CONTENTS

v     Tribute to Pioneers, Patriots and Gadar Heroes -- Former President Dr. K.R. Narayanan to Deliver Valedictory Address in Silicon Valley

v     GOPIO Meets President Bharrat Jagdeo Concerning Violence in Guyana

v     GOPIO Urges Indian Finance Minister to Preserve NOR Status in Indian Budget

v     Bobby Jindal Impresses NFIA Group

v     PIO Malaysian Issue

v     Book Release America-India: In a Give and Take Relationship

v     GOPIO Chapter News Former President K.R. Narayanan to Address Meetings in UK and USA

v     PIO Human Rights Violations Conference

v     GOPIO.Connect India Development Initiative

v     Jahaji Bai Documentary Released

v     GOPIO Chapter Initiation

v     GOPIOs Business and Professional Service Bulletin Board

The National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA), with co-sponsorship of Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), Federations of Indian Associations in the San Francisco/Bay area and Global Punjabi Diaspora will hold celebrations of Indian American heritage at the 90th Anniversary of Gadar Movement in order to pay tribute to our pioneers, patriots and Gadar heroes. The inaugural function is slated for May 31, 2003 followed by an all day seminar and a gala dinner banquet on June 1, 2003 at the Santa Clara Marriott, San Jose. According to GOPIO President Dr. Thomas Abraham, Indias former president Dr. K.R. Narayanan has consented to deliver a valedictory address. The program is being coordinated by NFIA President Niraj Baxi and GOPIO President Elect Inder Singh.

Indian immigrants started coming to the United States more than a hundred years ago. In the U.S, they faced many difficulties, suffered numerous hardships and encountered rampant discrimination. In the beginning, they could find only menial jobs, but with their hard work and determination many of them became successful farmers with their own land. They had a burning desire to succeed, made many sacrifices and despite their small population, succeeded in gaining rights of U.S. citizenship. They may have lived ordinary life but left an extra-ordinary legacy. They paved the way for people of Indian origin in the U.S. to enjoy freedom, liberty and equal rights under the U. S. laws. They were our pioneers and we will recognize and celebrate their achievements.

The Indian Immigrants in the U.S. were lucky, for they had experienced liberty and freedom in this country and thus were motivated to gain freedom for their Motherland India from British serfdom, said Inder Singh. In 1913, these community pioneers formed Hindustan Association of the Pacific Coast with the hope to liberate India with the force of arms from British colonialism, just as Americans had done more than a century ago, and help establish a free and independent India with equal rights for all. Lala Har Dayal, a visiting professor at Stanford University, who was the central figure of the movement until he was forced to leave the United States in April 1914, started the association.

The association began publishing a magazine, Gadar, for free distribution to promote the objectives and activities of the organization. The Gadar publication carried articles on the conditions of the people of India under British Raj and called upon the Indian people and the overseas Indians to unite and rise up against the British rule and throw the British out of India. The publication Gadar, over a period of time, became well known among Indians and the Hindustan Association of the Pacific Coast itself became known as the Gadar party.

The history of the Gadar movement was a testimony of the deep love that the Indian immigrants had for India, said NFIA President Niraj Baxi. The Gadarites had a flame of liberty lit in their hearts, and did not hesitate to make any sacrifice for the cause of freedom, dignity and prosperity of their motherland. They fought valiantly for their cause; several Gadarites were imprisoned, many for life, and some were hanged to death. They are our heroes, deserving our admiration and deepest respect. Although the movement did not achieve its stated objective, it had a major impact on Indias struggle for freedom. The determination, courage and sacrifices of the Gadarites inspired many freedom fighters to continue their mission. For the Indian Americans, the community involvement of Gadarites is an integral part of their rich heritage in the United States, Baxi added.

