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GOPIO NEWS

December 24, 2017

A Publication of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO)
Issue: XV-15December 24, 2017
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In This Issue
GOPIO INTL. BIENNIAL CONVENTION 2018 - DETAILED PROGRAM ANNOUNCED
GOPIO INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION - DETAILED PROGRAM
GOPIO NEWS SPONSOR
GOPIO-NEWS IS NOW PROVIDING OPPORTUNITY FOR ADVERTISING AMONG DIASPORA INDIANS
GOPIO LIFE MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTER FORMATION
EDITORIAL BOARD
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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.
GOPIO INTL. BIENNIAL CONVENTION 2018 - DETAILED PROGRAM ANNOUNCED


GOPIO BAHRAIN PREPARING FOR GOPIO INTL. CONVENTION 2018  
 
GOPIO Convention will be held for the first time in The Middle East, after holding conventions in New York, London, Paris, Zurich, Trinidad, South Africa, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, GOPIO International is holding its Biennial Convention 2018 - Bahrain on January 6-8, 2018 and concluding with a Desert tour scheduled for January 9th.
 
Bahrain Skyline for GOPIO Convention 2018   
GOPIO Bahrain team has picked up Gulf Hotel, Manama, Bahrain as the venue for GOPIO Biennial Convention. GOPIO will also hold its Annual General Body Meeting on Jan. 6th, which will consider many bylaws amendments.
 
GOPIO Bahrain Conv. Brochure
 
Detailed program has been announced and is shown below and as Attached file

Contact: Sunny Kulathakal, Global Ambassador, GOPIO International, Tel. in Bahrain +973-39441956, India +91-9845756692, E-mail: kulathakal44@gmail.com
  
TRAVEL AND HOTEL ARRANGEMENTS
Regarding the travel and visa arrangements our travel partner Dadabhai Travels will do everything possible to get the special rate to any destination. You may contact Mr. Aziz Gilitwala, Managing Director E-mail aziz@dadabhaitravel.com, Tel: +973-39614499 or naveen@dadabhaitravel.com,   Tel: +973-39843283
 
UK and US Passport holders will get visa on arrival. Visit Bahrain Govt. website at https://www.evisa.gov.bh/ or a private agency at https://www.bahrainonlinevisa.com/application. Others have send in the passport copy (1st and last pages) to the travel agent to arrange the visa, Contact: naveen@dadabhaitravel.com.
 
Near the Gulf Hotel where GOPIO Convention Team has made an agreement with a new hotel- Park Regis for rooms with $70 for single occupancy and $80 for double occupancy including tax and breakfast. The above rate will be available only up to 15th December 2017. You may book directly on line at www.parkregislotushotel.com. Should you require further assistance you can contact Asst. Director of Sales Mr. Usman Kiani, Tel: +973-36293777 (Mobile), E- mail: ados@parkregislotushotel.com or Shiju Nair, Tel: +973-39830603, E-mail: om@parkregislotushotel.com.
 
Delegates get free transport to the Gulf Hotel (Convention Centre) which is at a five minutes distance from Park Regis Hotel. 
 
GOPIO CONVENTION 2018 BAHRAIN - REGISTRATION FORM

Date
Event
Venue
Singe Registration (US$)
No. of Tickets
Total Amount
Saturday, Jan. 6, 2016
GOPIO Executive Council and General Body Meeting (Open Only to Members) - Includes Lunch
Park Regis Hotel
No Charge (for only EC and General Body Members)
 
 
Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018
Reception and Inauguration, NRI Women Achievers Awards, Dinner, Entertainment
Gulf Hotel
50.00
 
 
Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018
Conferences and Lunch
Gulf Hotel
30.00
 
 
Sunday, Jan 7, 2018
Reception, Businessmen of the Year and Dinner
Gulf Hotel
50.00
 
