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GOPIO NEWS
August 7, 2017
A Publication of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO)
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| Issue: XV-10 | August 7, 2017 | |
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NOTE: GOPIO News is a FREE bi-monthly newsletter of GOPIO International, based in the USA. We need your help in reaching out more NRIs/PIOs around the world. Please go to the bottom of the news bulletin and click the FORWARD button and type e-mail addresses of your friends and relatives. One could also subscribe this newsletter by visiting www.gopio.net and type in the e-mail address. All preivous issues of GOPIO News are provided at GOPIO News Archives. If you do not wish to receive this newsletter in future, please click SafeUnsubscribe at the end of this newsletter.
GOPIO is a community supported non-profit organization taking up issues of the Indian Diaspora and attempting to unifying the community in its common causes. Support GOPIO by becoming a Life Member or chapter member. Once can become Life Member online by visiting http://www.gopio.net/online_membership.html.
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GOPIO JOINTS HANDS WITH CCS UNIVERSITY, MEERUT AND INDIAN POLITICAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION FOR A CONFERENCE ON INDIAN VISION OF POLITICAL THINKING
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Invitation to an
Inherent Indian Vision of PoliticalThinking:
Prospective of Global Supplant
Organized by
Department of Political Science
C.C.S. University, Meerut
In Collaboration With
Indian Political Science Association (IPSA)
And
Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (Hq. USA),
GOPIO Academic Council
On
12th-13th August, 2017
The conference would focus on understanding the dynamics of changing academic paradigm emanating from global failure of Western political thinking in providing solutions to international problems of mankind. We would also solicit researches attempting to provide insights into different dimensions of visible limits of Western thought processes in political arena. This conference would have central focus on analyzing the Indian intellectual tradition of statecraft (Rajdharma) and political thinking in ancient India besides tracing the possibilities of contemporary relevance of these models at global level as an alternative.
At the same time starting from the Independence Movement, Indian Diaspora has played a major role led by various members from Canada, South Africa, United Kingdom, Fiji, Mauritius and United States. Mahatma Gandhi became a major influencing factor and evolved Hind Swaraj based upon Indian Political thinking.
By way of explaining various unexplored aspects of Indian political thought in ancient as well as modern era, the present international conference would provide a platform to different academic discourses prevalent in contemporary political thinking. This international academic event would necessarily become a most sought after discussion table on the nature, profile, characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of political thinking in India. Therefore, the conference attempts at creating more rigorous endeavours of research and analysis of political thinking in India with a focus on exploring the global relevance as an alternative discourse.
Sub-Themes
The sub themes of the conference would be as follows:
- 1. Prevalent Global Streams of Political Thinking.
- 2. Indian Vision of Political Thinking.
- 3. Profiling Inherent Indian Political Thought.
- 4. International Alternative Models of Political Thinking.
- 5. Possibilities of Indian Alternatives in Political Thinking.
- 6. Role of Indian Diaspora in Indian Political Thinking.
Venue:- Meerut is a well connected metro city of Western Uttar Pradesh. Nearest airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi (100kms). Meerut city railway station is 14 Kms. from C.C.S. University, Meerut.
Registration:- Registration fee of Rs. 2000/- for Indian delegates and US $100 for foreign delegates for the conference may be deposited in the IPSA account through electronic transfer only.
Contact: Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, Secretary and Treasurer, Indian Political Science Association, Professor and Head Department of Political Science, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut-250 005(U.P.) India. Email:- ipsaconferencemeerut@gmail.com, Website: www.ijps.net.in , Cell:- +91-9412205348
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| TWO NEW GOPIO CHAPTERS ARE IN THE OFFING, GOPIO-NOIDA AND GOPIO-MEERUT |
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GOPIO and its chapters around the world serve as an advocacy group for the community and for India as well as in motivating Overseas Indians to help in India's development. Early this year, GOPIO held its convention in conjunction with Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Bangalore. GOPIO launched GOPIO International Chamber of Commerce (GICC) in Mumbai on Jan. 10th and its US launch on April 28th in New York. GICC will serve as a global network Indian Diaspora businesses and will bring them closer to businesses in India.
While GOPIO is established very well outside India, we want to bring the NRI/PIO community closer to people in India so as to form partnerships for mutual benefit and Indian's development. In the last two decades, many NRIs and PIOs have retuned back to India and are settling in various cities. In addition, many in India have connection with NRIs/PIOs through their children and siblings settled outside India. They are GOPIO's natural constituency with common interest along with businessmen and professionals who want to reach out NRIs/PIOs for comment interest. Through GOPIO chapters in India we are trying reach them out and involve them for the larger interest of our communities and India.