The organizers, as part of the celebrations, are planning publication of a souvenir for which articles are invited covering some aspect of the Gadar movement or struggles and achievements of Indian American pioneers. Similarly, academicians and others who have done work on the subject are requested to contact Inder Singh at indersinghusa@hotmail.com or call 818 708-3885 so that they can be reached for speaking engagement for the all day conference on June 1, 2003. For participation and registration, contact: Niraj Baxi at 408-973-9161, E-mail: nbaxi@insuranceplanning.com

 

A delegation of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Secretariat members met with Guyana's President Bharrat Jagdeo on Sunday, March 2, 2003 in New York to voice its growing concern amid continuing reports of crimes being inflicted upon people of Indian origin in Guyana. Approximately 400,000 people of Indian origin living in Guyana, who account for about 50% of the population, are descendants of indentured laborers brought from India beginning in 1838 to work on the sugar plantations.

The meeting with President Jagdeo was beneficial and essential to GOPIO's understanding of the current situation in Guyana and the measures being taken by the Government of Guyana to eliminate the crimes. GOPIO reiterated its stated mission is to identify and address critical issues affecting people of Indian origin everywhere. As a result of the meeting and the discussions with President Jagdeo, GOPIO is better able to respond in an informed manner to its membership and others who seek GOPIO's responses to attacks on Indians in Guyana.

The delegation consisted of GOPIO's president Dr Thomas Abraham, Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran, Treasurer Dr Sushila Gidwani-Buschi, GOPIO NY Chapter president Lal Motwani and Secretariat member Prakash Singh.

 

The Government of India's NRI policies are finally paying off in a big way. Even though the $10 billion remitted in 2001 by Indians abroad is only the second largest source of foreign exchange for India, it's less volatile than the leading source of FDIs. It's heartening that the future in this field where India leads the world, is even rosier, according to the World Bank. This is no mean task.. Can you imagine trying to earn a profit of this magnitude from exports? And all the subsidies? This would make remittances the most profitable with hardly any expenses. All this is made possible by the brain power and technical skills of Indians. The new budget policies should  take note of this golden goose and nurture it with friendly policy and not try to kill it, as the present budget is doing. The proposed change in the "Not Ordinarily a Resident status" resulting in heavy  new tax burden on NRIs, is likely to drive remittances to other destinations. NRIs are most unhappy with this proposed change. It's imperative to stop the change in the NOR status, in the pending budget. This proposal has surprised all NRIs and PIOs, coming in the heels of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

Please contact all members of Parliament in India to vote status quo on NOR status in the Indian budget. This effort is being coordinated in New Delhi by Mr. Indravadan P Shah. Contact Shah in New Delhi at (011) 2627-2989 or 2627-1457 or e-mail- ipshah@yahoo.com

Candidate Bobby Jindal, 31, the former Assistant Secretary in the Department of Health and Human Services impressed everyone with his sharp intellect, keen wit and broad knowledge of issues facing the Louisiana State, when he met with the Board of Directors of the National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA) for over an hour and a half in New Orleans, two weeks ago. After resigning from the plum job in the Bush Administration, Jindal is now campaigning to become the governor of Louisiana. With his charming wife, Supriya, on his side the candidate presented his reasons for being a candidate for governor and answered a wide range of questions from the Board. He said he left the job in Washington DC to come to Louisiana at the request of the current governor, for he thought he can make significant contributions to solve the major problems facing the State, where he was born and raised.

In pledging full support of the organization, NFIA president Niraj Baxi said, "Jindal engaged and impressed us with his earnestness, sincerity, knowledge of issues, vision for future and pride in his Indian heritage. We will do whatever we can to support his candidacy for governor of Louisiana." He added that if elected, Jindal would become the first person of Indian origin to occupy the highest office in a State in America.

He reminded his audience of his previous contributions as the Secretary of Health and Hospitals in successfully handling the health care issues in the State. Jindal was credited for rescuing the Louisiana 's Medicaid program from bankruptcy by turning $400 million deficit in to three years of surpluses totaling $220 million, in part by cracking down the fraud and abuse. As spending was reduced by $1 Billion, Louisiana moved to the third best nationally in health care screening for children, increased childhood immunization, and offered new and expanded services for the elderly and disabled. He was only 26 when he was appointed to this cabinet position. He later served as President of the Louisiana State University system and was responsible in raising the graduation and retention rates and bringing private money for the University. He said that as governor he would work hard to improve the quality of education and healthcare in the State, which is know for its corrupt political system.

