commonwealth Business Council, UK

Ms. Neena Gill, Member of the European Parliament

Dr. Willem Van der Geest, Director, European Institute for Asian Studies, Brussels

 

(1150 hrs.) Inter-active Session with the participants

 

1220 1230 hrs Shining of the Indian Diamantaires

 

Mr. Bharat G. Shah, Member of the Board of Indo-BelgeDiamantaires Association

 

1230 1320 hrs Raising the Profile of the INDIAN COMMUNITY in Europe through channel of communication between the European Parliament, European Commission and the Indian Diaspora

 

Address by

Mr. Nirj Deva, Member of the European Parliament

Ms. Colette Mathur, Director, World Economic Forum, Davos

Mr. Malcolm Subhan, Media Expert, Europe

 

(1310 hrs.) Inter-active session

 

1320 1440 hrs (Lunch & Business Net-working)

 

1440 1530 hrs Session II

Launching of the Europe -India Chamber of Commerce Address by Dr. Ajit Shetty, Chairman & CEO, Janssen Pharmaceutica and

Mr. Karan Billiomoria,, Chief Executive, Cobra Beers UK

 

Session chaired by Mr. R. P. Agrawal,Dy. Chief of Mission, Indian Embassy, Brussels

Followed by Discussions, Q&A

1535 1635 hrs

Developing Cooperation, Building Synergies and Taking Initiatives for Enhancing Trade and Investment

 

Presentation by Executive Director, TERI, India

Indian Economy and Investment Opportunities for Pravasi Bharatiyas

 

Mr. Vivek Bharati, Adviser, FICCI, New Delhi

NRI/PIO Networking: Challenges and Opportunities

 

Mr. Dwarkesh Shah, Chairman, Imexma, GmbH Germany and GOPIO, International Business Council

 

(1625 hrs.) Inter-active session

 

1635 1710 hrs Business Process Outsourcing to India: Potentials and Prospects

 

Mr. H. R. Vinod,, Vice President, Infosys India

 

Mr. R. Sivadas, CEO and Director, SCOPE E-Knowledge Centre on perspective of "Knowledge Work and Indian Diaspora".

 

(1700 hrs.) Inter-active session

 

1710 1730 hrs "Successful Experiences of Indian American Entrepreneurs: Tips for Indo-European Diaspora."

 

Dr. Sid Gautam, Professor of Economics and Director of Methodist College's Center for Entrepreneurship Fayetteville, NC, USA.

 

1730 1800 hrs Followed by discussion

 

1800 1815 hrs. Coffee/Tea Break

 

1815 1830 hrs Session III

Conclusion and Recommendations

----------------------

 

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION

Special conference rates (70 Euros, single or double, includes breakfast) for sleeping rooms available at the following hotel, located close to the conference venue.

Comfort Art Hotel Siru, Place Rogier 1 - 1210 Bruxelles, Belgium

Tl : 00 32 2 206 12 81. Fax : 00 32 2 206 12 86

Rception : 00 32 2 203 35 80; Website : www.comforthotelsiru.com

Send an E-mail requesting accommodation to: art.hotel.siru@skynet.be

 

REGISTRATION

Those interested to attend the conference may register with GOPIO-Belgium, 69, Boulevard Louis Metteswie (bte. 18), 1080 Brussels, Belgium, or by telephone 0032-2- 469 2677/ 224 0203, fax at 0032-2- 469 2677 or by email: sunil.prasad@coditel.net or sunil.prasad@icftu.org, Website: www.gopio-belgium.be

 

GOI ANNOUNCES DUAL CITIZENSHIP FEE

 

The government of India (GOI) has issued a notification under which people of Indian origin (PIO) would have to pay Rs 12,500 to secure Indian overseas citizenship. The PIO will not be required to have a visa while visiting India and can also buy property and enjoy equality with non-resident Indians (NRIs) in economic, financial and educational fields besides having an overseas Indian passport.


The facility for procuring dual citizenship has been extended to people of Indian origin living in Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Republic of Cyprus, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and the US. Of the fee payable for registration as an overseas Indian citizen, $25 will be non-refundable, while the rest will be returned in case the application is turned down.


No person who is deprived of his Indian citizenship under this Act will be registered as an overseas citizen of India except by an order of the government. For this purpose, the _expression ``Person of Indian Origin'' will mean a citizen of another country who is eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of the commencement of the Constitution or belonged to a territory that became part of India after August 15, 1947. The Act does not cover those people who, at any time, were citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh or any other country which the government may notify in the official gazette.

 

GOPIO COORDINATES EFFORTS WITH MALAYSIA YSS FOUNDATION

 

GOPIO International hosted a dinner reception on August 5 in New York for Dr Denison Jayasooria, Executive Director of Social Strategic Foundation (YSS) of Malaysia, who was in the USA at the invitation of the US Government. Dr Jayasooira attended the dinner reception accompanied by Dr Selva Kumar Ramchandran, Deputy chief for SE Asia and Pacific, United Nations development Programme (UNDP). Both Dr Jayasooria and Dr Ramachandran hail from Malaysia.

 

The event was held at the Maharaja Restaurant in New York City, as was attended by a sizeable crowd of GOPIO members and guests, together with local and international press.

 

Dr Jayasooria spoke on: "Issues and Challenges of People of Indian Origin in Malaysia", and addressed various aspects of social, political, economic life in the Indian community in Malaysia. The discussions included both the struggles and the accomplishments of the 1.8 million Indians living in Malaysia, which accounts for 8% of the total Malaysian population.

 

Dr Jayasooria skillfully articulated a thorough presentation of life among Indians in Malaysia, including the social, educational, political, economic and inter-ethnic aspects, coupled with the governments role in policies that enable progress on several fronts. He pointed out that "there has been substantial progress made by Indians in Malaysia, especially with increasing levels of education, the numbers of doctors and lawyers, and the active participation in the political process". Yet, he cautioned that there are still segments of the population, especially the urban areas that are in need of social services similar to those being provided by YSS.

 

Dr Ramachandran, who was raised on a plantation, added his perspectives on unity, diversity and progress among Indians in Malaysia, stating that "there can be no progress without peace".

 

There were several questions and comments from those in attendance, ranging from unity among Indians in Malaysia, human rights problems and government policy to address many of the problems affecting Indians in Malaysia.

 

Dr Thomas Abraham, Chairman of GOPIO, expressed appreciation to both Dr Jayasooria and Dr Ramachandran for their attendance and insightful talks on Indians in Malaysia. Dr Abraham stated that "GOPIO welcomes the opportunity to establish a working partnership with Social Strategic Foundation to address some of the current critical issues affecting Indians in Malaysia". Ashook Ramsaran, Secretary General of GOPIO, also thanked the guests and suggested that Malaysian Indian delegation to Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2005 participate in GOPIO conference on January 6 in Mumbai, India.

 

GOPIO CHAPTER NEWS

 

GOPIO TRINIDAD HOLDS AWARDS 2005 LAUNCH DINNER

 

The Trinidad and Tobago Chapter of GOPIO held the first ever GOPIO T&T Awards Reception Dinner on Monday, August 31, 2004 in Trinidad. The event was a tremendous success, attended by over 300 persons and wide media coverage, carried live on several radio stations and recorded for two television stations

 

The audience comprised many prominent citizens of Trinidad and Tobago including Member of Parliament Manohar Ramsaran, Senator Sadiq Baksh, Inter-Religious Organization Rev. Cryil Paul, Political Analyst Dr. John Laguerre, Dr. Kirk Meighoo, former Trinidad High Commissioner to Canada Mr. Steve Kangal, and several other prominent persons as well.

 

Civil Rights Attorney at Law Anand Ramlogan opened the program and elaborated on the obvious disparity of the National Awards with startling statistics that favor some over others.

 

Kevlin Ramnath Member of Parliament for Couva also spoke on several issues of discrimination that Indians faced in Trinidad, as well as the position of the Indian in the Caribbean. Following this an award of recognition was made to young Veera Bhajan by GOPIO Trinidad Members Mr. and Mrs. Deo Bisnath.

 

The program was planned and coordinated by the  Devant Maharaj, President of GOPIO T&T who reiterated that the event truly gives due recognition to those who have made significant contributions in community service that are beneficial to all. Maharaj spoke of the strict selection process utilized whereby the candidates, on a non-political and non-religious basis, are carefully selected by a broad based selection committee from among all the nominations received. Contact: Devant Maharaj at devant@tstt.net.tt.

 

NRIs/PIOs ACHIEVE

FIJI HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERT NAMED UN MONITOR

The United Nations has appointed of Shaista Shameem, a legal expert from Fiji, as its new Special Rapporteur on the use of mercenaries as a means of impeding the exercise of the right of people to self-determination.

Ms. Shameem currently serves as the Director of the Fiji Human Rights Commission. She has worked extensively as a journalist in her country, as a sociology lecturer at the University of Waikato in New Zealand and as a solicitor and barrister.

The new Rapporteur, who succeeds Enrique Bernales Ballesteros, holds a Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Waikato and a masters in law from the University of Auckland.

She is mandated to consult with States and interested organizations in gathering information on how the right to self-determination is being affected by the activities of private companies offering military assistance, consultancy and security services on the international market.

Ms. Shameem will annually present public reports to the UN Commission on Human Rights and General Assembly.

 

WHITE HOUSE CELEBRATES GURU GRANTH SAHIB ANNIVERSARY

 

The White House hosted a special community event to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book. About 100 Sikh leaders from across the US participated in the celebrations on Wednesday, August 18, 2004. Many senior administration officials were present including Tommy Thompson, Secretary Health & Human Services who welcomed the group by saying "Bole So Nihal." 

The celebration included singing of hymns and recitation from the Sikh scriptures. The Sikh leaders were pleased with President Bush's invitation on this auspicious occasion.

 

GUIANA 1838

 

The long - awaited and much anticipated film GUIANA 1838 has been released for its Premiere Weekend -- September 24th through September 26th -- in New York. The film was produced by Rohit Jagessar, founder of RBC Radio in New York, who has spent the last seven years in research and production efforts.

The film is based on actual, documented events tracing the arrival and hardships of the first Indians brought to then British Guiana in 1838 on the ship Hesperus as indentured laborers following the emancipation of slavery in 1834. The film traces the struggles of daily life of the Indians as they tried desperately to cope under very harsh and grueling conditions in a strange land far away from their ancestral homelands. The Indians endured overwhelming hardships from the very inception, caught between the cruelty of the British plantation owners and the animosity of freed African slaves who felt animosity that led to continuing racial problems.

GUIANA 1838 will Premiere in Toronto and other US cities later this year. It is a highly recommended documentary of the first groups of Indians in Guyana. visit this web site for updates, http://www.rbcradio.com/guiana

 

TAX ON NRI DEPOSITS DEFERRED TO APRIL 2005

 

Indian Parliament passed the Finance Bill 2004 in august 26th, providing marginal relief on personal income tax to ensure individuals having a total income of little over Rs 1 lakh are not left with a post-tax income of less than Rs 1 lakh. Among amendments to the Bill is a deferral on the tax on interest on non-resident external (NRE) and foreign currency non-resident (FCNR) from September 1, 2004, to April 1, 2005.

 

APPEAL TO SUPPORT COMMEMORATIVE STAMP OF LATE C0NGRESSMAN DILIP SINGH SAUND

 

The Indian American Heritage Foundation has requested the U.S. Postal Service in Washington D.C to issue a commemorative stamp on November 6, 2006 in honor of the first U.S. Congressman of Asian origin, the India born Dalip Singh Saund, at the fiftieth anniversary of Saunds victory in 1956 congressional election. Congressman Joe Wilson, Co-Chair of India Caucus has also written to the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee, supporting the cause.

 

We urge to send your support letter to the Stamp Advisory Committee to issue a commemorative stamp for the first Asian Congressman late Dalip Singh Saund, said GOPIO President Inder singh.. You can send on line at www.PetitionOnline.com/Saund/petition.html or by mail after obtaining sample copy at www.la-indiacenter.com.

 

GOPIO URGES REJECTION OF RABUKA AS FIJIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE US

 

GOPIO has sent a letter to the president of the United States of America to reject the proposal for Mr. Sitiveni Rabuka nomination as the ambassador of Fiji to the United States. The U.S. should not accept anyone as ambassador, who violated human rights of a large number people.

 

Mr. Sitiveni Rabuka, as a coup leader in 1987, forced the democratically elected government of Fiji, out of office at a gun point. He also assumed unrestricted powers and became the prime minister of Fiji. However, in 1999, he lost the election and was replaced by Mahendra Chaudhary. After his defeat in the elections, and in the wake of allegations of his involvement in deposing Mahendra Chaudhary, his stature went downhill resulting in his removal as chairman of the Great Council of Chiefs in 2001.

 

GOPIO wrote in the letter that the U.S. had suffered at the hands of terrorists on September 11, 2001. The U. S. president has been waging a war against terrorism since then. Similarly, the legitimate government of Fiji was overthrown by the terrorist acts of Mr. Rabuka who violated the human rights of the elected officials and also of anybody who spoke for democracy in the country. He ruthlessly destroyed what people of Fiji had worked so hard to build it. In the current context, Mr. Rabukas acceptance as the ambassador of Fiji would be counterproductive to the democratic values that we cherish and uphold and expect the world to emulate.

 

BIHAR CREATES DISCOVER YOUR ROOTS PACKAGE

 

A new program launched by Bihar government, the 'Discover Your Roots' package will allow people of Bihari origin to visit villages of their forefathers. The package would particularly target people of Bihari origin living in Fiji, Mauritius, Surinam, Guyana, South Africa and other countries. The government is banking on thousands of non-resident Biharis and people of Bihari origin living across the world who might have a desire to visit their native villages.

 

A large number of people from Bihar, known as Girmitiya labors, traveled to various parts of the world in the 19th century to serve as indentured labor on sugarcane and rubber plantations. Numbered in several millions, the PIOs of third, fourth or fifth generation Biharis constitute large populations in Fiji, Surinam, Mauritius and South Africa.

 

The Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) has approached embassies and the central tourism ministry to get information about people of Bihari origin in these countries. It has also made a video CD containing information on hotel accommodation in the state with room rates in dollars, sightseeing facilities and details of historical and tourist attractions. BSTDC has requested the embassies to provide data about Bihari NRIs. Based on the information, their origins could be traced and BSTDC would prepare customized tourism packages.

 

APPEAL FOR AID TO FLOOD VICTIMS OF ASSAM AND BIHAR

The recent floods in India have caused havoc in many states. In Assam and Bihar, their fury has wreaked havoc on the lives and livelihood of millions of people. GOPIO would like to raise awareness of this enormous natural calamity and appeal to all NRIs/PIOs to help their unfortunate brethren during this difficult and challenging time in their lives. With comparatively much better access to resources, most NRIs/PIOs, if not all, are in a better position to give donation that can easily make a huge difference. GOPIO Fund would supplement in the rehabilitation effort and help people as they start to rebuild their lives. The donation can be sent by check or money order to: GOPIO Inc., P.O. Box 1413, Stamford, CT 06904, USA.

 

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, print and fill up the form and send it with a 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 or www.gopio.com