GOPIO NEWS BULLETIN

January, 2004

CONTENTS


-          GOPIO-Suriname to Organize Diaspora Conference

-          GOPIO Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran Honored in New York

GOPIO CONVENTION 2004 - A GREAT SUCCESS

GOPIO ELECTS OFFICERS AND PASS RESOLUTIONS

 

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) organized its Convention-2004 in New Delhi on January 7th and 8th in conjunction with Pravasi Bharatiys Divas. The program was held at the Federation House in New Delhi. Attended by over 300 delegates from 28 countries, the convention theme was "India and NRIs/PIOs Role, Relationship and Responsibility."

 

The program started with the Executive Council Meeting on Jan. 7th. The outgoing president Dr. Thomas Abraham presented the state of the GOPIO and reported that the GOPIO has now reached to 22 countries with over 30 chapters. At the meeting chaired by GOPIO Chairman Ram Lakhina, GOPIO Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran provided a list of activities for the past three years, which included the Third Global Indian Entrepreneurs Conference held in New York in 2002, regional convention in Europe, participation in UN Conference Against Racism in South Africa n 2001, opening up several new chapters and taking up issues of the community including dual nationality and human rights violations. President-Elect Inder Singh took over as the president with a new GOPIO team elected as follows: Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham (USA), Exec. Vice President Yesu Persaud (Guyana), European Regional VP - Jasbir Sachar (UK), Business Council Chairman Dwarkesh Shah (German), Cultural Council chairman Dharmatma Saran (USA).

 

The convention was officially inaugurated on Jan. 7th evening with the following dignitaries as speakers: N.D. Tiwari (former union minister and Chief Minister of Uttranchal), Dr. Karan Singh MP; Basdeo Panday MP (Former Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, Trinidad and Tobago).

 

The cultural evening and GOPIO Cultural Council was inaugurated by Panday and Ambassador Bhishma Agnihotri respectively. GOPIO has set up a Cultural Council to promote artists of Indian origin. Toward this goal, GOPIO Cultural Council will host details of artists in a website who would like to perform in countries with large NRI/PIO population. NRIs/PIOs artists as well as artists from India are encouraged to publicize their trips abroad through GOPIO Cultural Council Bulletin Board. One could send in details to gopio@gopio.net. Details of artists will be compiled at GOPIO website so that NRI/PIO groups in different countries can get access to their information including planned trips for the future.

 

The conference session on Jan. 8th started with an opening session addressed by the High Level Indian Diaspora Committee Chairman Dr. L.M. Singhvi as keynote speaker. It was followed by three sessions as follows:

(1) NRIs/PIOs Role in Business, Technology and Investments

(2) Indian Identity, Cultural Link, Rights Violations of NRIs/PIOs Outside India

(3) NRI/PIO Role in Building Indias Image Outside and Involvement of NRIs/PIOs in Philanthropic, Developmental and Educational Activities in India.

Former president of India Dr. K. R. Narayanan was the luncheon speaker.

 

Each session had a keynote address followed a panel discussion. The keynote addresses were delivered by Minister of State for External Affairs Digvijay Singh, Indian Ambassador-at-large Bhishma Agnihotri and Development Alternatives president Dr. Ashok Khosla.

 

The convention concluded with an Awards Banquet held at the Claridges Hotel where GOPIO honored seven persons of Indian origin for their outstanding services to the Indian community. The awardees were Dr. P. Jayaraman (Executive director, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, New York, USA), V. Ram (social activist and educationist, Indonesia), Raj Loomba (community activist and educationist, London), Sunny Kulathakal (community activist and publisher of Whos Who in the Gulf, Bahrain, Middle East), Pritha Singh (Indo-Guyanese, founder of Rajkumari Cultural Center), Narend Singh (Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Recreation in the provincial government of Natal, South Africa) and K. Sital (community activist, social worker and publisher). GOPIO also presented an award to ICICI Bank for their continued services to NRIs/PIOs with the award being accepted by Mr. P. Gopakumar, Head of ICICI Bank NRI Services. US Congressman Gregory Meeks of Queens was also honored as a friend of India and NRIs/PIOs. Other dignitaries present at the Awards Banquet included former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral, Lord Navnit Dholakia (Chairman, Liberal Democrat Party in London) and Tarlochan Singh (Chairman, National Commission on Minorities). Former Trinidad PM Basdeo Panday was admitted in the GOPIO fold as an Honorary Member of GOPIO.

