GOPIO NEWS BULLETIN
JULY 2005
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CONTENTS
GOPIO SURINAME SCHEDULES DIASPORA CONFERENCE OF WESTERN HEMISPHERE
DUAL CITIZENSHIP PROCESSING STARTED
NATIONAL INDIAN AMERICAN GROUPS JOINTLY HOLD GALA RECEPTION/DINNER FOR US LAW
MAKERS
- INDIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY – SUMMARY OF ISSUES PRESENTED TO THE US
CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS
BRUSSLES CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS TRADE AND INVESTMENT BETWEEN EUROPE AND INDIA
NRIs/PIOs ACHIEVE
- POLAND CONFERS HIGHEST CIVIL AWARD TO NRI BUSINESSMAN
-
SEVEN INDIAN AMERICANS APPOINTED TO MICHIGAN ADVISORY COUNCIL
- INDIAN AMERICAN PHYSICIAN TO ADVICE US HEALTH SECRETARY
- INDIAN AMERICAN TO
HEAD INDIANA UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS SCHOOL
- US SENATE PASSES BILL TO HONOR LATE
CONGRESSMAN SAUND
- INDO-CANADIAN BECOME ATTORNEY GENERAL OF BRITIsH COLUMBIA
-
YOGI BHAJAN HONORED AT THE US CAPITAL
- QUEEN ELIZABETH HONORS 22 NRIs
NEWS OF INTEREST TO NRIs AND PIOs AROUND THE WORLD
- GOI CONSIDERING TO REPLACE
FOREIGN CONTRIBUTIONS ACT
- RAJASTHAN NRIs TO AID HAWA MAHAL UPKEEP
- TYTLER
ANNOUNCES NRI/PIO WELFARE MEASURES
- FEE INCREASE OF $32,000 FOR NRI MEDICAL
STUDENTS
- SALE OF NRIs’ LAND IN PUNJAB ONLY THROUGH NAMBARDARS
- NRIs RENOVATE
INDOOR STADIUM
- NRIs GOING TO JALANDHAR FOR DENTAL WORK
- BUDGET AIRLINES FOR
KERALA NRIs
GOPIO LIFE MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTER FORMATION
EDITORIAL BOARD
***
GOPIO SURINAME SCHEDULES DIASPORA CONFERENCE OF WESTERN HEMISPHERE
GOPIO-Suriname Chapter is extending an invitation to everyone to its conference
titled INDIAN DIASPORA IN WESTERN HEMISPHERE with theme “World Peace,
Development and Integration Through Indian Diasporic Cultural and Commercial
Linkages” to be held on AUGUST 21 through AUGUST 25, 2005 in Paramaribo,
Suriname
As the conference theme indicates, the primary purpose 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 4 separate and appropriately structured sessions of
presentations and panel discussions on the topics pertinent to the theme
The two-day conference will be preceded by GOPIO International mid-year global
meetings on GOPIO’s accomplishments, current activities, plans and schedules.
The conference package includes evenings of dinner accompanied by full cultural
presentations by local and (international) performers. The conference will be
conducted in English.
This conference has the full support of the government of Suriname. The Hon.
President of Suriname, will officially open the conference on August 22, and the
Hon. Speaker of the National Assembly, will deliver the closing address.
Noted guests of honor include Jagdish Tytler, Minister for Overseas Indian
Affairs. The invitation to Guyana President Bharrat Jagdeo is under protocol
review, whilst other VIP and other notable political, business, academic and
civic leaders from the Caribbean, North American, European and Asian regions are
invited.
The organizers of this conference have made every effort to plan, coordinate and
solicit the most suitable participants available for the various topics in the
conference program so that the subject matters are explored and deliberated in
meaningful and productive panel sessions and discussions.
Suriname, a former colony of the Netherlands, a relatively small yet progressive
country, is located on the northern coast of South America with a population of
425,000 of which approximately 37% (150,000) are descendants of Indians brought
as indentured laborers to work on the sugar plantations during the latter half
of the 19th century. It is situated between Guyana and French Guiana, with its
capital city of Paramaribo which is readily accessible by air from all major
cities in Europe, North America and the Caribbean.
“We look forward with enthusiasm to your attendance and participation at this
conference where we have made every effort for your trip and stay a truly
productive and memorable one,” said Harold Ramdhani, Secretary of GOPIO Suriname
and Conference Program Coordinator. “We encourage you to visit and enjoy the
warmth of our hospitality and tropical climate as you participate in the
conference,” Ramdhoni added.
