GOPIO NEWS BULLETIN
May, 2002
GOPIO’s THIRD EUROPEAN REGIONAL CONVENTION
Third European Regional Conference, Leiden, (The Netherlands)
June 7-9, 2002
Foundation for Critical Choices for India, the host of the GOPIO Third European
Regional Conference, is pleased to invite you to this Conference, which is
scheduled to be held on 8 and 9 June, 2002, in Holiday Inn, at Leiden.
The Conference will bring together a large number of People of Indian Origin
(PIOs) and non-Indian residents (NRIs) from various countries in Europe and from
USA. The Conference will provide a good opportunity for business, professional
and social networking.
The main theme of the Conference is Persons of Indian Origin (PIO)community in
Europe and therefore it will focus its deliberations, inter alia, on
Globalisation: opportunities, problems and the role of Pios particularly in
Europe. It shall also pinpoint the opportunities and problems concerning
business, cultural, professional and social networking among PIOs particularly
in Europe. Role of PIOs as global citizens will also come under scrutiny and the
issues concerning the PIO immigrants and/or residents in Europe will be
identified and addressed. Final details of the programme shall be made available
to you after receiving the confirmation of your participation.
Eminent personalities including, but not limited to, Mr Keith Vaz, British MP
and former European Minister, shall address the Conference.
A fee of US$100.- per person for participation in the Conference is to be paid
in advance by bank transfer to GOPIO, FCCI Account No. 62.57.54.921, with the
Abn-Amro Bank, Stationsweg 31-33, 2312 AT, Leiden. The amount, besides
Registration Fee, covers partially the cost of two lunches, one sumptuous Indian
dinner with a 3-hour ride in a luxurious boat on the beautiful waterways of the
Netherlands.
Delegates can be accommodated in either Hotel Bastion, (Rijnzichtweg 97,
Oegstgeest; phone: +31.(0)71.515.38.41) or Holiday Inn, Leiden (Phone: +31.(0)71
- 55 55 555). A room, single or double, costs Euros 57.- per day in Hotel
Bastion and breakfast charged at Euros 9.- per person; it is situated at a
driving distance of 5 minutes from the Conference venue. Holiday Inn, which
is the Conference venue, charges Euros 140.- per room per day, excluding
breakfast.
Since the month of June is in the peak tourist season in the Netherlands and
these special concession rates may not be available to us for long therefore we
request you to let us know of your plans before 5 May.
Tourist information and sightseeing facilities will be available at the
Conference counter. Luckily, timing of the Conference coincides with the holding
of Floriade, the biggest flower and botanical show on earth which is held once
every ten years and can be enjoyed by the participants.
Program
June 7, 2002, 3 PM to 7 PM Meeting of the GOPIO Executive Council
Evening - Informal Welcome Dinner
June 8,2002
09.00 to 9.30 Registration and coffee
09.30 to 9.45
Welcome and introductory Remarks
(Purpose and theme of the Conference)
R.L.Lakhina, Chairman, GOPIO
09.45 to 10.00 Inaugural address (Role of PIOs in accelerating India’s
development Mr. J.C. Sharma, NRI Commissioner
10.00 to 10.15 Keynote Address
(Globalisation: opportunities, problems and role
of PIO’s, particularly in Europe)
Mr. Keith Vaz, Member of Parliament, U.K.
10.15 to 10.30 PIOs in The Netherlands - Challenges and Responsibilities
Ms. Shyamala B. Cowsik, Ambassador of India
10.30 to 10.45 PIOs As Global Citizens -
Dr. Thomas Abraham
President,
GOPIO
10.45 to 11.00 Coffee/Tea
11.00 to 11.30 PIO immigrants/residents in
Europes - Opportunities & Problems - Dr. B.N. Madan
11.30 to 13.00 Open Discussion
13.00 to 14.00 Lunch - Sponsored by Indian
Tourism, Amsterdam
14.00 to 14.30 Networking among PIO’s particularly in
Europe: Opportunities and Problems
Chaired by Inder Singh, President-Elect,
GOPIO
and Jagdish H Makwana, Exec. VP, GOPIO
14.30 to 15.30 Open Discussion
15.30 to 17.00 Violation of Civil & Political Rights of PIOs in the following
countries: - Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago and Zimabwe
17.00 to 18.00 Time for relaxation and change
18.00 to 19.30 Reception &
Cocktails hosted by the Chairman of GOPIO and Mrs. Lakhina, at their residence:
President Kennedylaan 185, 2343 GZ Oegstgeest.