 

In his acceptance speech at the banquet, GOPIO President Inder singh said that the new team will work towards increasing individual life membership and chapters around the world as well as take up issues of the NRI/PIO communities. To become a GOPIO member, visit www.gopio.net or www.gopio.com

 

Contact Inder Singh, President, GOPIO Inc., 3818 Gleneagles Dr., Tarzana, CA 91356, USA, Tel: 818-708-3885; E-mail: indersingh@sbcglobal.net

 

 

GOPIO SUBMITS RESOLUTIONS TO INDIAN GOVERNMENT

 

GOPIO passed several resolutions at its concluding conference session of GOPIO Convention 2004 as follows:

 

1. DUAL NATIONALITY

GOPIO international is delighted that Govt. of India has accepted the long felt demand of NRIs for Granting of Dual Nationality. GOPIO Intl., wishes to convey its appreciation and thanks to Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpai and his Govt. for taking this very important decision that will go a long way in strengthening further bonds between India and her Diaspora.

 

2. A NEW MINISTRY FOR OVERSEAS INDIANS

 

WHEREAS, people of Indian origin have been making tremendous contribution to Indias development by bringing new technologies and businesses, by investing in core sectors of the economy, by contributing to Indias foreign exchange reserve, by helping in areas of education, health and charitable activities. WHEREAS, the NRIs/PIOs have been instrumental in building a good image of India outside; WHEREAS, thousands of NRI/PIO individuals and organizations have been participating in the charitable and developmental activities of India; GOPIO URGES the Government of India to establish a Ministry of Overseas Indians similar to the Ministry of Overseas Chinese in China, so as to facilitate all NRI/PIO related issues and activities through this ministry.

 

3. RAJYA SABHA SEATS FOR NRIs

 

WHEREAS, people of Indian origin living outside India represent a tremendous resource in intellectual, technical, scientific, professional, economic, trade, and entrepreneurial skills with high potential and interest to contribute to the well-being and prosperity of their motherland, GOPIO URGES and Indian cabinet to appoint a few prominent NRIs (who are India citizens) as Rajya Sabha members so as to reinforce the bonds between India and the overseas NRI/PIO community.

 

4. VOTING RIGHTS FOR INDIAN CITIZENS LIVING OUTSIDE INDIA

 

WHEREAS, about 30% of the Indians living outside India are still citizens of India;

 

WHERAS, most of the countries provide opportunities for their citizens living outside their countries to participate in the election process of their countries

 

WHEREAS India is yet to establish a mechanism to provide such an opportunity for its citizens numbering about 6 million.

 

GOPIO urges Government of India to initiate the process of providing voting rights, through a constitutional amendment, to Indian citizens living outside India.

 

5. POLITICAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS OF NRIs/PIOs

 

WHEREAS in some countries with large NRI/PIO population, there are instances of extraordinary levels of violations of political and human rights, GOPIO urges Govt. of India to take proactive stand in accordance with the UN Charter on Human Rights, where ever and whenever such violations occur.

 

6. RESTORE "NOT ORDINARILY A RESIDENT (NOR)" STATUS FROM TWO YEARS TO NINE ON GLOBAL TAX OF RETURNING NRIs/PIOS

 

WHEREAS GOPIO urges that the NOR global tax (under section-6-6) exemption of two years be restored back to the original nine years, that was there before the change brought on by the Finance Bill 2003. Even earlier Finance Minister had withdrawn a very similar change in 1998. Whereas GOPIO continues to feel Government is justified taxing any and all incomes generated within India by returning NRIs/PIOs, the tax exemption on global income should be reverted back to the nine-year period. This would encourage greater cooperation of 22 million NRIs/PIOs, who form a considerable national resource of global network for Indias growth and development.

 

7. HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS OF FIJIAN INDIANS BY THE QUARASE GOVERNMENT

 

WHEREAS GOPIO stands for full restoration of citizenship rights of our PIO brothers and sisters in Fiji.

