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CONTENTS

TRINIDAD GOVERNMENT CHARGES AGAINST CHIEF JUSTICE SHARMA DISMISSED

GOPIO SCHEDULES REGIONAL CONFERENCE IN SURINAME JUNE 8 10, 2007

UK LAW SEEKING EXPULSION OF INDIAN MEDICOS PUT ON HOLD MEDICOS WIN FINAL LEGAL BATTLE

MOIA SEEKS FUND ALLOCATION FOR WELFARE OF OVERSEAS INDIANS

GOPIO INTL. AND CHAPTER NEWS

GOPIO INTERNATIONAL ELECTS NEW TEAM AT ITS CONVENTION IN NEW DELHI

GOPIO-NY TO PARTICIPATE IN NYC IMMIGRANT WEEK

GOPIO-CT OFFERS FREE COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION SEMINARS

GOPIO- SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA JOINS HANDS HOSTING UNITY DINNER

GOPIO COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDEE CHARANPAL GILL FELICITATED IN CANADA

NRIs/PIOs ACHIEVE

BRITISH INDIAN KHALID HAMEED APPOINTED TO HOUSE OF LORDS

TRINIDAD PIO WINS ENGINEERING OSCAR

IIT MUMBAI TO GET A CONVENTION CENTER FROM NRI ALUMNI

BRITISH INDIAN APPOINTED TOP COP IN OXFORD

NEWS OF INTEREST TO NRIs AND PIOs AROUND THE WORLD

AUSTRALIAN HOSPITAL AND NRI GROUP TO EXCHANGE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WITH INDIA

UK BRANCH OF PAKISTAN-INDIA FRIENDSHIP FORUM LAUNCHED AT THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

INDIAN AMERICAN HOTELIERS EYE INDIAN INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

VISAS FOR INDIAN TECHIES UP IN UK

INDIAN MANGOES TO HIT THE US MARKET THIS SUMMER

AWARENESS WORKSHOPS ABOUT NRI MARRIAGES

DURBAN STREET NAMED AFTER MAHATMA

BECOMING SINGAPORE CITIZEN IS CLICK AWAY

NEW CITIZENSHIP TEST FOR PEOPLE DESIRING AUSTRALIAN CITIZENSHIP

UK BOSSES FAVOR IMMIGRANTS OVER LOCALS

BILL GATES SLAMS US VISA POLICY

FOREX RESERVES UP BY $5 BILLION

GOPIO LIFE MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTER FORMATION

EDITORIAL BOARD

TRINIDAD GOVERNMENT CHARGES AGAINST CHIEF JUSTICE SHARMA DISMISSED

In a victory for equal justice, observance of due process and the rule of law, the charges filed by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago against Chief Justice Satnarine Sharma were dismissed by Senior Magistrate Lianne Lee Kim on March 5, 2007 in Port of Spain , Trinidad . The charges of attempting to pervert justice were dismissed for lack of evidence when the governments chief witness and accuser, Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicholls, refused to testify at the trial.

After the dismissal, Chief Justice Sharma reiterated his innocence, while the lead attorney for his the defense, Pamela Elder, welcomed the victory but declared the behavior Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicholls as scandalous.

In July 2006 charges against Chief Justice Sharma were filed, and attempts by the government were made to remove him as Chief Justice based on allegations of Chief Magistrate Sherman McNicholls that Chief Justice Sharma tried to influence the trial of former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday. Chief Justice Sharma vehemently denied the charges and protested the blatant violation and abuse of due process, rule of law and the constitution as the government sought to remove him from office.

GOPIO International took up the cause for justice and organized a huge protest rally on July 31, 2006 at the United Nations in New York . Local, regional and international speakers denounced the willful and blatant abuse of power by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago in its targeted attempts to subvert its own constitution, the rule of law and due process. The GOPIO protest elicited massive local, regional and international publicity that highlighted the Government of Trinidad and Tobago s illegal actions. Petitions were signed and delivered to the United Nations, Human Rights Watch, International Commission of Jurists and the United States Department of State. Widespread protests continued on the local level in Trinidad as actions of the government were denounced by legal rights associations, institutions and individuals across the population spectrum.

The dismissal of the charges against Chief Justice Sharma is a tremendous victory, not only for Chief Justice Sharma, but for all the people of Trinidad and Tobago . GOPIO welcomes the verdict as a confirmation that justice has prevailed, said Inder Singh, President of GOPIO International.

