GOPIO NEWS BULLETIN
October 2006
CONTENTS
MINISTER KAMAL NATH TO ADDRESS EICC AND GOPIO CONFERENCE
GOPIO ANNOUNCES CONVENTION 2007 IN NEW DELHI, JANUARY 5TH AND 6TH
GOPIO IS CO-ORGANIZER OF GLOBAL INDIAN BUSINESS SUMMIT IN SINGAPORE
DIASPORA SCIENTIST SIGN UP FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION
MINISTER RAVI MAKES A SUCCESSFUL EUROPEAN TRIP
SWISS NRIs UPSET OVER NEW LAW
INDIAN NRI STUDENTS TO BE GIVEN EQUAL RIGHTS
NFIA TO HOST 14TH BIENNIAL CONVENTION IN LOS ANGELES, NOV. 17-19, 2006
GOPIO INTL. AND CHAPTER NEWS
GOPIO-AMSTERDAM TO ORGANIZE SEMINAR ON MEDICAL TOURISM
GOPIO-CHICAGO HOLDS ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTS OFFICERS
NRIs/PIOs ACHIEVE
PENTAGON AWARD GOES TO ABRAHAM PANNIKOTTU
BRITISH INDIAN PHYSICIAN WINS PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
INDIAN AMERICAN SCIENTIST MAHALANOBIS NAMED 2006 SCIENTIST OF THE YEAR
KENNEDY CENTER TO HONOR ZUBIN MEHTA
FOUR INDIAN AMERICAN STUDENTS NAMES DAVIDSON FELLOWS
MIT TO HONOR SIX INDIAN-AMERICAN SCIENTISTS
INDO-GUYANESE GIRL TOPS CARIBBEAN SECONDARY EXAM
INDIAN AMERICAN ATUL GAWANDE NAMED MACARTHUR FELLOW
NEWS OF INTEREST TO NRIs AND PIOs AROUND THE WORLD
INDIAN AMERICAN SANT SINGH CHATWAL TO SET UP BOUTIQUE HOTELS IN INDIA
DUTCH NATIONALITY AND OVERSEAS INDIAN CITIZENSHIP
SURVEY SAYS GULF KERALITES POOR IN SAVINGS
INDIAN NURSES MAY LOSE JOBS IN UK
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY TO BUILD HOUSES FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN INDIA
SATYAGRAHA CONFERENCE HELD IN DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA
GOPIO LIFE MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTER FORMATION
EDITORIAL BOARD
MINISTER KAMAL NATH TO ADDRESS EICC AND GOPIO CONFERENCE
Indias Trade and Commerce Minister Mr. Kamal Nath will address the EICC-IMC-ASSOCHAM-GOPIO Conference on EU-India Strategic Partnership as Chief Guest on 8 November. The inauguration of the Conference will be held in the Hotel Sheraton on 8 November 2006 evening followed by a gala dinner and the Business Session of the event will be held in the European Parliament (Room P3C050) 9 November 2006. The EU Energy Commissioner Mr. Andris Piebalgs will deliver the Inaugural address and will speak about Global Energy Security and EU-India Energy Cooperation. Mr. Sam Pitroda will be the Keynote Speaker (Please visit www.eicc.be for the Theme Document and other info including the tentative program).
The Conference will be attended by more than 250 participants from Europe, India and USA. Twenty One speakers have been carefully selected to speak about the EU-India economic relations in the context of the Strategic Partnership. Taking advantage of the presence of a large number of industrialists, the EICC and GOPIO have planned to organize an Investors Meet on 9 November evening in the Hotel Sheraton followed by a dinner. Several Indian companies will be represented by their top executives at this event.
Although registration of the 2days Conference is free, all participants are required to register for attending the event. On-line registration is also available and interested persons can visit the EICC website: www.eicc.be to register. The Chair of the Conference and Secretary General of the EICC Sunil Prasad can also 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 Conference and other details, please visit the EICC website.
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 Euros including breakfast and Double room: 85 Euros including breakfast. Contact Mr. Robert van der Plas, General Manager by fax +32 2 646 3314 or by E-mail: info@hotelcapital.be. While making booking, please refer booking Code agreement number #259 for obtaining a special negotiated rate.
GOPIO ANNOUNCES CONVENTION 2007 IN NEW DELHI, JANUARY 5TH AND 6TH
Global organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO)
INVITES YOU TO
GOPIO CONFERENCE 2007
Jan 5-6, 2007
IN CONJUNCTION WITH
PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS
Place: FICCI Conference Hall and Auditorium,
Federation House, Tansen Marg, New Delhi
Tentative Program
Friday, January 5th, 2007
9.30 to 12.30 p.m. GOPIO Executive Committee and Executive Council Meetings (Not open to general public)
12.30 to 1.30 p.m. (lunch)
1.30 to 3.00 p.m.
