GOPIO NEWS BULLETIN

July 2006

 

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CONTENTS

INDIA SEEKS COOPERATION FROM ITS DIASPORA

 

US-INDIA NUCLEAR ENERGY COOPERATION BILL PASSES THROUGH CONGRESSIONAL PANELS WITH THUMPING MAJORITY

 

ASSOCHEM JOINS EICC AND GOPIO FOR THE BRUSSLES CONFERENCE

 

GUYANA PRESIDENT PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE ENMORE MARTYRS

 

GOPIO INTL. AND CHAPTER NEWS

GOPIO GETS COMMITMENT FROM CONGRESSMAN STEVE ISRAEL TO SUPPORT US-INDIAN NULEAR ENERGY COOPERATION BILL

GOPIO BELGIUMS INPUT HELPS SOCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDIA AND BELGIUM

 

NRIs/PIOs ACHIEVE

CARIBBEAN MEDICAL STUDENT WITH FLAIR FOR INDIAN MUSIC

QUEEN HONORS INDIAN JUDGE IN NEW ZEALAND

INDIA NOMINATES SHASHI THAROOR FOR UN TOP JOB

FILM MAKER GURINDER CHADHA HONORED WITH ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE

INDIAN AMERICAN APPOINTED TO NEVADA TRADE COUNCIL

FOUR INDIAN AMERICANS RECEIVE FELLOWSHIPS FROM ASPEN INSTITUTE

 

NEWS OF INTEREST TO NRIs AND PIOs AROUND THE WORLD

ICICI BANK HIKES INTEREST ON NRI DEPOSITS

KERALA BUSIENSS SCHOOL RESERVES SEATS FOR NRIs

NRIS/PIOs SEND HOME A WHOPPING $21 BILLION

PM CALLS YOUNG INDIAN DISAPORA KNOWLEDGE BANK

NCW DEMANDS DIPLOMATIC MEASURES TO SAVE NRI MARRIAGES

 

GOPIO LIFE MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTER FORMATION

 

EDITORIAL BOARD

 

INDIA SEEKS COOPERATION FROM ITS DIASPORA

 

Minister Overseas Indian Affairs Mr Vayalar Ravi would seek cooperation from the Indian Diaspora from his upcoming visit to the United States. Speaking to www.indiatvlive.com, ahead of his three week long visit he said Indians living in the US have contributed significantly to the US in almost all fields, and added that recognition of that contribution by the US government and people makes us proud of the PIOs achievements.

 

Minister Vayalar Ravi who arrived in Los Angeles on June 27th, 2006, will spend three plus weeks traveling the US, meeting the Indian-American community, attending several conventions. A largely attended reception dinner was organized by GOPIO President Inder Singh at the Bombay Club in Los Angeles. GOPIO is organizing two other receptions and community interaction meetings with Minister Ravi at Orlando on July 3rd and New York on July 8th and will join with other community groups for programs in Washington DC on July 5th and in Chicago on July 9th. Minister Ravi has been especially happy that several Indian community leaders are meeting him

 

On the eve of his departure, in a message to Indians living in the US, Mr Ravi assured the PIO community full cooperation of the government of India. The Minister made a clarion call to PIOs and NRIs to participate in large numbers the forthcoming Pravasi Divas to be held in New Delhi on January 7-9th, 2007. Mr. Ravi extended full support of his Ministry to GOPIO India through its India President Mr. K N Gupta to host GOPIO International annual convention on Jan 5 & 6, 2007, in conjunction with the Pravasi Divas 2007.

 

Regarding his recent visit to the Middle East, including Dubai, he said that he working hard to resolve the problems of Indians working as labor there and who are often cheated and/or thrown out of jobs at whim. He reported improvement in the conditions. The Embassies are helping Indian laborers with the remittance of monies to their family.

 

Answering a question about controversy surrounding certain NRI marriages, the minister expressed full confidence in the steps being taken in this direction by the National Women Commission and the Indian states. The states could help in checking cheating cases, he said.