Those interested to participate in GOPIO-Meerut Chapter are invited to a planning meeting on Saturday, August 12th at 6.30 p.m. at the Seminar Hall, Department of Political Science, CCS University, Meerut. Contact Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, Head Department of Political Science, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut-250005(U.P.), Email: sanjeevaji@gmail.com, Cell:- +91-9412205348.
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| GOPIO-BAHRAIN TO HOST BIENNIAL CONVENTION IN JANUARY 2018 |
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The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) organize it Biennial Convention and an international conference of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and People of Indian Origin (PIOs) to be held in Bahrain from 7 to 9 January 2016. Started three decades ago in New York GOPIO decided to have the Global Conference in Bahrain and the local chapter endorsed it.
From nearly 40 countries eminent and leading personalities including present and former Prime Ministers, House of Lords and business leaders will attend. There will be a wider participation from the Gulf Countries. Dr. Shashi Tharoor, Lord Billimoria, motivational speaker Shiv Khera, former Prime Minister of Fiji Mr. Choudhary and several dignitaries have agreed to be the keynote speakers.
A meeting was held by GOPIO-Bahrain in June 2017, attended by GOPIO's Global Ambassador Sunny Kulathakal and officials of the chapter. More details to follow.
 Photo above: Participants at a meeting organized by GOPIO-Bahrain Chapter with GOPIO's Global Ambassador Sunny kulathakal (third from left), GOPIO International Secretary Dr. Sai Giridhar, Bahrain Chapter President Dr. George Cherian and other members at a lunch meeting at K-Hotel.
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| GOPIO DELEGATION INTERACTS WITH INDIAN ELECTION COMMISSION ON NRI VOTING | |
A delegation from the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) International headed by its Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham Along with Indian community groups interacted with Indian's election commission at a meeting hosted by Acting Consul General of India Parmita Tripathi in New York at the Indian Consulate. Attended by Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha and Deputy Election Commissioner Dr. Sandeep Saxena, who are on a US tour to get feedback from the Indian community. The commissioners explained the Election Commission's plan to implement voting for Indian citizens living outside India. The Election Commission (EC) estimates that there are 16 million Indian citizens living outside of which about 70 percent are eligible to vote. Two current proposed plans for implementing NRI voting in Indian elections are for NRIs to register at the EC website and one way postal voting (i.e. download the ballot and send it by post) or secondly by proxy voting in India.
GOPIO and other community leaders welcomed the effort from EC and agreed to publicize and reach out to the Indian citizens to register for voting. The larger number of Indian citizens living outside are in the US schools as students and IT professionals. The IT company representatives present at the meeting committed to help the EC in this regard to reach out IT professionals.
Many present at the meeting voiced their opinion that Overseas Citizen of Indian (OCI) should be upgraded to Dual nationality. GOPIO had passed resolution for Dual Nationality as early as 1989 at the Frist Global Convention of People of Indian Origin where GOPIO was formed. Voting Rights to NRIs has been another resolution from GOPIO. GOPIO further suggested that a proper representation must be provided to NRIs in the Indian Parliament, may be by abolishing the reserved seats for Anglo Indians since they are already well integrated and settled in the Indian society and those seats are reserved for the unrepresented Indian citizens living outside India.
Photo: Indian Election Commission members with GOPIO delegation and other community organization representatives.
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| GOPIO INTERNATIONAL AND CHAPTER NEWS | |
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GOPIO-CT TO HONORS FIVE DISTINGUISHED INDIAN AMERICAN ACHIEVERSAT ITS 11TH ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET
"This country is the greatest nation in the history of the world because of our diversity," Sen. Richard Blumenthal
"This country is the greatest nation in the history of the world because of our diversity," Richard Blumenthal, the senior United States Senator from Connecticut, told a packed audience at the 11th annual Gala and awards nite organized by GOPIO-CT at The Hilton Stamford Hotel on Saturday, July 8th, 2017. "We have become a great nation because of your contributions. We have welcomed talent, energy and dedication. There is no greater example of this than our relationship with India; two great democracies on earth. Our nation faces biggest challenge to rule of law today than ever before."
