GOPIO NEWS BULLETIN

May, 2007

 

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

 

CONTENTS

INDIA GOVT. COMMITTEE SET UP TO STUDY HARASSED NRI WIVES AND BELEAGURED MAIDS

 

GOPIO TO COMMEMORATE INDIAN ARRIVAL DAYS IN TRINIDAD & SURINAME

 

GUYANA COMMEMORATES THE 169TH INDIAN ARRIVAL DAY

GOPIO INTERNATIONAL SENDS CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE

 

GOPIO INTL. AND CHAPTER NEWS

GOPIO-CT CHAPTER HONORS FOUR AT FIRST ANNUAL GALA

GOPIO-SOUTH FLORIDA ( MIAMI ) CHAPTER INAUGURATED

GOPIO-CT FREE COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION SEMINARS CONTINUE

GOPIO-NEW JERSEY IN THE OFFING

GOPIO INTERNATIONAL INVITES COMMUNITY ACTIVIST TO JOIN ITS ONLINE FORUM ON NRI/PIO ISSUES

 

NRIs/PIOs ACHIEVE

INDIAN AMERICAN SUKANYA KRISHNAN WINS NY EMMY AWARD

INDO SURINAMESE GIRL CROWNED MISS INDIA WORLDWIDE

INDO-GUYANESE RAMNARESH SARWAN IS NAMED CAPTAIN OF WEST INDIES CRICKET TEAM

INDIAN AMERICAN MONIKA KALRA TO HEAD KENNEDY RIGHTS CENTER

INDIAN BORN ELECTED TO SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

THREE INDIAN AMERICANS SELECTED TO RECEIVE TRUMAN SCHOLARSHIP

AMERICAN IDOL FINALIST SA NJ AYA MALAKAR MAKES HIS MARK IN THE CONTEST

INDIAN AMERICAN DR. DINESH VERMA APPOINTED AS ACADEMIC DEAN OF STEVENS INSTITUTES NEW SCHOOL

US NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES INDUCTS TWO INDIAN AMERICANS

 

NEWS OF INTEREST TO NRIs AND PIOs AROUND THE WORLD

INDIAN AMERICAN SIKH WINS DISCRIMINAITON CASE AGAINST US FITNESS CENTER

NRI WEALTH EXCEEDS INDIAN GDP

GOA GOVERNMENT TO DEVISE LAWS TO PROTECT NRI PROPERTIES

PU NJ AB STATE GOVT. TAKES INTIATIVE TO TACKLE NRI WOES INCLUDING PROPERTY

UK TIGHTENS ENTRY RULES

INDIANS IN NEWSZEALAND FORM THE FASTEST GROWING GROUP

UGANDA WANTS INDIAN INVESTMENTS

MOIA AND UAE GOVT. SIGN AGREEMENT FOR BETTER NRI WORK CONDITIONS IN UAE

 

GOPIO LIFE MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTER FORMATION

 

EDITORIAL BOARD

 

INDIA GOVT. COMMITTEE SET UP TO STUDY ISSUES OF HARASSED NRI WIVES AND BELEAGUERED MAIDS

 

The Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Vyalar Ravi and Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Renuka Chowdhury have agreed to set up a six-member sub-committee to deal with the issue of harassed wives of NRIs and beleaguered maids working Overseas.

 

Nirmal Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs would head the committee, which would draw a member each from the Ministries of Law, Home Affairs and Women and Child Development. As most of the failed NRI marriages are from Punjab , and domestic servant related cases have their roots in Andhra Pradesh, these two states would also be represented by a member each on the sub-committee.

 

The committee will delve into the legal dimension of these cases and submit its report in a month's time. The Indian government has taken a firm view of these harassment cases, and strict action is likely to be taken. Emigration laws could be amended, if necessary to pre-empt insidious intent on the part of NRIs. The cases of affected women married to NRIs have been a major concern of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, and the number of reported cases are as high as 30,000.

 

NRI husbands take refuge under foreign laws to circumvent retribution. Similarly, in the case of unskilled labors working overseas, exploitation is often due to lack of awareness of labor laws. The sub-committee is the first such initiative taken by the Indian government to bring harassment cases to book.

 

GOPIO TO COMMEMORATE INDIAN ARRIVAL DAYS IN TRINIDAD AND SURINAME

 

In coordination with GOPIO International, the GOPIO Chapters in Trinidad and Suriname are collaborating with their respective Indian High Commissioners to commemorate Indian Arrival Days in Trinidad and Suriname . The first of indentured laborers from India arrived in Trinidad on May 30, 1845 and in Suriname on June 4, 1873. Despite enduring extremely harsh conditions and severe hardships, the first arrivals persevered to maintain their sense of origin, traditions, culture and religion. Their descendents presently number in the hundreds of thousand and comprise a large percentage of their respective populations, and have contributed significantly to the development of each country.