 

The Minister especially lauded the idea of convening a World Media Conclave of Journalists of Indian Origin conceived by Munish Gupta, Los Angeles-based Co-chairman of Council Media Council. Mr. Ravi extended full support from the Ministry to Mr. Inder Singh GOPIO International President and Mr. Gupta for the success of the GOPIO Convention and the Media Conclave.

 

Mr. Ravi also welcomed the impending launch of a PIO TV channel by Mr. Gupta and his NRI partner Mr. Abhesh Verma. The PIO TV Channel is the first of its kind for any expatriate community, aimed at facilitating dialogue and interaction within the community of 25 million or more Indians living overseas as well as bridging their relationship with India.

 

US-INDIA NUCLEAR ENERGY COOPERATION BILL PASSES THROUGH CONGRESSIONAL PANELS WITH THUMPING MAJORITY

 

By an overwhelming majority of 37-5, the 50-member committee approved the bill titled 'United States and India Cooperation Promotion Act' of 2006 that authorized the president to exempt the US-India nuclear cooperative agreement from statutory prohibitions, which would consequently clear the way for the transfer of civilian nuclear technology, including nuclear reactors and nuclear fuel to India.

 

Essentially the legislation HR 5682 -- a modified version of HR 4974, introduced by Congressman Henry Hyde of Illinois and Tom Lantos of California at the request of the administration -- would grant the president a series of waivers to existing law that would allow him to negotiate and submit to Congress for approval an agreement for civil nuclear cooperation with India.

 

The president must issue a series of determinations that India has met certain requirements, such as negotiation of a safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency, before he can exercise this authority.

 

It also requires continuing consultation with Congress and a number of reports that will enable Congress to remain fully informed of the ongoing negotiation and implementation of the agreement.

 

On June 29th, the India-US nuclear deal moved a step closer to Congressional approval with another ringing endorsement from a key panel of the US Senate. Reflecting a broader bipartisan consensus, the 18-member Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved by a 16-2 majority an enabling draft bill on the lines of the House panel's "historic" legislation that set out a two-vote process for the deal's final Congressional approval.

 

Like their counterparts on the International Relations Committee of the House of Representatives, the Senate panel's Republican chairman Richard Lugar and leading Democrat Joseph Biden chose to bring forward an altogether new bill instead of the one they had introduced last March at Bush administration's bidding.

 

Approval of the enabling legislation by the Senate panel made up of 10 Republicans and eight Democrats would pave the way for its introduction before the two houses of US Congress some time in mid-July when it reconvenes after a 10-day recess.

 

At the vote, Chairman Lugar commended the agreement as "the most important strategic diplomatic initiative undertaken by President Bush."  He continued, "By concluding this pact and the far-reaching set of cooperative agreements that accompany it, the President has embraced a long-term outlook that seeks to enhance the core strength of our foreign policy in a way that will give us new diplomatic options and improve global stability."

 

Commenting upon the implications of the bill, Senator Biden deemed the legislation much more consequential than the subject matter to which it pertains.   He added, There is no other strategic relationship that is as important.   Citing the trust necessary in moving forward with the historic accord, Biden nevertheless hailed the legislation as an overall victory. 

 

Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) along with several other Indian community groups has been actively engaged in educating the public officials about the highlights of the agreement. On June 25th, GOPIO organized a luncheon meeting with Congressman Steve Israel of New York at Huntington, Long Island, at which the Congressman declared that he would support the bill and do everything possible for it passage in the Congress.

 

ASSOCHAM JOINS EICC AND GOPIO FOR THE BRUSSELS CONFERENCE

 

