The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) has scheduled its Convention 2008 in New Delhi on January 6th and 7th at the FICCI auditorium, in conjunction with Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2008. The conference will be formally inaugurated on January 6th at 3.00 pm by Honorable Smt. Meira Kumar, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment.
After the formal inauguration of the conference, there are two sessions planned as follows:
Critical Issues Confronting Indian Diaspora
NRI/PIO's Property Scams and Legal Ramifications
On January 7, 2008, GOPIO has planned an all day summit on education with the theme: EDUCATION FOR THE MASSES IN INDIA - ROLE OF NRIs/PIOs. Specifically, the summit will deal on the following questions:
Ø Opportunities in mass education where NRIs/PIOs can be effectively involved?
Ø Opportunities for senior NRIs who are retiring now, who could be motivated to get involved in schools from their towns/villages - What mechanism?
Ø Young professionals and younger generation NRIs/PIOs who could volunteer their time during the summer and semesters away - What opportunities and mechanisms?
The Education summit is co-sponsored several other NGOs including the US based India Development Coalition, Pratham, America Indian Foundation and GOPIO-Connect. Speaker include Madhave Chavan, Founder Chairman of Pratham; Lord Bhikhu Parekh; Dr. Y.S. Rajan, ZeeTV Chairman Subhash Chandra and Lord Diljit Rana.
On January 6th evening, GOPIO will hold it Annual Awards Banquet at 7:30 P.M. at Ashoka Hotel which will be presided over by Honorable Ravi Vayalar, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs. GOPIO COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS which were established to recognize and honor those NRIs and PIOs who have provided significant community and public service or done philanthropic work for the Indian Diaspora and/or to India, shall be presented at the banquet.
"We at GOPIO feel privileged to recognize some NRIs/PIOs who have contributed significantly to the countries of their adoption as well as to India, and have added a special glitter to the resurgence of India," said Inder Singh, President of GOPIO.
Since its inception in 1989, GOPIO has been organizing conferences and conventions in different parts of the world to mobilize the global NRI/PIO community. During the last few years alone, GOPIO has organized nine international conferences. Besides providing a globally recognized platform for dialogue and discussion to the worldwide Indian Diaspora, GOPIO's conferences and conventions continue to help bring the Indian Diaspora closer to mother India and strengthen the inherent bonds between mother India and the globally spread Diaspora. The convention in New Delhi on January 6th and 7th, 2008, is another of its continuing efforts to mobilize the global Indian community and facilitate their networking.
GOPIO believes that the destiny of the Indian Diaspora, in many ways, is intertwined inextricably with India. The NRIs/PIOs, individually and collectively, certainly have made numerous, significant achievements in their adopted lands but they are bound to India by the umbilical cord of history, culture, heritage, and tradition. GOPIO's conferences and conventions continue to bring the Indian Diaspora directly and indirectly closer to mother India.
GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham said, "By honoring those who have worked selflessly for Indian Diaspora causes and India, we are providing exposure of such role models to the next generation." "This will motivate more NRIs and PIOs to volunteer their time for community causes," Dr. Abraham added.
The awards will be presented by Shri Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs. The awardees for this year are Baroness Usha Prasher, United Kingdom; Moses V. Nagamootoo, Guyana; P.N.C. Menon, The Middle East; Ram Lakhina, The Netherlands and Dr. Mani Bhaumik, USA. Distinguished services to Indian Diaspora Award will be presented to J.C. Sharma, India and ZeeTV. GOPIO will also induct Lord Bhikhu Parekh in its Honor Roll.
GOPIO CONVENTION 2008
Program
Sunday, January 6th, 2008
9:30 am to 11:00 Noon GOPIO Executive Committee Meeting (Not open to public)
11:00 am Registration for GOPIO Convention begins (till 5.30 p.m.)