CONFERENCE PROGRAM AGENDA
SUNDAY/MONDAY, AUGUST 21/22 Arrivals of International and Regional Delegates
MONDAY, AUGUST 22
08.00 – 09.00 BREAKFAST
09.00 – 10.30 OFFICIALS VISITS BY GOPIO DIGNITORIES TO PRESIDENT, VICE
PRESIDENT, SPEAKER and INDIAN AMBASSADOR
10. 30 – 12.30 MORNING SESSION GOPIO INT’L MID YEAR MEETING
12.30 – 14.00 LUNCH
14.00 – 16.30 AFTERNOON SESSION - GOPIO REGIONAL REPORTS
19.00 –
20.30 OPENING CEREMONIES
19.00 – 19.05 WELCOME
19.05 – 19.25 FLAG PRESENTATION OF PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES
19.25 – 19.40 ADDRESS BY K. NANDOE, PRESIDENT GOPIO SURINAME
19.40 – 19.55 ADDRESS BY INDER SINGH, PRESIDENT GOPIO INT’L
19.55 – 20.10 ADDRESS BY HON. JAGDISH TYTLER, MINISTER OF OVERSEAS INDIANS
AFFAIRS NEW DELHI, INDIA
20.10 – 21.30 ADRESS AND OFFICIAL OPENING BY H.E. PRESIDENT
OF REPUBLIC OF SURINAME
20.30 – 23.00 RECEPTION/DINNER and CULTURAL SHOW
TUESDAY, AUGUST 23
08.00 – 09.00 BREAKFAST
09.00 – 09.15 WELCOME AND REMARKS BY DAY’S CHAIRMAN
09.15 – 10.00 KEYNOTE ADDRESS by HON. JAGDISH TYTLER
SUBJECT: “THE PLACE,
PURPOSE and POSITION of the INDIAN
DIASPORA IN TODAY’S GLOBALISING WORLD”
10.00 – 10.15 PANEL DISCUSSION
10.15 – 10.45 QUESTIONS/REMARKS
10:45 – 11.00 FIRST PLENARY SESSION
SPEAKER: Ms. NEENA GILL, MEMBER EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
SUBJECT: “RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN THE INDIAN DIASPORA AND EU”
11.00 – 11.45 PANEL DISCUSSION
11.45 – 12.00 QUESTIONS/REMARKS
12.15 – 13.45 L U N C H
14.00 – 14.30 SECOND PLENARY SESSION
SPEAKER: MAURITS HASSSANKHAN UNIVERSITY of SURINAME SUBJECT: “THE INDIAN
DIASPORA IN SURINAME, ITS INCEPTION,
DEVELOPMENT and FUTURE”
14.30 – 14.45 PANEL DISCUSSION
14.45 – 15.00 QUESTIONS/REMARKS
15.15 – 15.45 THIRD PLENARY SESSION
SPEAKER: PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS AND DIRECTOR OF METHODIST
COLLEGE’S CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP, FAYETTEVILLE, NC,
SUBJECT: “BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN THE INDIAN DIASPORA WITH EMPHASIS ON WESTERN
HEMISPHERE”
15.45 – 16.00 PANEL DISCUSSION
16.00 – 16.15 QUESTIONS/REMARKS
16.30 – 17.15 REFLECTIONS OF THE DAY’S PRESENTATIONS
20.00 – 2200 DINER AND CULTURAL SHOW
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24
08.00 – 09.00 BREAKFAST
09.00 – 09.15 CALL TO ORDER and REMARKS by DAY’S CHAIRMAN
09.15 – 09.45 FOURTH PLENARY SESSION
SPEAKER: Dr. E. JHARAP, PRESIDENT SURINAME STATE OIL SUBJECT: “THE PLACE
AND POSITION OF SURINAME IN TODAY’S
DEVELOPING WORLD OF ENERGY LINKED TO THE INDIAN DIASPORA”
09.45 – 10.00 PANEL DISCUSSION
10.00 – 10.15 QUESTIONS/REMARKS
10.30 – 11.00 FIFTH PLENARY SESSION
SPEAKER: Dr. BRINSLEY SOMAROO, UNIVERSITY OF THE
WEST INDIES, St. AUGUSTINE, TRINIDAD
SUBJECT: “THE INDIAN DIASPORA in the WESTERN HEMISPHERE”
11.00 – 11.15 PANEL/DISCUSSION
11.15 – 11.30 QUESTIONS/REMARKS
11.45 – 12.15 SIXTH PLENARY SESSION
SPEAKER: FROM AFRICAN OR ASIAN CONTINENT
SUBJECT: TO BE ANNOUNCED
12.15 – 12.30 PANEL DISCUSSION
12.30 – 12.45 QUESTIONS/REMARKS
13.00 – 14.30 L U N C H
14.30 – 15.00 REFLECTIONS OF THE DAY’S PRESENTATIONS
15.00 – 15.45 RESOLUTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
15.45 – 16.15 CLOSING ADDRESS BY THE SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SURINAME
19.30 – 22.00 FARE WELL DINER AND CULTURAL SHOW
19.39 – 19.45 CLOSING REMARKS AND THANK YOU
BY THE CONVENER OF THE CONFERENCE
REGISTRATION & ACCOMMODATION FORM
Name: ………………………………………………………….. Life Member: Yes ______ No _______
Chapter:………………………………………………………… Position: ……………… …………………….