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) will join the Europe India Chamber of Commerce (EICC) as a partnering organization for the high level Brussels Conference in November 2006. The Indian Merchants Chamber (IMC) and the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) are the two other partnering organizations who are jointly making preparations for the Conference, the theme of which is Europe meets India: Economic and Political Dimension of the EU-India Strategic Partnership Challenges and Opportunities and which will be held on 8-9 November 2006. The inauguration of the Conference will take place in the Hotel Sheraton on 8 November followed by a dinner and the business sessions will be held in the European Parliament (Auditorium 3E2) on 9 November. The Conference is being organized in association with the Embassy of India. The Conference will bring together global business stakeholders including Ministers and senior government officials from India to highlight, discuss and debate various business opportunities that are appearing on Indias horizon. More than 250 industrialists and business leaders from Europe, India, USA, Africa, representatives of multinational corporations, European Parliamentarians, senior officials of the European Commission, representatives of various diplomatic Missions and also representatives of various Chambers of Commerce in India and Europe. The EU Commissioner for Energy Mr. Andris Piebalgs will deliver the key note address on 9 November. The Government of India will be represented by a Cabinet Minister. Mr. Sam Pitroda, Chairman of the Indian Knowledge Commission will deliver the inaugural Key Note address on the 8th November. His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will grace the event during the inaugural session on 8 November

 

The organizers have negotiated with Hotel Capital (Address: 191, Chausse de Vleurgat, 1050 Brussels Tel: 0032 2 646 6420) a special rate for the participants at the following rates: Single room: 75 including breakfast and Double room: 85 including breakfast. Interested persons can send their request by fax on +32 2 646 3314 or by E-mail: info@hotelcapital.be attention Mr. Robert van der Plas, General Manager. While making booking, please refer booking Code agreement number #259 for obtaining a special negotiated rate.

 

The Chair of the Conference and Secretary General of the EICC Sunil Prasad can be contacted on Tel. & fax: 0032 2 469 2677 GSM: 0472-207 338, E-mail: info@eicc.be
or sunil.prasad@coditel.net. For more info about the Tentative Programme and other details of the Conference, please visit the website: www.eicc.be

 

GUYANA PRESIDENT PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE ENMORE MARTYRS

 

Addressing the annual Enmore Martyrs Day rally on June 16th, Guyana President Bharrat Jagdeo paid rich tribute to the five Indian Origin workers saying that the martyrdom of the five Indians led to the development of political movement which culminated into the independence of the country. Mr. Jagdeo said that sacrifices made by the five will continue to serve as the catalyst for continued struggle to improve Guyanese peoples lives and livelihood.

 

It was on 16 June 1948 when five sugar workers Indians - Lallanbajee, Pooran, Harry, Surujballi and Rambarran were shot by the colonial police. These workers were demanding better working and wage conditions from their sugar baron employers. Their protest was also a part of the struggle for recognition of the Guyana Industrial Workers Union (GIWU), the forerunner of the current Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU). These killed workers later came to be known as the Enmore Martyrs.

 

As the country celebrated 40th anniversary of Independence, President Jagdeo ensured the citizens of Guyana that whatever it takes it would never become bipartisan and that Guyana is managed in the interest of all people. Out of the population of 750,000 Indo-Guyanese constitute 50 per cent of the population.

 

GOPIO INTL. AND CHAPTER NEWS

 

GOPIO GETS COMMITMENT FROM CONGRESSMAN STEVE ISRAEL TO SUPPORT US-INDIA NULEAR ENERGY COOPERATION BILL

 

Since the visit of President Bush to India and subsequent signing of US-Indian Nuclear Energy Cooperation, the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) had organized several public meetings and personal meeting with US Congressmen and Senators. On June 25th, it was a meeting with Congressman Steve Israel (D, New York) held at Sitar Restaurant in Huntington, Long Island. Over 50 people participated in a luncheon meeting where Congressman Israel spoke on the Emerging US-India Relations, A Congressional Perspective. Congressman Israel said that he has been studying this bill for the past several weeks.

 

I am pleased to announce at this meeting that I will sign as a co-sponsor of the bill and I will put my full efforts for the passage of this bill in the Congress, said Israel to the cheering crowd.
India is very important for the US, and this bill bring both countries closer, Israel added.

 

The luncheon meeting coordinated by Indu Jaiswal started with a welcome by GOPIO Academic Council Chairman Dr. Jagat Motwani. The Chief Guest was Consul General Neelam Deo who provided an outline of various collaborations taking place between the US and India. GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham said that the Indian American community will continue its campaign to get this bill passed. Congressman Israel was introduced by his supporter Anumolu Rao. Others present at the meeting were GOPIO Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran and GOPIO New York President Lal Motwani.