The sold out and much anticipated event was attended by over 250 guests from across the state of Connecticut, including community leaders, elected officials, and honorees and their families. The gala included a cocktail reception, dinner, music, live DJ and dances by participants, eloquent speeches, touching life-stories and inspiring narratives on the lives of the five distinguished honorees. The program was compered by Gayatri Mahesh.
Prominent among those who had attended and spoke at the annual gala included, Congressman Jim Himes, Stamford Mayor David Martin, Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling, Connecticut State Senators Tony Hwang and Toni Boucher and CT State Assemblymen Dr. Prasad Srinivasan and William Tong.
In her presidential address, Anita Bhat described the mission and vision of GOPIO-CT under her leadership to actively participate in the local community through involvement in community events and by providing services to the Indian community at large and the society. Describing some of the programs GOPIO-CT initiates, Bhat said, GOPIO members serve in local soup kitchens, do walkathons to support cancer patients, and jointly celebrate Diwali and India's Independence Day with the members of multiple Indian groups in our community.
Congressman Jim Himes, who represents Connecticut's 4th District in the United States House of Representatives, said he was delighted to be at the event to honor the accomplishments of so many talented individuals. Congressman Jim Himes, in his felicitations, "This is the largest ever dinner you I have ever attended of GOPIO. We are experiencing one of the backsliding moments in the history of the where the core strength of this nation, the immigrants, are being threatened. There is no bigger rebuttal than the people in this room. You are scientists, educators, engineers, entrepreneurs, community activists, philanthropists, who represent the success and contributions of immigrants to the country"
Riva Gaangulay Das, Consul General of India, in her address, "The Indo-US relationship has been strengthened by who you are; your accomplishments. Though you are only 1% of the US population, you have excelled in education, income level, economic standing and contributions to the society, you are the model for all other immigrant communities." Describing the partnership as strategic, she pointed out to the fast growing and maturing of collaboration between the two nations.
 Photo - GOPIO-CT President Anita Bhat, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Rep. Jim Himes, Ambassador Riva Ganguly Das, Deputy Consul General of India Parmita Tripathi and GOPIO International Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham
Dr. Thomas Abraham, Founder President of GOPIO International who is also a Trustee of GOPIO-CT, chairman of the Awards Committee, said, "The evening is a celebration - a celebration not just of the accomplishments of our awardees, but also a tribute to a strong and vibrant Indian-American community in Connecticut."
"You are the community. You are not part of the community," Mayor David Martin told the Indian Americans. Pointing to the historic nature of the upcoming general elections in November, Mayor Martin urged the members to register and vote, and thus become ensure that your voices are heard."
Mayor Harry Rilling said, "I am honored to be here to celebrate among friends and am thankful for the warm welcome the Indian community has always extended to me and my family." He also congratulated GOPIO-CT for its 11 years of service and bringing the Indian community together.
The founder and CEO of T V Asia, H. R. Shah, a charismatic Indian American, who is a well-known entrepreneur, philanthropist and community leader who endeared himself as a close friend of who's who of the world, and was honored for his receiving Padma Bhushan from Govt. of India.
Ila Paliwal was honored for her contributions in the field of Performing Arts. A classically trained Indian vocalist, songwriter and producer based in New York, Paliwal released her album NAVARATNA in 2015 at the Carnegie Hall to a sold-out audience. NAVARATNA celebrates India's secular and festive spirit and is executive produced by legendary music composer AR Rahman. In 2015, She also released a video, HOLI celebrating the Indian ancient phrase Vasudev Kutumbakam.
Dr. Draupathi Nambudiri was honored for her accomplishments in the field of Medicine and Health Care. Currently serving as the Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Stamford Hospital, Dr. Nambudiri is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College and has been practicing psychiatry for over 30 years.
Dr. Rupendra Paliwal, who was honored for his accomplishments in the field of Education, currently serves as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Sacred Heart University. Prior to coming to Sacred Heart, he was a senior officer of the National Stock Exchange of India.
