The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) concluded its very successful Conferences held at National Liberal Club, One Whitehall Place in London, UK on October 26-27, 2010. The GOPIO conferences were well attended and produced tremendous positive feedback and interaction among the participants and attendees. President of GOPIO International, Lord Diljit Rana, convened the two major conferences, GOPIO International Annual Conference (26^th of October) and the First GOPIO International Women's Council conference in London (on 27^th of October).

GOPIO CONFERENCE DEBATES ROLE OF DIASPORA

The theme of the conference was 'The Indian Diaspora's Role in the New Economic World Order'.  Delegates from GOPIO chapters worldwide, as well as attendees from various segments of the  diaspora, were in London for the two-day conference which was very significant in theme, content and importance. Among the participating chapters represented were USA, Belgium, France, Mauritius, South Africa, Netherlands, Sri Lanka, Trinidad & Tobago & New Zealand. All participating chapters reflected a commitment to build a cohesive and united organisation, a key theme of Lord Rana mentioned in his opening address.

The inaugural & keynote speakers included Nalin Surie, High Commissioner for India to the UK, Abhimanu Kundasamy, High Commissioner for Mauritius to the UK, Speaker of the National Assembly of Mauritius Mr. Kailash Purryag, Her Holiness Anandmurthy Guruma, Lord Navnit Dholakia, Lord Bhikhu Parekh Dr Pritam Singh of the Oxford Brookes University and the former Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, Hon Mr. Basdeo Panday.

GOPIO London Conferecne Inauguraiton - From L. to R.: Raj Loomba, Lord Bhikhu Parekh, Indian High Commissioner Nalin Surie, Lord Dilji Rana and Speaker of Mauritius National Assembly Kailash Purryag

Delegates also heard important contributions from Inder Singh, Chairman of GOPIO International, Ashook Ramsaran, Executive Vice president, Thomas Abraham, former GOPIO International chairman, and Raj Loomba, Vice president, GOPIO Europe. Speakers also included Baroness Shreela Flather, Baroness Sandeep Verma, Lord Patel and Lord Desai from the House of Lords, and the US Consul General to Northern Ireland, Ms Kamala Lakhdir.

Lord Rana said: "I am convinced that GOPIO International needs to be active globally in promoting the wellbeing of Indian people everywhere. My objective is to build on the tremendous work carried out by my predecessors and the existing management team. It's time to move GOPIO International onto a higher level". He spoke of the Indian values of respecting all creation, peace & harmony. He continued by commenting about the culture of preservation and cutting out waste and over consumption. He said the solutions of many of today's problems lie in the Indian Culture and the way of life. "The opportunity to move GOPIO International forward faster is now. India is reclaiming its rightful place as a global leader in business, politics, technology, education and society. Our country has gained the respect of governments and people worldwide. We have an opportunity to make an even greater contribution to the wellbeing of our people across the world."

PHoto above: GOPIO London Conference - Networking by delegates from different countries.

There were 3 sessions that deliberated and discussed various aspects of the theme "The Indian Diaspora's Role in the New Economic World Order".

Session I was chaired by Raj Loomba, CBE (Vice President, GOPIO Europe). Speakers include: 

Lord Bhikhu Parekh (Keynote Speaker, House of Lords, UK), Lord Karan Billimoria (House of Lords, UK), Mr J.C.Sharma (former Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, India), Mr Mahyendrah Utchana (GOPIO Mauritius), and Dr M. Khan (UK).

Session II was chaired by Dr Thomas Abraham- Former Chairman-GOPIO International and Co-Chaired by Rajindre Tewari- GOPIO-The Netherlands. Speakers include: Lord Navneet Dholakia (House of Lords, UK), Mr R.K.Mehrotra CBE (Foresight Ltd, UK),  Dr Satish Kumar (Queens University Belfast, Ireland), Dr Shalin Singhal (University of Ulster, Belfast, Ireland) and Prof. M.Nithiyanandan-People of Indian Origin in Sri Lanka.

Session III was chaired by Ashook Ramsaran (Executive Vice President GOPIO International, Guyana-USA) and Co-Chaired by Dr Prabhu Kulkarni (GOPIO Ireland, UK). Speakers include:  Dr Pritam Singh (Keynote Speaker - Oxford Brookes University, UK), Baroness Shreela Flather- (House of Lords, UK), Mr Rami Ranger (Sunmark Ltd, UK), Hon. Virendra Sharma (MP, UK) and Hon. Prabakaran Ganesan (Hon Member of Parliament, Sri Lanka).