GOPIO Council Reports and NRI/PIO Communities Area Reports
(Open to general public)
3.00 p.m. 3.20 p.m. Coffee Break
3.20 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Session 1
7.0 0 p.m. to 8.00 Formal Inauguration of GOPIO Conference 2007
Release of Conference Souvenir
8.00 p.m. to10.30 p.m. Reception and Networking Dinner
Saturday, January 6th, 2007
9.00 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. Registration
9.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. Opening General Session
10.45 a.m. to 1.15 p.m. Session 2
1.30 p.m. to 3.00 p.m.
Awards Luncheon - Presentation of Pravasi Bharatiya Community Service Awards
3.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. Wrap-up and Adoption of Resolutions
Conference Registration
Registration Fee: Rs.1,000. Waived for those who register prior to December 15, 2006. Total registration will be limited to 200 delegates. So, contact early to avoid disappointment.
Sponsor opportunities are available for Indian businesses interested to reach out to NRI/PIOs worldwide.
Limited number of Tabletop Booths will also be available at the venue on both days, January 5th and 6th.
To register, please contact GOPIO Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran in the US at 718-353-1900 E-mail: ramsaran@aol.com.
PRAVASI BHARATIYA COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS
GOPIO is seeking nominations from the Indian communities all over the world to submit nominations of those who stand out in providing services to the NRI/PIO community. Send the nominations with background information by November 30, 2006 to GOPIO International, P.O. Box 1413, Stamford, CT 06904, USA or by e-mail to Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran at: ramsaran@aol.com
The awardees will be honored on January 6th at the Awards Luncheon.
For more information, please contact: GOPIO President Inder Singh in USA at 818-708-3885, E-mail: gopio-intl@sbcglobal.net
GOPIO IS CO-ORGANIZER OF GLOBAL INDIAN BUSINESS SUMMIT IN SINGAPORE
DATE - OCTOBER 29th to 30th, 2006.
This event is part of a major conference/convention in Singapore called Global Entrepolis Singapore (GES) and held from 30th October 2006 to 2nd November 2006. Details are given below.
Global Indian Business Summit (GIBS)
Organisers:
Global Indian
Business Network Pte Ltd
Federation of Indian Chambers of
Commerce & Industry (FICCI)
Global OrganisZtion of
People of Indian Origin (GOPIO)
The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE)
Date: 30 October 2006
This hallmark event, which is part of the GES 2006, will
bring together top business people from the global Indian Diaspora of over 20
million. They represent dynamic corporations in the manufacturing, retail, real
estate, IT, infocomm and service sectors, among others. With the support of the
major participating organizations such as FICCI, GOPIO and TiE, the event
promises a high powered gathering of business leaders who will identify evolving
global trends and new projects, and launch the first Global Indian Business
Awards.
GIBS Is:
A Premier Event for Successful Diaspora Indian Entrepreneurs to Showcase Business Models and to Develop Global Partnerships.
v An Opportunity to: -
- network with Diaspora Indian businesses
- generate intra-regional business prospects
- create and learn of new business opportunities available in the region for development in Diaspora countries
- identify evolving global trends and new projects
- tap on Govt. of Singapore synergies for investments in the region
At The Global Indian Business Summit 2006 will have participation from:
v successful Diaspora Indians
v regionally successful entrepreneurs and heads of businesses
v government officials
v think tank experts
v academics
As a pre-selected Diaspora Indian role model, this exclusive invitation pre-qualifies you to complimentary registration for GIBS 2006.
Join end of the 2-day Summit for a specially arranged networking cocktail between yourselves and businessmen from China seeking truly global opportunities. This will be followed by the official opening of the Global Entrepolis Singapore 2006 where the Guest of Honor is the President of the Republic of Singapore, H.E. Mr. S.R. Nathan.
For more details, please visit http://www.globalentrepolis.com/en/home/ or contact Mr. George Abraham, E-mail: george@gagrp.com
DIASPORA SCIENTISTS SIGN UP FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION
Indias Ministry of Science and Technology has sent out an invitation in March 2006 to Indian Diaspora scientists participate in Indias science and technology promotion. The invitation brought in response 128 India-born scientists and technologists from 13 nations - over half from the US for a program spanning two to 12 weeks every year for a three-year period to pursue long-term research with Indian scientists and train young students.