Captain Alpa Ladani, a distinguished 20-year Veteran of the Connecticut Army National Guard, was honored for her services to the nation. Captain Alpa Ladani was deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as Germany and Bahrain in a number of different capacities. Most recently, Captain Ladani served as the Executive Officer for Forward Support Base, Headquarters Resolute Support in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Photo above - GOPIIO-CT Awardees with Dignitaries and GOPIO officials. From l. to r.: Banquet sponsor Hasu Patel, H.R. Shah, Dr. Rupendra Paliwal, Dr. Draupathi Nambudiri, Captain Alpa Ladani, Ila Paliwal, Nitesh Banta, Stamford Mayor David Martin, Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling, GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, GOPIO-CT President Anita Bhat and Gayatri Mahesh
GOPIO-CT President's Young Professional Achiever Award was given to Nitesh Banta. A Harvard alumni, Banta was selected for the well-known Forbes 30 Under 30 List in the New Venture Category. He is an active angel investor and is the CEO and co-founder of B12 which has been recognized as the hottest emerging startup by Nasdaq at the Founders Forum.
For the third year in a row, GOPIO-CT Scholarship for College Tuitions were given to four young students from Connecticut towards their higher education. The recipients are Praneetha Desu (Indiana University), Vivek James (University of Pennsylvania), Arjun Ahuja (University of Connecticut) and Ruhi Patel (Norwalk Community College), GOPIO-CT Scholarship Committee consisted of Shelly Nichani (Chairman) and Shobhna Bhatnagar.
Photo Top - GOPIO-CT 2017 awardees, scholarship recipients with GOPIO Officials and dignitaries; Bottom - A section of the audience at the 11th annual gala of GOPIO-CT
GOPIO-LA ORGANIZES BLOOD DONATION CAMP IN BUENA PARK
GOPIO - Los Angeles (GOPIO-LA) Chapter organized a blood donation camp through the Red Cross in coordination with Rajput Association of America and Apna Punjabi Group at Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Buena Park on June11.
This camp was a huge success as it exceeded the expectations of the organizers. More people than the Red Cross expected attended and volunteered to donate blood. Unfortunately, many of them had to be turned away since Red Cross did not have resources to draw blood from all of them owing to time constraints and other limitations. Even with these restrictions, 32 vials of blood were drawn that exceeded the minimum required by the Red Cross.
Photo above: Shaila Patankar, Kalika Gupta, Navin Gupta, Baljinder Tahim, Ashley Brown (Red Cross), Rajinder Dhunna, Kewal Kanda
Members of Red Cross team were grateful to the Gurdwara Singh Sabha management and the volunteers who helped them organize and helped them to set up the camp. GOPIO-LA members Kewal Kanda, Rajinder Dhunna, and Baljinder Tahim assisted the Red Cross team and the Red Cross Team-lead Ashley Brown offered to hold future Blood Drives later.
GOPIO-TRIOLET NORTH MAURITIUS CELEBRATES WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
GOPIO-Triolet North (GTN) in collaboration with the Consolidated Fabrics Limited (CFL) of Solitude, celebrated World Environment Day on June 3, 2017 with the children, parents, staff, members and workers of the CFL factory.
Several activities were organized by the chapter's Youth Wing under the chairmanship of Miss Rachna Tashali Ram and committee members. The activities included wall paintings, cleaning, tidying, repairing and maintaining the children's park, as well as planting decorative and medicinal plants.
Miss Rachna spoke about creating an awareness among young people to protect the environment, water resources, coastal zones and wetlands. She said that GTN and our schools need to instill a responsibility in the children to protect the environment.
Photo - GOPIO-Triolet N.Mauritius Celebrates Environment Day, Top photo - Volnteers engaged in projects, Bottom photo - Volunteers and organizers
Mrs. Kritilata Ram, President of GTN sent a strong message to the youth and students urging them to create an environmentally conscious nation.
GOPIO INTL. CAPITAL REGION ORGANIZES SUCCESSFUL MENTOR ON ROAD SEMINAR
GOPIO International Capital Region organized a highly successful event at Bombay Tandoor at Vienna, VA on June 11th.
Mr. Jagat Shah from India who is on a mission of a Mentor on Road program in USA spoke about how India is changing under Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi's vision of a new Digital India. He talked about all the programs launched by Government of India such as, Smart City and Smart Village, Digital India, Online Portal, Adhaar Card, Startp-up India, Women's Empowerment, etc.
Photo: Mentor on Road program
speaker Jagat Meha, Mrs. Mehta and Jay Bhandari and other officials at the seminar
The program began with a welcome speech by organizer Mr. Jay Bhandari, Washington DC Area Coordinator for GOPIO who spoke about GOPIO chapters, life membership programs and GOPIO's presence in more than 30 countries.
Mr. Jagat Shah shared the success stories of New India 3.0 and was confident that most participants will spread the word and have villages adopted.
