GOPIO NEWS BULLETIN

May 2005

NOTE: This is a monthly newsletter of GOPIO International, based in the USA. If you do not like to receive this newsletter in the future, please go to the bottom and click the unsubscribe URL. If you feel the information contained here are useful, please forward this e-mail to your friends and relatives. One could also subscribe this newsletter by visiting www.gopio.net and type in the e-mail address and other details.

CONTENTS

Ø GRAND 25^TH ANNIVERSARY PLANNED FOR USA-BASED NFIA MAY 27-29, 2005

Ø GLOBAL INDIAN BUSINESS SYMPOSIUM IN STUTTGART, GERMANY JULY 9-12, 2005

Ø GOPIO SURINAME TO HOST INDIAN DIASPORA CONFERENCE OF THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE AUGUST 22-25, 2005

Ø GUYANA AND TRINIDAD CELEBRATE INDIAN ARRIVAL DAY

Ø EUROPE-INDIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDED IN BRUSSELS

Ø NRIs/PIOs ACHIEVE

Ø PIO TO CHAIR CANADIAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE

Ø NRI BANKER TO HEAD RADIAN GROUP

Ø THREE NRIs HONORED IN THE US

Ø INDIAN AMERICAN APPOINTED JUDGE IN LOS ANGELES SUPERIOR COURT

Ø FIVE INDIAN AMERICANS GET GUGGENHEIM FELLOWSHIPS

Ø SANSKAAR BHAARATHI INTERNATIONAL GUYANA AWARDS

Ø GOPIO CHAPTER NEWS

§ GOPIO TRINIDAD CONDEMNS RACIST BEHAVIOUR BY POLICE

§ GOPIO SOUTHEAST LONDON, KENT & ESSEX CHAPTER DEBUT POSTPONED TO LATTER PART OF JUNE

§ GOPIO NEW YORK AND ST JOHNS UNIVERSITY HOST MEP NIRJ DEVA

Ø NEWS OF INTEREST TO NRIs AND PIOs AROUND THE WORLD

Ø US ANNOUNCES 20,000 MORE H1-B VISAS

Ø IIT GRADUATES TO HOLD GLOBAL CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON D.C.

Ø NRIs LOSING INTEREST IN BANK DEPOSITS

Ø NRI HANDBOOK RELEASED IN UK HOUSE OF LORDS

Ø IMMIGRATION WAS A MAJOR ISSUE IN UK ELECTION

Ø NEW BUSINESS SCHOOL IN KERALA WITH NRI SUPPORT

Ø ENCYCLOPEDIA OF INDIANS OVERSEAS

Ø GOPIO LIFE MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTER FORMATION

Ø EDITORIAL BOARD

GRAND 25^TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION PLANNED BY USA-BASED NFIA

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDIAN AMERICAN ASSOCIATIONS (NFIA)

invites you to its

25^th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

BE PART OF HISTORY

THEME

BUILDING ON THE PAST, SHAPING THE FUTURE

PROGRAM

Friday, May 27

Venue: Crowne Plaza Hotel at La Guardia Airport, New York city

6.30 p.m. Onwards - WELCOME RECEPTION AND INAUGURATION

6.30 p.m. - 8.00 p.m. - Welcome Reception

8.00 p.m. - 10.00 p.m. - Inauguration
Dignitaries include Indian Ambassador His Excellency Ronen Sen, Indian Consul General Hon. Pramathesh Rath, Guyana Minister of Finance Hon. Hon. Sasenarine Kowlessar Congressman Hon. Gregory Meeks, and other American political leaders.

Saturday, May 28

Venue: Crowne Plaza Hotel at La Guardia Airport, New York city

8.30 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast

9.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. Session I Community Leadership: Experiences and Expectations

Moderator Dr. Parmatma Saran, Professor of Sociology, Baruch College and Graduate Center of City University, New York, NY

Speakers:
(1) Dr. Joy Cherian, Former Commissioner EEOC and Founding President Indian American Forum for Political Education, Wheaton, MD

(2) Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman of GOPIO, and Founding President, NFIA, Stamford, CT
(3) Dr. Piyush C. Agrawal, Past President, Association of Indians in America (AIA National), Miami, FL
(4) Niraj Baxi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, NFIA, San Jose, CA

(5) Nilesh Mehta, President, Indian American Forum for Political Education, Edison, NJ

11.00 a.m. to 11.20 a.m. Networking Coffee/Tea Break

11.20 a.m. to 12.50 p.m. Session II US-India Relations: Progress Made and Challenges Ahead

