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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.

GOPIO CONVENTION 2011 TO DISCUSS ISSUES AND CONCERNS OF THE INDIAN DIASPORA

GOPIO ARRIVES IN CANADA BIG TIME TO NETWORK WITH INDO-CANADIANS

 

 

Although the National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA) has been sponsoring annual Congressional Luncheons in the nation's capital for over two decades, it was the first time the umbrella organization had two days of elaborate program. NFIA delegates from all over the United States traveled to Washington DC on September 15, 2011 to participate in Congressional Luncheon, White House briefing, an Indian Embassy hosted reception on the first day followed by a Board meeting and a social get-together, fashion show, entertainment and a seminar entitled "Empowering Women" on the next day. Over 150 people, including a bus load of people coming from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut participated in the two-day activities. This is the first time the NFIA organized such an extensive program. GOPIO joined hands with the NFIA with a large delegation from around the country.

 

Congressman Ed Royce (R-California), the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans was the first lawmaker to address the NFIA delegates and guests gathered in Rayburn House Office Building. Royce spoke passionately against the support of terrorism by Pakistan. He said, Pakistan harbors, trains, and financially supports terrorist groups like Al Qaida and LET, that have attacked India as well as United States. Pakistan which has received billions of dollars in Military assistance grants from the United States has not made a substantial effort to wipe off terrorists from its soil. The United States has tactfully removed Osama Bin Laden from the Pakistani soil, without informing the Country. "Pakistan must fully cooperate with the United States to eliminate all terrorist activity from its land," insisted the Congressman.

 

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-California) paid a glowing tribute to India's Democracy. Sanchez has been supported by the Indian American Community in Southern California, which she gratefully acknowledged. Acknowledging the Democracy in India, she said, "You value Democracy and we value it also. We can trust India and that is why we are dedicated to maintain good relations with India, unlike some other countries that profess Democracy but do not value it." It is matter of pride for me to be with you this afternoon, she added.

 

Another lawmaker, James Himes (D-Connecticut), praised the stability and growth of India and paid a tribute to the huge contributions of Indian Americans to the US economy. "I am very impressed with the way the government is being run in India and I salute her."

(Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDkKMCXoLSI).

 

Photos below: From L. to R.: Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez speaking and Dr. Rajen Anand standing next to her; GOPIO-CT President Shailesh Naik introducing Congressman Jim Himes with Dr. Thomas Abraham standing in the left; Congressman Ed Royce with NFIA President Lal Motwani

 

Photo above: Delegates to the White House Briefing

 

An Indian Embassy representative Ambassador Arun Kumar Singh who is serving as the Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington DC, paid a glowing tribute to the NFIA for its continuous efforts in enhancing the relations between the US and India. "You have played an important role in the transformation of this relationship. I congratulate your members who were actively involved in getting the US-Indian Civil Nuclear deal approved by the House and Senate." It is a matter of pride for us to remain engaged in the activities of NFIA.

 

Following the Congressional luncheon, the NFIA delegates and guests moved to the White House for a briefing by the Obama Administration officials. These briefings were arranged by Aneesh Chopra, the Chief Technology Officer in the White House. The gathering was addressed by Chopra, Chris Lu, the Secretary of Cabinet Affairs and Assistant to the President, Mitul Desai from the State Department, an official of the Homeland Security and others. Lu talked about the newly proposed by President Obama the American job act and urged the audience to contact their legislative representatives to approve the bill now.

 

American Job Act, explained Lu, will cut payroll tax in half for 98% of businesses, a complete payroll tax holiday for added workers or increased wages, extending 100% expensing into 2012, hiring tax credit for veterans, preventing up to 280,000 teacher layoff and modernizing our roads, rail, airports and waterways while putting hundreds of thousands of workers back on the job. The act is likely to reduce the rate of unemployment.The immigration officers gave an overview of Immigration reforms and answered several questions from the audience.

 

For many people who had come from far away distances, White House briefing was the highlight of their trip to Washington DC. By and large they were pleases by the remarks from various officials.