19.45 to 22.45 Dinner &
Cruise Sponsored by Asian Who Is Who, UK
June 9, 2002
10.00 to 1300 Creating GOPIO Chapters in European
Countries: general discussion followed by separate meetings with
PIO’s from various countries
13.00 to 14.00 Lunch
For further information concerning the Regional Conference PIOs may contact the
conference coordinator in The Netherlands:
Dr. H.U.Qureshi
Email: HU.Qureshi@wanadoo.nl
Tel : 00-31-70-3276004
Mobile
00-31-(0)6-44984228
THIRD GLOBAL INDIAN ENTREPRENEURS CONFERENCE along with
INDIAN AND NRI/PIO
ECONOMIC SUMMIT
September 12th to 15th, 2002
Crowne Plaza Hotel, La Guardia Airport, 104-04 Ditmars Blvd., East Elmhurst, New
York 11369, USA
Conference Theme
“People of Indian Origin – Technology, Investment, Business and
Networking Opportunities”
Conference Sessions
Opportunities in Hospitality Industry
Franchising
Trading
and Business Opportunities in North America
Opportunities in
Biotechnology/Genomics
Next Generation Software/Networking/Wireless Technologies
Service Industry Opportunities for NRIs/PIOs
Opportunities in India
Opportunities in West Indies and Africa
Opportunities in Europe, Middle East and
Far East
Organized By
Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO)
&
GOPIO
Business Council and GOPIO New York
Co-Sponsored by
PIO/NRI Chambers of Commerce from all over the world
PIO/NRI Chambers of Commerce are requested to contact GOPIO to become an
official sponsor. Please contact: GOPIO President Dr. Thomas Abraham at
203-329-8010, E-mail: gopio@optonline.net; President-Elect Inder Singh at
818-708-3885, E-mail: indersinghusa@yahoo.com; Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran
at 718-939-8194, E-mail: ramsaran@aol.com or International Coordinator Dr. Jagat
Motwani at 516-421-4688, E-mail: jagatmotwani@yahoo.com
NFIA CONFERENCE – A GREAT SUCCESS
An Impressive Conference on US-India Trade and Technology
By Rajen Anand
With nine sessions held over two day period, 55 eminent speakers and panelists,
18 moderators, and in excess of 300 people in attendance, the Conference on
US-India Trade and Technology sponsored by the Federation of Indian American
Associations (NFIA) was a huge success according to those who participated in
this unique event. The NFIA that has so far been known mainly for holding its
biennial conventions and receptions for the visiting dignitaries from India took
a giant and unprecedented step in organizing this intellectual conference at the
5-star posh Omni Shoreham hotel in Washington DC on last Friday and Saturday.
The event was co-sponsored by U.S. India Business Council, The World Bank
Institute, University of Georgia, Confederation of Indian Industries, Indian CEO
High Tech Council, Silicon India, and the Global Organization of people of
Indian Origin. Never has one seen such an impressive gathering of Indian
activists, young entrepreneurs, successful businessmen and businesswomen from
the industry, and political decision makers under one roof as was observed at
this conference.
The conference was inaugurated by Indian Ambassador, Lalit Mansingh and Deputy
Secretary of Commerce, Samuel Bodman last Friday morning in the presence of a
packed room of audience. After lightening the traditional lamp, two speakers
addressed the conference. Mansingh in his eloquent style declared that Indo-US
relations had entered a more productive phase of engagement in the last one
year, and the intensity had only increased after the tragic events of September
11. He also noted that the Indo-American community had indeed come of age and
was a valuable business and political asset and a catalyst for the Indo-US
relations. "India has to its credit very substantial accomplishments in science
and technology, including biotechnology, and in the peaceful exploration of
space," the Ambassador emphasized. Last year, the quantitative restrictions on
import of 715 items into India were removed, covering 314 textile, 147
agricultural, and 226 manufactured products. Now practically every item can be
imported into India without quantitative restrictions. The Ambassador also
listed the recent exchanges of high-level delegations between India and the
United States. "More high level officials from the United States have visited
India in last one year than the number of visitors any time before," noted
Mansingh.