The respective GOPIO Chapters in Chapters in Trinidad and Suriname each plan to host a symposium followed by a dinner with chief guest Indian Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi. Hon. Ravi plans on visiting Trinidad and Suriname for the commemoration of Indian Arrival Days as well as visits to Guyana , Jamaica and Antigua . In addition, the GOPIO Chapter in Guyana also plans on hosting a dinner with chief guest Hon. Ravi during his visit to Guyana .

For further information, please contact as follows:

TRINIDAD Dr. Vijay Ramlal, GOPIO IAD Coordinator, E-mail: vijayramlalrai@gmail.com

SURINAME Ambassador Krishna Nandoe, GIOPIO Regional VP, knandoe@yahoo.com

GUYANA Yesu Persaud, Chairman, GOPIO Guyana, ypersaud@demrum.com

For information on being part of GOPIO International delegation to Trinidad , Suriname and Guyana , contact GOPIO Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran at ramsaran@aol.com

More detailed program information is scheduled for release shortly.

 

GUYANA COMMEMORATES THE 169TH INDIAN ARRIVAL DAY

 

On May 5, 2007 Guyana commemorated the 169th anniversary of the first arrival of Indian laborers who came on May 5, 1838 on the ships, Whitby and Hesperus, that landed with 936 Indian indentured workers after a hazardous journey crossing from Calcutta to then British Guiana . The descendants of Indian laborers in Guyana now number over 400,000 and have contributed significantly to the development and culture of Guyana . There is an almost equal number residing in the United States , Canada , the United Kingdom and countries of the Caribbean region.

 

The Indian Commemoration Trust, chaired by Yesu Persaud, Guyanese industrialist and Chairman of GOPIO Guyana, played a major role in the commemoration activities. These included hosting an evening of culture, music and dance on the lawns of the Monument Gardens in Georgetown . There was a prayer session with recitations of a Hindu prayer, a Christian prayer as well as a Muslim prayer. In addition, the Indian Religious Cultural and Social Organization hosted its annual Arrival Day event at Vreed-en-Hoop on the West Coast of Demerara.

 

Persaud stated that The Indian Commemoration Trust on the 169th Anniversary of the Arrival of Indians to Guyana pays tribute to these indomitable pioneers for the sacrifices they made for this and future generations who are today making a mark not only in Guyana but in several parts of the world.

 

Other significant Arrival Day events include: Pushpanjali 7, an evening of mesmerizing songs and dances, hosted by the Indian Commemoration Trust on May 4; The Indian Arrival Committee Grand Cultural Melas in Albion, Berbice on May 5 at the National Park in Georgetown, on May 6 at Anna Regina and at the Community Centre Ground in Essequibo on May12; the Berbice Indian Cultural Committee celebration at Plantation Highbury in Berbice.

 

Guyanas President Hon. Bharrat Jagdeo issued a statement on the 169th Anniversary that stated, in part Descendants of indentured laborers continue to make immense strides in the social, economic, cultural, education, political and trade union fields. Indeed they are actively engaged in every facet of life in our Guyanese society of today.

 

GOPIO INTERNATIONAL SENDS CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE

 

Guyanese born Ashook Ramsaran, Secretary General of GOPIO International, sent a letter of congratulations on behalf of GOPIO International to Guyana s President Bharrat Jagdeo and the people of Guyana on the commemoration of the 169th Anniversary of Indian Arrival Day on May 5 in Guyana . The statement read as follows:

 

The GOPIO International pays honored tribute and expresses its gratitude to those who made the first journey as indentured laborers from India to British Guiana (now Guyana ) in 1838.

 

We are reminded of their pioneering spirit, determination, persistence and endurance under extremely harsh conditions. While survival must have been the primary concern, they persevered to maintain their sense of origin, traditions, culture and religion. 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 also recognize the invaluable contributions they have made to the diverse culture and economic development of Guyana .

 

Congratulating Guyanese government and people of Guyana , the message further said, We continue to encourage and support active promotion of the rich and enduring Indian traditions that served their forefathers so well. 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 INTERNATIONAL AND CHAPTER NEWS

 

GOPIO-CT CHAPTER HONORS FOUR AT FIRST ANNUAL GALA

 

The Connecticut Chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-CT) celebrated its 1st anniversary with an awards banquet addresses by Congressman Christopher Says and Consul General Neelam Deo at the Italian Center of Stamford on April 22nd. Attended by over 250 community leaders and American friends from across the state, Westchester , New York and New Jersey , the event began with a brief introduction to the origin and goals of GOPIO by Amarjeet Singh with slide presentation.

 

GOPIO-CT Sangeetha Ahuja welcomed the delegates and the awardees to the reception. She thanked Dr. Thomas Abraham, whom she described as true Indian energizer bunny for his vision and guidance and her executive committee for making the gala a grand success. Sangeeta Ahuja who has been elected as the chapters first president said that to become a distinguished organization involves a lot of voluntary community service work from its members. We will assess our communitys needs for the future, set right priorities and plan new activities for our community. Whether it is investment opportunities in India , health care in the US , promoting our culture, preserving our heritage or providing support for our members.we will continue to develop collaborative relationships with other organizations and navigate our way to the future. Ahuja added.

