GOPIO's Convention 2011 is scheduled to be held in Toronto on October 14 - 16, 2011. The convention will be a 3-day event with GOPIO of Canada holding its first international event along with its several GOPIO chapters. 

Tentative program outline is as follows:

Friday, Oct. 14 (day): GOPIO Meetings

Friday, Oct. 14 (evening): Inaugural Reception

Saturday, Oct. 15 (day): Conference Sessions on Diaspora Community Issues

Saturday, Oct. 15 (evening): Banquet

Sunday, Oct. 16 (day): Conclusion

GOPIO of Canada will take the lead, supported by all the GOPIO chapters in Canada, taking the lead role in planning and coordination. The organizing committees are being established. The conference program would be addressing current, relevant PIO/NRI issues.

A kick off meeting/dinner is planned for Saturday, August 13^th starting at 5 pm at 15 Royal Rouge Trail, Toronto, ON M1B 4T5. Many important people from the community will be present, including GOPIO International Chairman Inder Singh from Los Angeles and GOPIO International Executive Vice President Ashook Ramsaran from New York. The event will be presided over by Honorable Jim Karigiannis. Members of the media will also be present to cover this event.

If you would like to be actively involved in GOPIO Convention organization or become a volunteer, please join for the meeting on August 13^th or cntact Jay Banerjei at jay@jaybanerjei.com.

Register Now!

Contact: Jay Banerjei, International Convention Chair, GOPIO of Toronto, 1-647-273-1119 or jay@jaybanerjei.com. 

Two Indian American girls have emerged winners at Google's inaugural Science Fair, impressing thousands at the internet giant's California headquarters with their projects on ways to improve ovarian cancer treatment and bettering air quality for the benefit of asthma patients.

The top three winners out of 15 finalists at the fair were all girls: Shree Bose, Naomi Shah and Lauren Hodge, prompting Google to laud "girl power" at the fair. 

"The unifying elements of all three young women were their intellectual curiosity, their tenaciousness and their ambition to use science to find solutions to big problems," Cristin Frodella from Google's Education Team said in a blog post. 

The finalists examined complex problems and found simple solutions that can be implemented by the general public--like changing cooking habits or removing toxins from homes, Frodella said. 
 
Bose, who won in the 17-18 age group, was also named the 'Grand Prize' winner, taking home a 50,000 dollar scholarship and an internship opportunity at the prestigious Geneva-based CERN institute. 

Bose impressed judges, more than 1,000 local attendees as well as Googlers with her project to "improve ovarian cancer treatment for patients when they have built up a resistance to certain chemotherapy drugs". 

Apart from the scholarship, Bose also won a trip to the Galapagos Islands with a National Geographic Explorer. 

Terming Bose's work as "groundbreaking discovery which could have wider implications for cancer research," Google said she came up with complex solutions that can be addressed in labs by doctors and researchers. 

Shah won in the 15-16 age group for her "endeavour to prove that making changes to indoor environments that improve indoor air quality can reduce people's reliance on asthma medications". 

Hodge was named winner in the 13-14 age group for studying the effect of different marinades on the level of potentially harmful carcinogens in grilled chicken. 

Shah and Hodge each received 25,000 dollar scholarships and internships at Google and toy company LEGO. 

GOPIO CALENDAR OF MAJOR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE EVENTS 2011

October 14 -16, 2011: GOPIO Convention (Toronto)

GOPIO CONDEMNS SERIES OF BOMB BLASTS IN MUMBAI

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) expressed strong and unequivocal condemnation of the series of bombings in Mumbai on July 13, 2011 that killed at least 22 innocent people and left many more injured. GOPIO considers these brutal and despicable acts as unforgivable and unjustified criminal actions directed to create widespread fear among innocent citizens.

GOPIO commends the Government of India and Maharashtra State for their diligent efforts in providing emergency services to the survivors and their families. GOPIO expresses deep and abiding concern for the victims of the tragedy, their families, friends and associates.

