GOPIO.Connect Update

 

2003: GOPIO.Connect Initiative started in Chicago.

 

2004:

·        GOPIO.Connect Partnered with India Development Coalition of America (IDCA) to help organize two-day conference “Working Together to Accelerate Sustainable Development in India” on October 16-17, 2004 in Chicago. CSO Participants: AIF, UN Foundation, Sehgal Foundation & others.

·        Facilitated a Rainwater Harvesting Water project in Jaisalmer District of State of Rajasthan through Thar Integrated Social Development Society in partnership with Chicago-based Health & Happiness Inc. This would implement PAAR system in village KADARA KI DHANI of Jaisalmer. From this system the village KADERA KI DHANI , DAMODARA and KAHLA village will be beneficiaries.

 

2005:

  • Chicago-based India Development Coalition of America invites GOPIO.Connect on Development Panel “Strategies to Accelerate Sustainable Development in India”.  Click here for Presentation.
  • Research study on ‘Underground Water Development in India’ at Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University.
  • Facilitated a water project in Rajasthan through Tarun Bharat Sangh, founded by Shri Rajendra Singh (winner for 2001 Ramon Magsaysay Award). In partnership with Chicago-based Health & Happiness Inc.
  • GOPIO.Connect Participates in NRI NGOs Meeting held in New York on 03/19.  The meeting passed a resolution pertaining to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) and charitable donation of goods by NRI NGOs for India’s developmental and educational activities.
  • Organized a Session on GOPIO.Connect - Helping in Developmental, Philanthropic and Educational Activities at GOPIO CONFERENCE – 2005 IN CONJUNCTION WITH PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS 2005, THEME:  INDIA AND NRIs/PIOs ROLE, RELATIONSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY. Place: Taj President Hotel, Mumbai.  Panelists - 
·                     K.J. Alphons, Principal Secretary, Govt. of Kerala
·                     Prof. Manubhai Shah, Chairman Emeritus, Consumer Education and Research Center, Ahmedabad, India
·                     J. Alexander, President, Indian Council of Social Welfare 
·                     Uka Solanki, Philanthropist and President/CEO Big Saver Foods; Founding Director Orange Community Bank; Pasadena, CA, USA
·                     Dr. Awtar Singh, Philanthropist and CEO of Lockwood-Singh Inc., Los Angeles, CA, USA

 

2006: Kicks off Clean Ganges Initiative – supports efforts in Kashi (Varanasi).

 

2007:

·        GOPIO.Connect Facilitator returns to India.

·        GOPIO.Connect Co-sponsor Session on NRIs/PIOs AND INDIA: DEVELOPING PEOPLE TO PEOPLE RELATIONS. Speakers:

·         Madhu Yaskhi M.P., Member of Lok Sabha, New Delhi - "Overview and Perspective from a Law Maker"

·         Dr. Y.S. Rajan - Scientist, Technologist, Academic, Writer and Poet and currently Principal Advisor, Confederation of Indian Industries, New Delhi, "People to People Relations in Education and Technology Transfer."

·         J.C. Sharma, Former Secretary, MEA and currently Executive Trustee of Chiranjiv Bharti Trust, "NRIs/PIOs Networking with Business, Civic and Community Organizations in India ."

·         Dr. Srinivasa Rao, Editor, The Catalyst, New York, "NRIs/PIOs Networking with Developmental Groups

·         Prof. Ram Mohan Roy, Professor of International Relations, CSUN, and Senior Fellow Clairmont Graduate University, "Role of NRIs/PIOs in improving Relations with India and country of their Residence with particular reference to USA."

 

2008:

·        GOPIO.Connect co-sponsors Education Summit held in New Delhi on Jan’ 08. Speakers:

·         Sam Pitroda, Chairman  - National Knowledge Commission, Government of India

·         Subash Chandra, Chairman ZeeTV and Ekal Vidyalaya, New Delhi

·         M. M. Jacob, Former Minister and Governor, India

·         Dr. Y.S. Rajan - Scientist, Technologist, Academic, Writer and Poet and currently Principal Advisor, Confederation of Indian Industries, New Delhi

·         Lord Bhikhu Parekh, House of Lords London, U.K.

·         Lord Daljit Rana, House of Lords, UK

·         Dr. Ashok K Chauhan, Founder President, Amity Institutions

·         Dr. Abhishek Singhvi, Eminent Lawyer, Member of Parliament & Indian Congress Party Spokesperson

·         Madhav Chavan, Founder Chairman, Pratham , India

·         Amit Kaushik, Director, SRF Foundation and former Director of Elementary Education in the Ministry of HRD and also with UNESCO, India

·         Shankar Venkateshwaran, American India Foundation, New Delhi, India

·         Rakesh K. Mittal, IAS, Former Secretary of Education and Secretary of the Dept. of Social Welfare, Government of UP, India

 

2011:

·        GOPIO.Connect starts blog