Networking at GOPIO London Conference on October 26th

Mr Chanchal Chowdhry (Secretary-Steering Committee, London, UK) concluded with a Vote of Thanks. Dr Piyush Agrawal (GOPIO Regional Vice President, North America) presented the Resolutions adopted.

The first GOPIO International Women's Conference held recently in London emphatically propelled Women of Indian Origin to the centre of the international development stage. Lady Shruti Rana, Chairperson of GOPIO International Women's Council (GIWC), convened the conference. 

The proceedings were initiated by Her Holiness Anadmurti Guruma, with the traditional ritual lighting of the lamp and an inspirational invocation. Inaugurating the conference, Hon. Basdeo Panday, former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago spoke passionately about the dire issues concerneing women of Indian origin. Lord Diljit Rana International President of GOPIO, spoke about the Women diaspora. He welcomed the role of GIWC in addressing their needs. Lord Meghnad Desai, (Labour), gave an arousing keynote address on Women's issues. Baroness Sandip Verma Government, Minister for International Development, Women & Equality and our guest of honour, resolved to harness the power of international women's networks to bring about positive and wide-ranging social and economic change.

Photo above: GOPIO International GOPIO International Women's Conf. Inauguration H. H. Anadmurti Guruma speaking. Se3ated from L. to R. Priya Hingorani, Lord Diljit Rana, Lord Meghnad Desai, former T&T Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, GOPIO Women's Council Chair Lady Shruti Rana, Baroness Verma and GOPIO Woen's Council co-Chair Rekha Gupta

The GOPIO International Women's Council (GIWC) launched a dazzling array of projects for 2011 encompassing books, films, skills training and health education. In addition the WIO e-group is now set to expand to become a major pivotal and dynamic forum. A tool to promote continued sharing of knowledge, experience and support reaching out to all WIOs, wherever and whoever they may be.

The event also witnessed an historic collaboration through the co-signing of the MOU between two powerful bodies: FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) and GIWC. These combined heralds a powerful new dawn: a joint force committed to developing projects and solutions across the full range of issues that affect Women of Indian Origin (WIOs) across the globe. The collaboration aimed at facilitating awareness, education and promoting professional and cultural excellence for personal and socio-economic empowerment.

Delegates to the one-day conference held in London witnessed an impressive array of authoritative speakers from around the globe introduce a range of stimulating and emotive discussions. Discussions centred on the themes of: WIOs and Sustainable development, Legal and marital issues of WIOs, Gender issues in Education, Culture and Health, Women and Industry. The many achievements of WIOs were highlighted as well as raising awareness of the wide-ranging challenges they face. Issues of foeticide, widowhood, forced marriage, domestic violence, dowry and honour killings were debated. In addition the multiple roles of women in education, social and economic development, politics and professional life and the influence of role-models on women to encourage them to make changes in their lives.

Session I

Awards and commemorations GIWC 2010: The first ever annual Shakti Award, was presented to Her Holiness Anadmurti Guruma. This award, recognising great work for Women's Empowerment, wassponsored by Dr Pushpinder Chowdhry, co-chair of GOPIO International Women's Council.

Projects and resolutions for GOPIO International Women's Council 2011:

• To produce the book of True Untold Stories of Women of Indian Origin recounting the many and varied biographies of women from the Indian Diaspora.
• To co-partner to develop a parallel, all-ethnicity, World Women and Wellness project, to cater to Women of all ethnicities and nations. This would work with GIWC for skills training and empowerment of Women of Indian Origin.
• To forge and expand networks to maintain discussions and problem-solving via the GIWCe-group with outreach to at least 1000 PIOs internationally.
• To develop further projects in 2011 under the GIWC-FLO collaboration for the empowerment of women.
• To hold the 2nd GOPIO International Women's Conference - tentatively August 9 and 10, 2011 in South Africa. Theme: 'The Role of Women in Leadership and in Society', with speakers from about 15 countries
• To work towards a film documenting the migration history of Indians from the perspective of a woman's narrative. Talks with Mr Shyam Benegal for directing this film are under way.