GOPIO-CT ORGANIZES SEMINAR ON FBAR

With the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the United States issuing rules and penalties regarding foreign bank account reporting (FBAR), GOPIO-CT organized a seminar on the subject on July 15^th in Norwalk, CT. The speaker was Cecil Nazareth ACA, CPA, MBA. It was fully subscribed meeting.

According to the IRS rules, any individual living in the US for more than 180 days and has a foreign account in India and has more than $10,000 USD at anytime between 2003 and 2011 has to report their foreign accounts Failing to report can result in criminal proceedings and the individual can be placed under amnesty and will have to pay 85% of the amount held in foreign accounts as penalty. Depending on the individual situation, tax returns for the years 2003-2010 could be amended to include interest income, dividend income and all other income including rental income, if any, in the amended tax returns. Nazareth at the seminar said that the US citizens and residents are Taxed on World-wide Income.Nazareth said that those with foreign bank accounts should avail the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Initiative (OVDI 2011) to come forward with undisclosed foreign assets and get back in to the tax system.  

"I strongly urge all Indian- Americans to disclose all their Foreign Bank accounts that exceeded $10,000 as per FBAR requirements," said Nazareth. He further suggested to employ competent professionals and get the best advice possible both in the US and India.

GOPIO-SAN FRANCISCO AND LOS ANGELES HOLD FAREWELL DINNER TO CONSUL GENERAL SUSHMITA THOMAS

GOPIO chapters in San Francisco and Los Angeles, in cooperation with other Indian community groups, organized a farewell to India's Consul General in San Francisco Ambassador Susmita Gongulee Thomas as she completed her term.

GOPIO-San Francisco Chapter held a farewell dinner at the residence of Usha and Jeevan Zutshi in Vineyard Hills of Fremont on Friday June 24, 2011. It was co-sponsored by Indo-American community Federation (IACF-USA) and attended by nearly 75 community leaders including the National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA), FIANC, Jain Temple, Indo-American Community Federation (IACF-USA) and others. Ashok Sinha, Consul Community Affairs was also present at the gathering.

GOPIO-SF President Jeevan Zutshi spoke about the effective and low key leadership style of the Consul General and the remarkable progress consulate has made in terms of serving community needs, in spite of all the odds.

"The Ministry of External Affairs has been changing rules and regulations so recklessly in the past couple of years thus causing confusion and belligerence amongst NRI community", said Zutshi. "Consulate staff has been reduced and there are more than 1000 applications a day for OCI, PIO and visa, thus putting too much pressure on Consulate staff."

Others who spoke were NFIA Executive V.P Anil Yadav, FIANC President Rajiv Awasti, and Jain Temple President Shoba Vora. Everyone appreciated the role of CGI and Consul Ashok Sinha in helping promote understanding of Indian culture in this part of the U.S.

Zutshi presented both CGI and Consul for Community Affairs with his book "The Last Smile - A Journey of Hope" about his journey from strife torn valley of Kashmir in India to the U.S. and about the dangers of dietary supplements which ultimately took the life of his elder son in 2008.

Photo above: Jeevan Zutshi (Center) presenting his book "The Last Smile- A Journey of Hope" to Consul Community Affairs Ashok Sinha (Left) and Consul General of India Susmita Thomas (Right)

C.G. Susmita Thomas talked about her pleasant experiences during her term in San Francisco as Consul General and praised the active segment of the community in building Indo-U.S ties and understanding of Indian culture in the U.S. She praised the role of GOPIO International in addressing the recent controversial issues related to Visa fees, surrender certificates and other related issues.

The evening concluded with musical entertainment by Dr. Deepak Sachdev. 