11:00 am - 12.00 Noon GOPIO General Council Meeting (Not open to public)
12:00 Noon - 1.00 pm. GOPIO Council & Chapter Reports (Open to Public)
North America - Dr. Piyush Agrawal, Regional Vice President
Zafar Iqbal, Delegate, Washington D.C. Chapter
Ashok Kumar, Delegate, San Jose, California Chapter
South America and Caribbean - Ambassador Krishna Nandoe, Regional Vice President
Middle East - Sunny Kulathakal, Regional Vice President
South East Asia - George Abraham, Regional Vice President
Pacific/Ocenia - Noel Lal, Coordinator, Australia
Europe- Sunil Prasad, President, GOPIO-Belgium Conference Report
Dr. Rajindre Tewari, President GOPIO-Amsterdam, Netherlands
Birjinder Sodhi, President GOPIO Berlin, Germany
1:00 Noon - 1.45 pm. Lunch
2:00 pm to 2:45 pm
Tribute to the Late Dr. L.M. Singhvi
GOPIO is grateful to late Dr. L.M. Singhvi, formerly Chairman of High Level Committee on Indian Diaspora, for his outstanding contributions to the Indian Diaspora movement, for his role in the grant of dual nationality to NRIs/PIOs and for his initiative in starting and organizing PBD.
Chair: Ambassador (Retired) J. C. Sharma, Anthar Rashtra Sahayog Nyas
Speakers: Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman, GOPIO International, USA
Lord Bhikhu Parekh, House of Lords, London, U.K.
Raj Loomba, Businessman and Philanthropist, U.K.
Ram Lakhina, The Netherlands, Former Chairman, GOPIO International
K.N. Gupta, President GOPIO India
Dr. Abhshek Singhvi, MP, Spokesman for the Congress Party, India
Session Coordinators: Inder Singh, President GOPIO Int'l & Ashook Ramsaran, Secretary Gen GOPIO Int'l
3:00 pm to 6:30 pm GOPIO Convention 2008 Inauguration
Welcome: K.N. Gupta, Convention Chair and President GOPIO India
Welcome: Inder Singh, President, GOPIO International, USA
Greetings: Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman, GOPIO International, USA
Inauguration Ceremony: Lighting of the Lamp
Chief Guest - Hon. Meira Kumar, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment
Release of the book by Anand Mulloo of Mauritius
Recognition of Sponsors
Note of Thanks: Ashook Ramsaran, Secretary General, GOPIO Int'l., USA
Session I: 3.30 pm- 4.50 pm Current Issues and Concerns Confronting the Diaspora
Chair: Dr. Jagat Motwani, Author, Writer and Chairman, GOPIO Academic Council
Co-Chair: Dr. Shekhar Tiwary, Co-Chair, GOPIO Tracing of Roots Committee
Keynote Speaker: Hon. Basdeo Panday, Leader of the Opposition and former Prime Minister, Trinidad
Panelists: Vijay Kumar Sharma, Senior Partner, Arlingtons Sharmas Solicitors - Indian community Issues in Europe
Buddhdev Pandya MBE, Hon Corporate Advisor, British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) - Issues of Medical doctors in UK
Ambassador Krishna Nandoe, Caribbean Regional VP, GOPIO - Caribbean Perspectives
N. Ganesan, Malaysia - Current Temple and Other Issues in Malaysia
Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria, Executive Director, Social Strategic Foundation - Current Issue in Malaysia
Dr. Piyush Agrawal - Community issues in North America
Session II: 5.00 pm- 6.30 pm NRI's/PIO's Property Scams and Legal Ramifications
Moderator & Chair:
Subhash C. Sharma, Professor of Economics, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, U.S.A
Co-Chair: Yatish Choudhari, USA
Panelists: Mr. M. M. Maheshwari, New York, USA
Ms. Anjali Sachdev, Seattle, Washington, USA
Mr. Subhash C. Sharma, USA, Ved Prakash Sharma, President Delhi Bar Asso.