A 3-day regional conference is being planned by GOPIO of Suriname in collaboration with the regional chapters of GOPIO and other organizations of the Indian Diaspora in the Caribbean region, as well as GOPIO International. It is the first Caribbean Regional Conference of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and it set to be held from June 8 10, 2007 at the Hotel Torarica in Paramaribo , Suriname .

The main objective of the conference is to bring together representatives of PIOs, primarily from the Caribbean region, including the French Caribbean, the Netherlands Antilles, Jamaica and others, thereby providing opportunities for more regular interaction and strengthening the common linkages in various areas of mutual interest. The proposed conference will offer a unique opportunity in recognizing the extensive contributions of PIOs in the Caribbean region in the social, economic, professional, academic and cultural development of their respective homelands. The aim of the event is to interact and network more closely, identifying areas of cooperation and develop joint efforts to promote the interests and well being of the Indian Diaspora in the Caribbean region that also translates globally as well.

The program is designed to attract PIO and other delegates from the Caribbean region as well as North America, Europe, India and other PIO regions of the global Indian Diaspora. An array of prominent speakers has been selected, as well as VIPs from Suriname , Trinidad , Guyana , the Caribbean region, USA , Europe and India .

More information will be made available as the program details are developed. For more information, please contact Ambassador Krishna Nandoe, Conference Chairperson and Vice President, GOPIO InternationalCaribbean Region, at knandoe@yahoo.com, or in New York, GOPIO Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran at: 718-353-1900 or by email at ramsaran@aol.com.

Thousands of Indian doctors stepped up their fight to be considered eligible for 21,000 training jobs in the National Health Service (NHS) by securing an emergency injunction that forced the health ministry to shortlist non-Europeans whose British work permits expire in five months. The 16,000 doctors from the non-EU countries of which almost 13,000 are Indians were facing the prospect of having to leave Britain . The immigration laws were amended in April 2006 under which employers have to prove that they had no appropriate candidates from the UK and EU before offering jobs to non-EU candidates.

In a twist, Britain decided not apply its new immigration law for the moment granting a temporary reprieve to Indian doctors in the country. The department of health, under pressure from the BAPIO (British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin), has agreed to keep the new immigration rules in abeyance for the first round of recruitment of training posts in the National Health Service (NHS) this year.

On February 25, the government granted a temporary reprieve to an estimated 10,000 Indian doctors pending the outcome of a formal legal appeal against an unfavorable London High Court judgment that failed to overturn the British government's punitive new immigration and work rules for Indian doctors.

The British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) formally lodged the appeal against the High Court judgment on March 1. BAPIO president Dr Ramesh Mehta said the injunction was part of Indian doctors' ongoing fight "against unfairness and injustice and we have no plans to back down now".

On March 4^th, the doctors first obtained an injunction against new guidance from the ministry to stop the recruitment of non-European doctors who did not have leave to work in the UK beyond August 1.

MEDICOS WIN LEGAL BATTLE

Finally, Indian doctors have won a significant legal battle in the High Court of Justice as the British government agreed to withdraw a discriminatory clause which would have excluded them from job interviews and appointment process if they did not have visas beyond August 1, 2007.

The High Court was due to hear on March 8^th the application filed by BAPIO for permission to take a judicial review of the injunction on rules affecting Highly Skilled Migrant Program (HSMP) doctors.

As the judge began the hearing, the Secretary of State's Counsel requested a brief adjournment. BAPIO was then informed that the Secretary of State was prepared to concede.

BAPIO accepted this offer and agreed to withdraw the case since the Secretary of State gave an undertaking to the court that this clause will be removed, said BAPIO President Mehta.

For the first time a clear message has been sent out that promises made to International Medical Graduates (IMGs) must be kept. HSMP doctors were allowed in to make UK their home; HSMP doctors must be treated at par with UK and EU nationals and there is no basis for discriminating against them, Mehta said.

Dr Raman Lakshman, Vice Chair for Policy, said: We had many doctors writing to us expressing concern that they will be refused an interview even though they had been short-listed. We therefore had no option but to file for the injunction. We were sure we would have won if the case had been heard. We are pleased that the Department of Health has conceded and we hope there will be no further obstacles for HSMP doctors.

This marks a great day in the history of IMG in the UK . At long last IMG have been able to assert their right to be treated fairly, said Dr Satheesh Mathew, Vice Chair for Operations.