 
Monday, Jan. 8, 2018
Conferences and Lunch
Gulf Hotel
30.00
 
 
Monday, Jan 8, 2018
Finale Banquet and Entertainment
Gulf Hotel
50.00
 
 
Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018
GOPIO Executive Council Meeting (Open Only to E.C. Members) - Includes Lunch
Park Regis Hotel
No Charge (for EC Members only)
 
 
3 Days
All Events
 
150.00
 
 
Individual Sponsorship
All Events and Listing in the Program Booklet as a Sponsor
 
250.00
 
 
GRAND TOTAL
 
 
 
 
 
 NAME(S)
ADDRESS
E-MAIL:                                             Tel (H):                                  Tel: (W):                          Tel (cell):                     
The total amount may be paid by a bank transfer or with a credit card using Square or PayPal as follows:
Send the money by Bank Transfer

Details on Bank Transfer to GOPIO Bank account. - Account with Bank of America, Bank of America Financial Center, 18641 S. Gridley St., Cerritos, CA 90703, USA. Account Holder: Global Organization of People of Indian Origin, 11433 Arlee Ave., Norwalk, CA 90650., USA, Tel: 562-887-6976,
To transfer money within the US: Routing No. 011900571, Account # 003851989607
To transfer money from outside the US: Swift No. BOFAUS3N, Account # 003851989607

Use Square Inc. link, i.e. Use your credit card at https://squareup.com/store/GOPIO
 
Payments Using PayPal - Go online to: www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/make-online-payments
Choose: Make online payment
Select option: Pay for items or services quickly and securely
GOPIO Email: gopiofunds@gmail.com
GOPIO INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION - DETAILED PROGRAM

GOPIO BIENNIAL CONVENTION 
- Detailed Program

GOPIO BIENNIAL CONVENTION 2018 & PRAVASI SAMMELAN, BAHRAIN, JAN. 6TH TO 8TH, 2018
 
DAY 1 
 
Saturday, January 6, 2018
 
9am - 10.30 am                         GOPIO Executive Council Meeting
                                                Chaired by President Niraj Baxi
 
10.30 am - 12 pm    Reports from International Coordinators                                                            and GOPIO Council Chairs
 
12 pm - 1 pm                            GOPIO General Body Meeting
                                                Chaired by Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham
                                                President's Report - Mr. Niraj Baxi
                                                Treasurer's Report - Mr. Kewal Kanda
 
1 pm to 2 pm                    Lunch
 
2 pm - 5 pm                              GOPIO General Body Meeting (Cont'd)
                                                Chaired by Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham
 
                                                GOPIO Bylaws Amendments
                                                Presented by GOPIO Bylaws Committee
 
                                                Presentation on GOPIO MemberNova
                                                By Mr. Dinesh Mittal
 
Announcement of Election Results (2018-'19) & Endorsement/Election of Chairman by Election Committee
 
6 pm                                         Convention Inauguration
 
National Anthems
 
Prayer Song by Playback Singer Ms Parvati Menon
 
Welcome speech by GOPIO Incoming President and Convention Convener Mr. Sunny Kulathakal
 
Presidential Address by Mr. Niraj Baxi, President, GOPIO Intl.
 
Lighting the Lamp Ceremony
 
Inaugural Address by Honorable Shri Alfons Kannanthanam, Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Culture, and Tourism, Government of India
Address by Mr. Raj Purohit, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Maharashtra, Mumbai, India
 
 
Chairman's Address by GOPIO Founding President Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman, GOPIO International
 
Felicitation by: 1) Dr. B.R. Shetty, Chairman, NMC Healthcare
2) Lord Diljit Rana, Former President, GOPIO International
 
7.30 pm                   Indian Women Achiever's Samman
(Award Recognition Ceremony)
 
Opening Remarks by GOPIO's Global Ambassador and Convention Convener Mr. Sunny Kulathakal and Mr. Rajeev Gupta, Managing Editor, NRI Achievers
 