There is something unique about being an American, and you, the members of this vibrant Indian American community, contribute to make this uniqueness, said Congressman Christopher Shays. Diversity is the hallmark of American life, and each one is called upon to enjoy, respect, and appreciate the beauty of very culture around, the leading Congressman from Connecticut said. He lauded the contributions of the Indian American community and greeted GOPIO-CT for its efforts to foster fellowship and communion among people of all backgrounds.

 

Neelam Deo, Consul General of India, felicitated the members of GOPIO-CT for the many remarkable achievements. She recalled the fondest memories of Jackie Kennedys visit to India , and particularly to the Taj Mahal, which are still cherished. India has very strong cultural ties with all of her neighbors, the diplomat said, and we all need to work together in addressing all the outstanding issues, including terrorism. Deo complimented the NRI community in the United States for its significant contributions in fostering close relationship between India and the United States , and praised Rep. Shays for his strong support to India , especially in making the nuclear deal a possibility.

 

In his introductory remarks, Dr. Thomas Abraham, GOPIO International Chairman, felicitated GOPIO-CT for its tremendous growth in one year and conveyed greetings from the members of the GOPIO International. In one year, GOPIO-CT has become a very active and dynamic organization hosting interactive sessions with many policy makers, youth mentoring and networking, parents day and health awareness series, said Dr. Abraham.

 

Then he went on to introduce the four awardees: Prof. T.N. Srinivasan of Yale University for his accomplishments and contributions to economics and public policy; Dr. A.V. Srinivasan for his contribution to engineering and social work; Rajendra Shukla for community service; and Namaskar Foundation which has been bringing Indian artists to perform in America for the last two decades will be honored for promotion of arts and culture.

 

Rajendra Shukla, who has been serving the Indian American community and the larger society for the past four decades. And has been philanthropist for community causes in the US as well as in India , received the plaque of appreciation from Rep. Christopher Shays. In his response, he said, I am accepting this award on the behalf of each and every one of you who has contributed to the growth and vibrancy of the NRI community in several ways.

 

Dr. T.N. Srinivasan, who is the Samuel C. Park, Jr. Professor of Economics and former chairman of the department of economics at Yale University, where he has taught since 1980, received the award from Neelam deo. He said, My job has been to teach students everywhere. Our culture has been one that has welcomed everyone and made our homes welcome to all. This diversity is the hallmark of our culture and tradition, and the cause of our success wherever we are. He was chosen as a Distinguished Fellow of the American Economic Association in 2003. In 2008, President of India conferred Padma Bhushan to Prof. Srinivasan.

 

Dr. A. V. Srinivasan, who has served in the Senior Executive Service at the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Washington, was the recipient of the 1997 Intl. Scholar Award presented by the Intl. Gas Turbine Technology Institute (IGTI) of ASME. In addition to a collection of archival papers in Jet Engines Technology, Management and Hindu Philosophy, his publications range from Smart Structures, a leading edge textbook to his current book, The Vedic Wedding: Origins, Tradition and Practice. He said, This adapted land of ours (USA) needs us a lot to put it back on track, as we have lots of innovative ideas, and can contribute to shape the future of the world. He appealed to all to work towards creating an Indian Center in Connecticut .

 

Namaskaar Foundation, which  was founded in 1988 with a specific goal to promote, preserve and raise greater awareness and appreciation for the traditional performing arts and culture of India, among Indians and American friends through presentation of music, dance and theatre from all regions of India, was represented by Dr. Jayarama Krishnan, who received the award from Neelam Deo. 

 

The program included Indian classical dances, Odissi by students of Kala Shakti School of Indian Dance directed by Sonal Vora and Kathak by students of India Performing Arts Center directed by Rachna Agarwal.  And added attraction will be the jazz band of Stamford based King and Low-Heywood Thomas School directed by John Propper and a film dance by Angela Govila.

 

GOPIO-SOUTH FLORIDA ( MIAMI ) CHAPTER INAUGURATED

 

Miami, Florida : Dr. Piyush C. Agrawal, US National Coordinator of Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) inaugurated GOPIO South Florida ( Miami ) Chapter and introduced Hemant Patel as the newly elected President. The Indian Ambassador to USA Ronendra Sen and the Consul General of India (Houston Office) S. M. Gavai congratulated Mr. Patel. Hemant is also a Director of AAHOA (Asian American Hotel Owners Association) and President of Miami Police Departments Do The Right Thing Program. Mr. Shaun Patel was elected Secretary/Treasurer of the Chapter. Shaun is a member of the Miami-Dade County Historical Preservation Board.

 

Last year, the Central Florida ( Orlando ) Chapter was inaugurated in the presence of Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and Consul General Gavai.

 

Ambassador Sen was hosted by the GOPIO leadership in Miami on Friday evening at the Terrace of the La Gorce Palace Pent House of Akhil & Mavara Agrawal. The Ambassador Sen was accompanied by his wife and the Consul General Gavai.

 

Representatives of various Indian organizations, university professors and scholars, officials from the City of Miami and the Miami-Dade County Government, Congressional offices, civic leaders from Jewish, Hispanic, African-American, and Anglo communities were present to welcome the ambassador and his entourage.