 

The newly arrived Indian Ambassador, Nirupama Rao, hosted a reception for the NFIA delegates. She praised the NFIA's efforts in transforming the relations between India and the US. "We will continue to work with the NFIA in future also on our mutual interests," said the Ambassador Rao.

 

"I learned many years ago that we are supposed to work closely with the Indian Embassy, but never developed close relations with the diplomats, for no sooner do we get to know them, they are ready to leave the United States," an official of the NFIA remarked.

 

Lal Motwani, president of the NFIA also addressed the attendees and promised to provide all the help Embassy needs. He presented a small gift to the Ambassador. Dr. Thomas Abraham, Founder President of NFIA and Chandu Patel, Chairman of the NFIA addressed the delegates at the Congressional luncheon.

 

Former NFIA President Dr. Parthasarthy Pillai coordinated the Congressional luncheon and Rajen Anand, a political appointee of President Obama heading an agency in the Department of Agriculture helped arrange the White House briefing with the Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra.

 

A seminar on Empowering Women was conducted on the following day.

 

NFIA ORGANIZES SEMINAR ON EMPOWERING WOMEN

 

The first ever mini conference organized by the NFI) was held on Friday, September16, 2011 at the Diya Restaurant in Vienna, VA. The conference exceeded the expectations of the president of NFIA, Lal Motwani in bringing in the elite of the elites, intellectually seeking answers to the meteoritic progress made and accomplishments of the women nationwide.

 

The conference, titled "Empowering Women" seminar was the brain-child of Ms. Angela Anand, who heads the women's task force of NFIA. She said while introducing the subject and the speakers, "There are many questions in my head that have popped up from time to time, such as, if women are thriving worldwide, how are they getting their power and who is empowering them?" I often wonder," Are they empowering themselves, are they empowering each other or are the men in their life are the ones responsible in empowering them?"

 

The conference attended by over 125 people on a busy weekend provided an excellent opportunity to the attendees to meet, greet and have conversation with the speakers and other attendees and delegates who were there to attend two days of fun, networking and strengthening Indo-US relations in the Washington DC, by holding a Congressional Luncheon, White House Briefing and a reception by the Indian Embassy.

 

In keeping with the theme of the public policy and networking, the panelists for the seminar were carefully selected by Ms. Anand, that included a galaxy of speakers, Mr. Robert O Blake, Assistant Secretary, responsible for the South and Central Asia from State Department, Ms. Nisha Biswal, Assistant Administrator, responsible for South Asia from United States Agency for International Aid (USAID), a long time staffer and policy advisor and confidant of Secretary Hillary Clinton, Ms. Neera Tanden, currently Chief Operating Officer, Center for American Progress (Think Tank), Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Ms. Manju Ganeriwala, Delegate from the 15^th District, Maryland, Ms. Aruna Miller, president of Association of American Physicians from India (AAPI), Ms. Sunita Kanumury and last but not the least, a very capable Ms. Sukriti Likhi, Counselor (Economic), Embassy of India who is from an administrative officer rank and has worked with women in rural India.

 

Quite impressed with the quality of the speakers and their accomplishments, Ms. Anand said, "If I look in the audience, I see writers, scientists, physicians, attorneys and when I look at the panelists, I see power houses from Think Tank to all government agencies all empowered individuals." She added this room, referring to the elegant high ceiling crystal covered chandeliers banquet hall of Diya restaurant, "This room must be buzzing with power overload."

 

During the key-note address of Assistant Secretary Robert O Blake, who had just returned that morning from a mission to India recounted the initiatives of Secretary Clinton and spoke about the programs that have been placed and are working throughout Asia. Ms. Biswal also spoke about empowering agencies, such as SEWA that are working and through those network women are becoming stronger economically. She also attributed her career rise and related to her personal empowering spouse. She said," I am married to a wonderful human being and have a two and four year old girls who at one point needed one of us to stay home and take care of the children and my husband said, your career is going good, you can continue on and I will take time off to look after the girls."