Mailing
Address:…………………………………………….. State/County: …………… ………………….
………
………………………………………………………….. Country: ………………… ………………….
Telephone:……………………………………………………… Fax: …………………… …………………..
REGISTRATION:
Registration Fee : US$ 150.00 Early Bird us$ 125.- up to
JULY 25 th, 2005 – (Deadline for registration via mail is AUGUST 15th, 2005)
ACCOMMODATIONS:
SURINAME TORARICA 135.00 5-Star (Single/double)
SURINAME KRASNAPOLSKY
95.00 4-Star (Single/Double)
SURINAME RESIDENCE INN 85.00 3-Star
(Single/Double)
SURINAME ECO RESORT 85.00 2-Star (Single/Double)
SURINAME
QUEENS HOTEL 85.00 3+Star(Single/Double)
• All rates are inclusive of
breakfast, taxes and service charges
• One night’s deposit is required to
confirm reservations by cash or Credit card.
Date required from:…………………………….To…………………………..
No. of Nights:…………….
Name of
person(s) sharing room:……………………
PAYMENT:
Cash: ____ Credit Card: ______
Credit Card Information:
American Express Dinners Club
Visa Master
Card
Credit Card No.:…….……………..……………
Name on Card: …………………………………….
Expiration
Date: ……..……… Signature:………………………………………….
Enclosed: US$ ……………. One Night Hotel Deposit
US$ ……………. Registration
US$
……………. Total
TRAVEL INFORMATION:
Arrival Date :…………………
Flight no.:…………….
Time:………………
Departure Date:…………………
Flight no.:…………….
Time:………………
REGISTRATION & ACCOMMODATION FORM
Registration fee can be paid only by Cash or Bank Draft in name of: ORGANIZING
COMMITTEE - GOPIO CONFERENCE SURINAME. Registration fee includes: 12
Meals/Transportation from/to Airport and to/from all venues/Conference kit/
coffee/tea breaks during conference sessions/Non-alcoholic drinks during
sessions/conference facilities.
Send completed Forms and Payments to:
HAROLD R.RAMDHANI
Secretary, GOPIO
Suriname
30 NEUMANPAD
PARAMARIBO, SURINAME, SOUTH AMERICA
FAX +597 472411
E-mail HAROLD R. RAMDHANI@ramsholding.sr
May also contact GOPIO Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran in the USA, Tel:
718/939-8194, E-mail: ramsaran@aol.com
DUAL CITIZENSHIP PROCESSING TO START IN AUGUST
WITH the recent okay from the Cabinet, the long wait for acquiring dual
citizenship seems to be almost over for people of Indian origin. The ministry of
overseas Indian affairs(MOIA) is finalizing and notifying a one-page application
form for the process.
According to S Krishna Kumar, secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs the
first applications will be processed by August 2005 and dual citizenship to be
granted to applicants. Kumar said that a new simplified one-page form will be
issued by the overseas missions and consulates from August this year to members
of the Indian diaspora who qualify and want to apply for dual citizenship. The
process for obtaining the dual citizenship would take just two weeks in normal,
and straightforward cases.
The documents that we will be given to people who acquire dual citizenship
include an overseas citizen card which will look like a passport and will be
color coded and a multiple-entry visa sticker with hologram and photo on the
passport. The visa will be valid for life.
The applications, which will be processed in two weeks in straight-forward
cases, will be decided at the consulates concerned and the passports or
applicants will not need to come to India. While applicants will be charged $275
for the entire process, PIO card holders will have to pay only $25. In case of
refusal to grant dual citizenship, the applicants will get a $250 refund.
“We have introduced an extra document in this process, instead of just a visa
sticker, to makes things easier for PIOs who will be acquiring dual citizenship.
At a later stage, the MOIA, which has now been given the powers to notify all
benefits pertaining to NRIs & PIOs, will introduce a smartcard for dual citizens
which will make things even simpler,” Kumar said.