MILD CRITICISM FROM BODEMAN
India should accelerate the pace of economic reforms and create an attractive
business climate to increase the flow of foreign investment, insisted Deputy
Secretary Bodman. Terming the influx of Foreign Direct Investment of only $1.3
billion as 'very disappointing', Bodman said Indian tariffs were high and
irrational despite cuts, and the government protection for intellectual property
was not what it should be. On intellectual property rights, which a speaker at
the conference called the right to copy in India, Bodman said that a legislation
was under consideration in India. "But our analysis of that legislation is that
it falls short of obligations under the Trade Related Intellectual Property or
TRIPS agreement to which India is a signatory," noted Bodman. The other speakers
at the morning session were David Iannucci, Secretary, Maryland Department of
Business and Economic Development, Ambassador Harswarup Singh and Bruce
Robertson, Chair, South Asian Studies Program, State Department.
In the second session, in the afternoon, former Deputy Trade Representative
Susan Esserman said, "for countries actively involved in the trading of
technology goods and services, such as India, the dramatic pace of economic and
technological change does not allow the luxury of time." Moreover, other
emerging economies, including those in Asia that are already more integrated
into the world economy, are moving to expand their presence in high-tech fields
where India is prominent, Esserman said.
"In this regard, China's accession to the WTO, its dramatic economic reforms and
expanding profile in the high-tech sector should underscore the need for bold
initiatives to be undertaken by India," she insisted. Esserman said that
government of both India and US have undertaken important initiatives to promote
increased economic links between the two countries. Recently, the US lifted most
of sanctions and expanded the Generalized Special Preference
duty-free treatment
to over $500 million of Indian exports. However, she noted, more can be done on
both sides to support and promote the dynamism of their private sectors and
realize the full potential for trade and investment between the two countries.
Ajai Malhotra speaking at the same session said that India had registered
impressive growth in information technology over the last few years. In
1999-2000, the Indian IT industry earned revenues of over $8 billion. India has
also emerged as the back-office destinationb of the world, while its software
exports have grown from just $0.2 billion in 1992 to over $6
billion in 2000.
Brilliant Speakers
Throughout the two days, sessions were held at which many outstanding speakers
addressed the conference illustrated with colorful power point presentations.
Keynoters like Lakshman Achuthan, managing director, BusinessCycle New York,
Naveen Jain, chairman and CEO of InfoSpace, Larry Reeker of the National
Institute of Science and Technology, Mona Sharma, CEO
of SiliconIndia, Reggie
Aggarwal, CEO of the CVENT and many others were there to speak. They all talked
about the achievements of India's growing technology field, methods of
contributing in the industrial and technological growth and doing business with
India. India is world biggest Democracy with a strong, vibrant growing economy,
the experts observed. It has favorable attributes for business such as buoyant
industrial growth (0.6% in 1991 to 6.5% in 1999, self-sufficiency in
agriculture, well developed banking system and financial markets, freedom of the
press, use of English as the link language, free and vibrant press, and well
developed banking system and financial markets. Many of the speakers also wanted
India
to speed up its trade reforms and change her labor laws and insure the
quality of her products.
In welcoming the participants to this conference earlier, Dr. Parthasarthy
Pillai, president of NFIA said that the organization would take a lead to bring
about a dialogue between the two countries, in order to improve the business
climate in India. He also paid a tribute to Joydeb Roy who had the idea to hold
such a conference, and against all odds, worked hard to make it
a success.
Virtually everyone at this conference suggested that the conference should
become an annual event.