Moderator Dr. Maya Chadda, Professor of Political Science, William Paterson University, New Jersey

Keynote address Dr. Dennis Kux, Senior Policy Scholar, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington, DC

Panelists:

1. Prof. Ved Nanda, Vice Provost, University of Denver
2. Inder Singh, Former President of NFIA and President of GOPIO, Tarzana, CA
3. Sanjay Puri, Executive Director, USINPAC, Washington, DC
4. Subash Razdan, Gandhi Memorial Foundation (Atlanta) and Former President, NFIA

Questions to be raised with the panelists:

1. Strategic Partnership

2. Nuclear Issues and Membership for India in UNSC

3. Trade, Economic and Cultural Relations

4. Role of the Diasporic Community

5. Shared democratic values and international role

11.20 a.m. to 12.50 p.m. Session III Indian Writers in America Past Experiences and Expectations

Initiator Dr. Susham Bedi, Professor of Hindi, Columbia University and Founder of "Kahaani," an Indian-American Writers' Forum

Moderator Dr. Rohini B. Ramanathan, Columnist/Essayist. Oceanside, NY

Speakers:

(1) Dr. Susham Bedi, "Quest for Identity: Grappling With the Literary Self in the Indian Diaspora"

2. Abha Dawesar, Author of the novels Babyji (Anchor Books, February 2005) and Miniplanner, New York

(3) Vijay Seshadri, Author of two books of poems, Wild Kingdom and The Long Meadow (winner of the 2004 James Laughlin Prize from the Academy of American Poets), New York

(4) Raju Thomas, Secretary of Sargavedi, a New York-based Malayalam Writers' Forum, Elmont, NY

2.00 p.m. to 3.20 p.m. Session IV Political Empowerment: Past Successes and Future Prospects

Moderator: Prof. Sree Sreenivasan, School of Journalism, Columbia Univ. and co-Founder, SAJA, New York
Speakers:

(1) Aziz Haniffa, Washington Bureau Chief, Rediff/India Abroad, Washignton, DC

(2) Hon. Upendra Chivukula, Assemblyman, New Jersey

(3) Hon. Joseph Melookaran, Member, White House Commission on Asian/Pacific Affairs, Kansas City, KS

2.00 p.m. to 3.20 p.m. Session V Delivery of Services to the Community An Evaluation and what we need to do for the future.

Moderator Sudha Acharya, Executive Director, South Asian Council for Social Services, New York
Speakers:

(1) Theresa Thanjan, Director of Youth Solutions, Citizens for New York City

(2) Dr. Sambhu Banik, Prof. of Psychology, Bowie State University, Bowie, MD

(3) Ashwani Chowdary, Board Member, Sakhi for South Asian Women, New York City

(4) Rajeshwar Prasad, Executive Director, National Indian American Association for Senior Citizens

3.20 p.m. to 3.40 p.m. Networking Coffee/Tea Break

3.40 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. Session VI Current Issues Facing Indian American Businesses

Moderator Dr. Sushila Gidwani-Buschi, VP for North America, GOPIO Intl.

Speakers:

(1) Dr. Sid Gautam, Director, Center for Entrepreneurship, Methodist College, Fayetteville, NC, "Trials and Triumphs of Indian Entrepreneurship: What Lies Ahead."

(2) Victor Khubani, President, Khubani Enterprises, New York/New Jersey, "Sharing Experiences of Restaurant Business."

(3) Subash Roy, President, Kodiak Venture Partners, Boston, "Issues in Business Financing."

(4) V.M. Gandhi, New York Gold and Jackson Heights Merchants. Association, New York, "Building AGlobal Business: Thoughts and Lessons."

(5) Krishnan Chittur, Attorney-at-Law, New York, "Consumer Fraud to Watch Out."

3. 3.40 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Session VII Youth Forum

Moderator: Karthik S. Ramanathan, Research Assistant, Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman LLP, New York, NY.

Speakers:

(1) Krupalee Shah, 2003-2004 Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholar to Scotland, UK, "Building Bridges of International Understanding: A Vision for the 21st Century."

(2) Paayal Mahajan, Membership Outreach Consultant, Girls Scout of America, New York City, "Youth and Opportunities in Non-Profit Organizations."

(3) Sahil Khurana, Coordinator, GOPIO Youth Forum, Upper Brookville, Long Island, NY, "GOPIO Program for Indian Youth to Network Globally."