The ideas sent in range from agriculture to aerospace. These include mass diagnostic techniques for thalassemia, aircraft performance problems, absorption of carbon dioxide from power plants and the development of cancer and heart therapies. Applications have been received from various universities and multinationals including Stanford University and Boeing Company. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is sifting through them. DST secretary T Ramasami said the department would select projects 'critical to Indian needs' that could expand beyond the three-year duration to start new research centres. The DST will fund Rs 7 lakh per project within India.
A national screening committee will study proposals for the 'durability' of the proposed partnerships, and the PMO is monitoring the project. The best collaborative ideas will be selected soon.
MINISER RAVI MAKES A SUCCESSFUL EUROPEAN TRIP
SWISS NRIs UPSET OVER NEW LAW
India is exploring ways to resolve an issue arising from a new Swiss law that insists on non-resident Indians (NRIs) presenting their original birth and marriage certificates issued in India to register the birth of their children born in this country.
Visiting Overseas Indian Affairs
Minister Vayalar Ravi assured Indian community representatives during a meeting
here that the government would consult state chief ministers to find a solution
to the matter.
"I have to discuss with the prime
minister and other ministries concerned to find a solution to the problem. I
will also consult state chief ministers to see how we can solve this issue,"
Ravi told NRI representatives in Switzerland.
"The Supreme Court of India has
issued an order to make birth registrations compulsory. But presenting past
documents would be almost impossible," he said replying to concerns of the
diaspora. The NRIs pointed out that the new Swiss law insists on the original
marriage and birth certificates of Indian parents being shown to record their
child's birth here and in applying for Swiss nationality.
Embassy officials said that for most
of the Indian diaspora presenting original marriage certificates would be a
problem as India did not have a "proper system to issue marriage
certificates".
"The government has to take up the
matter with the Swiss government through proper channels," said Amitava
Tripathi, the Indian ambassador to Switzerland.
The new Swiss law has restricted
foreigners, including Indians, from using their Schengen visa to enter other
European Union countries, the NRIs pointed out. The Swiss government has entered
into an agreement with other EU countries under which Schengen visa holders can
enter into other countries such as Germany and Austria. But now they say Indians
should take a separate visa for it.
At the interactive meeting Ravi also
explained the facilities of the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards and
People of Indian Origin (PIO) cards. To complaints about the delay in issuing
PIO or OCI cards, Ravi said that he would take up the matter with the home
ministry to expedite its clearance.
INDIAN NRI STUDENTS TO BE GIVEN EQUAL RIGHTS
Non-resident Indian (NRI) students studying in India will soon be given equal rights, including in fees and opportunities, as other students, visiting Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said while on a visit to Vienna.
"The Indian government is concerned about the high fees that
educational institutions are charging NRI students," Ravi told representatives
of Indian communities in Vienna.
Pointing out that the Supreme Court of India had directed
private educational institutions to reserve 15 percent seats for NRI students
and permitted them to decide the fees to be charged from them, Ravi
said:
"The state governments feel that NRIs can afford it. But the government will hold discussions with the managements of educational institutions and persuade them to be more realistic towards NRIs." "Our efforts towards establishing a university for PIOS (Persons of Indian Origin) is going on the fast track. There is some bureaucratic delay. It will soon become a reality," said Ravi, in Vienna on a two-day visit.
On a six-day European tour to three
countries, he urged the 20,000-strong Indian community in Austria to support
their parent country's developmental programs.
NFIA TO HOLD 14TH BIENNIAL CONVENTION, NOV. 17-19 IN LOS ANGELES
The National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA), an umbrella organization of various organizations representing over 2.5 million Americans who trace their roots to India will hold its 14th biennial convention on November 17-19, 2006 in Los Angeles. Last time the NFIA met in this area was in 1986 when it held its 4th biennial convention in Anaheim. The venue for this years gathering is the posh Westin Hotel on the beach in Long Beach. Delegates from member associations from all over the United States will converge to Long Beach for three days to discuss, debate and deliberate contemporary issues facing the community and will attempt to find solutions to address those concerns. They will also be addressed by prominent political leaders from India and the United States as well as Indian Diplomats. A Bollywood style entertainment program is also being planned for the attendees.
The theme for this years convention, CHERISHING OUR ROOTS AND EXPANDING OUR WINGS, signifies the organizations commitment to preserve Indian Cultural heritage and, at the same time, continue to increase the professional, economic and political clout of the community in the United States.
The convention will open on Friday November 17 with an NFIA Board meeting followed by a cocktail hour at 6 and the inauguration of the gathering at 7 p.m. The dinner and entertainment will be held after the official inauguration. The evening will end with live entertainment. Seminars on US-India Relations, Pioneers of the Indo-American community, Immigration Policies, Threat of Terrorism, concerns of the Youth and women will be held all day Saturday. Prominent experts in each area will initiate the discussion followed by a panel to explore possible solutions to each challenge facing the community. Also planned is an Indian American Leadership Summit to which prominent leaders of the community are being invited. The purpose of this summit is to explore all possible avenues to work together, with collaboration among National organizations, in order to improve the quality of life for all Americans of Indian origin.
On Sunday, an NFIA business meeting will be conducted at which the activities of the organization will be reviewed and new officers elected.
Readers may get further information regarding the NFIA convention by calling Chandu Patel at (714) 393-3999, Rajen Anand at (571) 230-7288, E-mail: ranand2@cox.net or Sachin Amin at (714) 360-3081.
GOPIO INTL. AND CHAPTER NEWS
GOPIO-AMSTERDAM TO ORGANIZE SEMINAR ON MEDICAL TOURISM
Medical tourism to India has gained much interest over the last few years. It is an opportunity to receive the same or even better quality medical care with shorter or no waiting lists and at lower cost. Clients and their families sometimes combine trips abroad as tourist, for sightseeing and exploring the area, with medical care.
Most of the Dutch health insurance companies are more conservative than their foreign counterparts and have not extended approval so far, in part because within The Netherlands, India is not well known yet for its present role in the medical tourism sector.
In order to make the Dutch public aware of the potentials that India offers, GOPIO Amsterdam together with The Netherlands Foundation for Business Process Innovation (NS BPi, www.nsbpi.nl) independent, non-profit foundation is organizing a seminar on medical tourism to India on Friday October 6th, 2006 in Amsterdam. The theme of the seminar is "Medical Tourism 2006: The rising role of India".
Information about the seminar can be obtained from GOPIO Amsterdam President Dr. R. Tewari, E-mail: gopioamsterdam@gmail.com) or from Mr. P. Gobets, Chairman of NS Bpi, E-mail: info@nsbpi.nl.
GOPIO-CHICAGO HOLDS ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTS OFFICERS
GOPIO-Chicago held its 3rd Annual General Meeting on September 17, 2006. After reports from the Executive Committee, the following Board of Directors were elected:
Dr. Mohan Garg, Samir Shah, Pratap Mehta, Dr. Utpal Parekh, Arvind Mehta
The officers are as follows:
Samir Shah President, Om Kamaria - Executive VP, Bhavik Soni Secretary, Dr. Jitu Patel Treasurer, Mrs. Usha Mehta - Joint Secretary. Advisory Board members are: Dr. Chandrakant Modi, Sohan Joshi, Dakshesh Laxpati
Activities for 2006-07 include establishment of Education Scholarship Fund for high school and college students from the receipt of donations. Scholarship Management committee members are: Dr. Mohan Garg, Dr. (Mrs.)Madhavi Mehta, Dr. Jitu Patel, Pratap Sampat and Samir Shah. The chapter will also support PIO/ NRI community programs promoting youth leadership and youth involvement among Indian diaspora.
Contact: GOPIO-Chicago President Samir Shah at samshausa@netscape.net.
NRIs/PIOs ARCHIEVE
PENTAGON AWARD GOES TO ABRAHAM PANNIKOTTU
Pentagon presented Abraham Pannikottu, Manager of Akron Rubber Development Laboratory (ARDL) Engineering Group (Akron, Ohio) with the Army SBIR and STTR Quality Award which recognizes exceptional performance that exemplifies the goal of bringing innovative technologies to the soldier. Abrahams Phase II SBIR project was titled, "Development of Ballistic Resistant Airless 20 Inch Wheels for the Interim Armored Vehicle (IAV) and Future Combat Systems (FCS)." This new airless tire will be used by the US army for Stryker vehicles. The project was executed by American Engineering Group (AEG) as its subcontractor.
This year, 254 Phase II projects were eligible and Abrahams project was chosen from 34 nominations from across the Army. The Army finally selected 6 exceptional Phase II projects to receive the Quality Award.
Abraham has a mechanical engineering degree from Sardar Vallabh Bhai Regional Engineering College, now known as National Institute of Technology (Surat, India) and completed graduate studies in Polymer Science at University of Akron. Abraham has several publications on engineering applications of polymers. Abraham is from Puramattom, Kerala, India.
The award was presented at the 2006 Army SBIR and STTR Quality Awards Ceremony hosted by the Honorable Claude M. Bolton, Jr., Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology. The event took place at the Pentagon on August 31, 2006 followed by reception.
BRITISH INDIAN PHYSICIAN WINS PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
A retired general practitioner of Indian origin based in south Yorkshire has won a prestigious photography competition and this week returned from the prize-winning trip to Canada. Kottiyattil Aravind, the doctor based in Woodsetts since 1965, won the best travel photograph of the year in travel magazine Wanderlust and was awarded with a trip to the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.
Aravind retired from his Rotherham practice three years ago
and has since traveled to several countries while on cruises. An avid
photographer, it was on one such trip that he shot his award-winning photograph
in China last year. The prize-winning shot captured a local man hauling a boat
full of tourists ashore with just his bare hands and bamboo rope.
Aravind told the media: "These people looked so small but
they were so strong. I was up really close and I could see his muscles straining
as he was working so hard and so I got a picture of that action first hand."
Aravind later entered his photograph in the competition in Wanderlust travel magazine. He said: "I decided to enter my photo because I have been taking pictures with non-digital cameras for years. It really was a complete shock but I am very pleased and did not expect such a fuss."
Aravind won the holiday to Canada along with a digital camera and a year's subscription to the travel magazine.
INDIAN AMERICAN SCIENTIST MAHALANOBIS NAMED 2006 SCIENTIST OF THE YEAR
An Indian American scientist, who led a breakthrough research that helped Lockheed Martin win a key role in the US Army's Future Combat System, has been named '2006 Scientist of the Year' by the Minorities in Research Science (MIRS) organization. Abhijit Mahalanobis, will be presented the award, at the 2006 MIRS Award Conference Sep 15-16 in Baltimore, Maryland, according to a press release from the manufacturer of F-16 aircraft and other advanced technology systems.
As a recognized and respected leader in pattern recognition,
signal and imaging processing with specific emphasis on automatic target
recognition (ATR), Mahalanobis' role as technical lead in various research and
technology ATR development efforts has been critical to sustaining Lockheed
Martin as the industry leader in advanced technologies, it said.
The winner of this highest honour given at the conference is
someone who advances critical knowledge, driving development of new lines of
products and services that reshape industry's tools and offerings.
The Scientist of the Year works on the cutting edge of basic
research or process control and is a research team leader whose blend of
scientific knowledge and managerial expertise lifts an entire organization to
new levels of achievement.
Mahalanobis is a technical lead and manager for Lockheed
Martin Missiles and Fire Control's Signal Imaging and Processing group in the
Research & Technology organization, and is recognized corporate-wide and
nationally for the high levels of accomplishment he has achieved in his
technical field.
Mahalanobis has a sustained record of technical achievement
and leadership by pioneering new approaches in the field of correlation pattern
recognition.
Mahalanobis earned his doctorate and master's degrees in
Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in
Pittsburg. He earned his bachelor's degree in Electrical and Computer
Engineering from University of California at Santa Barbara.
Mahalanobis has also received several other awards,
including the prestigious NOVA award that recognizes individuals who have made
outstanding contributions to the Corporation's mission and business objectives.
Mahalanobis has also been named a Lockheed Martin "Fellow,"
an honor reserved for the top one percent of technical talent across the
corporation, used to recognize and encourage the highest levels of
accomplishment by individual contributors in technical fields.
KENNEDY CENTER TO HONOR ZUBIN MEHTA
Zubin Mehta is among the five stalwarts from the arts and entertainment field who will be honoured by the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts this year. Apart from Mehta, the others are musical theatre composer and producer Andrew Lloyd Webber, country singer and songwriter Dolly Parton, singer, songwriter and producer Smokey Robinson, and film director and producer Steven Spielberg.
Now a resident of Los Angeles, Mehta was born in Mumbai in 1936. He received his early education in music from his father Mehli Mehta, a violinist and co-founder of the Bombay Symphony Orchestra and later music director of the American Youth Symphony in Los Angeles.
Mehta initially intended to study medicine but eventually became a music student in Vienna at the age of 18, under the eminent instructor Hans Swarowsky.
In 1958, he made his conducting debut in Vienna. That same year he won the International Conducting Competition in Liverpool and was appointed assistant conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
His rise as a conductor has been swift. After Liverpool, he became the music director of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and then of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.
In 1978, Mehta became music director of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, where his 13-year tenure would become the longest in the orchestra's history. In 1981, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, with whom he had been associated with since 1969 in various capacities, made him their music director for life. He has conducted over 2,000 concerts with this orchestra.