NATIONAL INDIAN AMERICAN ASSOCIATIONS JOINTLY HOLD HISTORIC GALA
RECEPTION/DINNER FOR US LAWMAKERS
In an unprecedented move, six national organizations came together and held a
Gala Dinner Reception in honor of the US Lawmakers on the Capitol Hill, June 29,
2005. The Indian American Forum for Political Education (IAFPE), the National
Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA), the Association of Indians in
America (AIA), the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), the
American Association of Physicians from India (AAPI), and the Indian Diamond and
Colorstone Association (IDCA) joined hands in sponsoring the event and pledged
to continue to work together on agenda of common interest. Although the Asian
American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) was not a full participant, it
supported the event by sending a representative.
Congressman Gary Ackerman (D-New York) and Congresswoman Ilena Ros-Lehtinen
(R-Florida), the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian
Americans spoke to the press before the start of the event. "If I were a bating
man, I would have had a bet that this event would not take place," said Ackerman
jokingly. Ackerman commended the organizers for coming together for the first
time with members of Congress to collectively discuss issues concerning their
community at large, and for their efforts, leadership, and vision. "For the
leaders of diverse Indian Americans Associations to just get together on one
platform is a great accomplishment in itself and I congratulate all of you for
this," he added.
Ros-Lehtinen paid a great tribute to the Indian American community and said,
"your devotion and hard work have brought great prosperity to countless
communities in the United States." She said she plans not only to advance both
relations with India, but also help improve the lives of Indian Americans in the
United States and address important domestic issues to the community.
Soon after the press conference, there was an emergency evacuation of the White
House, U.S. Capitol and all Congressional buildings prompted by an intrusion of
a small plane in Washington’s restricted airspace. Every occupant of these
buildings was escorted out to open space. It took over an hour and a half to
bring back the situation to normal.
Although as a result of inconvenience and confusion caused by the evacuation
orders, some lawmakers committed to attend the event were unable to come, yet
over a dozen of prominent legislators made their voices heard at the reception.
The group had forwarded a set of suggested items of domestic agenda for the
Congressmen to address. These items included, immigration and visa problems
faced by the community, affordable health insurance for the employees of small
business owners, Franchising laws, health care reforms and Civil rights. The
group asked the Congress to remove those provisions in the Patriot act that
encourage racial profiling and curb civil liberties. Selected lawmakers were
asked to address each of these issues.
One of the first congressmen who arrived after the evacuation was from Florida.
Congressman Kendrick Meek who succeeded to his mother’s seat in the Congress,
expressed his particular concern about the security of India in the light of
expanding terrorism and how the military cooperation between India and the US
was important for the two democracies.
Congressman Howard Berman (D-California), the ranking member of the House
Judiciary committee and an expert on immigration laws indicated that his
committee had raised the quota of H-1B visas granted to individuals. He said he
would continue to fight for fair and equitable immigration policies. He also
indicated that as member of the India Caucus, he has and will continue to work
with Indian American community.
Frank Pallone (D-New Jersey), the founder of the India Caucus and darling of the
community reminded the audience the challenges the community has to address in
the coming weeks. "President (George) Bush is going ahead with selling of F-16
planes to Pakistan, despite protests from some members of the India Caucus. The
Administration solution to also sell these sophisticated planes to India is no
solution at all," emphasized Pallone. He said it would change the balance of
power in the region and start an arms race all over again.
Joe Wilson (R- South Carolina) said that his connection to India goes long way
back when his father served in the World War II as member of the Flying Tigers
with Indian Soldiers. "I am very impressed with the entrepreneur spirit of
Indian Americans in my State," added Wilson who has an Indian American as a
senior member of his staff. He announced to loud applause that he was promoting
Dino Teppara to become his Legislative Director.
Bobby Jindal (R-Louisiana), the Indian American Congressman elected in 2004
after a long gap since Dalip Singh Saund came to the House in 1956, brought the
crowed on its feet when he barely entered the hall. He said he thought if you
had 3 Indian Americans, they would form 4 associations that do not speak to each
other. "How could you get all these associations together in one room," he
asked. He said he is very happy to serve the cause of Indian Americans in the
House and would work with the other members of the India Caucus to strengthen
US-India relations.
The Republican from Michigan, Congressman Thadeous McCotter said he was very
disturbed when his Sikh constituents were mistaken for Arab terrorists after the
9-11 incidents. He said he went to a Sikh Temple (Gurdwara) to ensure Sikhs that
he would do every thing to stop these incidents. He also indicated every newly
immigrated community has suffered similar treatment as the India Americans. "Ask
the Irish Americans what they had to go through," he added.