 

In his welcoming remarks, Dr. Piyush C. Agrawal, first thanked all those who supported him in his bid to muster support for US-India Peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act of 2006. He introduced the five young pioneers, Akhil Agrawal, Dr. Jason Radick, Hemant Patel, Tony Rodriguez, and Kiran Patel who spearheaded several fund raising drives and who sought to make the case that this cooperation between US and India was in American interest as well.

 

Combined community efforts resulted in Dr. Agrawal having one-to-one face meetings of 20 to 30 minutes with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, India Caucus Co-Chair Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and Senate Foreign Relation Committee member Bill Nelson.

 

With cooperation of all involved, it became so effective that Florida was the only major state that voted 100% in support of the deal. Piyush thanked the Florida delegation of U.S. House of Representatives and the Senators for their unparalleled support to this cooperative venture. Unity of purpose and honest intentions bore great fruits.

 

The theme of the get-together was that if the two sides (US & India ) work in harmony and the bilateral relationship is mutually rewarding, it can deliver great dividends not only for India and USA but the world at large.

 

Echoing the same spirit, Ambassador Ronendra Sen expressed his great satisfaction on the way the Indian Diaspora understood the importance of such bilateral issues. He gave several examples of various initiatives that have taken place between USA and India during his tenure as Ambassador.

 

Ambassador Sen was honored with a presentation of Key for the City of Miami , a proclamation by the Miami-Dade County and a plaque of recognition by the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO). Consul General Gavai was also honored with a plaque for his outstanding services to the Indian Diaspora.

 

It was followed by a sumptuous dinner and an informally interactive question/answer session.

 

Contact: Hemant Patel, President, GOPIO-Southern Florida ( Miami ) Chapter, Tel: 305-992-9099, E-Mail: hemant66@aol.com.

 

GOPIO-CT FREE COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATION SEMINARS CONTINUE

 

GOPIO-CT and Bayer Healthcare are offering a free community health education program "KNOWING YOUR HEART" on Thursday, June 14, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. This program will offer information on looking for warning signs, developing a therapeutic life style, tips on eating healthier and effectively participating in your treatment plan. It will also explore various options to prevent cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The program will be held at the Stamford Marriott, Stamford, Connecticut and the speakers will be  Radhika Jasthi M.D., and Sangeeta Ahuja a registered dietitian and a certified diabetes educator. Reservation is required and healthy heart refreshments will be served.

 

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

 

GOPIO NEW JERSEY IN THE OFFING

 

A planning meeting of current GOPIO Life Members from New Jersey and other supporters decided to start GOPIO-New Jersey chapter. The meeting was hosted by Dr. Sudhir Parikh and organized by Ram Gadhavi who had served as a Co-Convener of the First Global Convention of People of Indian Origin in 1989. GOPIO Chairman Dr . Thomas Abraham addressed the meeting and told the audience that within the next five years, GOPIO will emerge as a major powerful organization with over several hundreds chapters around the world to serve the overseas Indian community. Other GOPIO Life Members attending the meeting included Dhiraj Solanki, H.R. Shah, Yash Pal Soi, Jaswant Mody and Dr. Asha Samant. Others attending the meeting were Shobhana Patel, Chandrakant Trivedi, Alex Koshy, Rakesh Gupta, Pratima Mahajan, Dr. Rajeev Mehta, Ravi and Kamlesh Mehrotra, John Stephen and John Sachariah.

 

Those who would like to participate in GOPIO-New Jersey may contact Dr. Sudhir Parikh at Sudparikh@aol.com or Jaswant Modi at jmody968@aol.com.

 

GOPIO INTERNATIONAL INVITES COMMUNITY ACTIVIST TO JOIN ITS ONLINE FORUM ON NRI/PIO ISSUES

 

GOPIO International has launched an online public forum for NRIs & PIOs to discuss and deliberate on issues of concern. If you have an issue of concern to NRIs and PIOs, you are welcome to post it in this online yahoogroups forum. Please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GOPIO_Intl and register to become a participant or post a note of concern.

 

NRIs/PIOs ARCHIEVE

 

INDIAN AMERICAN SUKANYA KRISHNAN WINS NY EMMY AWARD

 

Sukanya Krishnan, who has won several awards for her television news coverage for mainstream media in the New York area has received the New York Emmy Award in the on-camera: program host/moderator category for the current year. Krishnan, 32, has worked for several television channels and among the major stories covered by her included the impeachment proceedings of former President Bill Clinton. The New York Emmy Awards, a chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, awards the Emmy for talent and ability in composition, creation, and performance of works which strive to improve the quality of television.

 

INDO SURINAMESE GIRL CROWNED MISS INDIA WORLDWIDE

 

In a glamorous and glittering function , Fareisa Joemmanbaks of Suriname was crowned Filmy Miss India Worldwide 2007 held in Fords, New Jersey, on April 8, 2007. Fareisa won the coveted title beating 18 other contestants representing as many countries and yet taking pride in their country of origin, India .