In attendance: Among the group of parliamentarians, social workers and educationists contributing were: Baroness Shreela Flather, JP DL FRSA; Lord Narendra Patel KT, FRSE; Sonal Mansingh (Padma Vibhushan awardee); Maggie Semple OBE, FCGI; Kamala Lakhdhir, US Consul General to Northern Ireland; Mr Mahyendra Utchaanah, President GOPIO Mauritius; Mr Vijay Sharma, legal Adviser GOPIO; Asha Samant, DMD, MDS, BDS, FICD; Priya Hingorani, Legal Adviser, Ministry of Women and Child Development, India; Dr. Piyush Agarwal, US GOPIO country coordinator;  Rekha Gupta, MSC, co-chair GIWC; Leela Ramdeen Bed, Med, CPE, LPC; Dr. Lakshmi Persaud; Mrs. Rita Abraham; Seema Anand, Doctor of Narrative Practices.

Inaugural: Invocation by : Her Holiness Anandmurti Gurumaa followed by a welcome by Lady Shruti Rana, Chairperson, GOPIO International Women's Council.  Lord Meghnad Desai (Member House of Lords, UK) delivered the Keynote Address. This was followed by signing of memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between GIWC and FICCI (FLO). Rekha Gupta, MSC (Co-chair GIWC) co-signed for GOPIO and Priya Kingorani (Advocate, Supreme Court of India) co-signed for FICCI. Hon. Basdeo Panday, Former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, delivered the inaugural Address, and Ashook Ramsaran, Executive Vice President, GOPIO International, delivered the vote of thanks.

Session I:  Theme: Women of Indian Origin and Sustainable Development

Chaired by Lady Shruti Rana (UK) and Co-Chaired by: Rekha Gupta (USA). Keynote speaker was Padma Vibhushan Dr. Sonal Mansingh (Renowned classical dancer and social activist); other speakers included Usha Teji, Eminent Barrister, UK and Ms. Rita Abraham, Entrepreneur, South Africa.

Session II: Theme: Gender Issues in Education, Culture and Health

Chaired by  Baroness Shreela Flather -Member, House of Lords, UK. Keynote address by Lord Naren Patel, KT, FRSE, Member, House of Lords, UK.  Other speakers included: Kamala Lakhdhir, US Consul General to Northern Ireland (USA);  Dr Lakshmi persaud, Celebrated Author and Novelist, Trinidad and Dr Asha Samant, DMD, MDS, BDS, FICD (USA).

Session III: Theme: Women and Industry

Chaired by Mr Mahyendra Utchaanah (GOPIO Mauritius), Co- Chaired by Indy Aujla. Keynote Speaker was Maggie Semple, OBE, FCGI, Chief Executive, The Experience Corps. Speakers included Atul Pathak; Chairman Appt Corp Trading UK         

Session IV: Theme: Legal and Marital Issues of Women of Indic Origin

Chaired by Mr. Vijay Sharma, Legal Advisor- GOPIO. Speakers included: Priya Hingorani  Advocate, Member- Legal Panel, Women & Child Development Ministry , India;  Leela Maria-Goretti Ramdeen, Trinidad and UK; Pavit Mattewal, Additional Advocate General, Punjab, India and Seema Anand, Narratives expert, U.K.

Concluding Session:  Theme: Ways and Solutions for Success

Chaired by  Dr. Piyush Agarwal, GOPIO Regional Vice President, USA. Validictorian Address by  H.H. Anandmurti Gurumaa, India and concluding remarks: Lady Shruti Rana, Convener.  Dr Pushpinder Chowdhry delivered the vote of thanks.

Lady Rana summed up proceedings as 'a new beginning'. She acknowledged the value of the learning and experience shared by the speakers and invited all present, to remain connected, forge networks and to continue the discussions and problem-solving via the GIWC e-group, dialogues forums and practical projects.

GOPIO WOMEN'S COUNCIL SIGNS MOU WITH FICCI LADIES ORGANIZATION

**************************************

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

Between

GOPIO International Women's Council (GIWC)

And

FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO)

Purpose of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

GOPIO International Women's Council (GIWC) and FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) are desirous of collaborating so as to further the cause of empowerment of women of Indian Origin and their individual objectives and missions.

Photo above. GIWC-FLO MOU signing ceremony.From L. to R.: Priya Hongorani, Rekha Gupta and Lady Shruti Rana

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