Meanwhile, a spokesman of the UK Visas said on Friday certain transitional arrangements have been made for Highly Skilled Migrants in the UK to ensure that they qualify for further leave to remain. He said in all 40,713 applications were received from outside of the UK for consideration under HSMP during 2006 and of them 21,948 applications were approved. Of the 14,716 applications for renewal of leave under HSMP in 2006, 14,109 were approved.

The ministry of overseas Indian affairs is seeking a special allocation in the 2007 central budget for the creation of a welfare fund for overseas Indian workers.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi has stressed the urgency to undertake a slew of welfare measures for overseas Indian workers as also workers who have returned to India , according to informed sources.

"The temporary migration of unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled workers mostly to the Middle East is unique in that the social cost of education or vocational training is modest while the economic and social benefits derived from remittances or skill formation are significant," Ravi said in the letter.

GOPIO INTERNATIONAL ELECTS NEW TEAM AT ITS CONVENTION IN NEW DELHI

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International) at its convention held in New Delhi in January 2007, elected Inder Singh as president for a second term. Other members of the team elected at the convention include Lord Daljit Rana (U.K.) as Exec. Vice President; Dr. Piyush Agrawal (USA) as Vice President, North America Region; Ambassador Krishna Nandoe (Suriname) as Vice President, Caribbean Region; and Sunny Kulathakal (Bahrain) as Vice President of the Middle East Region. As immediate past president, Dr. Thomas Abraham (USA) will continue to be the chairman of GOPIO International for the term.

GOPIO Int'l. also appointed Ashook Ramsaran (USA) as Secretary General; Haresh Panchal (USA) as Treasurer;  K. Sital (Hong Kong); Charan Gill ( Canada ) and Dr. Ganesh Chand ( Fiji ) as regional coordinators for South East Asia, Canada, and Fiji respectively. Dr. Jagat Motwani was appointed Chairperson of the GOPIO Academic Council.

GOPIO-NY TO PARTICIPATE IN NYC IMMIGRANT WEEK

GOPIO has been selected by New York City Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Guillermo Linares as one of the civic organizations to participate in New York City 's Immigrant History Week 2007 (April 16 through April 22). Commissioner Linares has reviewed GOPIO's proposal for participation during these city-wide celebrations and has recommended that GOPIO collaborate with the Asian American/Asian Research Institute  (AAARI) and The Guyanese East Indian Civic Association  (GEICA) on a joint conference  to bring more awareness of the immigrants from the Caribbean who are of Asian heritage. 

While GOPIO International Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran took the initial steps for GOPIO to be part of the week-long NYC Immigrants' Week events, GOPIO of New York is taking the lead role with its President Lal Motwani coordinating the session on "CHALLENGES and OPPORTUNITIES". Motwani will be supported by Rafeek Baksh (President of GOPIO of Upper New York) as well Ashook Ramsaran (Secretary General, GOPIO International). Prakash Singh would be coordinator for GEICA.

The planned conference is a 1-day event to be held at the facilities of the City University of New York on April 21, 2007. The theme is: 'CARIBBEAN ASIANS - THE JOURNEY CONTINUES' , and GOPIO  is responsible for planning and coordination of Session II: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES.

Contact: Lal Motwani, President, GOPIO-NY, Tel: 718-470-1026 or E-mail: lmotwani@nyc.rr.com.

GOPIO-CT OFFERS FREE COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION SEMINARS

The number of people with diabetes is on a rise among people of Indian origin. Poorly controlled diabetes can lead to serious health problems like blindness, stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and non-traumatic amputations. Many of the complications of this chronic disease can be prevented by controlling the blood sugars.

GOPIO-CT and Bayer Healthcare LLC Diabetes Care Division are offering two free community education programs for better understanding of self management and care. On March 15, 2007 the program will offer tips on eating properly and effectively participating the treatment plan. On April 19, 2007, the program will explore various options to prevent cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The role of exercise in maintaining or improving overall health will also be discussed. Both these programs will be held in Hyatt Regency in Cos Cob, Connecticut and the speaker will be Sangeeta Ahuja a registered dietitian and a certified diabetes educator.

For registration and information, contact Sangeeta Ahuja, President, GOPIO-CT, Tel: 203-329-9744, E-mail: sangeetaahuja@aol.com.

GOPIO- SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA JOINS HANDS HOSTING UNITY DINNER

GOPIO-San Francisco Bay Area has joined Indo-American Community Federation along with other groups to host the annual Unity Dinner scheduled to be held at Hilton Newark/Fremont on Friday, March 23^rd. Ohlone College Trustee Garrett Yee has been named Citizen of the Year by the organizers and will be honored at the banquet. Yee, a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve who recently returned from serving in Iraq , will be presented with the award.

Dinner will be followed by remarks by state Sen. Ellen Corbett, D-San Leandro; Assemblyman Alberto Torrico, D-Newark; and the mayors of Fremont , Newark , Union City , Hayward and Milpitas .

The keynote speaker will be Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, who will present Yee and other honorees with their awards.

Other speakers will include Ohlone College President Doug Treadway. Newark Unified School District Trustee Nina Moore will discuss creating a hate-free community. Additional speakers' topics include political awareness and local community involvement.

After the awards ceremony, the evening will shift to cultural activities, including performances of Chinese folk dance, Chinese martial arts, Mexican folk ballet, classical Indian dance and Bhangra.

The dance floor will be open from 9 p.m. to midnight.

The program is being organized by Jeevan Zutzhi who is the coordinator for Indo-American Federation as well as the President of GOPIO-San Francisco bay Area chapter. Other organization sponsors include the National Federation of Indian American organizations, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, Fremont Chamber of Commerce, Fremont Education Foundation, Ohlone College Foundation, Citizens for Better Community, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Alameda County, and the Hispanic Community Affairs Council. New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. is a corporate sponsor.

Tickets cost $70 for an individual, $130 for a couple and $650 for a table. Checks should be sent to P.O. Box 14902 , Fremont , 94539.

For further information, call Jeevan Zutshi (510) 589-3702 or e-mail at JEEVANZUTSHI@aol.com.

GOPIO COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDEE CHARANPAL GILL FELICITATED IN CANADA

Friends of Charan Gill organized a gala party on Sunday, February 11, 2007 at the Bombay  Banquet Hall  in Vancouver , Canada , to felicitate Charanpal  Gill  as a recipient of the  GOPIO Community Service award on Jan 6,  2007 at the Ashoka Hotel  in New Delhi . The event in Surrey,  Vancouver , attracted about 1200 people who had come to show their support and to compliment Charanpal  for his life   long and  continuing community service and achievements.  Taking turns at the event, people from all walks of life including heads of temples, community organizations,  in addition to 11 State Legislators and  5 members of  the Canadian Parliament,  compliment Charanpal Gill on receiving the GOPIO award and  expressed  their appreciation for  his dedication and commitment in providing service to the community.

GOPIO International President Inder Singh inaugurated GOPIO Vancouver chapter under the leadership of Darshan Mann, a longtime resident of Vancouver . Charan Gill took over the leadership role as Canadian National Coordinator for GOPIO International.

BRITISH INDIAN KHALID HAMEED APPOINTED TO HOUSE OF LORDS

Lucknow-born Khalid Hameed, High Sheriff of Greater London, has been appointed to Britain 's Upper House as one of the six new non-party political peers. Hameed, a hospital management expert, has been chosen for "promotion of international understanding and the development of young people."

Hameed has been Chairman of the Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council since 1997. He is also the High Sheriff of Greater London and Chairman of Alpha Hospitals. He was earlier Executive Director and Chief Executive of the Cromwell Hospital . He is involved in a number of organizations and charities which help develop harmony between diverse faiths and cultures in the UK .

Hameed, who was made a Commander of the Excellent Order of the British Empire in 2003, won the Sternberg Interfaith Award in 2005 in recognition of his contribution to furthering Christian-Muslim-Jewish relations in the UK .

TRINIDAD PIO WINS ENGINEERING OSCAR

Dr. Anil Kokaram, 39, Trinidadian born of Indian origin (PIO) lecturer of engineering at  the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, has won an ward, equivalent of an Engineering Oscar for his involvement in the development of visual effects software for films.  Dr. Kokaram received the Scientific and Engineering Academy award at a ceremony held in Beverly Hills , California , USA last month.

Dr. Kokaram received the award with three members of UK software developer, The Foundry's development team, namely  Dr. Bill Collis, Simon Robinson and Ben Kent,  for their work on the design and development of Furnace, an  integrated suite of software visual effects

 
 Dr. Kokaram said, "I feel very privileged to get this award  because not many people get the chance.  I knew of the nomination since November, but I really didn't expect this. The Academy (of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) employed a stringent examination process in selecting the winners, almost like a police investigation",  Kokaram said.  His mother, Lynette  Kokaram, who attended the event with her other son Vasheist, an attorney in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad , said she was proud not only of Kokaram but also for her country. She said, "It was fantastic.  Something I never expected to be a part of.  I felt extremely proud of my son and for Trinidad and Tobago ."