(4)  Dr. Rohini B. Ramanathan, Founder-Director, India Heritage Institute of Long Island; President, The 7 D's Associates, New York, NY, and Writer, "The influence of parent-child relationship on youth development"

(5) Phil Mock, " For Indian Youth - Seeing and Helping A Changing India, From the Bottom Up: A Perspective of Untouchables and the Rural Poor of Tamil Nadu"

(6) Anand Shah, Co-Founder and Executive Director, IndiCorps, "Leveraging India's importance to Indian-American identity: a blueprint for engaging diaspora youth with India - the Indicorps story"

7.00 p.m. - 11.00 p.m. Grand Finale 25^th Anniversary Banquet

Venue: Terrace on the Park, Flushing Meadows

7.00 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. - Cocktail Reception

8.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. - Dignitaries Speeches, Recognition

9.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. Dinner and Entertainment

**

 25^TH CELEBRATION COMMITTEE

Chairman  - Lal Motwani

Co-Chairmen Dr. Thomas Abraham, Dr. Arvind Shah and Sanjay Naik

Conference Hotel: A block of rooms is reserved at the Crowne Plaze Hotel at LaGuardia Airport in New York city. The rates are $109 for single or double occupancy and $119 for suites. Call 718-457-6300 and mention NFIA Conference. Free shuttle service is available to the hotel from LaGuardia Airport. For Kennedy and Newark Airports, take a bus to LaGuardia Airport and call for free shuttle to the hotel. One can also come to the hotel by subway or by bus.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

Contact: Lal Motwani at 718-470-1026 or E-mail: lmotwani@nyc.rr.com or any of the following members of the Registration committee, Ritesh Veera at 646-623-8238, Kiran hari 917-450-6052, Leela Maret 718-595-6513 or Jaswant Mody 732-968-0892. Note: Please send your registration package on or before May 10^th, 2005 so as to avail of the early registration discount. Conference registration for Saturday, May 28^th is only $10 without lunch and $40 with lunch. Banquet tickets are $110/single and $210 for a couple. See more details below.

Please make all checks payable to: NFIA, Attn: Lal Motwani, 237-50 Fairbury Avenue, Bellrose, NY 11426 Phone: 718-470-1026

NFIA President Dr. Rajen S. Anand can be contacted at (562) 537-1077, E-mail: ranand2@csulb.edu. NFIA encourages Indian Americans to join in this celebration and call on the youngsters to participate in the youth forum.

GLOBAL INDIAN BUSINESS SYMPOSIUM IN STUTTGART, GERMANY JULY 9-12, 2005

Stuttgart/ Germany; venue Haus der Wirtschaft

Organised by the Indo-European Foundation e.V. in co-operation with the Business Council of GOPIO International, New York.

Networking among global Indian businesses and with businesses of India & Germany/ Europe

Participation fee: If payment received till June 10, 05: 120 - after June 10, 05: 150,-

Expected participants: PIO*/ NRI* businesses worldwide, PIO political leaders such as ministers/ opposition leaders including members of the House of Lords (GB), apex-bodies and EU/ German/ Indian businessmen and authorities, business organisations, research institutions, etc. Indian business forums and chambers of commerce from the host countries of PIO like Mauritius, Guyana, Surinam, United Kingdom, Singapore, Malaysia, USA, etc. and India.

(PIO* = People of Indian Origin/ NRI* = Non-Resident Indians)

Day 1: Saturday, July 9, 05 for PIO & Indian businesses:

Table top exhibition 9 -18 h

9:00 h: Arrival of participants and registration

- Interaction of global Indian business people

14:00 h: Opening session

Focussing strength and investements of PIO/ NRI businesses worldwide

16:00 h: Inauguration of the Global Indian Business Symposium

- Speech by Mr Niranjan Deva, MEP

- Opportunities and challenges of PIO/ NRI in the host countries and with India

18:30 h: Reception by Mayor of City of Stuttgart

Day 2: Sunday, July 10, 05 - German & EU participants can join:

10:00 h: Technology opportunities offered by PIO/ NRI business in selected fields

13:00 h: Presentation by Indian state governments

13:30 h: Lunch break

14:30 h: Presentation by different Indian states

16:15 h: Presentation by various government authorities - ministries and Reserve Bank of India present views for investment procedures and new issues arising out of the new budget 2005/2006

18:30 h: Reception by Mayor of the City of Stuttgart

Day 3: Monday July 11, 05 - for all:

8:30 h: Registration of non-PIO participants

9:15 h: Inauguration of Global Indian Business Symposium: - welcome and plenary session speeches by keynote speaker, ministers from India, Germany (Min. Pfister, Economics & Works) and Europe; further speeches by