Photo: Audience at Mentor on Road program
There also was a presentation by Etihad Airways who offered two free tickets through a raffle draw on 19 Sept 2017 to all participants who attend the Mentor on Road, USA events.
Contact: Jay Bhandari, jay_bhandari@hotmail.com.
GOPIO-LOS ANGELES AREA AND NFIA CELEBRATE AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY
Indian American Heritage Foundation, GOPIO-LA, GOPIO-OC, GOPIO-IE, and NFIA jointly organized an American Independence Day celebration on July 4 at Tara's Himalayan Restaurant in Artesia. They also paid tribute to Indian pioneers and patriots who started India's independence movement in the USA in the early 20th century.
The celebration included a seminar that covered topics, such as America's war for Independence, Early Indian Immigration and Settlement, Struggle for US citizenship, Fight for Indian Independence (Gadar Movement), Indian Americans Philanthropic Contributions to India and USA and Indian Americans who have made India and Indian Americans Proud.
Inder Singh, in his welcome remarks, talked about Americans' sacrifices to gain freedom from the British. He also spoke about the hardships, racial violence, bigotry, and discrimination that early Indian immigrants faced in the USA.
Vasu Pawar, President, GOPIO Inland Empire, gave a detailed account of the American War for Independence while Dilip Butani, GOPIO Area Coordinator, Southern California, spoke about Early Indian Immigration and Settlement problems.
Kewal Kanda, Treasurer, GOPIO International, spoke about the Struggle of Indians for US citizenship. He said early Indian immigrants could not find good jobs, had to live in shanty homes, and were not allowed to buy property. Some of them became US citizens but the US Supreme Court ruled that Indians were not white and therefore not eligible for US Citizenship. After a long struggle, a bill was passed in US Congress in 1946 allowing 100 Indians to become US citizens annually.
 Photo above: Audience at the American Independence Day Seminar. Front Row, from l. to r. Front Row, L-R: Sasha Singh, Artesia mayor Ali Taj, Cerritos City Councilman Naresh Solanki, Ashok Madan, Dilip Butani, Mrs and Mr Uka Solanki, Inder Singh
Navin Gupta, president of GOPIO-LA, explained how the Indian Independence Movement, known as Gadar Movement was started in US to free India from the yolk of British rule. Several thousand overseas Indians left their businesses and jobs and went to India to free their motherland from the British.
Ashok Madan, former NFIA President, talked about the philanthropic contributions of Indians, which far outweigh those by any other recent immigrant community to the USA.
 Photo above: Amrit Bhandari, Rajinder Dhunna, Aparna Hande, Kewal Kanda, Vasu Pawar, Mohammad Yacoob, Inder Singh, Abdulgani Shaikh, Rani Kuusto, Dilip Butani, Smita Das, Ashok Madan, Navin Gupta, Baljinder Tahim, and Ajmer Singh.
Contact: Dilip Butani, GOPIO Los-Angeles Area Coordinator, dmbutani@gmail.com.
GOPIO PARIS NORD CELEBRARES "INDIA AND THE FRANCOPHONIE"
GOPIO Paris Nord celebrated "India and the Francophonie" on the 15th of April 2017 at Maison de l'Inde in Paris. This is a yearly event in the agenda of GOPIO in France.
The word "Francophonie" was used for the first time by a French geographer Onésime Reclus in 1880 to refer to all persons and countries beyond the borders of France using the French Language.
This event on "India and the Francophonie" was articulated around three core themes:
"La Francophonie": Its impact on Education and Indian Youth" was showcased by three French-speaking youngsters of Indian origin. Nisha Dhingra, Anahat Kaur and Innimei Tiroumale Chetty. Since all of them grew up in Indian cultures, they described how "Francophonie" has helped them. They highlighted the advantages for young people to have bilingual and multilingual identities because it would help them in intergroup interactions within the "Francophonie" space.
In the second part of the program, Shri Baradane Anandane, Shri Tettiravou Jean Louis and Shri Deva Koumarane spoke about the "
History of the Ancient Trading Posts of France in India." During the Treaty of Paris, signed in 1815 with the British, France had the control of the five trading posts in India: Chandernagor, Yanaon, Pondicherry, Karaikal and Mahé. Of this colonial time, there remains a French Lycée, the French Institute of Pondicherry and an Alliance Française. French is still spoken by few people here but Tamil and English are the dominant languages.