Dr. Surat Singh (Doctor of Law -Harvard), Advocate Supreme Court and Delhi High Court
Mr. Jagdish Vatsa, Advocate Delhi High Court
7:30 pm to 11:00 pm
Reception, Entertainment andGrand Awards Banquet with the Presentation of GOPIO Community Service Awards
Ashoka Hotel, Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakaypuri, Delhi, 110021 Telephone 11-2611-0101, 11-2611-6161
Chief Guest: Honorable Vayalar Ravi, Minister, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs
Honored Guests: Dr. Karan singh MP and Former Governor and Minister M.M. Jacob
Event Coordinator: Munish Gupta, Chair, GOPIO Media Council & Ashok Malhotra, Secretary GOPIO India
GOPIO Community Service Awards will be presented to:
- Baroness Usha Prasher, U.K.
- PNC Menon, Middle East
- Moses V. Nagamootoo, Guyana
- Ram Lakhina, The Netherlands
- Dr. Mani Bhaumik, USA
Distinguished Services to the Indian Diaspora Award
- Ambassador J.C. Sharma, India
Special Award
- ZeeTV for its Outstanding Reach to NRI/PIO Communities and help in bringing them together
GOPIO HONOR ROLL
GOPIO honors leaders by inducting to GOPIO Honor Roll for their outstanding political leadership and their continued support for GOPIO and Indian Diaspora. This year, the following leader will be inducted to the GOPIO Honor Roll for his outstanding leadership and continued support for GOPIO and Indian Diaspora.
ü Lord Bhikhu Parekh, U.K.
Monday, January 7th, 2008
GOPIO EDUCATION SUMMIT
CO-SPONSORS:
India Development Coalition Association (IDCA),
GOPIO.Connect
American Indian Foundation
Pratham
THEME:
EDUCATION FOR THE MASSES IN INDIA - ROLE OF NRIs/PIOS
Specifically, the summit will deal on the following questions:
1. Opportunities in mass education where NRIs/PIOs can be effectively involved
2. Opportunities for the NRI baby boomer generations who are retiring now, who could be motivated to get involved in schools from their towns/villages - What mechanism?
3. Young professionals and younger generation NRIs/PIOs who could volunteer their time during the summer and semesters away - What opportunities and mechanisms?
9:30 am Registration and Coffee/Tea
10:00 am to 11:00 am - Inaugural Session
Event Chairman - Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman, GOPIO International, USA
Welcome - Inder Singh, President, GOPIO International, USA
Address - Madhav Chavan, Founder Chairman, Pratham , India
Felicitation Address - M. M. Jacob, Former Minister and Governor, India
11.00 am to 11.20 am Coffee/Tea Break
11.20 am to 12.30 pm Session I - The Need Where NRIs/PIOs Can be Involved
Chairperson and Moderator: Satvasheela P. Chavan, Shiv Niketan Education Society, New Delhi
Speakers: Opening Talk - Lord Bhikhu Parekh, House of Lords London, U.K.
Dr. Y.S. Rajan, Advisor, Confederation of Indian Industries, New Delhi, India
- NRI/PIO resources
- Range of schools to support
- Possible action areas and action channels
Amit Kaushik, Director, SRF Foundation and former Director of Elementary Education in the Ministry of HRD and also with UNESCO, India
- The current status of elementary education in India
- Major areas of gaps
- Some recent successful NGO/partnership examples
- Possible areas for involvement of NRIs/PIOs
Rakesh K. Mittal, IAS, Former Secretary of Education and Secretary of the Dept. of Social Welfare, Government of UP, India
12:30 pm to 1:30 pm Lunch
1.30 pm to 2.40 p.m. Session II - Meeting the Need and Challenges for NRIs/PIOs to be Involved in Education for the Masses in India
Chairperson and Moderator : Vivek Singhal, India Development Coalition
Speakers: Opening talk - Subash Chandra, Chairman ZeeTV and Ekal Vidyalaya, New Delhi
Lord Dilijit Rana, House of the Lords, London, UK
- Need and opportunity of NRI involvement, in developing educational facilities in rural areas of India.