Since 1985, he has been revitalising opera as chief conductor of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. A recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honour, his life has been documented in Terry Sanders' film Portrait of Zubin Mehta and in a book by Martin Bookspan and Ross Yockey entitled Zubin: The Zubin Mehta Story.
This year saw the publication in Germany of Zubin Mehta's autobiography, Die Partitur meines Leben: Erinnerungen (The Score of my Life: Memories).
Mehta and the other recipients of 2006 Kennedy Center Honours will be saluted by stars from the world of the performing arts at a gala performance in the Kennedy Center's Opera House in Washington on December 3.
FOUR INDIAN AMERICAN STUDENTS NAMES DAVIDSON FELLOWS
Four Indian-American teenagers have been named as this year's Fellows of nonprofit organisation Davidson Institute for Talent Development, an honour for "prodigiously gifted" students under the age of 18 years.
The "Davidson Fellows" -- Shivani Sud, Sheela
Krishnan, Varun Kumar and Anarghya Vardhana -- have also won
scholarships ranging from USD 10,000 to 50,000 for their projects in the fields
of science, medicine and mathematics.
They were recognized in
Washington on September 27 along with 16 other fellows from across the
country.
"The Davidson fellows are success
stories because they've nurtured their genius by seeking out mentors, relying on
strong family support and working diligently to achieve their goals," said Bob
Davidson, the co-founder of the Reno-based institute which was established in
1999 to support profoundly gifted students.
MIT TO HONOR SIX INDIAN-AMERICAN SCIENTISTS
Six Indian-Americans are among 35 young scientists who will be honored by the prestigious Technology Review journal of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for innovations and research that are found to be "most promising and exciting".
The Indian-Americans chosen for the award are: Prithwish Basu of BBN Technologies, Ram Krishnamurthy of Intel, Ashok Maliakal of Lucent Technologies' Bell Laboratories, Anand Raghunathan of NEC Laboratories America, Jay Shendure of Harvard Medical School and Sumeet Singh of Cisco Systems Inc.
Indian-Americans comprise just under one per cent of the country's population, but their contribution to innovative technology is 12-17 per cent, according to the Technology Review (TR) magazine.
For six years now, the editors of TR have honored innovators under the age of 35 whose inventions and research are found to be "most promising and exciting."
INDO-GUYANESE GIRL TOPS CARIBBEAN SECONDARY EXAM
An Indo-Guyanese girl has topped this year's Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination. Shirvanie Persaud, 17, a student of the prestigious Queen's College in Georgetown, Guyana, sat for 13 subjects and attained Grade I in 12 of them and Grade II in one.
Shivanie is now planning a career in medicine. Shivanie told Guyana Chronicle that she paid close attention to her work in school and was one of the main ingredients for her success. Her mother said that as a single parent her daughter's success has made her extremely happy.
In 2001, Shirvanie was among the toppers at the Secondary School Entrance Examination in Guyana, a country where 50 percent of the population is of Indian origin. The CSEC examination, held by the Caribbean Examinations Council, is taken by students after five years of secondary school, and marks the end of standard secondary education. Students, 16 years and older, appear for this exam. Students from 16 Caribbean countries, including Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica appear for the CSEC examination.
INDIAN AMERICAN ATUL GAWANDE NAMED MACARTHUR FELLOW
Harvard Medical School professor Atul Gawande has been named one of the twenty five 2006 MacArthur Fellows. Gawande, an assistant professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School/Bringham & Womens Hospital in Boston, is also an acclaimed staff writer for the New Yorker magazine. He won $500,000 MacArthur Genius award.
Gawande is a surgeon and author, who applies a critical eye to modern surgical practice, articulating its realities, complexities, and challenges. His book, Complications (2002), illuminates the concerns and problems faced by the surgeon-in-training with insight and compassion. In articles published in professional journals and mainstream periodicals, Gawande scrutinizes the culture, protocol, and technology of modern medical practice from the perspective of a dedicated and empathetic professional. Among his innovations are bar codes to prevent surgeons from inadvertently leaving sponges and instruments in patients and a simple score of one to ten indicating the likelihood of complications. Through initiatives at the Center for Surgery and Public Health at Brigham and Womens Hospital, newly established to study and improve surgical safety here and abroad, Gawande is giving leadership to the identification of numerous other bold enhancements to surgical protocol that will both improve practice and save lives.
Gawande received a B.A.S. (1987) from Stanford University, an M.A. (1989) from the University of Oxford, an M.D. (1995) from Harvard Medical School, and an M.P.H. (1999) from Harvard School of Public Health.