 

Fareisa, 23, is a tourist professional from the Republic of Suriname and her hobbies include listening to music, dancing specially salsa and belly dance and traveling. This is for the first time in its sixteen year history that an Indo-Caribbean got the crown. She received prizes totaling over $15,000, including cash prize of $5,000, an all-expense paid trip to South Africa , Trinidad , Australia , Netherlands and USA among other prizes. Fareisa was crowned by Trina Chakravarty of USA , the outgoing Miss India Worldwide.

 

Nadia Vorajee of South Africa and Sapna Sehravat of Canada were named first and second runners-up respectively, spreading this years pageant award across three continents. The other two finalists were Snehali Naik of United Kingdom and Movina Nagarajan representing India . Sapna Sehravat also bagged the Best Talent award for her superb piano performance which included a fusion dance of Bharat Natyam and movie song. The other sub contest winners were Jaishree Manuferan of Singapore for Miss Beautiful Smile, Sabrina Bou Ali of Morocco for Miss Beautiful Eyes, Reneetha Veeraya of the Malaysia for Miss Beautiful Hair, Priya Singh of Fiji for Miss Beautiful Skin and Nadia Virajee of South Africa for Miss Photogenic and Miss Congeniality. Participants came from nineteen countries across the globe.

 

Hosted emceed by Shweta Kawaatra, TV anchor and actor, along with Pooja Kumar, a former Miss India USA and actress. In addition to the brilliant performances by children and youth from three popular school of dances, Kalanjali, Arya and Creations Dance Academy , the audience were treated to a live fashion show by Feroze with top American models.


Dharmatma Saran, Founder and Chairman of the Miss India Worldwide, thanked the sponsors and presented an appreciation plaque to Sudhir Vaishnav, CEO Filmy Television, Anil K. Mathur, Regional Director Air-India, Shobhna Patel of Royal Alberts Palace among others. The National Director of the Year was presented to Sharla Lachchi-Rambhadjan of Netherlands .

 

The longest running international Indian pageant with affiliates in over twenty countries, the IFC is a pioneer organization in conducting Indian pageants and fashion shows in the USA and worldwide. The committee has also been conducting the Miss India New York and the Miss India USA pageants annually since 1980. Acclaimed as the most glamorous Indian function in the world, outside of India, the pageant has served as a platform for unifying the people of Indian origin scattered around the globe to come together and celebrate their rich heritage and oneness as part of the larger Indian Diaspora. "We will continue to promote Indian values and performing arts, said Saran, among the Indian youth around the world through pageantry."

 

Please visit our website: www.WorldwidePageants.com or contact Dharmatma Saran, E-mail: MSINDIAWW1@aol.com

 

INDO-GUYANESE RAMNARESH SARWAN IS NAMED CAPTAIN OF WEST INDIES CRICKET TEAM

 

According to Caribbean media, Ramnaresh Sarwan has been appointed as the new captain of West Indies following the retirement of Brian Lara. CMC Sport said that Sarwan had been given the job at a meeting of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

 

The 26-year-old right-handed batsmen from Guyana had been widely tipped to take the job for the upcoming tour of England . The first test is on May 17. Sarwan, who was Lara's vice-captain, has played in 65 test matches and 124 one-day internationals.  

INDIAN AMERICAN MONIKA KALRA TO HEAD KENNEDY RIGHTS CENTER

 

Indian American Monika Kalra Varma has been appointed as the new director of the Washington-based Robert F Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights ( RFK Center ).

 

RFK Center engages in long-term partnerships with human rights activists to initiate and enhance sustainable social justice movements. It works closely with international bodies including the UN and NGOs for launching consumer awareness campaigns aimed at fostering corporate responsibility.

 

"The RFK Center is a unique human rights organization with an agenda wholly driven by its partners - some of the most inspiring and innovative human rights leaders in the world. It is truly an honor to be able to lead the center's efforts to contribute to our partners' social movements," said Varma.

 

Varma will oversee the center's day-to-day operations. She will work with the staff, board members, the Kennedy family and volunteers to construct advocacy programs which provide on-going support to the center's partners, the RFK Human Rights Award winners. She will also oversee the annual Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Award honoring courageous grassroots human rights defenders, the center said.

 

A human rights lawyer, Varma currently also serves on the editorial board of the Harvard-based Franois-Xavier Bagnoud's Health and Human Rights journal. Earlier, Verma was a legal officer for the UN international criminal tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague , Netherlands . A graduate of the University of California , Verma is married to Anurag Varma, a lawyer.

 

INDIAN BORN ELECTED TO SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

 

Bashir Ahmad, an India-born businessman from Glasgow , has become the first Asian to be elected Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP). Ahmad was one of the four Scottish National Party (SNP) MSPs elected from the Glasgow region. A founder of the Scott Asians for Independence , he was born in India and raised in Pakistan .

 

THREE INDIAN AMERICANS SELECTED TO RECEIVE TRUMAN SCHOLARSHIP

 

Madeleine K. Albright, president of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, announced that 65 students from 56 US colleges and universities have been selected as 2007 Truman Scholars. They were elected by eighteen independent selection panels on the basis of leadership potential, intellectual ability, and likelihood of 'making a difference.'

 

The 65 Scholars were selected from among 585 candidates nominated by 280 colleges and universities. Each selection panel interviewed Finalists from a 3 - 4 state region and generally elected one Scholar from each state and one at-large Scholar from the region. Each panel typically included a university president, a federal judge, a distinguished public servant, and a past Truman Scholarship winner.

 

Each Scholarship provides $30,000 for graduate study. Scholars also receive priority admission and supplemental financial aid at some premier graduate institutions, leadership training, career and graduate school counseling, and special internship opportunities within the federal government. Recipients must be US citizens, have outstanding leadership potential and communication skills, be in the top quarter of their class, and be committed to careers in government or the not-for-profit sector.

 

The Truman Scholarship Foundation was established by Congress in 1975 as the federal memorial to our thirty-third President. The Foundation awards scholarships for college students to attend graduate school in preparation for careers in government or elsewhere in public service. The activities of the Foundation are supported by a special trust fund in the US Treasury. There have been 2,545 Truman Scholars elected since the first awards were made in 1977.

 

The 2007 Truman Scholars will assemble May 15 for a leadership development program at William Jewell College in Liberty , Missouri , and receive their awards in a special ceremony at the Truman Library in Independence , Missouri , on May 20, 2007.

 

Three Indian Americans are among the scholars selected this year. They are Indra Narayan Sen of Georgetown University, North Carolina; Monica Mukerjee of Michigan State University , Michigan ; and Malki Singh of George Mason University , Virginia . The scholars will be given their awards in a special ceremony at the Truman Library in Missouri on May 20.

 

Indra Narayan Sen is a junior at Georgetown University , majoring in culture and politics. He has tutored prison inmates and served as co-president of the Asian American Student Association.

 

Monica Mukerjee is studying international relations and psychology with specializations in political economy and gender studies. She works as an advocate for sexual assault survivors and aims at creating international development policies from a gendered perspective.

 

Malki Singh plans to practice medicine in under-served areas, focusing on AIDS and other "problems of living turned into medical illness". She is the president of the American Society for Microbiology and has studied HIV/AIDS treatment in South Africa .

 

AMERICAN IDOL FINALIST SA NJ AYA MALAKAR MAKES HIS MARK IN THE CONTEST

 

Sanjaya Shekar Malakar, born September 10, 1989, who competed in the sixth season of the popular television show American Idol gained national attention as a finalist for being received badly by the show's judges, particularly Simon Cowell, yet advancing in the contest with public votes. He was eliminated from the show in 7th place on April 18, 2007. He walked out after singing one last song Something to Talk About. Putting his own twist on the song, the 17 year-old known for his pretty looks and ever changing hairstyles ad-libbed: Lets give them something to talk about other than hair.

 

The notoriously anti-Malakar judge Cowell had slammed his performance as Utterly horrendous. Malakar was routinely savaged by Cowell as he developed into one of the weakest, most awkward idol finalists ever. Still, he managed to outlast better singers by cultivating an unlikely fan base that helped him survive round after round of viewer elimination.

 

However, after his elimination, American Idols ratings dropped 9% in the episode following Malakar's elimination, which was Idol Give Back, a charity episode featuring many celebrity guests. The music news website Moldolva.org that reported this is directly correlating it to Malakar's departure.

 

With his popularity climbing, Malakar has received several offers of many corporate houses as their promotion spokesman and music houses to produce albums including one to do a joint album with Britney Spears. Malakar was also a special invitee to the White House Correspondents Annual Dinner attended President George Bush.

 

INDIAN AMERICAN DR. DINESH VERMA APPOINTED AS ACADEMIC DEAN OF STEVENS INSTITUTES NEW SCHOOL

 

Dr. Dinesh Verma, associate dean of the Schaefer School of Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology has been appointed founding dean of a new school, The School of Systems and Enterprises. According to Stevens provost and vice president, the concept of systems of systems is the future, not only of engineering, but all major industry in the public and private sectors, and this concept will play a decisive role in the continuing transformation of the American high-tech economy well into the 21srt century.

 

Verma said that the new school would develop a graduate education enterprise within the discipline of complex systems and enterprises that is the premier educational program of the type in the world.

 

Verma, a graduate of Virginia Tech with MS and Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, has authored over 75 research papers and two text books.

 

US NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES INDUCTS TWO INDIAN AMERICANS

 

Two Indian Americans, physicist Katepalli Sreenivasan and agricultural economist Prabhu Pingali are among 72 new members inducted into the prestigious National Academy of Sciences (NAS) in Washington in recognition of their distinguished achievements in original research.

 

Sreenivasan, a world-renowned experimental physicist whose major fields of interest are fluid dynamics and turbulence, is currently a professor of physics and mechanical engineering at the University of Maryland where he also directs the Institute for Physical Science and Technology.

