GOPIO CONFERENCE 2006 REPORT

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) orgtanized its Conference 2006 in Hyderabad on January 5th and 6th, in conjunction with Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2006. With the theme “Global Indian Diaspora: Today and Tomorrow,” the conference was inaugurated on January 5th at the Manohar Radisson Hotel. Prior to the conference inauguration, a scheduled GOPIO session heard reports on NRI/PIO issues from different countries with large PIO population followed by a session on “Mobilization of Indian Diaspora Resources for Common Goal.”

The first session devoted to the mobilization of the global NRI/PIO communities and resources for political, social and economic goals including developmental, philanthropic and educational activities of the NRI/PIO communities as well as India. Speakers include former NRI Commissioner and former External Affairs Secretary J.C. Sharma (New Delhi), Prof. Rajendra Prasad of New Zealand, University of Guyana Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Prem Misir, Prof. Mohan Gautam of The Netherlands, Fiji Member of Parliament Dr. Ganesh Chand and Dr. Arjun Daluvoy of Los Angeles, USA. The session was chaired by GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham and Co-Chaired by Prof. Chandrashekahr Bhat, Director of Indian Diaspora Institute at the University of Hyderabad.

 The conference was inaugurated on Jan. 5th in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Minster of Finance and health K. Rosaiah and Minister of Irrigation Ponnala Lakshmaiah. Delegates were welcomed by GOPIO President Inder Singh and GOPIO Conference Convener Prof. Gan Bhukta. The keynote address was delivered by Lord Diljit Rana od UK. 

The second day of conference started with presentation by Bernard Baruch College Professor Dr. Parmatma Saran of New York and Prof. Madhav Nalapat of Manipal Academy of Higher Education speaking on the conference theme. It was followed by another session titled,”Indian Diaspora: Opportunities in Business, Technology and Investments.” The speakers were: Dr. B.R. Shetty, CEO and Managing Director of New Medical Center Hospital, Abu Dhabi; Ms. Koosum Kalyan, Business Development Manager/Africa Exploration and Production, Shell International Petroleum Company Ltd.; Yesu Persaud, Executive Vice President of GOPIO International and Chairman of  Demerara Distillers, Guyana; Dr. Sudhir Parekh, President, Federation of Indian Associations, New York, USA; and V. Narayanan, Chairman Allfone Systems (Pvt.) Ltd. & President, ICM Computer Consultants, Chennai, India.

Minster for Overseas Indian Affairs Oscar Fernandes in his speech recognized GOPIO’s contribution in mobilizing the community from the time the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was in power. He appealed to GOPIO and the delegates present at the meeting to bring to the attention of the ministry all issues of NRIs/PIOs.

An Awards Luncheon followed at which GOPIO’s PRAVASI BHARATIYA COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS were presented to five NRIs and PIOs who have provided significant community and public service to the Indian Diaspora around the globe and/or to India. The awardees included Baron Dr. Diljit S. Rana of Northern Ireland, UK; DR. B.R. Shetty, Chairman of New Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi; Ms. Sudha Acharya, Executive Director of the South Asian Council for Social Services (SACSS), and Dr. Ganesh Chand, M.P. who was former Planning Minister of Fiji. Special recognition award will be presented to Pavan Kumar Darisi. The awards were presented by Andhra Pradesh Governor Sushil Kumar Shinde. Click here to get details on Awardees

GOPIO also passed several resolutions at the final concluding session chaired by Dr. Piyush Agrawal. Click here to read resolutions.

PHOTOS

Photo 1: GOPIO Pravasi Bharatiya Community Service Awards Presented to the Awardees by Andhra Pradesh Governor Sushil Kumar Shinde at the GOPIO Conferecen held in Hyderabd. From L. to R.: GOPIO PBD2006 Convener Prof. Gan Bhukta, Awardee Pavan Kumar Darisi's representative, Awardee Dr. Ganesh Chand of Fiji, Awardee Sudha Acharya of New York, GOPIO President Inder Singh, AP Governor Shinde, Awardee B.R. Shetty of Abu Dhabi, Awardee Lord Dilijit Rana of UK, GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, GOPIO VP Sunny Kulathakal and GOPIO Conference Coordinator Atluri Subha Rao of Hyderabad

Photo 2: Pravasi Bharatiya interns from 20 countries at the GOPIO conference with Coordinator Atluri Subha Rao.

Photo 3: Governor Sushila Kumar Shinde and Minister FErnandes with GOPIO Officials and some of the award recipients. From L. to R.: GOPIO Conference Coordinator Atluri Subha Rao, GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chandu K. Patel (Chairman of GOPIO Council for Govt. Relations), GOPIO President Inder Singh, Governor Shide, Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs Oscar Fernandes, Mrs. Fernandes, GOPIO Vice President Sunny Kulathakal, and GOPIO Awrd Recipients Sudha Acharya (New York) and Dr. B.R. Shetty (Abu Dhabi).

Photo 4: Governor Sushila Kumar Shinde with GOPIO Officials and Conference Organizers: Sintting: From L. to R.: Chandu K. Patel (Chairman of GOPIO Council for Govt. Relations), GOPIO President Inder Singh, Governor Shide, GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham and Lord Diljit Rana. Standing: From L. to R.: GOPIO Treasurer Haresh Panchal, B. Rajya Lakshmi, Advocate D. Geetha, ANS Murthy, Conference Chairman Gan Bhukta, Murali Krishna, S. Surya Prasad, B.V.S. Prakash Rao, GOPIO Vice President Sunny Kulathakal, and GOPIO Conference Coordinator Atluri Subha Rao.

Photo 5: GOPIO officials presenting their conference resolutions to Minister Oscar Fernandes at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas held in Hyderabad last month. From L. to R.: GOPIO President Inder Singh, Minister Fernandes, Mrs. Fernandes, GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham and GOPIO Resolution Committee Chairman Dr. Piyush Agrawal. The resolutions included the issues which are being enacted by Govt. of India such as eliminating price discrimination toward NRIs and voting rights for NRIs.