Photos - Left, Nisha DHINGRA (Jaipur), Anahat Kaur (Chandigarh) and Innimei Tiroumale Chetty (Mauritius): Middle, Nisha Dhingra, GOPIO-Paris Nord Youth Council Coordinator & Deva Koumarane speaking; Right, Etienne Dabeedin, President GOPIO French Guyana & Baradane Anandane speaking.
The last part of the program was on the "Cultural Diversity across La Francophonie" with Mr. Freddy Dominique ZANGA (Cameroun), Mr. Krishna Bagadiya (India) and Mr. Etienne Dabeedin (Guyana). It is essential in our increasingly diverse societies to ensure harmonious interactions among people of different cultures and the willingness to live together. GOPIO France firmly believe that India with its historical ties with France, is qualified to be part of the "Francophonie" since it is an opportunity for multilateral cooperation through the French language.
Contact: Mehen Poinoosawmy, Presdient, GOPIO-Paris Nord, mpoinoos@gmail.com
YOGA DAY CELEBRATED BY GOPIO-TRIOLET NORTH
GOPIO Triolet North celebrated International Yoga Day on June 21, 2017 at the Le Nid Primary School. This celebration was attended by more than five hundred and fifty children and other participants.
The Yoga Session was led by Guru Nursimooloo, who demonstrated various postures of yoga and explained the benefits of Yoga. He stressed on the point that Yoga is not meant for only a certain community but is a universal philosophy that can be practiced by everyone.
Mrs Aryawattee Boolauky, the Secretary of GOPIO Triolet North (GTN) talked about the word "YOGA" which comes from the word "YOG" meaning the meeting of our soul to the absolute. Thus this session attempted to make the participants realize the mental, physical and spiritual balance through Yoga, bringing joy and contentment to themselves.
Photo - GOPIO Triolet N.Mauritius Yoga Day. President Kriti Lataram with speakers
GTN President Kritilata Ram focused on the various benefits of Yoga and she stated that there are now 5000 such events organized across the world. She appealed to the participants to keep practicing Yoga regularly to enjoy all its benefits.
According to Mr Gangulee, CEO, LIC of India, Mauritius since Yoga transforms our lives, we should keep practicing it not only on the International Yoga Day but daily.
Photo - GOPIO Triolet N.Mauritius Yoga Day.participants
Contact: Kritilata Ram, kritilata14@hotmail.com.
GOPIO HAS GOT TALENT - MISS INDIA FRANCE 2017 & MISS TALENT 2017
 The Miss India France 2017 election, held on the 13th of May 2017, under the patronage of the Indian Embassy in France, was an exceptional event in the Franco-Indian community.
Miss India France 2017 is selected by the votes of the public and also by a board of several French and Indian personalities, from the world of fashion, beauty, arts and media. She is expected not only to have physical beauty but also good culture, knowledge about India and have the ability to communicate well.
Manisha Warnakulasuriya (N° 5 in the photo below) was crowned Miss India France 2017. Leena Doolee, the vice secretary of GOPIO France Paris also participated in this famous event. She was crowned as the 2nd runner up "Miss 2nd Dauphine 2017".
Photo - Vikas Talwar, Secretary General and Madevi Baumgartner, Vice President of GOPIO France Paris with Leena Doolee after her election
DILIP BUTANI APPOINTED AS GOPIO-SOUTHERN CALIFIORNIA AREA COORDINATOR
 Dilip Butani has been appointed as GOPIO's area coordinator for Southern California. Butani aims to add more chapters to the existing three chapters (Los Angeles, Orange County and Inland Empire) in Southern California Butani is also Chairman of Federation of Indian Community of Southern California, Chairman of Lions Club of Little India and Co-Chair for Indian American Republicans of SoCal. Before being appointed as GOPIO Coordinator for Southern California, he served as GOPIO-Media Council Co-chair.
Dilip Butani is also Chairman of Federation of Indian Community of Southern California, Chairman of Lions Club of Little India and Co-Chair for Indian American Republicans of SoCal.
Contact: Dilip Butani, dmbutani@gmail.com
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| NRIs AND PIOs ACHIEVE | |
INDIAN ORIGIN DOCTOR CREATES HISTORY BY BECOMING IRELAND PM
A son of Indian doctor and an Irish nurse, Leo Varadkar, also a medical doctor, at age 38, became the youngest Prime Minster (Taoiseach) of Ireland.