Dr. Anil Kokaram is a graduate of Hillview College in Tunapuna, Trinidad . He studied at Cambridge University , England , where he also did his PhD and was a research fellow at the Signal Processing Lab at Cambridge University 's Department of Engineering. He has been a lecturer at Trinity College , Dublin , since 1998. Dr. Kokaram is married to Stefanie, a German born technical consultant. His parents are Richard Kokaram, 66, former principal of Hillview College, and Lynette Kokaram, 62, vice principal at Specialist Learning Centre at St. Augustine in Trinidad.

Kokaram has particular expertise in motion estimation, which is required for many movie special effects. He has written and published extensively on the subject and has written a book titled "Motion Picture Restoration: Digital Algorithms for Artifact Suppression in Degraded Motion Picture Film and Video".

IIT MUMBAI TO GET A CONVENTION CENTER FROM NRI ALUMNI

Former Indian American banker Victor Menezes has contributed $3 million toward a convention center named after at IITMumbai. Menezes, an electrical engineering graduate of IIT Mumbai has contributed the funds to IIT Bombay Heritage Fund.

According to Menezes, the new convention center will be a catalyst for collaborative discussion and development across the institute. The center will have a state-of-the art auditorium with a capacity of 300, a seminar hall, classrooms and meeting rooms. In addition, the top two floors will be occupied by the Manuel Menezes Center Civil Engineering Annex.

The foundation stone laying ceremony for the center was held recently at the Powai campus. According to IIT Mumbai Director Ashok Misra, the center will be functional within a year, in time for the start of IIT Mumbais Golden Jubilee Celebrations.

BRITISH INDIAN APPOINTED TOP COP IN OXFORD

An India-origin police officer has been appointed to a top post in Oxford , marking a landmark in race relations for the police forces in Britain . Chief Inspector Jack Malhi, 52, who hails from India , has replaced Chief Inspector Steph Cook as number two to Oxford 's police commander, Superintendent Jim Trotman.

Malhi, who joined the Thames Valley Police from the Bedfordshire force, said: "When they offered me a job in Oxford I was delighted. When you talk about Oxford , you talk about an international landmark.

Malhi joined the Bedfordshire Police in 1982 and worked as a local beat officer before working his way up the ranks. He has worked as a crime reduction coordinator and architectural liaison officer, drugs adviser, income generation officer and as Chief Officer and coordinator of the county's Special Constabulary.

Malhi was also chairman of the Bedfordshire Black Police Association for eight years. Despite holding such high-ranking roles, however, Malhi believes getting justice for the victims of crime has been the most satisfying part of his career.

In Oxford , one of Malhi's roles will be to oversee the development of neighborhood policing, a scheme to provide every community with their own team of community police officers. Malhi also wants to get to grips with students who are victims of crime. Oxford gets a disproportionate number of students in the city and they're very vulnerable when they're new.

AUSTRALIAN HOSPITAL AND NRI GROUP TO EXCHANGE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WITH INDIA

Dr. Daryl Wall and Dr. Balram K. Mahendra, on behalf of Queensland Government, PA Hospital, Australia and Mahendra Group, C14 Chiragh Enclave, NewDelhi 110048, India and  Australia have made an agreement for exchange of doctors and other personnel between India and Australia . The agreement will benefit both countries tremendously.

It all started with Dr. Balram Mahendra presenting the Division of Surgery with a proposal for the PA Hospital to explore the development of an exchange program for clinicians and allied health professionals. This collaboration will promote training rapport and understanding between India and Australia and assist in healthy living for people in both countries.

A VIP from India was fortunate to receive care at the Princess Alexandra Hospital , one of the worlds leading centers for head and neck surgery. The treatment was provided by a variety of surgeons lead by Dr. Coman, and staff in Intensive Care Unit. Dr Daryl Wall, Director of General Surgery who also teaches in surgery, surgical development and education, stated that the surgery went well with the patient now attending outpatient appointments to ensure continued good health. This provided an opportunity to initiate a program with India .

The PA Hospital Head and Neck Cancer Unit, which aided in the patients treatment, attracts applications from over 60 surgeons every year wishing to participate in the training course. The surgical endeavors are supported by experts in Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Radiology, Speech Pathology, and Dietetics. This multidisciplinary approach is utilized for the care of all the patients and assists in achieving great results.