Los Angeles Program - GOPIO, in association with National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA),Federation of Indo-American Associations of Southern California (FIA) and India Association of Los Angeles (IALA), held a farewell dinner for Ambassador Susmita Thomas at the Royal Delhi Palace Banquet Hall, West Hills near Los Angeles. The dinner was attended by over 150 people. Several community leaders, Padam Shree Mani Bhaumik, Cypress City Councilman Dr. Narayan, heads and members of the above four organizations and many members of the community from all walks of life attended the event.

Indian Association of Los Angeles (IALA) president Bobby Kumar welcomed Consul General Susmita Thomas.FIA chair Anju Garg pleaded for a consular office in Los Angeles. FIA president Rajinder Dhunna complimented her as a leader while Cypress City Councilman Dr. Prakash Narayan praised her the way she explained the stringent regulations for the grant of visa to the audience. Gursharan Nat narrated his own impressions about his visits to San Francisco Consulate and how he got changed from having negative thinking about the working of the consulate to becoming an admirer of the Consul General.

GOPIO Chairman Inder Singh said that obtaining Indian visa was never a problem in the past. Consul General and senior staff members were more engaged in promoting business, tourism, or reaching out to the community for issues pertaining to India in the US Congress.  

Inder Singh stated that the new restrictions for the grant of visa to India imposed in May 2010 triggered resentment and obtaining visa became nightmare. GOPIO got the fee for surrender certificate reduced and some penalties eliminated, but that did not ease the continuing problem. He urged Ambassador Thomas to get the rules for visa relaxed and to make the process work smoothly. The expatriates should be free to visit India. It is good for people to maintain links with their motherland. These are the people who collectively contributed to India's transformation into a modern economy and that these are the people who sent over $55 billion to India in 2010 as foreign remittances. The huge sum is good for India's economy; it is good for Indian people.

Ambassador Susmita Thomas told that her assignment as the Consul General of India in San Francisco has been very challenging. She was obligated to follow the new rules but she also had responsibility to the needs of people for consular services. Her workload had increased manifold but her staff strength stayed the same.

Photo above: L-R: Mobin Khan, Consul General Susmita Thomas, Kewal Kanda, GOPIO President Inder Singh, IALA President Bobby Kumar, NFIA VP Ashok Madan, Dinesh Lakhanpal, FIA President Rajinder Dhunna, FIA Chair Anju Garg 

NFIA Vice President Ashok Madan called upon all the event co-chairs and presented a coffee table book on Los Angeles with signatures and comments from several people. Vinod Manchhani gave note of thanks mentioning all those who contributed to the organization and success of the farewell program. He thanked the media and TV Asia for attending the event.

GOPIO WASHINGTON DC HELPTS TO ORGANIZE POETRY RECITATION AT THE INDIAN EMBASSY PROGRAM

"It is with great pleasure we welcome you to the first combined Hindi-Urdu poetry recitation session arranged at our Embassy," said Ambassador Arun Kumar Singh, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India greeting the audience assembled to felicitate Professor Satyapal Anand and for a mushaira-kavi sammelan program at the Embassy of India Auditorium on Friday, 10th June, 2011. He acknowledged the support of the community members in the organization of the event and expressed hope to establish a tradition to holding such functions in the future. He also paid tribute to Professor Satyapal Anand for his outstanding contributions to the literature of Urdu, Hindi, English and Punjabi languages.

Thanking Ambassador A. K. Singh and Dr. Virander Paul, Minister, Press, Information and Culture, Embassy of India for their support in organizing the event, GOPIO-Washington DC President Dr. Zafar Iqbal apprised the audience that for the last three years the Embassy of India has been supporting Yaum-e-Azadi (Independence Day) Mushaira-Kavi Sammelan programs jointly organized by the Washington Aligarh Alumni Association (AAA) and the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin of Metro Washington (GOPIO) every year to promote subcontinent's Ganga-Jamuni culture. It was very pleasing to note that such events are gaining increasing popularity, he added.