 

Another speaker, Ms. Ganeriwala who after pointing out to the strives and struggles that Indian American young couples face in migrating to this country and then pursuing careers related to her present and past experiences where she received empowerment from her family.

 

Ms. Kanumury related the goals of women and men physicians in the healthcare industry and how AAPI with the help of NFIA and GOPIO has been lobbying for better healthcare system. Ms. Miller made many witty remarks when she said, "I think women belong to House and that is where I belong." She said more women should be elected and to accomplish that everyone should register to vote and partake in elections.

 

Ms. Likhi took the audience back to India and Indian villages where she said women are now getting elected to Panchayats (small units of decision making) in villages but their mind set needs to undergo change. When asked questions, they (the women) are still in gungats (covers) and their spouses still want to exert the power because they are the husband of the leader- the elected official.

 

During the seminar there were many lighter moments and a variety of items were presented. The students of University of Maryland, Baltimore campus, organized a fashion show. The coordinators of the show were, Jasmine Malhotra, Bill Ryan and Sara Castelino. Thirteen young men and women presented three sets of attires from day-to-day to social/business to more formal evening wear. The costumes were loaned from a local clothier of Satya Paul designer's outfits.

 

ADA Group, Jasmine Malhotra and the students of a local dance school run by Shweta Misra provided dances. All dances were entertaining and a feast for the eye and the audience over-joyed to see the five to seven year old three Kathak (a classical dance discipline) dancers perform so elegantly. The conference ended with a sumptuous food prepared by the restaurant, DJ Rocky's music and then of course the fluttering sounds of the cameras that flashed everywhere in an effort to capture the audience, speakers, dancers and the displays of Indian artifacts placed strategically in the banquet hall.

 

An organizing committee of several, most prominently, Drs. Satish Misra, Reuka Misra, Hari Har Singh, Yogendra Gupta and Satish Gupta, provided the needed support in carrying out the event coordination. Other well-known individuals in the audience were Ambassador Har Swarup Singh, Mr. Mitul Desai from the State Department, responsible for the outreach for South and Central Asia and Ms. Hope Bryer, team lead from the Asia Bureau of USAID. Also, was present Ms. Sukhjiwan Singh, a published author from VA.

 

With a growing Indian American community and its increasing influence in the US technology development, service industry and economic activities, the US sees the Indian Diaspora as an important partner for the continued closer relation with US and India. At an interactive meeting organized by the major national Indian community organizations in New York city, the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), National Federation of Indian-American Associations (NFIA), American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) and Society of Indo American Engineers and Architects (SIAEA), Mr. Mitul Desai, Senior Advisor for Outreach, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, U.S. Department of State stated that the Indian community groups such as the GOPIO and NFIA have been among the country's leading Indian-American organizations for years now. Their long-standing work in organizing the community and dialoguing with policy leaders embodies the importance of proactive civic engagement.

"The U.S.-India relationship will be one of the defining partnership of the 21st century, but we know that governments alone cannot realize the full promise of this potential and that is why we need the Indian-American community's ideas, energy and commitment,' Said Desai.

 

Desai, a second generation Indian American has been appointed early this year by Assistant Secretary Robert O. Blake as Senior Advisor in the U.S. Department of State's South & Central Asian Bureau, where he builds dialogue and partnerships with private sector, NGO, and Diaspora organizations. Desai comes to government from the corporate arena, where he worked as an investment bank analyst, consultant, and intellectual property attorney. 

 

"On a range of issues, from our Passport to India internship project to exciting new initiatives aimed at enhancing philanthropy in India and further accelerating U.S.-India state-state and city-city linkages, the Diaspora has a crucial role to play," Desai added.

 

Dr. Thomas Abraham, Founder President and Chairman Emeritus of GOPIO, who organized the program said that the initiative by the State Department and Obama Administration to reach out and motivate the Diaspora group is welcome move in the right direction to solidify further US-India relations. "As far as I remember, this is first time there is such an initiative to reach out the Indian American community in an official way," said Abraham.