- President of BGA, Mr Börner

- Presentation by Invest in Germany, either Mr Maier or Dr. Weber

- Mr von Pieren, Chairman APA

- Presentation by Baden-Württemberg International (BWI) - investment possibilities in various projects in Baden-Württemberg Infrastructure and other projects in India

12:30 h: Lunch break

14:00 h: Product session

- environment technology

- engineering services

16:00 h: Machine building & plant

- automation

- Information Technology embedded Services (ITeS)

- chemicals

19:00 h: Reception by Minister of Economics & Works of Baden-Württemberg, Mr Pfister

Day 4: Tuesday, July 12, 05:

9:00 h: Plenary session

- speeches by various ministers

- speeches by Reserve Bank of India

Bank and finances "financing projects in India" & "financing projects in Germany"

11:00 h: "How to establish a company in Germany and Europe" Helping authorities for investments in Germany

12:30 h: Lunch break

14:00 h: Product session

- renewable energy

- traffic and transport

- construction

- "Business Transfer in Baden-Württemberg - new entrepreneurs wanted"/ "Start on Campus - support of university-based start-ups and their demands for expansion"

16:00 h: Valedictory session

18:30: End of the Symposium

Patrons & Supporters

Following organisations have agreed to be either patrons or supporters for the Global Indian Business Symposium, which will take place in Stuttgart/ Germany from July 9-12, 05.

1. BGA, Federation of German Wholesale & Foreign Trades (German apex body), Berlin, patron of this event (visit: www.bga.de)

2. Ministry of Economics & Works (state of Baden-Württemberg/ Germany)

(visit: www.wm.baden-wuerttemberg.de), special supporter of this event

3. IMC, Indian Merchants Chamber, Mumbai (visit: www.imcnet.org)

4. APA, Asia Pacific Forum of German Businesses (of BDI), Berlin (visit: www.bdi.de)

5. Invest in Germany, Berlin (German investment promotion authority)

(visit: www.invest-in-germany.de)

6. BWI, Baden-Württemberg International (state business promotion authority), Stuttgart

(visit: www.bw-i.de)

7. City of Stuttgart (visit: www.stuttgart.de)

8. Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Stuttgart (visit: www.stuttgart.ihk24.de)

9. NFIA, National Federation of Indian Associations (visit: www.nfia.net)

10. U.S. Indian American Chamber of Commerce (USA) (visit: www.amchamindia.com)

11. SICCI, Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (visit: www.sicci.com)

12. Several industry specific German associations are also joining and supporting this symposium

13. Several chambers of commerce and industry of overseas Indians have agreed to cooperate on this symposium. We are in contact with few chambers of commerce and associations in India for their support.

Indo-European Foundation & GOPIO (brief info)

Indo-European Foundation: This is an independent society - registered in Stuttgart -for the benefit of overseas Indians in Europe. The society wants to promote and network on a non-profit basis cultural and business relations between overseas Indians in Europe and the European community.

The Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) was established in New York in 1989 immediately after the 1^st conference of PIO*. Mr Dwarkesh Shah, businessman in Germany since 1968, is chairman of the GOPIO Business Council established in 2000. The aim is networking among the business community of 22 million PIOs worldwide with/in India as well as with/in their host countries. The immigration of PIOs in the 60s and 70s to the U.S., Europe/ UK, South-East-Asia and the Middle East is important for the host countries besides India.

Contact: Dwarkesh Shah, Indo-European Foundation, and GOPIO Business Council, Julius-Hölder-Str. 46, 70597 Stuttgart/ Germany, Tel.: +49 (0) 711 722 2071, Fax: +49 (0) 711 722 2939; www.gopiobiz.com E-Mail: secretary@imexma.com or info@gopiobiz.com.

GOPIO SURINAME TO HOST INDIAN DIASPORA CONFERENCE OF THE WESTERTN HEMISPHERE, AUGUST 22-25

GOPIO Suriname is hosting the INDIAN DIASPORA CONFERENCE OF THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE in Suriname. The conference with the theme "World Peace, Development and Integration Through Indian Diasporic Cultural and Commercial Linkages," will be held from August 22 through August 25, 2005 in Paramaribo, Suriname. The focus of the conference is to promote peace, development and integration on a global level through active linkages in culture and commercial enterprises throughout the Indian Diaspora. The conference is the first of its kind in the Caribbean region and will focus on crucial aspects of people of Indian origin (PIOs) who live and conduct businesses in multi-ethnic societies as in the Caribbean area, and other newly settled countries as well. The program includes four separate and appropriately structured sessions of presentations and panel discussions on topics pertinent to the theme.