Introducing Professor Satyapal Anand- the honoree, Dr. Iqbal said that Professor Anand is a stalwart literary personality of our times; he has enriched the literature of Urdu, Hindi, English, and Panjabi languages authoring more than 70 books. Almost all reputable Urdu magazines of the Subcontinent and the Europe and Northern America have published special numbers acknowledging his remarkable contributions to the field. An indication of Dr. Anand's recognition is the fact that the US Library of Congress has acquired 18 books authored by Dr. Anand, an honor not shared by any other Indian author in USA. Copies of documents listing publications and a brief biography of Dr. Anand were also distributed at the meeting.

Acknowledging tribute paid to him, Professor Anand thanked Ambassador Singh, participating poets and the organizers of the program. He also mentioned a few anecdotes related to his interactions with contemporary poets, writers, and critics during his many decades of literary life in India and other parts of the globe.

Dr. A. Abdullah, the evergreen conductor of poetry recitation sessions, mentioned in his introductory remarks that Urdu and Hindi are like twin sisters, but unfortunately people with political motives-starting with the British Empire-have tried to inculcate sibling rivalry between them. The faithful lovers of both languages have realized that the progress of Hindi and Urdu is interdependent on each other. He also mentioned that the Aligarh Alumni Association and GOPIO have been successfully providing a common platform for the interaction of Urdu and Hindi literary personalities under one roof for the last three years and that increasing number participants and audience is in these programs is a testimony to the desire of people to share the common heritage.

Photos above: Packed audience at the poetry recital at the Indian Embassy in Washington DC

Participating poets included Professor Satyapal Anand, Professor Rajkumar Qais from San Diego, Mr. Krishnakumar Singh Mayank from Lucknow, Dr. Narendra Tandon Saahil, Dr. A. Abdullah, Smt. Madhu Maheshwari, Dr. Astha Naval, Mrs. Bhupinder Katohora, Dr. Vishakha Thaker, Mrs. Rekha Maitra, and Ms. Rashmi Sanan.

The program was followed by a sumptuous dinner hosted by the Indian Embassy.

GOPIO SYDNEY NORTH WEST CHAPTER HOSTS INDIAN AMERICAN ACADEMIC PROF. PARMATMA SARAN

Prof. Parmatma Saran and Dr. Rupam Saran visited Sydney and addressed GOPIO members at a meeting organized GOPIO Sydney North West and GOPIO Cultural Council on July 8^th at the Edward Purser Hall of Rouse Hill Library. The event was organized by GOPIO Sydney North West chapter. The chapter president, Neeru Singh welcomed Dr Parmatma Saran and other guests. GOPIO Cultural Council Co-Chair Abbas Raza Alvi provided the introductory remarks and then introduced Dr. Saran to guests. GOPIO-Australia Area Coordinator Harry Walia highlighted activities of GOPIO in the Sydney area.

Dr. Parmatma Saran, a GOPIO Life Member, spoke of the history of the community mobilization such as GOPIO and assimilation of the community in the larger society in the US and other countries. A lively discussion followed. Amit Pall conducted a Question - Answer session with Dr Saran. GOPIO's Alka Sharma paid vote of thanks.

 Photo above: Prof. Parmatma Saran and Dr. Rupam Saran with GOPIO organizers of program in Sydney

GOPIO NEW ZEALAND CHAPTERS HOST PROF. PARMATMA SARAN

On 11^th July 2011 GOPIO NZ Inc had organized an interactive meeting with Dr. Parmatma Saran, Professor of Sociology at Baruch College of City University in New York City. It was held at Bharatiya Samaj in Auckland New Zealand. Dr Parmatma Saran gave a 15 minutes statement on Indian Diaspora in USA and other countries. It was followed with an interactive session with the gathering.