In 2006, he was elected to the Lower House of Irish Parliament (Dail Éireann) for the first time. Leo is one of the most admired Irish politicians in Ireland for his sharp intellectual grasp of issues and courage in expressing his views.
As a first Indian-origin TD (Member of Parliament), he was invited to the inauguration of the GOPIO Ireland Chapter as a guest speaker.
Photo: Left - Leo Vardkar, MP speaking at GOPIO-Ireland Inauguration in 2007 at Dublin, Right - GOPIO-Ireland Inauguration Head Table with Indian High Commissioner, Dublin Mayor, Lord Diljit Rana and Leo Varadkar, GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham and GOPIO Ireland President Dr. Prabhu Kulkarni
His appointment is greatly welcome in Ireland as indication of the gradual cultural transformation in a traditionally conservative catholic country. Leo has earlier served in three major departments - Health, Transport and Social welfare.
INDIAN-AMERICAN AMONG TWELVE NEW ASTRONAUTS CHOSEN BY NASA
American space agency, Nasa has chosen twelve new astronauts, including an Indian-American, from a record number of over 18,000 applicants, who will be trained for missions into Earth's orbit and into space.
To get selected, the astronauts had to meet certain physical requirements, as well as have certain education and experience criteria - such as a Bachelor's degree in a STEM field or accumulating up to 1,000 hours of piloting jets.
Vice President Mike Pence joined Nasa leaders, including acting administrator Robert Lightfoot and Director of Flight Operations Brian Kelly, in Houston, Texas to announce the new astronaut candidates, or "ascans".
Pence commended the merits of the new astronaut class by saying "The courage of these men and women and all the astronauts who have gone before, inspires me to this very day."
The 12 new candidates include six military officers, three scientists, two medical doctors, a lead engineer at SpaceX and a Nasa research pilot.
TWELVE INDIAN ORIGIN MPs ELECTED TO UK's PARLIAMENT
A record 12 Indian-origin MPs won seats in the House of Commons after a tense night in which no party won a majority. All 10 sitting Indian-origin MPs held on to their constituencies, whilst two Indian-origin first-timers made it to the House.
These MPs were:
International development secretary, Priti Patel, 45, of Ugandan-Gujarati heritage who retained her seat in Witham
Alok Sharma, 49, former minister for Asia Pacific, clung on to Reading West in a tight race against Labour.
Rishi Sunak, 37, was victorious in rural Richmond in Yorkshire
Suella Fernandes, 37, in Fareham and Conservative backbencher Sailesh Vara, 56, retained their North West Cambridgeshire seat
Labour, retained its five Indian-origin MPs.
Britain's longest-serving British Asian MP, Keith Vaz, 60, had no problem holding onto Leicester East.
Vaz's sister, 62-year-old Valerie Vaz, retained Walsall South
Virendra Sharma also won decisively in Ealing Southall
Lisa Nandy,37 won in Wigan in Greater Manchester
Seema Malhotra, 44, won Feltham and Heston
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| GOPIOs, NRIs and PIOs NEWS FEATURES |
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GOPIO LIFE MEMBER DR. ABRAHAM GEORGE'S INSTITUTION SHANTI BHAVAN FEATURED IN NETFLIX
Five students of Shanti Bhavan are featured in the upcoming Netflix Original documentary series, Daughters of Destiny, directed by Oscar-award winner Vanessa Roth with music by acclaimed artist A. R. Rahman.
The series captures the stories of these young women and the incredible change Shanti Bhavan has made in their lives. Daughters of Destinypremiered on Friday, July 28th. One can catch a sneak peekby watching the trailer at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b49QEQsNUj0. Add it to your Netflix Watchlist.
GOPIO CULTURAL COUNCIL CHAIR DHAMATMA SARAN RECEIVED BHARAT GAURAV AWARD
GOPIO Founding Member and Cultural Council Chair Dharmatma Saran, Chairman and Founder of Miss India Worldwide and Mrs. India Worldwide, received the Bharat Gaurav (Pride of India) Lifetime Achievement Award at a function held at the United Nations headquarters in New York on June 9.
Established by the Sanskriti Yuva Sanstha, this award felicitates individuals "who have achieved a land mark in their profession and made India proud."
The award was given to Mr. Saran for promoting India culture, traditions and performing arts through pageantry. He started the first cultural Indian pageant 35 years ago and now this pageant has been acclaimed as the "most glamorous Indian event in the world."