 

"While the Indian American community is growing in America, more and more American citizens of Indian origin are settling back in India for retirement and for employment opportunities and this opens up an opportunity for us to get involved in activities of larger interest to both countries," Dr. Abraham added.

 

 

Photo above: GOPIO Life Members presenting GOPIO Memorabilia of First Day Covers brought out by the US. Postal Service at the GOPIO's First Global Indian Convention in 1989 to Mitul Desai. From L. to R.: Dr. Sushila Gidwani-Buschi, Sudha Acharya, Shailesh Naik, Dr. Thomas Abraham, Mitul Desai, Lal Motwani, Dr. Najma Sultana, Viresh Sharma and Anita Bhat

 

However, Dr. Abraham was critical of both governments on the issues related issuance of visas to citizens of both countries who wish to travel to the US and to India which in turn hamper US-India people to people partnerships. Dr. Abraham said that both governments should make it easer for citizens to travel to either countries.

 

NFIA President Lal Motwani said that American museums should exhibit some of the oldest Indian artifacts and fine arts in their museums so as to reach out the larger American community. 

GOPIO JOINS GUJARAT UNIVERSITY TO ORGANIZE DIASPORA CONFERENCE IN AHMEDABAD, JANUARY 2012

 

GOPIO joins hands with the Department of Study Abroad Program at the Gujarat University to organize a conference with the theme, INDIA DIASPORA - Inter Linkage and Synergy at Gujarat University campus in Ahmedabad on January 12 and 13^th, 2012. See announcement below:

 

 

The impact of Indian Diaspora has motivated its homeland to map its history and factors for migration. Concerns for economic, political, cultural and social engagements of Indian Diaspora have been widely shown in the society. It has also brought sociologists and researchers to look into the process of migration and have found themselves into pondering upon the trends of Indian Diaspora.

 

The considerable presence of the Indian Diaspora in almost all parts of the world and its insistence upon sending success stories back home in spheres inspired homeland India to connect India with her Diaspora with renewed passion. This conference will look into the cultural, social, economic and political spheres of India's relations with its Diaspora and map on Diaspora history and its contribution to India in IT, infrastructure, education, research and technology, finance and banking, remittances, investments and oriental arts and cultures.

 

The conference organizing chairs are: Dr. Neerja Arun (Study Abroad Program of Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India), Dr. Thomas Abraham (Founder President and Chairman Emeritus, GOPIO International) and Dr. Jagat Motwani (GOPIO Academic Council Chair 2004-2009).

 

Although, the deadline to submit an abstract was November 10^th, one may contact Dr. Neerja Arun to see whether there are any slots available for presentation. Papers are invited for the following categories:

 

INDIA DIASPORA - Inter Linkage and Synergy

1. Here and there: merging spheres
2. Transforming the local with global initiatives
3. Funder's agenda: pitching ideas for development

 

And finally, Role of Indian Diaspora in re-conceiving and reconstituting faith in physical and virtual places of spiritualism: India and Abroad

 

Contact: Dr. Neerja Arun, Study Abroad Program, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India,drneerjaarun@yahoo.com or Dr. Thomas Abraham of GOPIO at gopio@optonline.net.

 

The International Indian Diaspora Conference

12th and 13th January, 2012, GOPIO & SAP at Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, India

For a registration form, contact the Conference Secretariat. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Dr Neerja Arun. Tel: +91-79-26303153 or +91- 9825012984 Fax: ++91-79-27910213 E-mail: drneerjaarun@yahoo.com

 

 GANDHI CENTRE INAUGURATED IN THE HAGUE ON GANDHI JAYANTI DAY

 

In a befitting tribute to the ideals and message of peace and non-violence propounded by Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhiji was honoured in the Netherlands in a special way through opening of an Indian Cultural Centre named "Gandhi Centre" in The Hague on the occasion of his birth anniversary on 2^nd October 2011. Gandhi Centre was inaugurated by H.E. Dr. Karan Singh, MP and President of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in the presence of H.E. Mr. Jozias van Aartsen, Hon'ble Mayor of The Hague and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.