Jindal explained that he does not have a partisan agenda to pursue. He has worked with both Democrats and Republicans. The system of electing a governor in Louisiana is pretty much bipartisan. All the candidates run for office as a group in the primary and the top two vote getters, irrespective of their party affiliation, would contest elections in the general election. The emphasis on the political party label is minimal in the State.

In response to a question from a board member, Jindal was emphatic in stating that he had no intentions of running away from his Indian heritage. He would use it as a positive factor in the campaign. He indicated that he was very proud of his Indian culture and pointed to the fact that he chose to marry an Indian girl and he was very proud of her.  Praising the Indian Americans, he said the community has demonstrated valuable attributes in virtually every field of endeavor. "Indian community has lot to offer in the United States and I will use its resources effectively," pointed Jindal.

There are over half a dozen candidates in the race for governor. The first test would come when the candidates declare the amount f funds they have raised. Only the candidates who raise substantial amount of money will survive in the campaign and the rest will drop out. Jindal is currently focused on his efforts to raise funds for his campaign. Many board members coming from California, Michigan, Texas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Virginia, Colorado, Illinois, and Washington DC invited Jindal to visit their states and pledged to help raise funds. Several people handed out their checks to Jindal at the meeting itself with a promise to contribute more.

Rajen Anand, the president-elect of NFIA urged his fellow Indo-Americans to get Involved in Jindal's campaign and help him become governor of a U.S. state. "He is very young, bright and intelligent, savvy of the political system and visionary of the change he wants to bring about in Louisiana. He will be a great source of pride and a role model for coming generations in the community," commented Anand. People who want to help Jindal may contact him at (225) 346-0823 or refer his website, www.bobbyjindal.com for information and for finding out ways they can help him.

 

Following strong protests by India, Malaysia investigated the "allegations" of detention and maltreatment of about 270 Indians, including IT professionals, by its police. The police have now been punished for the excesses on the Indian IT professionals. GOPIO had also protested on the improper treatment of Indian IT professionals in Malaysia. If Malaysia wants to be in the global business network, it should put its house in order," said a GOPIO spokesman.

 

A new book by Dr. Jagat Motwani, published by Center for Asian, African and Caribbean Studies

The book provides a great reading for every Indian American family and prospective immigrants. The book has almost every thing what one would like to know about India in America from ancient times to today: America the, dreamland of immigrants; history of immigrants (1600-2002); immigration legislation; Asian Indians: A model ethnic minority; their socio-economic statistics compared with other ethnic groups; Do Indian Americans ghettoize?; their dispersion in all the fifty sates and big metropolis cities; the Indian-ness we fear to lose; Indian values compared with American values; political participation and political clout; presidential political appointments; relationship with PIOs from indentured countries; affirmative action and Indian Americans; Mahatma Gandhi statues;  civil disobedience: Thoreau - Gandhi -  Martin Luther King; America - a melting pot or an ethno-cultural mosaic?; what has India given to America?; Gadar movement; and first Indian Congressman Dalip Singh Saund. The book emphasizes that India has not been on only a receiving end. It has been giving lot to the Western world, especially to America.

The book will dilute our ethnic inferiority complex and boost our ethnic ego, especially of our younger generations to come. Sir Charles Eliot has said: India has always given a great deal more than she has received. Civilization, as we know today, would not exist without India. Henry David Thoreau: In the morning I bathe my intellect in the stupendous and cosmogonal  philosophy of the Bhagwat Gita.  Twain: India is the cradle of the human race. Philip Rawson: The culture of India has been one of the worlds most powerful civilizing forces. 

v     Foreword by Dr. L. M. Singhvi - The book is an immensely useful contribution to diaspora studies.

v     Congressman Israel - Indian Americans have made profound contribution to America and this book surveys those contributions.

v     Indian Consul General in New York Mr. Pramathesh Rath - A great deal of information which will be useful for scholars and researchers.

v     Dr. Shashi Tharoor - The book looks fascinating.

v     Dr.Thomas Abraham - Best compilation on the perspectives and issues of the Indian community.

v     Dr. Joy Cherian - A marvelous guide to immigrants. Fascinating perspectives on Indo-USA relations.

v     Ashook Ramsaran - Significant facts of American-Indian relationship. A superb reference guide.

v     Inder Singh: A goldmine of diaspora-related information, useful to the present and future immigrants.