 

GOPIO also utilized this occasion to recognize many members of Youth GOPIO who have organized several programs including fund raisers for charitable causes.

 

GOPIO BELGIUMS INPUT HELPS SOCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDIA AND BELGIUM

 

The process of a new social security system for the Indian Diaspora in Belgium took an important step forward last week with a landmark Memorandum of Understanding reached between India and Belgium. This agreement will not only benefit Indians working in this country but eventually serve as a prototype for similar agreements with other nations. This is the first agreement ever India has ever concluded with another country in social security and this agreement is likely to form the basis for our negotiating agreements with other countries in the European Union. The government of India was represented by Mr. G. Gurucharan, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs who said that this is the first agreement ever India has concluded with another country in social security.

 

GOPIO Belgium has been working with the Government of India through its Mission in Brussels to bring changes in the Social Security Laws of Belgium by seeking a reciprocal Pension and Taxation Policy through signing a Treaty to help the Indian Diaspora. When a person from India comes to work in Belgium and even if the person has worked for two years and left the job, the persons social security fund is not returned and according to the erstwhile Belgian law, the person would have been eligible to get his/her social security benefits only when he/she attained the age of 65. The nature of the temporary movement of professionals including changes in their own resident status in their working lives, made it difficult for them to keep pursuing their own paid contribution towards the Social Security and Pension refund with the result that millions of Euros have been left unpaid to the persons; and in most cases it is lost. The Indian Government does not have a reciprocal arrangement with the Belgian Government. According to the MOU, all Indians who come and work in Belgium for five years, the agreement will provide exemption from contributing to the Belgium social security system. Secondly, for those Indians who live and work in Belgium on a long term basis the agreement ensures repatriation of benefits. Moreover, those Indians who are self-employed like businessmen or shopkeepers will also be entitled to repatriate their benefits back home if they wish to relocate to India. The GOPIO Belgium President Sunil Prasad has termed the agreement as historic and in the interest of both India and Belgium as it will also attract Indian professionals to come and work in Belgium.

 

NRIs/PIOs ARCHIEVE

 

CARIBBEAN MEDICAL STUDENT WITH FLAIR FOR INDIAN MUSIC

 

Jaisri Maharaj has achieved the remarkable accomplishment of a Bachelor's degree in Indian Music together with acquiring a gold medal for the highest mark in the exams. That is something extra-ordinary, but not for the talented Jaisri Maharaj. She is a student par excellence, whether it was primary or secondary school and now at medical school. She received the highest mark (95%) in the recent music examinations held by the Bharatiya Vidya Sansthaan (BVS) Institute of Music and Knowledge and received the only gold medal awarded!

 

A medical student, Maharaj is simultaneously pursuing a Masters degree in Indian Music. She began her musical journey when she was only six-year-old, studying vocal and instrumental music and Hindi classes held at the Bharatiya Vidya Sansthaan in San Fernando, Trinidad. Apart from music and medicine, this young artiste also dabbled in two Indian classic styles of dance - Odissi and Kathak. She received the Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award for scouting. Maharaj also plays the harmonium, sitar, violin. She is a dedicated and focused student. While attending Naparima Girls High School and coping with stressful studies, Maharaj never thought of giving up her love for music and Hindi. She later won a national scholarship to study medicine, but continued to pursue her musical classes.

 

Her life's mission is "to serve and uplift mankind by being a good doctor, striving for improved health care and excellence" in which ever specific field she chooses to specialize and of course, to pursue her studies in music intensely.

 

QUEEN HONORS INDIAN JUDGE IN NEW ZEALAND

 

Judge Anand Satyanand, the former ombudsman who is set to take over as Governor-General of New Zealand in August (GOPIO News May 2006) , has been made an Additional Principal Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit by Queen Elizabeth II in her 2006 birthday honours list. The honour is a rank up from the Distinguished Companion honour that was conferred on him last year. This is the second highest honour in New Zealand's rankings list and the highest honour for a New Zealander this year.