 

The opening of the Centre fulfills the long standing aspirations of the 200,000 Indian and Surinami Hindustani community in the Netherlands as well as the Indian Embassy and Government of India.

 

A solemn inauguration ceremony was attended by a distinguished audience of over 300 persons including Ambassadors and representatives of the Diplomatic Corps, the Grand Master of the Queen's Household, Members of the Dutch Parliament, leaders of the Surinamese Hindustani Community, media, intellectuals and artists. The programme began with the rendition of the Indian and Dutch National Anthems followed by a brief introduction by Ambassador Ms. Bhaswati Mukherjee recalling the significance of the fulfillment of a 40 year old dream. In his inaugural address, Dr.Karan Singh referred to the significance and relevance of Gandhiji in today's world and expressed the hope that the Centre would flourish and meet the aspirations of the Indo-Dutch community. Dr. Singh underlined the importance of Cultural Centres as effective instruments for fostering cultural relations and people to people contacts. Mayor van Aartsen, in his address referred to the rich tradition of Indo-Dutch cultural interactions going back to four centuries and welcomed the establishment of Gandhi Centre in The Hague. He saw the Centre symbolizing the East meeting the West, while quoting Mahatma Gandhi's message of "I want the cultures of all the lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible." He assured fullest cooperation of The Hague Municipality to the Gandhi Centre.                  

 

The cultural programme began with the traditional prayer "Ganesh Vandana", followed by Mahatma Gandhi's favourite Bhajans and Patriotic songs sung by local artistes; dramatic rendering of an adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore's poem based on an episode in Mahabharata and concluding with a Lecture cum Musical Intermezzi on "Tagore in Netherlands" by the distinguished Dutch Musicologist and ComposerProfessor Rokus de Groot. Tribute was also paid to Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore whose 150th Anniversary is being commemorated through the presentation of a portrait to the Centre by eminent painter and sculptor Dr. Manas Roy.

 

The Gandhi Centre is the 36^th Centre established by ICCR worldwide. The Centre, located in the historic and beautiful area of Scheveningen in The Hague, would act as an important platform for developing and maintaining contacts with Dutch friends including students, teachers, academicians, cultural personalities and artists to project the rich and diverse cultures of India and the Netherlands.

 

A library containing substantial collections of Indian films, documentaries and other multi-media material related to India and Indo-Dutch heritage will be a part of the Centre. The Centre would organise regular lectures, panel discussions, seminars, and performing arts on subjects of contemporary and cultural interest, aimed primarily at promoting Indo-Dutch relations. Another important element of the Centre's activities would be teaching of Yoga, Meditation, Ayurveda, Art, Indian languages, etc. The Centre would also offer scholarships to Dutch students to learn Indian Music, Languages and performing Arts and also sponsor visits of experts from both sides and support other cultural exchanges.

 

Gandhi Jayanti was celebrated throughout the Netherlands on 2nd October by the Indian and Surinamese Hindustani community. Dr. Karan Singh attended a function organised at the Public Library in Hobbemaplein in The Hague. He offered floral tributes at the Statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the presence of H.E. Mr. Rabin Baldewsingh, Deputy Mayor of Hague and spoke of the enduring relevance of Gnadhiji's message. He also inaugurated an Exhibition of Photographs of Mahatma Gandhi in The Hague Library organised by The Hague Municipality.

 

GANDHI IS REMEMBERED IN THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 

Gandhi's life was a testament to invincibility of truth over injustice, a key US lawmaker said on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation. 

"On this day, I join the Indian-American community and friends around the globe to remember and celebrate the life of this fearless man who led a nation to gain independence for his people from the British Empire," New York Congressman, Joseph Crowley, said in his speech on the floor of the House of Representatives. 

"Gandhi's life was a testament to invincibility of truth over injustice. When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it, always." he said. 

Offering his best wishes to the millions of Indian-Americans and to Indians around the globe on this occasion, