GOPIO NEWS SPECIAL BULLETIN
October 11, 2019
A Publication of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO)
Issue: XVII-7
October 11, 2019
In This Issue
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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.
 
GOPIO is a community supported non-profit (US IRS 501 (c) (3)) organization taking up issues of the Indian Diaspora and attempting to unifying the community in its common causes. Support GOPIO by becoming a Life Member or chapter member. One can become Life Member online by visiting http://www.gopio.net/online_membership.html.

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HOWDY MODI EVENT IN HOUSTON A GREAT SUCCESS
PM Modi and President Trump at the Howdy Modi Program in Houston
President Donald J. Trump Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a massive crowd of over 50,000 people the Indian-American community on Sunday, September 22 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. 

GOPIO International and GOPIO-Houston Chapter had joined the Texas India Forum for this largest Indian community event ever held in the US.
GOPIO-BIENNIAL CONVENTION TO BE HELD IN BERLIN, GERMANY, NOV. 8-10, 2019 AND FINALE IN PARIS, NOV. 11-12, 2019
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. See details program by clicking below:

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 program 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 year 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 Mr. Mehen Poinoosawmy, Chairman of the convention to be held 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.

Other Convention Information
Whether you could attend the convention or not, you could become a Sponsor for a nominal amount of 200 Euros (or US $222). All sponsors will get a write up with photo and a profile up to 10 sentences. GOPIO chapters and community organizaitons will receive a half page space with photo of the Exec. Committee and organization coordinates and information. Please send it in right away to europegopio@gmail.com Your payment can be made using a credit card at our PayPal Account as given below. The USA and Canadian residents and chapters may write a check in favor of GOPIO, and send to GOPIO Treasurer to his address, Mr. Kewal Kanda, 11433 Arlee Ave., Norwalk, CA 90650.

Payments Using Credit Cards at the PayPal site:
Choose:          Make online payment
Select option: Pay for items or services quickly and securely
GOPIO Email: gopiofunds@gmail.com
Amount Currency: USD

The convention is also seeking corporate sponsors and ads in the booklet from business and service people.

Community Service Awards

Please nominate any person who has done outstanding community service by sending the bio to europegopio@gmail.comThey have to be present at the convention in Berlin.

Please register for the convention in the information provided in the attached files. 

HOTEL BOOKING FOR STAYING IN BERLIN - GERMANY 
 
Delegates who will stay at Conference venue : BERLIN : Gästehaus der Polizei, Ruppiner Chaussee 268, 13503 Berlin https://www.gaestehaus-der-polizei.de/galerie-gaestehaus/ Cost is: 200 Euros per person All-inclusive from Friday Evening to Sunday Lunch time including GOPIO Registration fee for convention. For this accommodation: Reservation should be done through GOPIO Convention Team: 

Delegates who do not plan to stay at the Conference venue : REGISTRATION FEE & ALL MEALS INCLUDED at 130 EUROS / Personm They have to book for their hotels on their own through www.bookings.com in the nearby area of 13503 Berlin  
 
Other Hotels near convention centre : IBIS TEGEL HOTEL (near Tegel airport ) : https://www.accorhotels.com/fr/hotel-1573-ibis-berlin-airport-tegel/index.shtml 

REGISTRATION & PAYMENTS FOR GOPIO BIENNIAL CONFERENCE BERLIN & PARIS 
 
PAYMENTS:  Payment by Bank Transfer :  Send your total amount to be paid by Bank Transfer to address in below link.   http://www.gopiofrance.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Bank.pdf Delegates can pay also by PAYPAL to the account of GOPIO INTERNATIONAL: Go online to: https://www.paypal.com/fr/signin  (connect with your account) Choose:                       make online payment It gives you the option to:  Pay for items or services quickly and securely Your email:                   xxxxx @ xxxxx .com GOPIO E-mail:                gopiofunds@gmail.com Amount in Currency 200 Euros In space left for details, please add “Payment for convention Berlin-Paris”. Send a mail to europegopio@gmail.com for follow ups. 
 