 

Pingali got his Ph.D. in Economics from North Carolina State University and is the director of the agricultural and development economics division of the food and agriculture organization of the United Nations. Pingali has devoted his entire career to agriculture. His research and advisory work focused on technological change, environmental externalities and agricultural development policy. He has authored (or co-authored) nine books and 90 journal articles and book chapters.

 

NEWS OF INTEREST TO NRIs/PIOs AROUND THE WORLD

 

INDIAN AMERICAN SIKH WINS DISCRIMINAITON CASE AGAINST US FITNESS CENTER

 

A California judge has ordered a fitness centre to pay damages to a Sikh man after the firm denied him a job on religious and ethnic grounds. A federal judge Wednesday ordered Bally Total Fitness to pay $24,000 to Sukdev Singh Dhaliwal, who applied for a sales job with the fitness centre in 2004.

 

During the course of the interview Dhaliwal, who was born and raised in California , was asked about his religious and ethnic background and later denied the job. "He was basically asked where he was born, where his parents were born, what religion he subscribed to and whether he was a Muslim," said US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) program analyst Linda Li.

 

After the hearing, Dhaliwal said he plans to donate some of the money to his alma mater, California State University , Fresno , where a business law professor urged him to lodge a complaint with the (EEOC) after hearing his case, the online edition of fresnobee reported.

 

NRI WEALTH EXCEEDS INDIAN GDP

 

The combined wealth of the 23-million strong non-resident Indians community is estimated to be over one trillion dollars--more than India s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of about 850 billion dollars.

 

Overseas Indians are estimated to hold financial wealth, apart from real estate, gold and art, of over 500 billion dollars. The total wealth would be over one trillion dollars, according to the report by High-Powered Expert Committee (HPEC) appointed by the Indian Government to suggest ways to make Mumbai an international financial centre.

 

These NRIs were a natural beachhead as a customer base where an Indian Personal Wealth Management (PWM) industry can get started. Their wealth management services were presently being sourced almost exclusively from abroad, the report said.

 

The report listed 11 activities typically provided by an international financial centre (IFC) and referred to PWM as one of the most important activities undertaken at an IFC. According to the report, PWM for high-net worth individuals is estimated to involve management of personal assets of 8-10 trillion dollars globally.

 

The report said although products and services for PWM were provided in established IFCs, it was more skewed toward specialized PWM-IFCs located in the Channel Islands, Switzerland , Luxembourg , Monaco and Lichtenstein.

 

These specialized PWM-IFCs cater to clients from European Union and Africa, the Caribbean offshore centers for the clients of US and Latin America, Bahrain and Dubai for the Middle East and Singapore , Hong Kong and some pacific island offshore centers for East and North Asia .

 

With the rupee appreciating sharply, the Indian economy crossed the US$1 trillion mark in May 2007 making it the 12th country to achieve the milestone, according to Credit Suisse.


India 's foreign-exchange reserves crossed $200 billion for the first time on April 6, as per the data released by the apex bank, the Reserve Bank of India . Seventeen years ago, India 's forex reserves were barely $1 billion. The reserves at the end of December 2003 totaled $100 billion.


The World Bank's Global Economic Prospects for 2006 reported that India for the first time overtook China as the nation whose workforce remits the highest amounts, an indication that Indians have emerged as the top "alien" workforce.


According to industry figures, the country's top five software firms, TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Satyam and HCL Technologies, alone added more than 23,000 employees to their payrolls in the last quarter of 2006. This year they are expected to hire 100,000 more.


Indian retail is coming of age and set to generate $430 billion from the current $328 billion with the entry of big players such as Bharti-Wal-Mart and Reliance and some other foreign players, says a report by a leading industry lobby, the Federation of India Chambers of Commerce and Industry.


According to the report, more than $30 billion of investment is likely to be made in the next five to seven years. This exponential growth is expected to generate 18 million jobs, thereby becoming the second-largest employment-generating sector after agriculture.

 

GOA GOVERNMENT TO DEVISE LAWS TO PROTECT NRI PROPERTIES

 

The Goa Government has initiated remedy towards having summary trials in case of civil disputes with regards to the immovable properties of non-resident Goans (NRGs) in the sate. It has been a major concern of NRI Goans on the security of their property whilst they work abroad.

 

The Goa Govt. appointed NRI Commissioner Eduardo Falerio said that for protection of NRGs properties as well as safeguarding other legitimate interests, the commission has proposed innovative legislative and administrative measures. To initiate this process legally, Goa Buildings (Lease, Rent and Eviction) Control Amendment Bill 2007 is expected to be passed in the next assembly session. According to Faleiro, similar legislation has been upheld by the Supreme Court in case of some other states.

 

It is proposed that benefit of such Summary trails be extended to NRGs. Goa, Damman and Diu Control Act 1968 (Lease, Rent and Eviction) provides for summary trial to recover possession when owner of premises is a member of armed forces or an employee of central government, subject to transfer to different parts of country.

 

In terms of administrative action to properly safeguards and other legitimate interests, the NRI commission has proposed District Committees headed by respective District collectors to be constituted in North and South Goa . The function of the committee will be to ensure safeguard of NRGs property and to redress their legitimate grievances.