 

Satyanand, a son of Indo-Fijian parents, sought to underplay this honour, saying, "This new honour is really with a view to being equipped and prepared to undertake the new role as governor-general and it will also enable me to undertake investitures."

 

The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order of chivalry established in 1996 by Queen Elizabeth II. The Order includes five classes in civil and military divisions, in order of seniority. The Order was established "for those persons who in any field of endeavor have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits".

 

The new Order was established after the discontinuation of titles like knighthoods and damehoods. his year 200 New Zealanders have been bestowed with accolades for public and community service by the Queen.

 

INDIA NOMINATES SHASHI THAROOR FOR UN TOP JOB

 

India has nominated UN Under Secretary General Dr. Shashi Tharoor for the post of UN chief while seeking support of Asian countries to the principle of regional rotation for the key post. Under this principle, the next UN head should be from Asia when the present Secretary General Kofi Anan demits office.

 

A final decision on the candidate for the top UN post is expected by October. Tharoor is the first Indian to be nominated for the post.

 

A well-known columnist and author of eight books, Tharoor has handled several important areas in the UN since 1978 including peacekeeping, human rights and communication strategy. He has also been closely involved in the process of UN reforms and was a key aide to Annan.

 

India is hopeful of getting the support, given Tharoor's "internationally acclaimed stature" and the fact that under the principle of regional rotation the next UN secretary general should be from Asia.

 

FILM MAKER GURINDER CHADHA HONORED WITH ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE

 

Acclaimed NRI filmmaker Gurinder Chadha is among the hundreds of celebrities and civilians who have been honored in Britain's Queen Elizabeth II birthday honors list. Chadha has in her credit some fothe successful movies such as Bend it Like Bechkam and Bhaji on the Beach. Her next project -a film version of the 80s soap Dallas is due for release next year.

 

INDIAN AMERICAN APPOINTED TO NEVADA TRADE COUNCIL

 

Acclaimed Indian-American Rajan Zed has been appointed as one of the Board of Directors of Nevada World Trade Council (NEWTRAC), the state's international trade organization. Rajan, a resident of Reno, Nevada, was a journalist in India before migrating to United States. He holds an MBA degree from the University of Nevada-Reno and Master of Science in Mass Communications from San Jose State University, California.

 

NEWTRAC, a non-profit professional business organization, encourages and supports Nevada's economic diversification and growth by further developing state's international business opportunities, and provides resources, knowledge and skills necessary to conduct global trade.

 

Rajan, who serves on the Governing Board of Directors of Northern Nevada International Center, is also a fellow of The Institute of Professional Managers and Administrators of Britain. He has also served on the Editorial Board of Reno Gazette-Journal, a Gannett newspaper. He is also in the Board of Directors of Washoe County Library Foundation and California State Employees Credit Union.

 

FOUR INDIAN AMERICANS RECEIVE FELLOWSHIPS FROM ASPEN INSTITUTE

 

Four Indian Americans have won the Aspen Institutes Henry Crown Fellowships that honor successful young executives and professionals under the age of 45. They are Deven Parikh of Insight Venture Partners in New York; Hemant Shah of Rick Management Solutions in Newark, California; Sonal Shah of Goldman Sachs Com., New York; and Vishal Vasisht of Revolution Living at Ventura, California.

 

Under the program, the fellows will meet four times over a two-year period and undertake individual community service commitments.

 

NEWS OF INTEREST TO NRIs/PIOs AROUND THE WORLD

 

ICICI BANK HIKES INTEREST ON NRI DEPOSITS

 

ICICI Bank, Indias largest private sector bank, has revised upwards interest rates on deposits of Non Resident Indians (NRIs). As per the revised rates, the Non Resident External (NRE) Fixed deposits of maturity period 12 months to less than 18 months, 18 months to less than 24 months, 24 months to less than 36 months will all attract interest rate of 6.43 per cent. For deposits of 36 months to 120 months, the new interest rates would be 6.45 per cent.


The new rates for Foreign Currency Non Resident (FCNR) deposits in US Dollars for 12 months to less than 24 months will be 5.43 per cent, for 24 months to less than 36 months will be 5.43 per cent, 36 months to less than 48 months will be 5.45 per cent, 48 months to less than 60 months will be 5.47 per cent and for 60 months it will be 5.51 per cent, a release stated.