 

WHEREAS GOPIO urges the government of India to hold off granting Fiji government permission to start a High Commission in New Delhi in February 2004 until the finalization of the multiparty cabinet case and the clearing up of the constitutionality of the Quarase government. Any hasty decision will amount to Human Rights violation of 44% of the Fijian population that is of Indian origin.

 

8. GOPIO RESOLUTION ON THE FUNCTIONING OF INIDIAN DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS

 

WHEREAS it be resolved that the Indian diplomatic missions and its officials shall promote the harmony among PIOs and PIO-business community in their adopted country and shall not indulge in any activity that creates division and destructive atmosphere among PIOs/NRIs.

 

The resolutions were presented to Mr. Digvijay Singh, Minister of State of External Affairs, Govt. of India by GOPIO International President Inder Singh and GOPIO-New Delhi President K.N. Gupta.

 

 

 GOPIO LAUNCHES CULTURAL COUNCIL

 

GOPIO has set up a Cultural Council to promote artists of Indian origin living outside India. Toward this goal, GOPIO Cultural Council will host details of artists in a website who would like to perform in countries with large NRI/PIO population. NRIs/PIOs artists as well as artists from India are encouraged to publicize their trips abroad through GOPIO Cultural Council Bulletin Board. One could send in details to gopio@gopio.net. Details of artists will be compiled at GOPIO website so that NRI/PIO groups in different countries can get access to their information including planned trips for the future.

 

GOPIO CULTURAL COUNCIL was officially inaugurated by former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Basdeo Panday at the cultural evening during on January 7th during GOPIO Convention-2004.

 

Contact: GOPIO Cultural Council Chairman Dharmatma Saran, E-mail: MSINDIAWW1@aol.com

 

 

GOPIO BUSINESS COUNCIL TO EXPAND ACTIVITIES

 

GOPIO Business Council was launched in April 2000 in New York with the objective of networking NRI/PIO business people as well as the various NRI/PIO chambers of commerce and industry. GOPIO Business council organized the third Global Indian Entrepreneurs Conference in new York in September 2002.

 

GOPIO Executive Council elected Dwarkesh Shah of Stuttgart, Germany as its Chairman. Every region will have a Co-Chairperson. The following persons have been appointed as Co-Chairpersons: North America Chander Khurana (USA), Europe Jagdish Makwana (Switzerland) and Africa Jacob John Poovathoor (Uganda). GOPIO Business Council is seeking candidates from other regions of the world.

 

In an effort to reach our NRI/PIO Business people and to develop the program for the coming years, a luncheon meeting has been scheduled in New York on Saturday, January 31st, where Dwarkesh Shah will be present. For participation, contact Dr. Thomas Abraham, 203-329-8010 or gopio@optonline.net. Another meeting is scheduled for February 5th in Cleveland. For participation Contact: Paramjit Singh (E-mail: Param36@aol.com).

 

Contact: Dwarkesh Shah, Chairman, GOPIO Business Council, Stuttgart, Germany, Tel: +49-711-7222072, E-mail: imexma@z.zgs.de

 

PIO HUMAN RIGHTS PERSPECTIVES & EXPERIENCES

 

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT A PAPER EXTENED TO FEBRUARY 10, 2004

Human Rights Perspectives and Experience: People of Indian Origin in the Caribbean, Americas, Asia,  Africa, Europe

In-Depth Reports, Discussions and Analyses.   Experiences of People of Indian Origin Living Outside  of India in Countries with Significant PIO Population. Reports on Fiji, the Caribbean, USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Africa, Guyana, Trinidad, Surname, and others.

 

CALL FOR PAPERS

St. Johns University's Committee on Latin American & Caribbean Studies

(CLACS) Invites scholars to present papers in the forthcoming international multidisciplinary conference, co-sponsored by the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin(GOPIO) and The Guyanese East Indian Civic Association (GEICA)

 

Please submit abstracts of papers to Dr. AlinaCamacho-Gingerich, Chair of CLACS, at: camachoa@stjohns.edu before February 10, 2004.

 

OBJECTIVE

 

Based on a theme of 'Human Rights Experiences', the Conference brings to focus the nature and elements of human rights abuses as they affect Indians living outside of India. The conference will examine those regions where Indian immigrants assimilation has been harmonious. The conference organizers expect to attract scholars, rights advocates, and policy makers the world over to examine the causal nature, extent and consequences of such abuses and to address some of the underlying issues therein. Hopefully, the lessons so learned can be a yardstick for other groups in tackling this ubiquitous problem now simmering in many regions of the world.