Felicitation by Ms Arathi Krishna, Deputy Chairman, NRI Forum, Karnataka
 
Vote of Thanks by Dr George Cheriyan, President, GOPIO-Bahrain
 
8.15 pm                                            Cultural Programme
 
9.15 pm                                            Dinner
 
 
DAY 2
 
Sunday, January 7, 2018
 
9.00am                             Prayer Song
9.05am                 Session I Conference Inaugural Session 'India 2030: An Economic Powerhouse'
 
Welcome - Mr. Sunny Kulathakal, GOPIO's Global Ambassador and Convention Convener
 
Introduction - Mr. Soman Baby, Chairman, Reception Committee
 
Keynote Addressby Dr. Shashi Tharoor MP, Former Minister of State for External Affairs
 
Address by
 
1)  Mr. Chandan Mitra, Chief Editor, The Pioneer & Former BJP MP
2)  Anwar M. Abdulrahman, Chairman, AL HILAL GROUP, Bahrain
3)  Mr. Sudhir Kumar Shetty, President, UAE Exchange and President, GOPIO Abu Dhabi Chapter
 
Moderated by Mr. Issac John Pattaniparambil, GOPIO Intl. Coordinator for The Middle East, Business Editor, Khaleej Times. Dubai, UAE
 
11am                                Tea Break
 
11.15am                            Session II 'Bahrain, a Business & Tourism                                                  Destination'
 
Presided over by Mr Khalid Abdulrahman Almoayyed, Chairman, Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry
 
Address by H.E Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khaifa, Chief Executive, Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority
 
 
11.15am                            Session III Empowering Indian Women
 
Speakers           Ms. Molly Banerjei, Producer, Chai with Molly, Toronto
                        Ms. Meera Devi, Editor, Salam Bahrain
                        Ms. Michelle Michael, Durban, South Africa
                        Ms. Shabnam Moudgil, Community Leader, Dallas, Texas
Moderator         TBD 
       
 
12.15pm - 1.30 pm            Session IV 'Opportunities for Business and                                                       Investment in India'
 
Remarks           Mr. Nitin Shah, Co-Chairman, GOPIO Intl. Chamber, Atlanta, US
 
Speakers           Mr. Raj Purohit, MLA, Chief Whip, Maharashtra
Dr. Charan Singh, Former Economist, RBI, Stamford Univ., World Bank, IMF and Currently Professor at IIM, Bangalore
Mr. Faizal Kottikollon, Founder/Chairman, KEF Holdings, Dubai
Mr. PC CyriacIAS, Former Chief Secretary, Tamil Nadu
Mr. Kurien Abraham, Editor & Publisher of business magazine 'Dhanam'
Ms. Mini Guleria, President & CEO, Macroscope Market Resourcing, Los Angeles, USA
 
Moderator         Mr Shaji Baby John, Chairman, Kings Group, Kochi
 
12.15 pm - 1.30 pm   Session V Health and Wellness Issues of Diaspora Indians
 
Speakers           Dr. Asha Samant, Chair, GOPIO Health Council, NJ, USA    
Issac Mathai, CEO, Soukya, Bangalore
 
Moderator         Dr. Rajeev Mehta, Robert Johnson Medical Center, NJ, USA
 
1.30 pm-2.30 pm                               Lunch
 
2.30 pm-3.30 pm               Session VI 'India: The Healthcare Destination' - 'India Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Industry Challenges & Opportunities'
 
Speakers          Dr. Muhammed Majeed, Chairman, Sabinsa (USA) and Sami Labs, Bangalore, India
Dr. Zulekha Daud, Managing Director of Zulekha Hospitals, UAE
Dr. Pramod Kamdar, Arena Pharmaceuticals,San Diego, USA
Dr. M. Anirudhan, Essen Nutrition, Chicago, IL, USA
Dr. Azad Mooppen, Chairman and Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare, The Middle East and India
Dr. Sunny Kurien, Chairman, Dr. Sunny's Group, Sharjah
 