Other lawmakers who attended the event included, Congressmen Christopher Shays
(R-CT), Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland), Darrell Issa (R-California), Rush Holt (D-New
Jersey), Bob Filner (D-California), Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Jim Moran
(D-Virginia).
Several other members of the Congress came during the 6-7 p.m. when the
buildings were being evacuated and were not able to make their remarks.
Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula, the member of the New Jersey Legislature also
addressed the audience and impressed upon the attendees the clout we can have
when we join hands with other associations.
As a symbolic gesture to display the spirit of unity, the various heads of the
participating organizations or their representatives joined and raised their
hands to pledge to work together.
Throughout the evening a spirit of unity was felt in the air. "It (this event)
is a dream come true," said Nilesh Mehta, the president of IAFPE. He said he
invited the heads of various associations to the IAFPE convention last year and
impressed upon them the need to speak with one voice. Tonight was the result of
that effort.
"Over the past decade Indian American community has progressed from being an
invisible minority to a model minority. Thanks to our industriousness and
collective vision, we have made significant strides over the years. We have
moved from being ignored, to being observed. Now is the time to make our
presence felt on the main street USA. There are no excuses for not accelerating
our participation at the higher level of the political process," emphasized
Mehta. "This is our first step in that direction," he added.
Dr. Rajen Anand, president of the NFIA, an umbrella organization, narrated the
many significant outcomes of this event. "The very fact that we all have
gathered on one platform and pledged to speak with one voice is an
accomplishment in itself. We have agreed to a set of agenda items that we
jointly want to pursue, and for the first time, we have moved beyond the single
issue of US-India relations and are also focusing on domestic issues that affect
our daily life," he commented.
"Since our first effort to interact with the White House and the Capital, it
took about twenty years for the community to become matured so as to focus on
issues of common agenda" echoed Dr. Thomas Abraham, Founding President of NFIA
and currently Chairman of GOPIO. "For an organization such a GOPIO, it is very
important to work with other national Indian American associations to make the
US lawmakers aware of PIOs’ civil rights and human rights violations in some of
the countries," Dr. Abraham insisted.
Dr. Vinod Shah, treasurer of AAPI said that we all faced the same issues despite
our different organizational affiliations and it was extremely critical for all
of us to work together. Basant Johari of IDCA, remarked that the by uniting all
organizations we would have synergistic results, rather than every organization
working in isolation. Stephan Parker V.P of Fair Franchising and Government
affairs of AAHOA expressed a strong desire to work closely with all
organizations.
Dr. Piyush Agrawal, the past president of AIA summed up the sentiments of the
organizers when he remarked, "It was quite an intoxicating event as another
fresh start took place based upon the experiences gained through the previous
attempts. Cooperation is a multi-dimensional concept with a built-in provision
of give & take. I am extremely delighted that the spirit of cooperation was
alive and well at this event."
Indian American Community
Summary of Issues (2005) Submitted to US Congressional
Members
• Immigration and Visas
v Oppose any welfare reform legislation that denies
benefits to legal immigrants.
v Urge the State Department to streamline the Consular operations in India to
facilitate the issuing of non-immigrant (tourist & business) visas to remove
unnecessary deterrents for visitors to the United States.
v Permit a greater number of qualified individuals to enter the United States on
H-1 visas.
v Expedite and clear backlog of pending immigration visas of relatives
(especially spouses) of legal immigrants. It takes over five years to get a
legal immigrant to join his/her newly wedded spouse.
• Business Opportunity:
v Provide Small business owners access to affordable
health insurance for their employees. Congress should allow such groups to join
and form alliances to obtain group insurance.
v Urge the Congress to enact fair Franchising laws.
• Healthcare
v Impose limits on awards for pain and suffering in medical
malpractice cases. Unbridled medical malpractice lawsuits are heavily impacting
health care cost.
• Senior Citizens:
v Provide Social Security and Medicare benefits for Indian
American citizens, who decide to live in India after retirement.
• Civil Rights
v Limit provisions in the current and any extensions of the
Patriot Act that encourage racial profiling or curb civil liberties in any way.
BRUSSELS CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS TRADE AND INVESTMENT BETWEEN EUROPE AND INDIA
In order to promote trade and investment and strengthen economic relations
between Europe and India; the Europe India Chamber of Commerce is partnering
with the Commonwealth Business Council and GOPIO Belgium to organize a High
Level Conference on the theme “EU-India Strategic Plan: Enhancing Trade and
Investment” on 9 November 2005 in Brussels. The Conference will be held in the
European Parliament. The EICC, launched during the GOPIO Conference 2004 held in
Brussels, serves 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 Conference will be attended by industrialists and business leaders from
Europe and India, representatives of multinational corporations, European
Parliamentarians, representatives of the European Commission and various
Chambers of Commerce and NRI/PIO community leaders of Europe. The EU Trade
Commissioner Peter Mandelson will deliver the key-note address. Important
confirmed speakers include: Sam Pitroda, Chairman of WorldTel; Members of
European Parliament Nirj Deva, Dr. Charles Tannock and Neena Gill; Dr. Colette
Mathur, Director of World Economic Forum; Prof. Dr. Marc Van Montagu, Bio-tech
Scientist; Thierry Moulonguet, Deputy Director General of RENAULT; Dr. Mohan
Kaul, Director General of the Commonwealth Business Council and Mr. Sanjay
Dalmia, Chairman of Dalmia Group of Industries in India. Several more high
profile business leaders are soon expected to confirm their participation.
The Conference will discuss, among other things, the tremendous opportunities
that lie on both sides of the continents for promoting trade and investment, the
institutional weakness in India’s investment policies including tariff structure
and need for India and the European Union to strengthen the existing partnership
framework by making trade and investment as the corner stone of EU-India
relations.
The objective of the conference is to build better relationship by exploring
these dimensions through discussion and exchange of ideas among high profile
business leaders and policy makers. The Conference will offer participants
opportunities to share their vision and perception on EU-India trade relations.
The Strategic Partnership Agreement between European Union and India signed last
year adds a new dimension in India’s relations with the European Union and
represents a fundamental change in how the two approach the geo-political and
economic relationship. In this context, the coming event will be the first of
its kind being organized by any organization in Europe. Although Conference
registration is free, the organizers expect participants who are business
leaders, who are associated with policy issues in financial and trade
institutions and who are interested in developing business net work for trade
and investment between Europe and India.
For Conference registration and other details, please contact Sunil Prasad,
Secretary General EICC and President, GOPIO Belgium on Tel & Fax: +32-2-469
2677, GSM: +32-472 207 338 or by E-mail: sunil.prasad@coditel.net
NRIs/PIOs ACHIEVE
POLAND CONFERS HIGHEST CIVIL AWARD NRI BUSINESSMAN
Poland has conferred the Commander Cross, its highest civilian award, on Indian
businessman Vijay Kalantri for his contributions to promoting trade and commerce
between the two countries. Kalantri, a 56-year-old Mumbai-based businessman, is
chairman of Balaji Ind-Exim Pvt Ltd. He is also president of the Indo-Polish
Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the All India Association of Industries.
He was the prime mover behind the exhibition India Initiative 2005 that
concluded last month.
SEVEN INDIAN AMERICANS APPOINTED TO MICHIGAN ADVISORY COUNCIL
Seven Indian Americans have been nominated by Michigan Governor Jennifer
Granholm to the state’s newly reconstituted Advisory Council on Asian and
Pacific American Affairs. They are Radha Krishnan (president-elect of the
National Federation of Indian-American Associations and President of
GOPIO-Detroit), Dr. Anand S. Prasad (professor at Wayne State University School
of medicine) , Ganesh Reddy (Director of Business Development for HTC Global
Services, Inc.), Dr. Narendra Kumar (a medical specialist and a community
leader), Samir Singh (President of a Michigan non-profit association), Ramesh C.
Verma (retired director of Design, Construction and Utilities Office, the
University of Michigan Hospitals) and Jayashree Kommareddi (program committee
member of Mott Children's Health Center and board member of the Genesee County
Free Medical Clinic).
The council is charged with serving in an advisory capacity to the governor and
alerting Granholm to pertinent issues within the Asian and Pacific American
community. It will also make recommendations about programs and policies for
betterment of Asian and Pacific Islanders in Michigan and will help promote
public awareness of Asian and Pacific American culture and accomplishments.
INDIAN AMERICAN PHYSICIAN TO ADVICE US HEALTH SECRETARY
The Bush Administration has announced nomination of Indian-American physician Dr
Sampat Shivangi as Advisor to the US Secretary of Health and Human Services,
Michael O Levin. Shivangi, who practises in Jackson, Mississippi, is assuming
office with immediate effect.
The Health Secretary has also asked him to serve on the National Advisory
Council for a term beginning immediately. Levin expressed the hope that he would
give the benefit of his valued counsel in the coming years.
Shivangi said he would utilize this opportunity to work for the underprivileged
and underserved. This includes his intent to promote projects in India and other
developing nations on major issues like AIDS, tuberculosis, malnutrition,
maternal and child health programs and education, as well as addressing the
physician shortages in rural America.
Shivangi has served as Secretary and Vice
President of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin and represented
it at the American Medical Association.
INDIAN AMERICAN TO HEAD INDIANA UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS SCHOOL
M A Venkataramanan has taken over as chair of the undergraduate program at
Indiana University's Kelley School of Business in Bloomington, Indiana. The
3,000-student undergraduate program placed 11th in the most recent US News &
World Report rankings, which also recognized the school's leadership in 11
different categories including management, marketing, accounting,
entrepreneurship and supply chain management.
US SENATE PASSES BILL TO HONOR LATE CONGRESSMAN SAUND
The US Senate on June 29 voted unanimously to honor the first Indian American US
Congressman, the late Dalip Singh Saund, who represented Riverside and Imperial
County in California in the late 1950s and early 1960s,by naming the US Post
Office at 30777 Rancho California Road in Temecula, California in his honor.
Upon taking his oath of office in 1957, Congressman Saund became the first
Indian American and first Asian American to serve in the US House of
Representatives,
Congressman Darell Issa, who represents California's 49th District, who authored
HR 120, the legislation honoring Congressman Saund, said, "The Dalip Singh Saund
Post Office Building, will honor an American who followed his dream to the
United States, broke barriers, and served as a representative of the people."
"This Act of the Congress will preserve Congressman Saund's legacy and honor the
success of all immigrants from India and their accomplishments," she added.
INDO-CANADIAN BECOME ATTORNEY GENERAL OF BRITICH COLUMBIA
Wally Oppal has taken over as Attorney-General of British Columbia. He has also
charge of the Ministry of Multiculturalism. Oppal quit as judge of the British
Columbia Court of Appeal in April to contest as a candidate for the ruling
Liberal party.
Oppal is the second Indo-Canadian to become the top law-and-order man in British
Columbia after Ujjal Dosanjh. Dosanjh, who is currently Canada's Minister for
Health, had held this position before he became Premier in 1999. In Canada, the
Attorney General combines the roles of Attorney-General and Home/Interior
Minister in India. During his election campaign too, Oppal had emphasized that
his priority was to make communities, including seniors, safer.
YOGI BHAJAN HONORED AT THE US CAPITAL
The late Siri Singh Sahib Harbhajan Singh Yogiji, also known as Yogi Bhajan, was
honored at a special reception at the US Capitol in Washington DC last month.
Yogi Bhajan spent his life teaching and improving the lives of thousands through
his teachings on yoga and Sikh Dharma. He also founded the 3HO (Healthy, Happy,
Holy) organization and a successful drug rehabilitation program to address the
national crisis of drug addiction.
The US Congress had passed a unanimous Resolution honoring Yogi Bhajan’s life
and influence. He joined a handful of spiritual leaders, in the history of the
US Congress, who have inspired a Joint Resolution honoring their life and work.
They include Martin Luther King Jr., Pope John Paul II and Mother Theresa.
More than 100 officials and dignitaries attended the event including many US
Senators and Representatives, family members, Indian Embassy and US government
officials, dignitaries, and members of the Sikh faith.
QUEEN ELIZABETH HONORS 22 NRIs
Twenty two NRIs in U.K. are in the list honorees at Queen Elizabeth II's
birthday, including leading industrialist Rami Ranger (see GOPIO News – June
2005), and academician Pritpal Singh. Singh is knighted for services to
education while Ranger, Chief Executive of Sun Oil Ltd. has been made a Member
of the British Empire (MBE) for services to business and to the British Asian
community. Ranger has been involved with the Conservative Party and has been
encouraging it to become more "Asian friendly."
The others who figure in the Honours' List are: Vikram Lall, for services to
business in Scotland (CBE), Angela Mukhopadhyay, for services to education; Dr
Harkirtan Singh-Raud, for services to education and to diversity; Dr Gurudeo
Singh Saluja, for services to community relations in Scotland (all OBEs).
NEWS OF INTEREST TO NRIs/PIOs AROUND THE WORLD
GOI CONSIDERING TO REPLACE FOREIGN CONTRIBUTIONS ACT
Government of India will look at formulating new legislation to prevent misuse
of foreign funds by NGOs, given the loopholes in the present Foreign
Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). The decision to constitute the group was
taken by a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs chaired by
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
"The ministry of home affairs feels the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act of
1976 should be repealed and replaced with a new act in view of various
developments that have taken place," said Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
The government and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India jointly
organized a two-day seminar here last month to generate awareness on the huge
foreign funding that flows into India.
RAJASTHAN NRIs TO AID HAWA MAHAL UPKEEP
During a visit of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje to the Biennial
Convention of Rajasthan Association of North America, the state’s diaspora
expressed its interest to adopt the famous 18th century Hawa Mahal in the
Rajasthan capital for its upkeep.