This conference has the full support of the government of Suriname, with several of the highest levels of government officials participating in the events, together with invited officials of the Government of India and many prominent regional and international political, business, academic and entertainment notables. Local and international performers will host delegates with evenings of dinner with full cultural presentations. Arrangements have been made for visits and trips by delegates during their stay in Paramaribo to religious and other sites of interest. The conference will be conducted in English.

The detailed program and information on participants, registration, accommodation and travel will follow in the next GOPIO newsletters. Contact:

HAROLD R.RAMDHANI

Secretary, GOPIO Suriname

30 NEUMANPAD

PARAMARIBO SURINAME

FAX +597 472411

E-mail: Harold.r.ramdhani@ramsholding.sr

GUYANA AND TRINIDAD CELEBRATE INDIAN ARRIVAL DAYS

On May 5, 1838 the WHITBY arrived in British Guiana (now Guyana) with 244 Indians as indentured laborers, the first of many such ships to follow. On May 10, 1845 the island of Jamaica received the first of many indentured Indians, and on May 30, 1845 the FATH AL RAZAC arrived in Trinidad with 234 Indians as indentured laborers, and the first of many such ships to follow as well. Guyana, Trinidad and Jamaica as well as Suriname and several islands located in the Caribbean region, were the destination of hundreds of thousands of Indians brought as indentured laborers, most of whom remained in those lands and raised future generations of Indians who excelled in all facets of life and contributed to the development of those countries at all levels.

This year on May 5 Guyana celebrates INDIAN ARRIVAL DAY with many national and regional ceremonies and services marking the 167th anniversary. Shortly afterwards on May 30 Trinidad celebrates its 160th anniversary of INDIAN ARRIVAL DAY with events throughout the island nation, with the participation of a 160-person Government of India delegation.

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) pays honored tribute and expresses grateful thanks to those who made those first journeys from India to those faraway lands with the promise of a better life.

"We are always reminded of their pioneering spirit, determination, persistence and endurance under extremely harsh conditions. While survival must have been the primary concern, they managed to maintain their sense of origin, traditions, culture and religion", said Ashook Ramsaran, Secretary General of GOPIO. Ramsaran, who was born in Guyana as a third generation Indian, continues, "Their children, grandchildren and following generations will always take pride in this unique accomplishment, recognizing and appreciating the sacrifices and achievements made on their behalf."

"We continue to encourage and support active promotion of the rich and enduring Indian traditions that served their forefathers so well", said Inder Singh, President of GOPIO. He continues, "We also wish to remind all the descendents of those early pioneers to recognize and reach out to others of Indian origin whose forebears also embarked on similar journeys".

GOPIO extends congratulations and continued best wishes on these anniversaries to all their descendents for peaceful and prosperous co-existence in Guyana and Trinidad, and other lands where they have subsequently settled.

EUROPE INDIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDED

The Europe India Chamber of commerce was constitutionally founded on 16 April 2005 in Brussels. The EICC had been launched during the GOPIO Conference on Trade and Investment on 4^th. October 2004 held in Brussels by three eminent industrialists; Dr. Ajit S. Shetty, Karan Bilimoria and Sanjay Dalmia. Member of the European Parliament Nirj Deva has been elected its founder-Chairman and Sunil Prasad the Secretary General. Mr. Deva is of Indian origin and Sunil Prasad is the President of GOPIO Belgium. The EICC is a non-profit, non-governmental organization and will serve as the key liaising body representing the views of companies, enterprises and semi-business groups of India and Europe having business interest in each others countries. The body will develop a network of contacts and expertise to further the objectives of the EICC. Some important business and community leaders who were elected to the Board are: Dr. Ajit Shetty, Karan Billimoria, Sanjay Dalmia, Dr. Mac Van Montagu, Dr. Amal K. Mukhopadhaya, Jagdish Makwana, Dr. Mohan Kaul, Vasant Moharir and Wahid Saleh. The organization will facilitate, co-ordinate, liaise and advise from a broad cross-section of the European and Indian business community which are typically based in most Member States of the EU countries. The Secretary General of the EICC can be contacted on Tel. & fax: 0032 2 469 2677 GSM: 0472-207 338, E-mail: sunil.prasad@coditel.net

NRIs/PIOs ACHIEVE

PIO TO CHAIR CANADIAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE

Navdeep Singh Bains, a second generation Indian in Canada has been elected Chairman of a Canadian Sub-Committee on Human Rights. Mr Navdeep Singh Bains, the youngest member of the present House of Commons, was elected on the Liberal ticket from Ontario province last year. He became a Member of Parliament at the age of 26. On his election to this important Committee which is mandated to study cases of human right abuses around the world, he said that human rights issues are close to his heart and considered rights issues to be non-partisan.