Dr. Saran advised that there are approx 25 million Indian origin people residing around the world. It was in the late 1980's that BJP leaders while visiting USA and met with Dr. Thomas Abraham who was a community organizer and a strong supporter of Indian  culture, Indian Diaspora; who had asked if Indian government would open a cell within the Foreign ministry for NRI's. At that time this was a new thing and it was not received with enthusiasm. Now with the help and initiative of GOPIO International, that Indian government created a ministry of NRI and not only a cell.

Dr. Saran wants to promote interaction not only within our Indian community but also with the local communities around us. He wants to promote and uphold not only Indian culture but interact with the other cultural groups around us. He wanted to know more about NZ societies mixing with Indian and vice versa. It was very interesting to note participation of people on this topic.

This kind of meeting and interaction does help in our thinking and widening our horizon. Over 30 people attended the meeting despite rainy and unsettled weather on that evening. Every one enjoyed the talk and meeting Prof, Saran and Dr. (Mrs) Rupam Saran. GOPIO NZ Inc. had pleasure in organizing this and would not mind having more International GOPIO speakers from anywhere from GOPIO families.

BAHRAIN'S WHO'S WHO RELEASED IN CHICAGO

Bahrain's ECONOMIC VISION 2030 was discussed at a Professional Summit of Kerala/Indian professionals in Chicago last week. Nearly a dozen professional organizations of Indians in different parts of U.S.A had arranged a one day conference the first of its kind at Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Chicago under the auspices of FOMAA (Federation of Malayalee Associations of America). Mr. Ramesh Chennithala, President of Kerala  Pradesh Congress Committee President and Mr.T.P.Sreenivasan Former Indian Ambassador to Austria were the chief guests. Experts from different areas and academic heads and journalists spoke on the occasion.

As a special guest Mr. Sunny Kulathakal, Managing Editor of the Gulf Who's Who Directory  Bahrain and GOPIO's International Coordinator for the Middle East addressed the gathering and the directory was  officially  released at the function for the U.S market. Kulathakal focused on the interviews of nearly 200 dignitaries on VISION 2030 of Bahrain which forms part of the 750 pages Directory. He mentioned that the dreams and aspirations of the leaders of a tiny island nation to improve the standard of living of its citizens are quite evident in these interviews.

Dr. Sreedhar Kavil senior  Professor  and former Chairman of St. John's  University in his keynote address appreciated the contents of the 2011-2012  Directory. He stressed that the recent negative global publicity against Bahrain in foreign media could be rectified  through wide circulation of such publications. Dr. Kavil mentioned that we should be proud and happy that an Indian could bring out such a precious and timely document to project to the outside world, a positive true picture of Bahrain.

A  series  of  campaign to explain  the salient features  of VISION 2030  of Bahrain was started  by the publishers  of  Gulf Who's Who  Directory 2011-2012 in different parts  of the United  States of America last month. The Directory was widely distributed to the  American Arab Chamber of Commerce and  other Diplomatic missions. Separate   Public  functions  were  organized   in  Houston, St. Louis  and Dallas where  Mr. Kulathakal Managing  Editor and Mrs. Elizabeth  Sunny  Kulathakal, Business  Editor of the Directory attended.

AUSTRALIA ENFORCES NEW, TIGHTER IMMIGRATION RULES

Australia's new immigration rules that focus on higher qualification and advance English language skills as requirements for those wanting to migrate to this country came into effect today. The new rules, according to Australian officials, aim to pick up the "best and the brightest" from the pool of applicants, and have been criticized by Indian groups in Melbourne. 

The Australian government announced changes to its independent skilled migration points test, introducing the new immigration point system to put more emphasis on work experience and high-level educational qualification with higher English language proficiency.

However, the new program has been criticized by the Federation of Indian Association of Victoria (FIAV) which said the level of English proficiency is like an "iron curtain" being imposed on migration in this country. IAV president Vasan Srinivasan said the organization sympathizes with the government's need to attract to Australia migrants with good English speaking skills but the requirement that is appropriate for skilled professionals like for doctors and accountants, should not be required for other less professional occupations.