HOTEL BOOKING FOR STAYING IN PARIS, FRANCE 
 
GOPIO HOTEL DELEGATES BOOK HERE ( upload reservation form and send by mail directly to Hotel as indicated with copy to europegopio@gmail.com): CLICK HERE ( 3 Stars) HOTEL IBIS CAMBRONNE EIFFEL TOWER, 17 Rue Cambronne, Paris 74015 https://www.accorhotels.com/fr/hotel-1400-ibis-paris-tour-eiffel-cambronne-15eme/index.shtml#origin=ibis (Negociated for GOPIO RATE – Reservation to be done before 10/10/2019- Booking file: 545803) SINGLE room x 120.00 €, breakfast included (1person)  DOUBLE room x 130.50 €, breakfast included (2persons) TWIN room x 130.50 €, breakfast included (2persons) 
 
OTHER HOTELS IN PARIS : ( 5 Stars) INTERCONTINENTAL LE GRAND PARIS , 2 Rue Scribe, OPERA, PARIS 75009 : https://www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/fr/fr/paris/parhb/hoteldetail 
 
( 4 stars) HOTEL LE MARIOTT, RIVE GAUCHE , 17 Boulevard Saint Jacques, PARIS 74014 https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/parst-paris-marriott-rive-gauche-hotel-and-conference-center/ 
 
NOT EXPENSIVE BUT GOOD low budget ACCOMODATIONS HERE FOR SEVERAL PERSONS: https://french.fiapparis-network.fr/welcome.html 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
Bajinder Sodhi GOPIO EUROPE Conv. Co-convener Tel: +49 172 591271. E-mail: restaurantneumanns@online.de
GOPIO COUNCIL TO DISCUSS HEALTH ISSUES OF INDIAN DIASPORA AT THE HEALTH SUMMIT - FREE INFORMATIVE SYMPOSIUM FOR ALL - LIVE STREAMING THROUGH YOUTUBE
GOPIO Health Council will honor four at its Third Health Summit for Indian Diaspora, an all-day event, to be held at the TV Asia Studio in Edison, New jersey on Saturday, October 12th. The awardees are recognized for their contribution in the health field as well as for promoting health awareness among the Indian Diaspora community. The awardees are Rahul Shukla, CEO, S.S. White Technologies & Shukla Medical – For achievement and contributions in manufacturing latest medical equipment; Hitesh Bhatt, Bhatt Foundation Inc. - Achievement and Contributions in Health Care Technology; Padma Shri H.R. Shah, Chairman & CEO, TV Asia - For Promoting Health Awareness among the Indian Diaspora and Sabinsa Corporation - For achievement and contributions in Health Supplements. 
 
The Health Summit is an initiative of GOPIO’s Health Council. Its goal is to improve the health of people of Indian origin by raising awareness of current and emerging health issues affecting them, and by promoting preventive practices and sharing information to better manage chronic diseases. The speakers and panelists will discuss on the diseases which are prone to the Indian Diaspora and how to treat or prevent them using modern medicine as well as alternative medicine.
 
The Summit is organized jointly with the Consulate General of India in New York and TV Asia together with GOPIO chapters of Central Jersey, Connecticut and New York along with Indian Health Camp of New Jersey and other organizations. Over twenty speakers and panelists will participate at the summit. It will be inaugurated by India’s Deputy Consul General Shatrughna Sinha. The inaugural session speakers include GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, Summit Convener Dr. Tushar Patel, TV Asia Chairman H.R. Shah and Bhatt Foundation Founder/CEO Hitesh Bhatt. The keynote speaker is Rahul Shukla, President/CEO, S. S. White Technologies/Shukla Medical.
 
The first session will cover the topics of Metabolic Syndrome, Diabetes & Chronic Diseases in Asian Indians. The panelist are Dr. Nayan K. Kothari, MD, MACP, FRCPR; Chief Academic Officer, Chair & Program Director, Saint Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ; Dr. Sapna Bhambhani, PharmD, BCPPS Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Saint Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ; Ms. Agnya Shah, RD, CDE, Registered dietitian & Certified Diabetes Educator, Saint Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ; Dr. Roopa Roy, MD, Endocrinologist, thyroid & diabetes center, Saint Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ; Dr. Annah Kuriakose, MD, MAEd, Program Director, SKN South Asian Diabetes Center, Saint Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick,
 
The morning sessions will end with two special presentations in Telemedicine - Today and Tomorrow by Dr. B.L. Agrawal, Chair of Pediatrics at Lawrence
Hospital in New York, and Co-Founder of Dockedin Telehealth and C.inical Care Coordination by Varsha Singh, Nurse Practitioner & Health Educator, President of Forum of Nurses in Advance Practice.
 
The post luncheon presentations will start with a topic Nutraceuticals and Food Supplements by Dr. Anurag Pande, Vice President, Scientific Affairs - Sabinsa Corp., NJ. This will be followed by a talk on Oral Health in Indian Diaspora – Exploring its Relationship to General Health & Overall Wellbeing by Dr. Asha Samant, DMD, Associate Professor, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine and GOPIO International Coordinator-at-Large.
 
Other presentations in the afternoon include Overcoming Mental Health Challenges in Indian Diaspora by Dr. Prakash Amin, Vice-President, South Asian Mental Health Initiative and Network – SAMHIN; Prevention and Maintenance of Bone and Joint Disorders in Aging Population by Binny Talati, Physical therapist in hospital-based outpatient rehabilitation, Jersey Shore, NJ; and Dementia in Indian Diaspora by Dr. Ketan Vaidya, Internist, Edison, New Jersey.
 
The final session is on Alternative Medicine by three panelists; Alternative Methods for the Treatment of Cancer by Uma Swaminathan, Healing with Herbs; Mental Health Starts with Mind-Body Wellness by Jaya Jaya Myra, Natural Lifestyle Expert; and Complimentary Medicine Acupuncture Therapy by Therapy by Charles Stueber, Licensed Acupuncture Specialist.
 
The Health Summit will end with a session on Meditation & Breathing Exercises to Reduce Stress and Wisdom to Handle Mind & Emotions by Vikas Chawla, Senior Art of Living Faculty.
 
Admission to the Summit is FREE, however, one has to register though Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-consulate-general-of-india-nygopio-tv-asia-present-a-health-summit-tickets-73067497853

One can also see the program through live streaming starting at 9.45 a.m. at https://youtu.be/ClZBhT11O0E on Saturday, October 12th (New York time)

 
GOPIO HEALTH COUNCIL AWARDEES 2019

Rahul Shukla, CEO, S.S. White Technologies & Shukla Medical – For achievement and contributions in manufacturing latest medical equipment

Rahul Shukla is a CEO of S.S. White technologies and Shukla Medical located in St. Petersburg, Florida. S.S. White is a small yet legendary company that was founded in 1844. Shukla started as a factory worker in 1973. In 1988, he ended up purchasing the company. Today, S.S. White is a world leader in flexible shaft technology. 98% of all the airplanes in the world use at least one S.S. White part. Shukla Medical is a leading manufacturer of orthopedic implant extractions tools. Besides being a businessman and an engineer, Shukla is a writer, orator, and an amateur cinematographer. He has written three books and two more are coming out in the coming year. He has received various awards and honors including Mahatma Gandhi Award at British House of Lords. He has been married to Meena for 42 years and has a son Akash who works for his companies.  
 
Hitesh Bhatt, Bhatt Foundation Inc. - Achievement and Contributions in Health Care Technology 
 
Bhatt Foundation Inc. is a global humanitarian organization which was found under the leadership of Hitesh and Kim Bhatt in 2015. The Bhatt Foundation is a 501 © 3 non-profit organization centered on providing innovative technology and education solutions to the disadvantaged & underserved people of the world. The foundation currently has multiple projects underway in the U.S., Central & South America, India and Africa. Hitesh Bhatt attended the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. 
 
Padma Shri H.R. Shah, Chairman & CEO, TV Asia - For Promoting Health Awareness among the Indian Diaspora
The Chairman and CEO Padma Shree Dr. H.R. Shah leads the South Asian American Channel TV Asia for more than 25 years. Dr. Shah was recognized for his services as an Indian American entrepreneur, a turnaround specialist, philanthropist and an endearing community leader. For over 35 years, Dr. Shah has generously given his time, energy and resources as a pillar of the Indian American community, always supporting various social work, cultural, educational and related activities in the US and India. He has been a major supporter and has given strong backing to many worthy causes including GOPIO. In 2017, Dr. Shah received Padma Shri Award, India’s fourth highest civilian honor in the field of Literature & Education – Journalism.
 
Sabinsa Corporation - For achievement and contributions in Health Supplements 
 
Sabinsa was founded in 1988 by a scientist with astute vision, Dr. Muhammed Majeed and it has grown into a Company dedicated to the principles of tradition, innovation and research. Backed by elaborate scientific research by a team of over 150 scientists worldwide, its mission is to provide alternative and complementary natural products for human nutrition and well-being. The company is relied upon by the nutraceutical industry players as “THE” source for assured quality of standardized botanical extracts and phytonutrients and is recognized as the standard bearer of the industry. It has achieved impressive growth over the years and is acclaimed for its capability of bringing in new products supported by strong patents. Sabinsa has been a sponsor of community activities for the last 20 years.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR INDIAN DIASPORA CHILDREN
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.
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
GOPIO NEWS SEEKING SPONSORS AND DISPLAY ADS
 
GOPIO News offers display advertising in the format shown above will also be displayed in GOPIO website. This form of marketing allows you to effectively reach over 50,000 people by direct mail
GOPIO 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 2/3rd the amount for each category for those from developing countries and India.
 
GOPIO is looking forward to opening chapters in all major cities of the world, so as to network with people of Indian origin all over the world. If you do not have a chapter in your city, please visit the GOPIO website (www.gopio.net) and get details of chapter initiation (visit http://www.gopio.net/chapter_initiative.htm). This process involves sending a letter of intent to start a chapter by a committee of five people or more. For more information, contact:
 
GOPIO Chairman - Dr. Thomas Abraham, Stamford, Connecticut, USA, Tel: +1-203-329-8010, E-mail: gopio@optonline.net
 
GOPIO President – Sunny Kulathakal, Bahrain, +973-39441956, India +91-9845756692, E-mail: kulathakal44@gmail.com
 
GOPIO Executive Vice President – Ishwar Ramlutchman, Durban, South Africa, Tel: +27-83-3578747, E-mail: ramlutchmanishwar@gmail.com
 
GOPIO Vice President – Ram Gadhavi, Wayne, New Jersey, USA, Tel: +1-973-699-8582, E-mail: ram@gadhavi.net
 
GOPIO’s Global Ambassador – Issac John, Dubai, UAE, +971-50 625 9941, E-mail: isacjohn@gmail.com
 
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
 
To become a Life member of GOPIO, visit http://www.gopio.net/gopio_membership.html, print and fill up the form and send it with a check to:. GOPIO International, PO Box 1413, Stamford, CT 06904, USA
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 (New Rochelle, NY, USA) and Prashant Gupta (Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India)
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), Jagmohan Dhaliwal, President of GOPIO Sydney,

GOPIO NEWS welcomes NRI/PIO related stories from all over the world. Be a volunteer correspondent or reporter. Contact Dr. Thomas Abraham, Tel: 203-329-8010, E-mail: gopio@optonline.net
Visit GOPIO’s Official site at www.gopio.net or www.gopio.com
GOPIO INTERNATIONAL 
+1 (203) 329 8010 
gopio@optonline.net 
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