Moderator         Dr. George Cheriyan, CEO, Amer. Mission Hospital Bahrain
 
 
2.30 pm-3.30 pm               Session VII 'Seniors of Indian Origin - Evolving a Global Network, Issues and Prospects'
 
Speakers          Sudha Acharya, Executive Director, South Asian Council for Social Services, New York, NY
Dr. J. Alexander, IAS, Former Minister, Karnataka, India
 
Moderator         TBD
 
3.30 pm                            Tea Break
 
3.45 pm- 5.00 pm Session VIII 'Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Start-Up India'
 
Speakers: Mr. Vinesh Mehta, President, Federation of Association of Maharashtra, Mumbai
Mr, Jay Banerjei, President, GOPIO, Toronto,  Canada
Ms. Rajespree Naidoo, Durban, South Africa
                Mr. Mehen Poinoosawmy, GOPIO France, Paris
 
Moderator         Mr. Nitin Shah, Co-Chair, GOPIO Intl. Chamber, USA,   
   
 6.30pm    Book Release, Businessperson of the Year Award Function &                                          Public Meeting
 
Welcome Address by Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman, GOPIO
 
National Anthems of Both Countries
 
Address by Minister of Electricity & Water, Kingdom of Bahrain, His Excellency Dr Abdulhussein bin Ali Mirza
 
Book release of 'Advancing the Role of Executive Management' authored by Dr. Shaikh Mohamed Al Khalifa. Book released by His Excellency Dr. Abdulhussein bin Ali Mirza 
 
Felicitation by Mr. Niraj Baxi, President, GOPIO Intl., San Jose, CA, USA
 
Special Address by Dr. Shashi Tharoor, MP, India
 
Award Ceremony coordinated by Mr. Anurag Batra, Chief Editor, Business World, New Delhi, India
 
Address
 
1) Mr. Raj Purohit, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Maharashtra, Mumbai, India
 
2) Mr. J. Alexander, IAS, Former Minister, Karnataka, India
 
 
Vote of Thanks by Mr. Noel Lal, Executive VP, GOPIO Intl.
 
8pm                                          Cultural Programme
 
9pm                                          Dinner
 
 
DAY 3
Monday, January 8
 
9.00 - 10.30 am Session IX 'Political Involvement of Diaspora Indians'
 
Speakers          Prof. Bimal Prasad, Leader, National Federation Party, Fiji
                                    Mr. Viresh Sharma, Treasurer, GOPIO-CT and President, Laser Systems, Stamford, Connecticut, USA
Ms. Nikki Kapadia, Los Angeles, California, USA
 
Moderator         TBD
 
9.00 - 10.30 am Session X 'Powering Global Indian Enterprises'
 
Speakers          Dr. Rami Ranger CBE, Chairman of Sun Mark Ltd.
and Sea Air and Land Forwarding Ltd., London, UK
                        Dr. J. Rajmohan Pillai, Managing Director, The Beta Group, Kollam, Kerala, India
Mr. Noel Lal, Executive VP, GOPIO Intl. and Managing Director, South Pacific Engineering and ABLEC Electric, Sydney Aus.
Mr. Ishwar Ramlutchman, GOPIO Intl. Coordinator and Chairman and Managing Director, Vukani and Mazulu Services PTY., Durban, South Africa
 
Moderator         TBD
 
10.30 am          Tea Break
 
10.45 am          Session XI 'India: Riding the Wave of the                                                         Fourth Industrial Revolution'
 
Keynote Speech by Dr. Sam Pitroda, Former Advisor to Prime Ministers of India
 
Moderator by Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman, GOPIO International
 
 
12.15 pm-1.30 pm             Lunch
 
1.30 pm-2.45 pm Session XII 'Capabilities & Challenges Facing Youth and Young Professionals in the Diaspora'
 