NEWS OF INTEREST TO NRIs/PIOs AROUND THE WORLD
INDIAN AMERICAN SANT SINGH CHATWAL TO SET UP BOUTIQUE HOTELS IN INDIA
New York hotelier and entrepreneur Sant Singh Chattwal, plans to invest in Rs. 1000 crore in India to set up a chain of boutique hotels under his Dream Hotel brand. Chattwal is close to finalizing deals for acquiring land for setting up Dream Hotel properties in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad.
Dream Hotel is part of his $750 million Hamshire Hotels & Resorts chain, which has a presence in the US, Canada and UK. Chatwal said that the entry into the Indian market is part of their plan to expand their global footprint in the hospitality industry.
DUTCH NATIONALITY AND OVERSEAS INDIAN CITIZENSHIP
In January 2006, during the last Pravasi Bharatiya Divas the government of India finally introduced the Overseas Indian Citizenship. In July 2005 a letter was sent by a prominent Dutch PIO to the Dutch Ministry of Justice requesting them to clarify the policy of the Dutch government regarding the impact of OCI on the People of Indian Origin with a Dutch nationality. It was then difficult for the Dutch government to decide on the exact legal status of the OCI, as the GOI itself had stated that it is neither dual nationality nor dual citizenship granting political rights. In essence it is only a lifelong visa.
After pursuing the matter continuously, the Dutch government engaged in a long process of internal consultation/discussion and finally on 23rd August 2006 the Dutch Ministry of Justice informed that they have taken a decision regarding the Overseas Indian Citizenship in relation to the Dutch nationality. The Dutch policy can be summarized as follows:
Under the present circumstances, acquiring the Overseas Citizenship of India is not considered as a nationality issue. As such application or voluntary acquisition of OCI does not fall under the legislative provision which implies a voluntary acquisition of another nationality leading to loss of the Dutch nationality. If and when some additional rights and/or obligations are granted by the Indian government then the present policy will be reviewed.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is going to inform the Indian Embassy in The Hague about this policy. The Embassy of India in The Hague has introduced the necessary procedures to process the applications for OCI.
SURVEY SAYS GULF KERALITES POOR IN SAVINGS
Only five per cent of the non-resident Keralites (NRKs) working in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are financially well off to lead a comfortable life after returning to India permanently, as they lack proper knowledge of savings, says a survey. Another reason behind the problem is the failure of the Kerala government to provide sound investment avenues to NRKs, the Khajeej Times said in a report.
"The government should introduce a comprehensive investment scheme for NRKs to help them save while they work," said KV Shamsudheen, chairman of the Pravasi Bandhu Welfare Trust, which conducted the survey.
Kerala received Rs 2,200 million ($47 million approx) last year as remittance from NRKs. If the state government could mobilise even 10 per cent of the yearly remittance for infrastructure development, it could change the face of the state," Shamsudheen said. He added: "Kerala can easily follow the Chinese model for tapping expatriate economic resources and expertise for development projects."
INDIAN NURSES MAY LOSE JOBS IN UK
Foreign nurses in Britain, including a large number of Indians, are faced with the prospect of unemployment following a government move to safeguard jobs for British nurses. According to a newspaper report, nursing has been removed from the British government's list of professions that bypass immigration rules.
According to a report in the London newspaper Daily Telegraph, the move is in reaction to a growing surplus of nurses, which has made it harder for many British graduates to find a job.
Foreign nurses have become the backbone of the health services in Britain in recent years, with 45 per cent of new nurses registered coming from abroad. Figures show that in 2004-05, 11,477 foreign nurses, including 3,690 from India, came to Britain from outside the European Union. Last month alone, 440 overseas nurses came to Britain.
However, the Royal College of Nursing is critical of the latest government decision. "We're very concerned about what's going to happen to those nurses who are already working over here," a college spokesperson told the newspaper. "They're really worried about how they're going to cope. A lot of them have brought their families over, and many of them have been working on the premise that their work permits are going to be renewed," he was quoted as saying.
According to the Daily Telegraph report, Britain's Department of Health will re-advertise for the nurses' old positions once their contracts end. They will be able to keep the post only if there are no suitable British or European candidates. However, those overseas nurses who have worked for five years can reapply for the posts.
The Royal College of Nursing believes that the job shortage is only short term. Without overseas nurses, it will be impossible to replace the 180,000 nurses due to retire over the next 10 years, the college was quoted as saying.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY TO BUILD HOUSES FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN INDIA
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter will volunteer and lead nearly 2,000 volunteers from around the world during the week of October 29November 3, 2006, to build 100 affordable houses for low-income familiesmostly women-headed householdsin Lonavla, just outside of Mumbai. This is the Jimmy Carter Work Project a partnership between Habitat for Humanity India Trust (HFH India Trust) and Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI).