NRI BANKER TO HEAD RADIAN GROUP

S. A. Ibrahim, will take over as Chief Executive Officer of the Radian Group Inc, a leading provider of global credit enhancement products and services in the US. Ibrahim, a veteran of the banking and mortgage industries, is a mechanical engineer from Osmania University in Andhra Pradesh. He obtained his MBA in finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Ibrahim took charge on May 5.

THREE NRIs HONORED IN THE US

Three Non-Resident Indians; Ms. Payal Tak, Mr. Mukesh Majmudar and Mr. Paresh Patel are among 53 winners of the award presented at the two-day National Small Business Week celebrations in Washington from April 26-28. They were honored with Small Business Persons of the Year Award in the US. All of them were honored at the National Small Business Week in Washington, with SBA Expo '05 showcasing Small Business Persons of the Year winners from each state, and featuring the announcement of the National Small Business of the Year. There are an estimated 25 million small business owners in this country and Indian Americans, like many immigrants, make up an important part of this group.

INDIAN AMERICAN APPOINTED JUDGE IN LOS ANGELES SUPERIOR COURT

An Indian American T. Sanjay Kumar has been appointed a judge of the Los Angeles superior Court. The 40-year old Kumar is an active Republican. An association of South Asian lawyers in the US has hailed the appointment of a judge from the community to the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Judge Kumar who took the oath of office on April 15 is one of a handful of South Asian American judges in the country. Judge Kumar's appointment is especially significant as the Indian community approach the 50th anniversary of the election of Dilip Singh Saund, the first South Asian American to serve in the US Congress and a former justice of the peace in Westmorland, California.

FIVE INDIAN AMERICANS GET GUGGENHEIM FELLOWSHIP

Five Indian Americans have been selected to receive the prestigious John Simon Guggenheim Foundation fellowships. They are among the 186 Fellows selected for the year 2005. The winners are journalist Pico Iyer (California), writer Rohinton Mistry, MIT professor of computer science Madhu Sudan, Curator Meenakshi Wadhwa of Field Museum in Chicago and T Math professor Santosh Srinivas Vempala. Each winner is given a cash prize of about $38,000 to further his or her scientific and artistic development, with no restrictions on what the money can be used for.

SANSKAAR BHAARATI INTERNATIONAL GUYANA AWARDS

Sanskaar Bhaarati International Guyana is a non-Governmental and non-profit organization that was registered in Guyana on March 29, 2005. It is a branch of Sanskaar Bhaarati founded in India in 1981. Pandit Hari Shanker Sharma has been appointed Convener for Sanskaar Bhaarati (South America) by Shri Yogender Ji, the All India Organizing Secretary.

On April 9, 2005, Sanskaar Bhaarati International-Guyana held its first cultural program to observe Vikram Sammat (Hindu New Year) 2062. After prayer and a cultural program attended by over 200 people from the West Demerara Region, Sanskaar Bhaarati International Guyana announced the Awardees of its Annual National "Bharat Muni" Awards. They are:

Anand Persaud - Managing Director of National Television Network (NTN) Channel 69 for his great devotion toward the promotion of Indian culture.

Dr. Prem Misir Pro-Chancellor University of Guyana and Education Advisor, for his contribution to the international promotion of Indian cultural and academic activities in both Guyana and New York. In New York, Dr. Misir was Chairperson of the East Indian Diaspora that celebrated 150 years of the Indian presence in Guyana. Dr Misir was also recognized for representing the people of Guyana during the Pravaasi Bhaarati Divas program in Mumbai in January 2005.

Pandit Rekhram Prashad from LaGrange for his great devotion to Hindu Pooja and special interest in the propagation of Indian culture in Guyana.

Pandit Premnauth Panday from Annandale for his in-depth knowledge of the Ramayana in the Hindi script, that was brought by his forefathers from India.

Mr. Dilchan from Canal#1 for his viraah singing and knowledge of tassa.

Mr. Mohan from Vishwa Nauth Mandir Canal#1 for his contribution to the protection and preservation of Indian culture.