Speakers           Mr. Neeraj Baxi, President, GOPIO Intl., San Jose, USA
Mr. Noel Lal, Executive VP, GOPIO Intl., Sydney, Aus
Mr. Ishwar Ramlutchman, GOPIO Intl. Coordinator, Africa
Advocate Sivan Madathil, Kochi, Kerala, India
Mr Irfan Malik
 
2.45 pm                            Tea Break
 
3 pm-5 pm Session XIII 'Rehabilitation of Returning NRIs'
 
 
Speakers           Mr. Sunny Kulathakal, Global Ambassador, GOPIO Intl., Bahrain
Advocate K.V. Shamsuddin, Sharjah
Mr. P.V. Radhakrishna Pillai, President, Kerala Samajam, and Recipient of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, Bahrain  
Mr Issac John Pattaniparambil, GOPIO Intl. Coordinator, The Middle East, Business Editor, Khaleej Timesm Dubai abd Chairman World Malayalee Council
Mr Soman Baby, Recipient of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, Bahrain
Moderator        Mr. Jacob George, Former Correspondent, India Today Magazine
 
7.00 pm-9.30 pm       Finale Valedictory Function & Presentation GOPIO Community Service Awards
 
Chief Guest: Dr Sam Pitroda, Former Advisor to Prime Ministers of India
 
Address     1) Dr Thomas Abraham, Chairman, GOPIO Intl., Stamford, USA
2) Lord Diljit Rana, Former GOPIO President, Belfast, UK
3) Mr Niraj Baxi, President, GOPIO Intl, San Jose, CA, USA
4) Mr Noel Lal, Exec. VP, GOPIO Intl., Sydney, Australia
 
Community Service Awards Presentation
 
8pm                                          Cultural Programme
9pm                                          Dinner
 
DAY 4
Tuesday, January 8
 
9am - 10.30 am                         GOPIO Executive Council Meeting
                                                Chaired by President
 
11.00 am                                  Desert Trip (Optional, buy tickets separately) 
GOPIO NEWS SPONSOR
  
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Viiaan is a Real Estate company facilitating clients and developers buy & sell properties in Western & Central parts of India. Viiaan is preferred marketing partners to some of the best developing companies in the region. Viiaan also focus into development activities itself in the city of Mumbai with currently 3 projects in pipeline. Contact:
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GOPIO-NEWS IS NOW PROVIDING OPPORTUNITY FOR ADVERTISING AMONG DIASPORA INDIANS

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 and further through Social Media. Thsoe inTerested may contact +1 203-32908010 or e-mail at gopio@optonline.net.
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 2/3 of 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 - Niraj Baxi, San Jose, California, USA, Tel: 408-307-9845, E-mail: president@gopio.net
 
GOPIO Executive Vice President - Noel Lal, Sydney, Australia, Tel: +61 417448293, E-mail: evpgopio@gmail.com
 
GOPIO Vice President - Ram Gadhavi, Wayne, New Jersey, USA, Tel: +1-973-699-8582, E-mail: ram@gadhavi.net
 
Execuitve Trustee of GOPIO Foundation - Inder Singh, Tarzana, California, USA, Tel: +1-818-708-3885, E-mail: indersinghusa@gmail.com
 
GOPIO's Global Ambassador - Sunny Kulathakal, Bahrain, +973-39441956, India +91-9845756692, E-mail: kulathakal44@gmail.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: Nami Kaur, GOPIO Media Council Chair (New York, USA)
Associate Editors: Layla Matthew (Bangalore, India), Ila Rosengarten (Denver, CO, USA) and Harry Walia (Australia)
Webmasters: Abu Thomas (Ardsley, New York, USA)

Contributors Sunny Kulathakal, GOPIO's Global Ambassador (Bahrain) and Anita Bhat, President, GOPIO-CT (Stamford, CT) 

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
  
Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Inc., P.O. Box 1413, Stamford, CT 06904-1413
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