 Published by the Center for Asian, African and Caribbean Studies, New York, in cooperation with GOPIO and released in Delhi during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations,  January, 2003.

 Hard cover, 378 pages, Price: US$20 + $2 shipping.

To order a copy, mail a check of $22, payable  to: GOPIO, 8 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills, NY 11746 or contact (631) 421-4688 or email: gopio@gopio.net

 

HUMAN  RIGHTS  PERSPECTIVES: The Experiences of East Indians Abroad

In-Depth Reports, Discussions and Analyses on All Types of Atrocities and Abuses Against East Indians Living Outside of India in Countries with Significant Population of People of Indian Origin. Reports on Fiji, Guyana, Trinidad, Surname, African Countries and others.

Sponsored  By St. Johns University, Center on Latin American & Caribbean Studies, Queens, New York, USA

Date: Fall 2003
Venue - St. Johns University, Jamaica New York

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

SCHOLARLY PAPERS ARE INVITED FOR PRESENTATION.

Please send an abstract to Ashook Ramsaran at ramsaran@aol.com or call 718-353-1900.

 

Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Inc. is committed to support various India Development Initiatives through different non-profit organizations. Meanwhile, GOPIO is also Introducing an initiative, GOPIO.Connect, to explore the potential for facilitating Knowledge Contributions from the current and the future generation of PIO/NRI for Economic & Social Developmental Activities in India.

This Initiative meant to revive the passion, creativity & critical attitude of inquisitiveness among the Indian Villages through its network of successful Non-resident Indian professionals. Old as we Indians are, with reminiscences stretching back to the genesis of human history, we have to grow young again with the irrepressible spirit and joy of youth in the present.

Main Objectives of GOPIO.Connect are:

v     Engage NRI/PIOs to Aggregate Knowledge Contributions for India Development. These knowledge contributions include new creative ideas to solve local problems in India.

v     Engage Indian Media to Distribute Knowledge Contributions for Economic & Social Growth.

 For more information, contact Prashant Gupta at p-gupta3@kellogg.northwestern.edu or call at 847-541-4461.

 

 Former President K.R. Narayanan to Address Meetings in UK and USA

GOPIO-Chicagolands official inauguration is scheduled for Friday, May 30th, 2003. The inaugural banquet will be addressed by Dr. K.R. Narayanan. The chapter will cover Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin. If you like to participate or become a member, please contact Chapter President Samir Shah at 847-004-7327, E-mail: samshausa@netscape.net or Secretary Prashant Gupta at 847-541-4461, E-mail: pg1619@yahoo.com

 Inauguration of GOPIO-Washington DC and a community reception in honor of Dr. K.R. Narayanan is planned for Sunday, May 25th. For participation and/or to become a GOPIO member, contact Dr. Renuka Misra at 301-330-5098 or send an e-mail to renugopio@yahoo.com

GOPIO-New York will host Dr. K.R. Narayanan with a public reception and banquet on Friday, June 6th at 7 p.m. in New York city. Contact Lal Motwani at 718-470-1026 or send an e-mail to gopio@gopio.net

 GOPIO-London will host Dr. K.R. Narayanan with a public reception in London on Monday, May 19th at 7 p.m. Contact: Jasbir Sigh Sachar at (044) 208-550-3745, E-mail: jsachar@asian-whoswho.com

 

JAHAJI BAI is a documentary film series on the history of migration and the struggles of evolution of Indian communities in the Caribbean.

The Story

The labor shortage of West Indian sugar plantations in the immediate aftermath of African slave emancipation in 1838 forced the 19th century European planters and British colonial government to engage in a massive scale labor trading. When the freed slaves demanded higher wages and better living conditions in the sugar plantations, the planters adopted a new strategy of importing cheap labor from other countries to check the demands of the Africans. After several aborted experiments in China, Portugal, Africa and USA the planters turned their attention to India.