Vishnu Mahadeo Managing Director of Universal Cargo and Services and from Cornelia Ida for his Seva work in Indian culture in Guyana and in the United States of America. He was also recognized for his contribution in facilitating an Indian Pandit to be in Guyana to further promote Indian values and culture. His contribution to Sanskaar Bhaarati International Guyana was mentioned.

GOPIO CHAPTER NEWS

GOPIO TRINIDAD CONDEMS RACIST BEHAVIOUR BY POLICE

GOPIO has condemned the extreme and unwarranted reaction by the Tactical squad of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service in responding to the peaceful protest mounted by the villagers in Bamboo Settlement. No less than 30 heavily armed police officers descended upon this legitimate protest for better roads and a pavement to prevent further injury and distress to villagers. The use of batons to shove and intimidate villagers was clearly intended to break their spirit and embarrass them into total submission. "The handcuffing and charging of Inshan Ishmael for using insulting language was also totally unnecessary and unjustified," the GOPIO release said.

The radical and brutal reaction of the police to protests by the Indian community is difficult to understand. GOPIO hereby calls upon the Commissioner of Police to intervene in this matter so that this alarming pattern of racism by police officers can stop. Officers must be properly trained so that they are able to recognize the unconscious racial bias, which seems to be influencing their selective use of force.

Contact: Devant Maharaj, President, GOPIO Trinidad and Tobago, E-mail: Devant@tstt.net.tt

GOPIO SOUTHEAST LONDON, KENT & ESSEX CHATPER DEBUT POSTPONED TO LATER PART OF JUNE

Preparations are in full swing for the inauguration of the GOPIO Chapter in UK. The Chapter will be opened in the latter part of June, 2005. The Convener of the new chapter Raj Lakha can be contacted at 0044-1474 329985 (T), 01474 329986 (F) 0044 7768 685 397 (GSM) E-mail: r.lakah@netsite.co.uk

GOPIO NEW YORK AND ST. JOHNS UNIVERSITY HOST MEP NIRJ DEVA

On April 21, 2005, Hon Niranjan Deva, Member of the European Parliament, delivered a major global policy lecture titled: Sustainable Development: The Role Of the United Nations at St. Johns University in New York City. The lecture was arranged by Ashook Ramsaran, Secretary General of GOPIO, in collaboration with Dr Alina Camacho-Gingerich, Chairperson of CLACS, the Committee on Latin American & Caribbean Studies of St. Johns University.

Hon. Deva currently represents 7 million Britons at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium. He is a candidate for the position of Secretary General of the United Nations when the position becomes vacant in 2006, and is the President of the newly established European Indian Chamber of Commerce (EICC) also based in Brussels. EICC was inaugurated at the GOPIO's NRI/PIO  Business Conference held in October 2004 in Brussels, Belgium

Hon. Deva addressed critical current issues facing various groups of people, in particular child labor, poverty, lack of education, distribution of aid, and the need for increased corporate social responsibility. "A childs right to education is non-negotiable", he stated categorically as he examined the detrimental effects of child labor and the benefits of education for every child. He also spoke on the continuing quest for oil, the threats to global peace, and the need for the United Nations to return to its roots and be revitalized in order to be effective.

NEWS OF INTEREST TO NRIs/PIOs AROUND THE WORLD

US ANNOUNCES 20,000 MORE H1-B VISAS

The US has announced an additional 20,000 visas to foreign workers in the H1-B category, mainly availed by Indian information technology professionals, thus fulfilling a long-standing demand by American firms and academic groups.

US businesses can submit applications for additional H1-B visas beginning May 12, the Department of Home Security's immigration agency said. An additional 20,000 such visas would be made available for foreign workers with advanced degrees from US institutions. The announcement ending months of speculation on who qualified for the visas.

The extra 20,000 visas were approved last fall by US Congress. The largest number of such foreign workers have been Indian. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said that the visas would be granted only to foreign workers with at least a master's-level degree from a US Academic institution.

IIT GRDUATES TO HOLD GLOBAL CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON D.C.

Between May 20-22, the roughly 40,000 strong Indian Institute of Technology graduates in the U.S. will hold a Global IIT Alumni Conference to chalk out ways to enhance interaction among countries in an increasingly globalized economy. This was announced by Anil Bhandari, senior vice president, Smith Barney, at a media conference. The Conference is expected to be addressed by top industrialists and policymakers from India and U.S. The objective of the conference is inter alia to set up a resource center and prepare through distance learning ways to make the agricultural revolution reach villages so that India becomes one of the largest food producers instead of wasting 40 percent of all produce.