CONTACTS: Fax: (301) 963-1367/ (301) 935-2627, e-Mail: PPillai1@aol.com,
joydebkroy@netzero.net, info@nationalfederation.org
GOPIO CHAPER NEWS
GOPIO New York
INDIAN AMERICAN YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
Sponsored by Global Organization of
People of Indian Origin New York Chapter
Co-sponsored by Professional Indian
Networking Association and Indian
American Kerala Center
237-50 Fairbury Ct.,
Bellrose, NY 11426, Tel: 718-470-1026
The First Annual
Indian American Youth Scholarship Night
June 29, 2002
The Kerala Center, Elmont,
Long Island, New York.
The goal for the evening is to honor excellence among Indian American High
School Seniors.
Six scholarships will be presented:
$2,000 for Outstanding Academic Achievement
$1,000 for Outstanding Performance in Extra-Curricular Activities
$500 for
Outstanding Application Essay
$300 for First Place in the “India Quiz Challenge”
$200 for Second Place in the “India Quiz Challenge”
$300 for First Place in the
Short Answer Competition
The “India Quiz Challenge” and Short Answer Competition will be held at 3:00
pm
on the day of the event. Each contestant will receive $100 for
participating in
the competition.
Evening reception - 7:00 PM, Entertainment and Guest Speaker - 8:00 PM,
Buffet
Dinner – 9.00 PM
Award Presentation – 10 PM followed by a celebration party with
DJ.
Ticket $25 adults, $15 students. Complimentary admission to all contestants.
Eligible High School Seniors are requested to apply for this scholarship.
Entry
form is available at www.prina-ny.org or at www.gopio.net. In order to
be
eligible for entry, one must meet ALL of the following criteria:
§ Have at least
one parent/guardian of Indian origin.
§ Be enrolled as a Senior in a tri-state
high school.
Complete the entry form and mail it to:
The Professional Indian Networking
Association, C/O Scholarship Night, PO
Box 3996, Grand Central Station, New
York, NY 10163 by June 10, 2002.
For more information, contact cr@prina-ny.org, or call Lal Motwani,
President,
GOPIO - New York at 718-470-1026.
GOPIO CHICAGO TO BE INAUGURATED IN JULY
GOPIO supporters from Chicago has sent in a Letter of Intent (LOC) start GOPIO
Chicago Chapter. Those interested may contact Mr. Prashant Gupta at 847-571-0703
or E-mail: prashant9@excite.com
OTHER ORGANIZAITON NEWS
U.S. - Indian Friendship Council
The U.S.-India Friendship Council has been launched by Mr. Ram Naryanan.
According to Narayanan, the whole world is at the crossroads of international
partnerships. The Cold War is a fading memory, and while military power remains
important, political, economic and cultural structures around the world are
increasingly the true foundations of cooperation.
In this regard, India and the United States could not be more alike. Although in
economic terms India is only now experiencing the early stages of economic
growth, many of us are optimistic that this path will lead to the kind of
vibrant and responsive economic structures that now support American markets.
Alongside this economic parallel is the natural bond that flows from being the
planet's largest democracies.
What role can Indian Americans and friends of India play in ensuring that these
opportunities grow to their full potential?
According to Narayanan, the community must be heard in the corridors of power,
and for that to happen, it must speak to those who would act on our thoughts.
Every representative in Congress must be made aware that funding support as well
as support at the voting booths is at least partly contingent on the voting
records of congressmen and women in matters relating to India.
US-India Friendship will help make the community voices for a strong
relationship between India and the United States heard with purpose and
conviction. Please visit: http://www.usindiafriendship.net
GOPIO Chapter Initiation
One can initiate a chapter and become part of this global network of people of
Indian origin by visiting GOPIO’s Chapter Initiative website
www.gopio.net/chapter_initiative.htm to get a copy of the guidelines governing
GOPIO chapters. Alternately, call GOPIO’s International coordinator Dr. Jagat
Motwani at 631-421-4688 in USA.
Business and Professional Services Bulletin Board
PIOs are encouraged to publicize businesses and services though GOPIO Business
Council Bulletin Board free of charge. Please visit
www.gopio.net/wboard/bulletin.htm
Visit GOPIO’s Official site at www.gopio.net