Contact: Dr. Balram K. Mahendra, on behalf of Queensland Government, PA Hospital, Australia and Mahendra Group, C14 Chiragh Enclave, NewDelhi 110048, India and  AUSTRALIA,  e-mail  mec@vsnl.com INDIA mailing address 27/18 First Floor,  East Patel Nagar, New Delhi  110 008, phone 91-11-4508 4464, mobile  9910 211 244.

UK BRANCH OF PAKISTAN INDIA FRIENDSHIP FORUM LAUNCHED AT THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

The Pakistan India Friendship Forum UK was launched on the 8^th of February at the House of Commons by the British Parliamentarians. This is the third chapter of the organisation. The first chapter was established in 2003 in Pakistan , followed by the Indian chapter in 2004 and next year it will be established in the UAE.  The Forum believes that people to people contact is the way forward.

The launch held at the UK House of Commons was attended by several members of British Parliament including Keith Vaz, Hon James Arbuthnot, Dominic Grieve, Tony McNulty and Stephen Pound and several member of the House of Lords including Lord Navnit Dholakia, Lord Karan Bilimoria, Baroness Sandip Verma, Baroness Shreela Flather, Baroness Nicholson and several other prominent NRIs and PIOs including Sir Gulam Noon MBE, Sir Mohammed Anwar Pervez, Tarique Ghaffur, Judge Mota Singh, Prof Nat Puri, Dr Avtar Lit, Moni Verma, Fakhruddin Suterwalla, Hardyal S Luther, J S Sachar, T D Wohoura and Ranbir S Suri. They all have lent their names to this Forum as patrons conveying a message to these communities to live in peace and harmony to further community cohesion in Britain and also to further the cause of world peace. According to the organizers, In ever increasing world globalization, events taking place thousands of miles away create a ripple effect and these are felt throughout the world, but considerably so in Britain where  two British Asian communities live in large numbers. Therefore, it is imperative for all the communities to work hard for the success of Britain regardless of their ethnic origin, colour or religion if we are to enjoy community cohesion.

The Forum represents a reflection and the feelings of a growing number of people from both the countries. There is a great deal more in common between the two communities who always lived together for centuries before it was decided for them in 1947, when they became independent from Britain , that they should have separate homes. Unfortunately for 60 years they have not enjoyed cordial relations with each other. The aim of the Forum is to bring about direct contact between the people in order to promote friendship and harmony between these two large British communities who are settled here in considerable numbers. If these two communities start to cooperate with each other, their relationship will be felt in every walk of British life. They will also leave a legacy for the next generation which they will be rightly proud of.

The Forum believes that their countries face three issues. Two are easy and the third difficult. The easy issues are trade and tourism and the difficult one, Kashmir . If their respective governments can deal with the easy matters first, then the difficult question of Kashmir will automatically become easier to solve. The organizers strongly feel that the destinies of the two countries are interlinked with each other and one cannot progress without the other. When they start trading goods, they will stop trading bullets. The example of the EU is before them to follow for the good of their people.

When prosperity reigns and the peace dividend descend on these two countries, they will not have to keep large armies which are a drain on their resources. There will also not be a battleground for super powers that always divide and rule and thirdly with prosperity in both countries, the people of Kashmir will undoubtedly enjoy better living standards, security and peace.

The organization is neither political nor religious but is based is social and cultural commonalities and aims to celebrate what unites them. People to people contact always helps eliminate suspicions and misapprehensions that may exist between the two communities.

The Forum will celebrate a joint Independence Day every year on the 16^th of August at a top London venue so that people from both the countries can look ahead and celebrate each others nationhood. The Forum will also invite prominent artists from both countries to demonstrate that they have common culture and heritage which the citizens of both nations can enjoy like their own in perfect harmony.

Contact: Pakistan-Indian Friendship UK , 428 Long Drive, Greenford, Middlesex UB6 8UH , England , E-mail: info@pakindiafriendship.com, Dr. Rami Ranger, MBE, Chairman, E-mail: rami@sunoil.co.uk

INDIAN AMERICAN HOTELIERS EYE INDIAN INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

A delegation of Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) visited India last month scouting for partnerships with Indian developers and hoteliers, targeting the budget and mid-scale segments. According to AAHOA President Mukesh Mowji, the groups members are looking into opportunities outside the US for the first time.