An impoverished India after the First War of Independence, or Great Mutiny in 1857, became the perfect source of cheap labor recruitment. A new system of contractual slavery termed "Indentured Labor Contract" was soon developed by the colonial administration to bring migrant laborers from the Indian subcontinent.

For eighty years, between 1838 and until the abolition of indentures in 1917, the plantation economies in countries ranging from Sri Lanka in South Asia to Surinam (formerly Dutch Guiana) in South America have survived by the hard labor of these Indian laborers or "Coolies".

As part of this huge labor migration, nearly half a million laborers came to various Caribbean islands and South American colonies. The Indian laborers came from areas stretching from the Punjab to Dacca (now Dhaka) in North India, and from areas of the former Madras presidency in South India.

Destined to live in barracks/logies left by former African slaves, these indentured laborers struggled against several oddities. Several thousands perished during their journey through Kala Pani, the dark waters of the Atlantic and Indian Ocean, and later on through the inhuman working conditions of plantations.

The descendants of these Indian indentured migrants today occupy a very important place in the socio-cultural and political milieu of the Caribbean world. Known variously as East Indians, Indo-Caribbean, West Indian Indians, the people of Indian origin spread across several island nations such as Trinidad &Tobago, Jamaica, Grenada, Barbados, St. Vincent, St. Lucia and in South American countries like Guyana (formerly British Guiana) and Suriname.

The extraordinary cultural fusion that took place between four great civilizations - Amerindians, Indians, Africans and Europeans - in these colonies gave birth to different kinds of Hindu, Islamic and Christian religious practices. The genesis of the ethnic or racial conflict between Africans and Indians in the Caribbean also goes back to this scab labor trading.

 JAHAJI BAI is an attempt to recapture the historical circumstances which led to this large scale displacement of people and the evolution of Indians as distinct ethnic communities. The series has three different films of 50 minutes duration:

1. THE ANATOMY OF A MIGRATION

2. ETHNIC CONFLICTS BETWEEN AFRICANS AND INDIANS

3. HINDUISM IN THE CARIBBEAN

The Project

JAHAJI BAI was launched in May 2001 in Trinidad as the private initiative of the Producer and Director of the series Suresh Kumar Pillai.

The series was shot in DV & digital 8 cameras with the active support of a local crew.

A 45-minute presentation was made on the Trinidadian component using local editing studios and was screened for a selected audience at Divali Nagar, Trinidad on December 2001. The presentation attracted tremendous encouragement and support from a wide cross-section of Indo Trinidadians.

Following this, a biographical film was made on the Caribbeans foremost jewellery businessman, Kewal Maraj. The film entitled "The Diamond King: the Life & Times of Kewal Maraj", is both biographical and historical. The film was an attempt to weave 84-year-old Kewal Marajs life with the evolution of Indian entrepreneurship in Trinidad and the unique emergence of Indian jewellery designs in the West Indies. The film was shot and edited using the local crew.

In February 2002, the project moved to Guyana where the conflict between Africans and Indians has assumed extremely violent forms. In October 2002, the project received a prestigious fellowship support from the Centre for Caribbean Studies, University of Warwick for post-production.

The films include extensive coverage of archival materials such as old newspapers, immigration records, ship and estate registers, immigration depot correspondents, general letters written by immigration officials, money order registers, records on return ships etc apart from interviews and social and cultural events of the past 19 months in Trindiad and Guyana.

The film was researched, shot and edited by the Producer & Director Suresh Kumar Pillai with a fellowship from University of Warwick. More information on the project could be obtained from www.trikkan.com or www.jahaji.netfirms.com

One can initiate a chapter and become part of this global network of people of Indian origin by visiting GOPIOs Chapter Initiative website www.gopio.net/chapter_initiative.htm to get a copy of the guidelines governing GOPIO chapters. Alternately, call GOPIOs International coordinator Dr. Jagat Motwani at 631-421-4688 in USA.