NRIs LOSING INTEREST IN BANK DEPOSITS

Bank deposits are no longer a favorite with NRIs as they used to be. The bank rate on deposits has steadily gone down while investments in real estate, mutual funds and capital markets have become more rewarding.

If the banks want to shore up NRI deposits, they have to raise the interest rate on CDs. The Government of India has also made no effort to come up with any new scheme to attract NRI money, probably because its coffers are already overflowing with foreign exchange money.

NRI deposits should not be confused with remittances to families in India, particularly from the Gulf countries, which are still very high.

NRI HANDBOOK RELEASED IN THE UK HOUSE OF LORDS

A handbook, entitled Acting for Non-Resident Indian Clients, providing information relating to Indian family law, marriage customs and practices and on many other issues was released at the House of Lords, last month. The book is aimed at helping family lawyers acting for NRI clients to deal with cases back in India. The book was launched at the House of Lords by Lord Slynn of Hadley at the historical Attlee Room in the presence of Indian High Commissioner Kamlesh Sharma and Lord Rana, MBE, honorary consul of India, Northern Ireland. The authors Anil Malhotra and Ranjit Malhotra, Chandigarh-based advocates were complimented for publishing the handbook.

IMMIGRATION WAS A MAJOR ISSUE IN UK ELECTION

The immigration issue was a hot topic during the campaign in parliamentary elections in the UK which, the Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Labor Party have won with a narrow margin. Conservatives had used immigration and the asylum issue as their strongest card.

The opposition party was spreading fears that vital public services in UK were being overwhelmed by the new arrivals while the immigrants both legal and illegal were already present in staggering numbers. With the existing immigration policy, even the countrys security was at risk. Even long-term resident immigrants complained of a tide of asylum seekers who they said were living off benefits. Conservative leaders were inflaming passions and were demanding a ceiling on quotas on immigrants, asylum seekers and for more border police. Prime Minister, Tony Blair is opposed to quotas, as he believes that immigrants are needed to fill jobs Britons will not do.

Asian members in the new parliament include former deputy minister Keith Vaz (Leicester East), Piara Singh Khabra (Southall), Khalid Mahmood (Birmingham Perry Barr), Marsha Singh (Bardford West), Mohamed Sarwar (Glasgow Central), Parmjit Dhanda (Gloucester) and Dr Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough South and Cleveland East).

NEW BUSINESS SCHOOL IN KERALA WITH NRI SUPPORT

An NRI businessman, George M Thomas of Oman is setting up an Asian School of Business at a cost of Rs 300-million in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

The business school will hold a competitive examination to select sixty students to start classes in July for programs equivalent to an MBA. The student will pay Rs. 350,000 for the full-time course. The school will also offer a similar program in management for entrepreneur managers. The school plans to have visiting faculty from India and abroad.

Fore more details, please visit: http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2005/apr/22school.htm

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF INDIANS OVERSEAS

Scholars and activists of the Indian Diaspora have decided to publish an encyclopedia of the Indian Diaspora. The project was started last year in Singapore and is linked to the South Asian Studies Program (SASP) at National University of Singapore.

The core group includes: Professor Brij Lal, Professor of Pacific and Asian History in the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University (ANU), and General Editor of the Encyclopedia; Professor Peter Reeves, Coordinator of the South Asian Studies Program at National University of Singapore (NUS) and Executive Editor of the Encyclopedia; and Dr Rajesh Rai, Visiting Fellow at the South Asian Studies Program at NUS and Assistant Editor of the Encyclopedia.

For more information, readers may visit the following website, http://www.indolink.com/displayArticleS.php?id=042205095448

GOPIO LIFE MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTER FORMATION

GOPIO Individual Life membership is open to all who believe in the mission of GOPIO. The one-time fee is $1,000 for those from developed countries and $500 for those from developing countries, or Rs. 25,000 for those from India.

GOPIO is looking forward to opening chapters in all major cities of the world so as to network people of Indian origin worldwide. If you do not have a chapter in your city, please visit the GOPIO website (www.gopio.net) and get details of chapter initiation (visit http://www.gopio.net/chapter_initiative.htm). The 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.

EDITORIAL BOARD

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

WebmaSTer: Prashant Gupta (Chicago, IL, USA)

Contributors for this issue: Inder Singh (USA), Sunil Prasad (Belgiumk), Ashook Ramsaran (USA), Dwarkesh Shah (Germany), Devant Maharaj (Trinidad and Tobago) and Dr. Prem Misir (Guyana).

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

Visit GOPIO’s Official site at www.gopio.net or www.gopio.com