KERALA ADDS SOPs FOR ITS NRIs

The first budget presented by the Congress-led United Democratic Front has added Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Kerala diaspora by way of a rehabilitation scheme, a legal aid cell and a 24-hour helpline. A new centre will also be set up to improve the skill sets of those who want to go abroad for a job.

According to a study done by the Centre for Development Studies on the diaspora, there are more than two million Keralites working abroad, of whom around 90 percent are in the Middle-East. The budget QAS presented by Finance Minister K.M. Mani.

"The NORKA department will come out with an elaborate program for the rehabilitation of those people who have returned from abroad on account of internal issues in some countries," said Mani. According to the CDS study, the number of returnees from the Middle East has crossed one million in the last one decade.

Another new initiative is the setting up of an Overseas Employment Skill Testing Centre.

 

JEEVAN STEM CELL BANK - SERVING INDIANS GLOBALLY

The Background - Annually Over 120,000 Indians are diagnosed with blood cancers and another 10,000 children are born with Thalassemia (a disease needing one or two blood transfusions every month for lifetime). Over 400 Indians living globally search for a bone marrow donor or stem cell match annually. Over 60% of these patients can hope for a cure if they have access to matching stem cells from donated umbilical cord blood. Since matching is highly dependent on ethnicity, the chances of an Indian finding a match in any other country is less than 10% while the possibility is over 60% in an Indian inventory. Today, even if a match is found, it will cost over USD 45,000 to import a unit of stem cell, which is beyond the reach of most of these patients

The Beginning - Jeevan Stem Cell Bank, a unit of Jeevan Blood Bank and Research Centre, a 15 year old not-for-profit organisation, started operations in November 2008 with the vision of Ensuring Quick and affordable access to matching stem cells for life-saving treatment for Indian patients living globally with blood cancers and Thalassemia. Jeevan will make available matching stem cells free for poor and at Rupees Two lakhs for those who can afford. As of now, Jeevan is the ONLY active Indian Public Stem Cell Bank across the world.

What Jeevan Has done - Today, Jeevan has 669 units of stem cells processed, tested and stored - ready for patients and gets over 5 requests a week for matching units from Indians across the world. Chances of finding a match is directly proportional to inventory size. Our vision is to scale-up the inventory to 4000 (March 2012), 10,000 (December 2012) and 30,000 (December 2015).

The Team - Jeevan is professionally managed by a committed and competent team lead by the co-founders Drs. Srinivasan and Saranya Narayan and who have a combined experience of over 50 years in starting and managing Pathology and Blood transfusion facilities.

How You Can Help - There are two challenges to this project, which will touch Indians globally. One is cord blood donation. With over 20 million births happening every year targets are easily achievable. However, the other - meeting the cost ($ 750) of processing each cord blood donation, testing, typing and storing each unit of stem cells can only be surmounted with the participation of the beneficiaries - Indian community across the world. Jeevan is looking for 30,000 Indians who could make a tax exempted donation of $ 750 each (or $ 250 every year for three years).

Can Jeevan also meet the needs of patients of Indian origin living in Canada, the UK, the U.S. and other parts of the world? Dr. Saranya Narayan, Co-Founder and Medical Director of Jeevan responds with an emphatic 'yes'. She points out that donor registries across the world are wired into a global stem cell donor network through reciprocal agreements. However at present, persons of Indian origin are underrepresented in the national donor registries, and Indian patients face very poor odds in finding matching donors. More than 400 patients of Indian origin living globally search the various registries for matching donors every year, and very few, if any, find matches.

Says Dr. Srinivasan "the Jeevan Stem Cell Bank will ensure quick and affordable access to stem cells derived from donated cord blood and therefore, life saving treatment for many. The creation of an Indian Public stem cell bank like Jeevan will raise the potential match rate to as high as 60%, both for Indians living in India and globally".