 

PU NJ AB STATE GOVT. TAKES INTIATIVE TO TACKLE NRI WOES INCLDUING PROPERTY

 

A delegation of Punjabi NRIs on met Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and offered "large-scale investment" in improving the academic standards and educational infrastructure in Punjab . During the meeting with the NRI Sabha team, led by its President Giani Resham Singh Hayer, Badal said the state civil and police administration would chalk out a joint action plan to sort out all the pending issues of NRIs at the top priority in a time-bound manner.


Punjab has set up a separate department of NRIs Affairs under the administrative control of a senior state functionary. "Appreciating the gravity of the problems of NRIs, I have kept this newly-created department with me", Badal said.


Badal said in a significant decision, the cases of NRIs in future would not be handled by officers below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police. The Punjab Overseas Centres, for greater coordination between the government and the NRI Sabha, would be set up in the UK, Canada, the US, Australia and Germany, he said.


Responding to the demands raised by the members of the delegation, Badal said he would soon lay the foundation stone of an NRI Bhawan at Jalandhar. He also assured them that he would take up the matter of setting up of fast track courts for NRIs with the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court shortly.


The Chief Minister solicited the cooperation of NRIs for the overall development and prosperity of the state.

 

UK TIGHTENS ENTRY RULES

 

UK has started tightening rules of new immigrants to the country. Tough times are ahead for those doctors, teachers and post-graduate students from India who intend to stay on in Britain for a longer period. Immigrants from outside the European Union will have to pass a points-based test to work in Britain from next year.

 

The new system is said to be inspired by Australia s points-based test. Already almost 49,000 professionals out of which 90 per cent are Indians, who came to Britain since 2002 under the HSMP, are in trouble. The HSMP entailed that their original visa for one year would be extended by three years and then they would be allowed to stay on depending on their economic success and performance. The rules were amended in November 2006 under Migration: Points-based system and were given retrospective effect.

 

INDIANS IN NEWSZEALAND FORM THE FASTEST GROWING GROUP

 

Indian people, as per latest Census data in New Zealand , are the fastest growing ethnicity, with their numbers rising to 105, 000 and growth rate of 68 per cent between 2001 and 2006. Chinese among Asians remained the biggest group with 148,000 while Indian population was the second largest. The total population of New Zealand is currently 4,181,060.

 

Two-thirds of the Asian population lives in Auckland which is New Zealand 's most ethnically diverse city. It is the leading center for migrant entry and one in five people in Auckland identify with one or more of Asian ethnic groups.

 

UGANDA WANTS INDIAN INVESTMENTS

 

A Ugandan delegation headed by Internal Affairs Minister Ruhakana Rugunda visited India during the first week of May to convince Indian entrepreneurs in Delhi that Uganda is a perfectly peaceful country. The delegation tried to remove the fear that there is racial discrimination against Indians.

 

Last month, there were riots in Kampala in which one Indian and two natives got killed. The Ugandan government has given a compensation of 18 million Ugandan shillings ($10,000) to the family of the deceased.

 

During his meeting with potential investors, Ugandan Minister said, 'The Asian community in Uganda is doing very well. Come to Uganda , you benefit, we benefit. Your investments will create jobs for us.'

 

Sanjiv Patel of the Indian Association of Uganda, who accompanied the delegation, said, Uganda has been peaceful for the past 20 years and all communities - Ugandans of Indian origin and indigenous Ugandans - have been living harmoniously. The NRI businessmen have been very successful and have flourished in Uganda .' Patel, a third generation Ugandan of Indian origin, assured the attendees that the Indian Association is always there for them.'

 

There are around 17,000 NRIs who had gone to Uganda for work or business while Ugandans of Indian origin number only around 2,500. Sanjay Tanna, a member of Ugandan parliament, and a Ugandan of Indian origin, accompanied the delegation. He also tried to assure, saying, Ugandans are the most generous people in the whole of Africa . I have been elected primarily by indigenous Ugandan people.

 

MOIA AND UAE GOVT. SIGN AGREEMENT FOR BETTER NRI WORK CONDITIONS IN UAE

 

An agreement has been singed with the United Arab Emirates to ensure better work and living conditions for Indians there, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said. The agreement included setting up a joint consultative committee that would discuss and monitor implementation of

the terms of reference.

 

Some of the key decisions were issuing checks to workmen, instead of cash disbursement of salary, and providing comprehensive medical insurance. Speaking to presspersons after inaugurating a training program for ITI students and others aspiring to go abroad, Minister Ravi said the committee was also considering issuing smart cards to workers. A similar agreement would be signed with Kuwait , and negotiations were on with other countries, where there was an influx of Indian workers, to reach an understanding.

 

 

GOPIO, LIFE MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTER FORMATION

 

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 .

 

EDITORIAL BOARD

 

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), Ashook Ramsaran (USA) and Dr. Piyush C. Agrawal (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

 

Visit GOPIOs Official site at www.gopio.net or www.gopio.com