 

KERALA BUSIENSS SCHOOL RESERVES SEATS FOR NRIs

 

The Asian School of Business (ASB), the less-than-a-year-old Kerala-based management institute, has earmarked a few seats exclusively for non-resident Indians (NRIs) and foreign students for its post-graduate programme in management (PGPM). The selection process for the course, which has 60 seats in all, has already started.

 

The ASB was promoted by prominent Oman-based NRI George M Thomas and started functioning from a temporary facility in the Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram July last year. It plans to have its own set-up by 2007. A report in the online edition of the Times of Oman newspaper quoted Thomas as saying that the two-year full-time PGPM is the flagship course of ASB.

 

"All the 30 students of the first batch have been placed on paid internship with leading companies in India and abroad. Now, we are set to receive the second batch of 60 students for the PGPM, and the selection process is already in progress," said Thomas.

 

For candidates from abroad, he said, GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) will be the basis for initial short-listing. Thomas added that the institute would also be offering a fast track, one-year (part-time) PGPM, primarily for IT professionals.

 

NRIS/PIOs SEND HOME A WHOPPING $21 BILLION

 

According to a study by investment bankers, J.P. Morgan, India is the largest recipient of remittances by overseas workers, estimated at $21 billion -- up from almost 150% since 1995. The JP Morgan study reaffirms Reserve Bank of Indian figures released recently that found remittances were double the amount of net foreign institutional investor inflows and one-fourth of the merchandise export earnings of the country.


The study reports that stock of deposits by NRIs amounts to around $32 billion or 23% of foreign exchange reserves. Portfolio and real estate investment has been largely concentrated in the IT space.

While the report notes that the Indian Diaspora can act as a "powerful catalyst", even helping India realize and perhaps exceed its aspiration of 10% annual GDP growth, the onus for better capitalization lies on the Indian government.


PM CALLS YOUNG INDIAN DISAPORA KNOWLEDGE BANK

 

Describing the young Indian Diaspora as a knowledge bank for the country, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said as the Diaspora's links with the country grow and strengthen, it would be a "win-win situation for India."


Interacting with participants of the fifth "Internship Programme for Diaspora Youth (Know India Programme)" at his residence, Singh said the country felt proud of the achievements of People of India Origin (PIOs) across the world.


Emphasising the need for interaction between the government and the Indian Diaspora, he said the government has been trying to create an enabling environment so that people could perform to their potential.


The delegation that called on the Prime Minister comprised 25 interns drawn from nine nations. The programme organised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs seeks to provide a forum for students and young professionals of Indian origin to share views and experiences and interact with their contemporaries in India.


The Prime Minister's wife, Gursharan Kaur, and principal secretary T.K.A. Nair were also present.

 

NCW DEMANDS DIPLOMATIC MEASURES TO SAVE NRI MARRIAGES

 

Alarmed at the growing number of disputes in NRI marriages, the National Commission for Women on Monday asked the Centre to take diplomatic measures to ensure legal protection to women marrying overseas. It also asked Indian embassies to play a pro-active role in the matter.


"Since last year, 1820 cases have been registered with the Commission that have to do with disputes in NRI marriages. A large number of unregistered cases are also there which we keep coming to know of," NCW Chairperson Girija Vyas said.


Noting that majority of the complaints came from countries like the US, UK and Canada, she said the Commission was facing difficulties in helping the women due to international legal barriers.



"India needs to sign the Hague conventions which are related to the issue of NRI marriages. We also need to sign more bilateral treaties with other countries to tackle the legal issues involved," Vyas said.


She also noted that the Indian embassies were not playing an active enough role in the matter and suggested that the marriages could be registered with the consulates.

 

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)

Webmaster: Prashant Gupta (Chicago, IL, USA)

Contributors of this issue: Inder Singh (USA), Sunil Prasad (Belgium), Ashook Ramsaran (USA), Dr. Piyush Agrawal (USA), Kaydee (Eye TV India Bureau, India)

 

 

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