To find out more about Jeevan, online donations and tax exempted donations in USA and UK please visitwww.jeevan.org. contact Dr Srinivasan at srinivasan@jeevan.org.  

DESI PADOSI BLOG LAUNCHED

For NRIs, living outside India can be an isolating experience for Indians, especially when they are new. When living abroad, Indians should be able to have an opportunity to get to know other Indians & their families in the "neighborhood".

Now there is a new Platform that provides an opportunity to create awareness about the existence of other Indians in the neighborhood. The service is called Desi Padosi.com. NRIs & PIOs around the world can Visit www.desipadosi.com & become a member for FREE.

By becoming Members of desipadosi.com, NRIs & PIOs can derive following benefits FREE:

   * Find new family friends who have similar lifestyles, hobbies and values.

   * Come together and share nostalgic moments.

   * Create groups based on common interests.

   * Share shopping tips pertaining to ones own neighborhood.

   * And last but not the least, build a support system for each other.

There are 2 Sections in desipadosi.com to make the website User-friendly & Interactive, viz;" How It Works" & " Desi Padosi BLOG".

NRIs & PIOs around the world may make use of this platform to reach out.

Contact:K.Suresh Rao,Desi Padosi Blog, ksrao07@gmail.com.

INDIAN COUPLE CHALLENGES BRITISH IMMIGRATION LAW

An Indian woman who lives in Britain and wants her husband to join her there cannot do so because a new immigration law requires him to speak English. The couple has now challenged the law in court. 

British citizen Rashida Chapti, 54, applied for her husband Vali Chapti, 57, to join her in Britain. The couple have been married for 37 years and has six children together. Vali Chapti is an Indian national and does not speak, read or write English. They have now challenged the rule at a court in Birmingham. They said the law "contravenes their rights to a family life, their right to marry and constitutes discrimination", according to UK's Daily Mail newspaper. 

Rashida Chapti has been travelling between India and Leicester for 15 years. 

The rule came into force in November 2010. It says English language is a primary requirement for migrants applying to come or stay in Britain as a spouse. 

Manjit Gill, representing the couple, told the Birmingham court the requirement was a breach of their human rights. He said it contravenes several articles of the European Convention on Human Rights - including the right to family life, the right to marry, and to be free of discrimination.

SURVEY SHOWS IT PROFESSIONALS HEADING BACK TO INDIA

According to survey conducted by recruitment consulting firm MyHiringClub.com, as reported in the media, IT and IT-enabled firms in India hired 28 percent more non-resident Indian (NRI) professionals in the first quarter of 2011-12. Due to shortage of jobs and declining wages overseas, an increasing number of NRI IT professionals are returning to India. During the first quarter of the current fiscal year, IT and IT-enabled services registered highest growth, as much as 28 percent. Several other sectors of the economy have also seen noticeable job growth. Pharma and healthcare grew by 20 percent, automobile and manufacturing by 18 percent, telecom by 14 percent, banking and financial services by 10 percent.

Largest number of returned NRIs found jobs in Bangalore, followed by Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad.

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 Executive Vice President - Ashook Ramsaran, Fresh Meadows, New York City, Tel: 718/939-8194, E-mail: ramsaran@aol.com

To become a Life member of GOPIO, one can sign up online at http://gopio.net/online_membership.htmor fill up the form and send it with a check to: GOPIO International, PO Box 560117, New York NY 11356, USA.

Contributors of this issue: Inder Singh (GOPIO Intl., USA), Dr. Zafar Iqbal (GOPIO-Washington DC), Suman Kapoor (GOPIO-Waikato, New Zealand), Jay Banerjei (GOPIO-Toronto), Shailesh Naik (GOPIO-CT, USA), Shefali Mehta (GOPIO-NZ), Harry Walia (GOPIO-Australia), Jeevan Zutshi (GOPIO San Francisco), Munish Gupta (GOPIO Media Council).

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.