- The Difficulties experienced by NRI's in doing so...
- Difficulties presented by FCRA (Foreign Currency Regulatory Authority, Ministry of Home affairs).
- The education of women and creating some employment opportunities of woman in rural areas.
- Example from Sanghol project www.sanghol.com
Dr. Ashok K Chauhan, Founder President, Ritnand Balved Education Foundation (RBEF) - The Foundation of Amity Institutions
Yogi Patel, Pratham USA
- NRIs have money and heart. They love India. They love education.
- They will fund education in India.
- Pratham USA persuades NRIs to fund education in India, raised over $10 million in 2007.
- Telling NRIs about a good NGO does not raise money. Connecting with passion and a specific "Call for Action" does.
2:40 pm to 3:50 pm Session III - Breakout Sessions (Intensive Discussion with Participants)
Session III A - INVOLVING SENIOR NRIs IN MASS EDUCATION IN INDIA
Moderator- Prof. Mohan K. Gautam, President and Chancellor, European Univ. of West & East, The Netherlands
Rapporteur - Dr. T.A. Geroge, Educationist, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India
Speakers:Shankar Venkateshwaran, American India Foundation, New Delhi, India
Venkat Velagala, PLAN International, New Delhi, India
Dr (Mrs) Amita Chauhan, Chairperson, Amity International Schools
Session III B - INVOLVING YOUNGER GENERATION OF NRIs IN MASS EDUCATION IN INDIA
Moderator - Dr. Kamal Dwivedi, Counselor, Science & Technology, Embassy of India, Washington DC, USA
Rapporteur - Prof. Raka Kamal, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India
Speakers: Prof. Roopam Saran, Manhattanville College, Purchase, New York, USA
Neal Bharadwaj, College Student, Univ. of California Merced, California, USA
Atul Chauhan, Chancellor, Amity University Uttar Pradesh
3.50 pm to 4.10 pm Coffee/Tea Break
4:10 pm to 5:15 pm Session IV - Reports from Breakout Sessions, Wrap-up and Adoption of Resolutions
Chair: Dr. Piyush Agrawal, USA Coordinator and Vice President for North America, GOPIO International, USA
Reports from all sessions - All Chairs and Co-chairs
Concluding Remarks - Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman, GOPIO International
Note of Thanks - Prashant Gupta, Chairman, GOPIO.Connect
CONVENTION SPONSORS
Lord Daljit Rana, House of Lords, UK
Barjinder Sodhi, Berlin, Germany
Dr. Muhammed Majeed, Sabinsa Corporation, New Jersey and Bangalore
Dhani Ram Baruah M.D., FRCS, India
Balachandran Nair, Dubai & India
Manoranjana Sinh, NETV, India
Conference Registration
Contact GOPIO-India president Mr. K.N. Gupta, Tel: (91) 11-4164-2066/9811131588, e-mail: knguptas@hotmail.com or GOPIO.Connect Chairman Prashant Gupta at Tel: +91-9899987657 or E-mail, pg1619@yahoo. com.
For more information on GOPIO Convention 2008, please contact: GOPIO President Inder Singh in USA at 818-708-3885, E-mail: gopio-intl@sbcglobal.net or Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran at: 718-353-1900 or by email at ramsaran@aol.com
GOPIO AND PBD PROCEEDINGS LIVE ON PIOTV
PIOTV will provide live coverage of GOPIO Convention 2008 on Jan. 6th and 7th and the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on Jan. 8th and 9th. Those who are not attending the GOPIO meeting and PBD can watch at PIOTV in the privacy of their homes/offices. Visitwww.piotv.com.
Attended by over 200 NRIs and PIOs, the meeting was also attended by