The building of 100 houses in 2006 is the beginning of a more ambitious project, IndiaBuilds, which will ensure the long-term viability of Habitat for Humanity India Trust and provide decent homes for 250,000 low-income individuals by 2010.
Habitat for
Humanity India Trust has been operating in India since 1983, in Andhra Pradesh.
HFH India Trust have established Resource centers to support the way those in
need build, live and contribute to their communities in Bangalore, New Delhi and
Mumbai. Others are planned for Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad and satellite
centers in the south, east, west and north.
Examples of the work already
achieved, ongoing, or in development through HFH India Trust
include:
Habitat for Humanity India Trust (HFH India Trust) and Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) seek the support of NRIs/PIOs to join with President Jimmy Carter in this project. They are encouraged to commit their support and donate for this cause. They may contact Vaishali Kushan of Habitat for Humanity International at 202-628-9171 Ext. 4915 or visit www.habitat.org/jcwp/2006 for more information.
SATYAGRAHA CONFERENCE HELD IN DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA
A full scope international conference based on the principles of Gandhi's 100th Anniversary of Satyagraha was held in Durban, South Africa from September 10 through September 13, 2006. The program was chaired by Prof. Ari Sitas. Durban's Mayor welcomed guests and participants to the event, and speakers were invited from all corners of the globe to address the assembly of delegates who also came from various countries.
Satyagraha was conceived on the 11 September 1906 in South Africa and the conference was the commemoration of the centenary of Satyagraha. The essence of this philosophy is contained in cultivating a way of life which would enhance humankinds peaceful and prosperous survival. Historically, the world has witnessed many examples of peaceful transitions from oppressive regimes to democratic states, including the building of a human rights culture.
The fundamental aims of the conference are to analyze the present context in terms of domestic and global violence, to explore Satyagraha as a critical approach for practice, to begin significant conversations that will broaden the understanding of Satyagraha, and to look at ways of improving the impact as members of communities, as professionals, as civil service workers, as NGOs and generally as a pro peace movement, and to launch a Centre for Nonviolence in Durban which will take forward the resolutions of this conference good example of such a transition. The deliberations centered around peace and non-violent means in political, social and economic aspects as well as human rights and discord in the home and society. From the breakaway sessions will be compiled short lists of recommended actions, strategies, best practices, collaborative activities or initiative that participants can take back with them to their respective communities and begin to turn things around so that people we can begin the development of a new and compassionate world.
GOPIO, LIFE MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTER FORMATION
GOPIO is a non-partisan, non-sectarian global organization with chapters in several countries, actively promoting the interests of people of Indian origin worldwide by monitoring and addressing current critical issues of concern, and by enhancing cooperation and communication between groups of Indians living in various countries.
GOPIO Individual Life membership is open to all who believe in the mission of GOPIO. The one- time fee is $5,000 for Platinum Life Membership, $2,500 for Gold Life Membership and $1,500 Silver Life Membership and half the amount for each category for those from developing countries and India.
GOPIO is looking forward to opening chapters in all major cities of the world so as to network people of Indian origin all over the world. If you do not have chapter in your city, please visit GOPIO website (www.gopio.net) and get details of chapter initiation (visit http://www.gopio.net/chapter_initiative.htm). Process involves sending a letter of intent to start a chapter by a committee of five people or more. For more information, contact:
GOPIO President Inder Singh, Tarzana, California, USA, Tel: 818-708-3885, E-mail: gopio-intl@sbcglobal.net
GOPIO Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran, Fresh Meadows, New York City, Tel: 718/939-8194, E-mail: ramsaran@aol.com
To become a Life member of GOPIO, visit http://www.gopio.net/membership_form.htm, print and fill up the form and send it with a check to: GOPIO, P.O. Box 1413, Stamford, CT 06904, USA.
EDITORIAL BOARD
Chief Editor: Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman, GOPIO (Stamford, CT, USA)
Webmasters: Prashant Gupta (Gurgaon, Haryana, India) and Abu Thomas (New Rochelle, NY, USA)
Contributors of this issue: Inder Singh (USA), Sunil Prasad (Belgium), Dr. Waheed Saleh (The Netherlands), George Abraham (Singapore), Ashook Ramsaran (USA)
GOPIO NEWS welcomes NRI/PIO related stories from all over the world. Be a volunteer correspondent or reporter. Contact Dr. Thomas Abraham, Tel: 203-329-8010, E-mail: gopio@optonline.net
Visit GOPIOs Official site at www.gopio.net or www.gopio.com