 

Sponsored  By  
St. Johns Universitys
Center on Latin American & Caribbean Studies

on Saturday, March 20, 2004 @ 9:00am
at
St. Johns University
Marillac Terrace

8000 Utopia Parkway

Jamaica, New York 11439, USA

Co-Sponsored By
Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), Inc.
Supported By  
The Guyanese East Indian Civic Association (GEICA)
And Several Other Institutions & Organizations


Contact:

GOPIO - Ashook Ramsaran, Tel: 718-969-8206, E-mail: ramsaran@aol.com

GOPIO - Prof. Surendra Kaushik, Tel: 914-762-6168, E-mail: skaushik@pace.edu
GEICA - Prakash Singh, Tel: 718-939-8194, E-mail: geica@aol.com 

St. Johns. Univ. Dr. Camacho-Gingerich, Tel: 718-990-1932, E-mail: clacs@sju.edu


SESSIONS
Region   I                The Caribbean, Guyana, Malaysia, Trinidad,
                                         Suriname, Fiji, Bangladesh
Region  II                 Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe,
                                         Other Africa, Mauritius
Region III                Australia, Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, United States,
                                         Other Americas

SPEAK AT THE CONFERENCE ON YOUR EXPERIENCE OR PRESENT A SCHOLARLY PAPER

Conference Admission is Complimentary. Attendance Confirmation Requested

GOPIO CHAPTER NEWS

 

GOPIO SURINAME TO ORGANIZE DIASPORA CONFERENCE

REGIONAL CONFERENCE on INDIAN DIASPORA, April 13 –16, Suriname

 

The Conference hotel will be KRASNAPOLSKY. The hotel rate will be USD 80.00 single/double inclusive of taxes and breakfast. The conference fee US$ 125 Includes coffee breaks, lunches, social activities and proceedings. Special airfares from Port of Spain and Miami are being worked out. Contact: Harold R. Ramdhani, Suriname, e-mail: ramstour@sr.net

 

GOPIO SECRETARY GENERAL ASHOOK RAMSARAN HONORED IN NEW YORK

Ashook Ramsaran, 56, Recording Secretary for the Fresh Meadows Home Owners' Civic Association and the Secretary General of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin, was honored by the New York City Council for his contribution as an immigrant.  A great city is only as great as those persons who give exemplary service to their communities, said City Council Speaker Gifford Miller (D-Manhattan), who presented a city council citation to Ramsaran at a ceremony in City Hall on Dec. 10. In Ashook Ramsaran, we have an outstanding citizen, one who is worthy of the esteem of both the community and the great city of NewYork, Miller added. Ramsaran's great grandparents lived in India before moving to Guyana, where Ramsaran was born. When Ramsaran was 19, he came to Flushing (New York) from Guyana and studied electronic engineering at Brooklyn Polytech, where he graduated with a master's degree. Ramsaran eventually opened up Ramex, a business in New York and manufactures intercoms for health care and transportation systems.

 

APPEAL FOR IMMEDIATE HELP

 

Ravinesh singh of Fiji has brain tumor and will be undergoing surgery in New Zealand. Ravinesh needs financial assistance to assist with the operation and other post-surgery expenses. Ravinesh and Rita Singh are appealing to the global Indian community for financial assistance.

 

Please make any and all contributions to: The bank information in NZ is as follows:

 

Bank: ANZ

Branch: Christchurch, NZ

Name of Account: Ravinesh and Rita Singh

Account No: 01.1188.0073248.00

Swift Code: ANZ BNZ 22

 

Anyone donating can send their contributions to this account in NZ or  donate at the paypal account by credit card. The url is:

https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=sneh%40rogers.com&no_note=1&tax=0&currency_code=CAD

Editorial Board

v     Dr. Thomas Abraham (Stamford, CT, USA)

v     Prashant Gupta (Chicago, IL, USA)

v     Sunil Prasad (Brussles, Belgium)

GOPIO NEWS welcomes NRI/PIO related stories from all over the world. Be a volunteer correspondent or reporter. Contact Dr. Thomas Abraham at gopio@optonline.net

Visit GOPIOs Official site at www.gopio.net