TYTLER ANNOUNCES NRI/PIO WELFARE MEASURES
An exclusive university for overseas Indians and steps to protect Indians
married to them are some of the welfare measures mooted by the central
government for its 25-million strong diaspora. The measures are in addition to
dual citizenship and introduction of smart cards for People of Indian Origin
(PIO) announced last month.
Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs Jagdish Tytler on Monday said the
launch of budget airlines to the Middle East was one of the steps to make life
easier for Indians abroad.
Tytler said the Government was contemplating setting up an university
exclusively for persons of Indian origin (PIO), keeping in mind their need for
quality higher education. "Most countries where PIO are based have good primary
and secondary education. But when it comes to higher education, Indians are
often left out," Tytler said during a media interaction here. The proposed
university, which would be privately financed but certified by the Indian
government, would take care of this shortfall.
FEE INCREASE OF $32,000 FOR NRI MEDICAL STUDENTS
In the state of Kerala, there are eight private colleges and two colleges under
the government-controlled co-operative sector, which are allowed to collect
hefty fee from the NRI students.
The regular fee is Rs113,000 plus a special fee of Rs10,000. There is a onetime
fee known as ‘capitation fee’ besides newly imposed additional fee of $32,000
for students joining medical colleges under the non-resident Indian (NRI) quota.
Each of these colleges can have 15% seats set aside for admission under the NRI
quota provided the total no. does not exceed 15 seats in a college under this
scheme. The fee structure for engineering colleges is also identical.
SALE OF NRIs’ LAND IN PUNJAB ONLY THROUGH NAMBARDARS
The Punjab government has decided that any village which has 20 NRIs will be
called an NRI village for which an NRI namardar will be appointed by the
government. Many NRIs have been cheated of their land by fake powers of attorney
or fake identities of NRIs. There are more than 3,000 NRIs who are involved in
land disputes in Punjab. NRI Nambardars would stand as witnesses in every land
deal involving an NRI and when the land is sold, the nambardars would stand
surety for the NRIs.
NRIs RENOVATE INDOOR STADIUM
The indoor stadium at Gujjarwal village near Ludhiana (Punjab) remained
neglected for more than five years. Thanks to Gujjarwal-based NRIs Hardeep Singh
and Inderjit Singh Master from Canada, who have committed to the village
panchayat to turn it into working condition. TheY have already spent about Rs 1
lakh on restoration.
The stadium was built in the year 2000 by the Punjab government but somehow it
remained neglected from the very beginning. It was built for use by the local
children for different games so that they can shine at international level.
Unfortunately, it was not fully completed and could never be used for any sports
activity.
The villagers are very unhappy that none of the sports officials ever came to
check whether the stadium was in right condition or not. If the government had
given the responsibility to the village Panchayat they probably would have made
use of it for sports activities.
NRIs GOING TO JALANDHAR FOR DENTAL WORK
NRI patients from the US, Canada, and Europe are traveling to Jullunder in
Punjab for dental work. Many dentists have installed state-of-the-art equipment
and attract NRIs for specialised dental treatments at affordable prices. The
NRIs combine their trip to India to get root canal treatment, crown replacement,
teeth implants and even fixing teeth for better smile. Such treatment no doubt
is available in the country of their domicile but it is lot more expensive. Many
health plans do not even cover dental treatment.
The high treatment cost in the US and Europe encourages NRIs to travel to India
to get the work done much cheaper. Thus there is a vast potential for dental
tourism. The Punjab government is not playing any role in promoting medical
tourism as yet; only individual doctors or hospitals are promoting their
business to attract clients.
BUDGET AIRLINES FOR KERALA NRIs
Kerala state cabinet have given its approval to government-backed international
budget airline for Gulf bound passengers, next year.
There are about 1.4 million Malayalis in the Gulf. Last year, they had remitted
Rs 18,465 crore. But majority of them can’t afford prevailing airfares to visit
their dear ones back home. Air India’s low-budget Express service to the Gulf
has failed to live up to its promise and the revised fares are beyond the means
of poor NRIs.
Thousands of NRIs hope that the proposed low-fare airline would become a
reality. However, Air India and Indian Airlines which have a near-monopoly of
the Gulf traffic may give tough opposition.
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 $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 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)
Webmaster: Prashant Gupta (Chicago, IL, USA)
Contributors for this issue: Inder Singh (USA), Sunil Prasad (Belgium), Ashook
Ramsaran (USA), Harold R. Ramdhani (Suriname)
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
V isit GOPIO’s Official site at www.gopio.net or www.gopio.com