According to some recent studies, India faces an estimated shortage of 300,000 hotel rooms. Another study by Federation Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and consulting firm Evaluserve, has urged India government to offer a 10-year tax rebate for new budget hotels in order to boost investment.

VISAS FOR INDIAN TECHIES UP IN UK

Last year, work permits for foreign IT workers were increased from 25,000 to 34,000, up by 32% from previous year. The boost raised fears of importing cheap foreign high tech professionals at the cost of Britons.

As many as 27000 visas, about 80% were given to IT professionals from India . While low-skilled jobs continue being shipped to India , high skilled Indian IT professionals are taking up managerial roles.

Trade Unions complained that IT workers in UK are losing jobs or failing to find work in their own country. The employers representatives feel that IT skills of UK staff fall short of foreign rivals, convincing them to hire better qualified skilled professionals. There is consensus that global competitiveness is changing the way businesses hire staff; quality staff will get preference regardless of where they come from.

INDIAN MANGOES TO HIT THE US MARKET THIS SUMMER

US Ambassador to India David C. Mulford speaking at the second Annual Conference on Indo-US Economic Cooperation said that Indian mangoes such will hit the US shores this season. This si conjunction with the new commitment to increase farm trade with India and the US .

Ambassador Mulford further pointed out that following the promise made by President George W Bush last year during his visit to India to allow mangos from India, both countries have been working to achieve a timetable for this opening that would permit Indian farmers to ship to the US in this year's season. We are on track to meet that commitment, and literally, for Americans and Indians to enjoy the fruits of our labor, Mulford added.

 
The US had been stalling import of Indian mangos on the grounds that New Delhi will have to comply with the Food and Drug Authorities (FDA) norms. Also, the US had wanted India to comply with regulations for pesticides and preservatives.

India regards this as a non-tariff barrier imposed through sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures. However, the issues have been discussed during Bush's visit here and the US has, in principle, agreed to permit Indian mangos.

Since each variety has its own life cycle the mango season in India extends over several months.  This makes it possible to sustain exports over a longer period.

India is the largest mangoes producer in the world with an output of 10.9 million metric tonnes,  57 per cent of the total world production of 19.2 million metric tonnes. However, it has only a 19 per cent share of global mango exports.

AWARENESS WORKSHOPS ABOUT NRI MARRIAGES

  India s Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi informed the Rajaya Sabha on March 2 that two workshops were organized recently by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs,  in collaboration with the National Commission for Women,  to create awareness among prospective brides and their parents about the problems that may arise in marriages with  NRIs (Non-Resident Indians). The ministry has also prepared a revised guidance booklet titled "Marriage to Overseas Indians" which was released by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh during the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas on January 7, 2007.

DURBAN STREET NAMED AFTER MAHATMA

Authorities in this South African city will rename a street after Mahatma Gandhi in an effort to give the notorious neighborhood a moral facelift. The Point Road in the centre of Durban , known as a prostitution hub, will be renamed after Gandhi within three months by the government.

"I know a lot of people will have problems with this decision, but I am delighted," grand-daughter of the Mahatma, Ela Gandhi said. A former MP for the ruling ANC and presently chairperson of the Satyagraha Foundation in South Africa , Ela hoped that with Mahatma's name the street would gain a regenerative face.

Mahatma, who established the Natal Indian Congress in 1894, was one of the two Indian leaders who have been selected for recognition by the municipal authorities. The other dignitary to be honored is Dr Yusuf Dadoo, who was leader of the South African Indian Congress at one time. It was decided that the Grey Street and Broad Street will be named after Dadoo.

Grey Street, once famous as "Little India", has now degenerated into a crime-ridden area after most of the Indians and businesses moved out from the place to suburbs and other upmarket areas.

While some groups have welcomed the move to honur Mahatma and Dadoo, others have called on the municipality to also recognize freedom fighters, including Dr Monty Naicker, Dr Goonam Naidoo, JN Singh, DK Singh, MN Pather, Morgan Naidoo, George Singh, who had made significant contributions to the freedom struggles and anti-apartheid movement.

BECOMING SINGAPORE CITIZEN IS CLICK AWAY

Foreigners thinking of applying for Singapore citizenship will soon be able to assess their chances online. Singapore's immigration and checkpoints authority ( ICA ) has launched a free self-assessment online tool. It will allow foreigners working or living here to check their eligibility based on personal information such as type of work pass held, occupation, nationality, educational qualifications and annual income, according to Todayonline newspaper.