Mr. Saran said, "I am honored to receive the Bharat Gaurav Award at UN Hall in New York. I humbly dedicate it to my associates all over world who are working hard to promote Indian culture."
GOPIO CHICAGO PRESIDENT HINA TRIVEDI RECEIVED MELVIN JONES AWARD FROM LIONS INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION
Chicago-based social activist Hina Trivedi recently received the Melvin Jones Fellowship award from Lions Club International Foundation for her dedicated charity services. She is also being appointed as a host committee member for the Lions Club International Foundation's 100th anniversary celebration held in Chicago.
Trivedi serves as president of the Chicago Indo-U.S. Lions Club, and former president of the GOPIO Chicago and the Federations of Indian Associations, as well as serving with many more organizations.
Ms Trivedi also won the Exemplary Community Service Award for outstanding and dedicated service to the general welfare of the Asian American community in Illinois from the Asian American Coalition of Chicago at the 16th annual Asian American Festival.
Hina Trivedi being fluent in seven languages, serves the Asian community as a translator. She helps people with green card interviews, voter registration, Medicare, Medicaid and also with many legal and social services.
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NEWS OF INTEREST TO NRIs AND PIOs AROUND THE WORLD
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AADHAR AND PAN CARD NEED TO BE LINKED TO BANK ACCOUNTS IN INDIA
NRIs/PIOs who do not live in India less than six months are not eligible to get an Aadhaar card. However, the Reserve Bank of India recently published notifications stating that all bank accounts must be linked to the Aadhaar card number and Pan card by December 31, 2017. Many millions of Indians living abroad have NRE, NRO and fixed bank deposits, and those accounts are generally 5-25 years old. Overseas Indian account holders will not be able to produce Aadhaar and Pan cards to keep their account active after December 2017. GOPIO has sent an appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a request that as the Income Tax Department has exempted the Overseas Indians from requiring Aadhaar card for filing their tax returns, similar rules must apply for holding bank accounts by NRIs and PIOs. GOPIO is yet to hear from the Prime Minister.
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| 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 2/3 of 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 with people of Indian origin all over the world. If you do not have a chapter in your city, please visit the GOPIO website (www.gopio.net) and get details of chapter initiation (visit http://www.gopio.net/chapter_initiative.htm). This process involves sending a letter of intent to start a chapter by a committee of five people or more. For more information, contact:
GOPIO Chairman - Dr. Thomas Abraham, Stamford, Connecticut, USA, Tel: +1-203-329-8010, E-mail: gopio@optonline.net
GOPIO President - Niraj Baxi, San Jose, California, USA, Tel: 408-307-9845, E-mail: president@gopio.net
GOPIO Executive Vice President - Noel Lal, Sydney, Australia, Tel: +61 417448293, E-mail: evpgopio@gmail.com
GOPIO Vice President - Ram Gadhavi, Wayne, New Jersey, USA, Tel: +1-973-699-8582, E-mail: ram@gadhavi.net
Execuitve Trustee of GOPIO Foundation - Inder Singh, Tarzana, California, USA, Tel: +1-818-708-3885, E-mail: indersinghusa@gmail.com
GOPIO's Global Ambassador - Sunny Kulathakal, Bahrain, +973-39441956, India +91-9845756692, E-mail: kulathakal44@gmail.com
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| EDITORIAL BOARD | |
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Chief Editor: Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman, GOPIO International (Stamford, CT, USA), (Stamford, CT, USA)
Editor: Nami Kaur, GOPIO Media Council Chair (New York, USA)
Associate Editors: Layla Matthew (Bangalore, India), Ila Rosengarten (Denver, CO, USA) and Harry Walia (Australia)
Webmasters: Anita Bhat (President, GOPIO-CT), Sunny Kulathakal (Global Ambassador, GOPIO International), Mehen Poinoosawmy (President, GOPIO Paris Nord, France), Kewal Kanda (Treasurer, GOPIO International), Jay Bhandari (GOPIO Washington DC Area Coordinator), Kritilata Ram (President GOPIO-Triolet North Mauritius), Dr. Prabhu Kulkarni (President, GOPIO-Ireland), Hina Trivedi (President, GOPIO-Chicago) and Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Sharma (GOPIO Lie Member, Meerut, India)
GOPIO NEWS welcomes NRI/PIO related stories from all over the world. Be a volunteer correspondent or reporter.
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