The ICA is hopeful that the new online initiative will improve the approval rate. Last year, the agency approved 58,200 and 13,900 applications for permanent residency and citizenship status respectively.

The online form takes about five minutes to fill and results are given instantaneously. Under the present system, an applicant for permanent resident status has to wait at least three months for a result. A candidate has to submit the forms in person and sit for an interview, during which he or she will be told of their chances of success. To go ahead, he or she then pays a $90 processing fee, with a six-month wait for the result.

NEW CITIZENSHIP TEST FOR PEOPLE DESIRING AUSTRALIAN CITIZENSHIP

Australian Cabinet has approved new test for those desiring to become citizen of Australia . The immigrants will be tested on their English language skills and knowledge of Australian history and culture after the test guidelines have been approved by the Australian parliament sometimes this year. The test will have 30 multiple choice questions based on material supplied to applicants who would be expected to answer them in English.

The applicants would also be expected to sign a statement that they understood the values of Australian society which included respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual, sexual equality, freedom of religion, commitment to the rule of law, and parliamentary democracy.

UK BOSSES FAVOR IMMIGRANTS OVER LOCALS

British bosses are increasingly being forced to hire a record number of immigrant workers, including Indians, because they have a "low" opinion of local British workers, a study said. The survey by business lobby group British Chambers of Commerce (CBI) revealed the rock-bottom opinion held by bosses of many British workers.

CBI asked over 300 bosses: "What reasons do you have for employing migrant workers?" Most of them said migrant workers from anywhere, from India to Poland , have "a better work ethic" and are "more productive".

Many managers also said that British workers lacked the required skills and there was a short supply of local candidates with required experience.

The survey found that an overwhelming 75.8 percent of managers were of the view that migration is beneficial to the British economy, the Daily Mail newspaper reported.

BILL GATES SLAMS US VISA POLICY

Slamming American immigration policies, Microsoft Chairperson Bill Gates has said the US was shutting the door on the best and the brightest at a time when the country needed it the most.

Gates, one of the most vocal in the industry to constantly plead for an increase in skilled worker visas, told the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions that the United States must also come to terms with the issue of permanent residency over and above what it intended to do with the H1B visas. The Senate panel headed by Senator Edward Kennedy was focused on "Strengthening American Competitiveness for the 21st century" with Gates as the principal witness.

The Microsoft chairperson slammed the visa policies, that has now come to heavily restrict foreign-born US college graduates from working in the US and limit citizenship or permanent residency opportunities for scientists and engineers.

"It makes no sense to tell well-trained, highly skilled individuals many of whom are educated at our top universities that they are not welcome in US.

"We have to welcome the great minds in this world, not shut them out of our country," Gates said. "Unfortunately, America 's immigration policies are driving away the world's best and brightest precisely when we need them most."

He also made the point that if the federal government did not make it easier for foreign scientists and engineers to obtain permanent US residency, the talent would flow to India and China .

FOREX RESERVES UP BY $5 BILLION

India's forex reserves increased by a whopping 5.031 billion to stand at $185.078 billion during the week ended February 9, as against $180.047 billion during the week ended February 2.

The reserves were up by $995 million during the preceding week ended February 2, compared to a week ago period.

Foreign currency assets too increased by $5.119 billion to $178.084 billion during the seven-day period ended February 9, 2006, according to Reserve Bank figures.

Foreign currency assets in dollars include effect of revaluation of non-US currencies such as Euro, Sterling and yen held in reserves.

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 half 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 people of Indian origin all over the world. If you do not have chapter in your city, please visit GOPIO website (www.gopio.net) and get details of chapter initiation (visit http://www.gopio.net/chapter_initiative.htm). Process involves sending a letter of intent to start a chapter by a committee of five people or more. For more information, contact:

GOPIO President Inder Singh, Tarzana , California , USA , Tel: 818-708-3885, E-mail: gopio-intl@sbcglobal.net

GOPIO Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran, Fresh Meadows, New York City , Tel: 718/939-8194, E-mail: ramsaran@aol.com

To become a Life member of GOPIO, visit http://www.gopio.net/membership_form.htm, print and fill up the form and send it with a check to: GOPIO, P.O. Box 1413 , Stamford , CT 06904 , USA .

Chief Editor: Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman, GOPIO ( Stamford , CT , USA )

Webmasters: Prashant Gupta (Gurgaon, Haryana , India ) and Abu Thomas ( New Rochelle , NY , USA )

Contributors of this issue: Inder Singh (USA) and Ashook Ramsaran (USA)

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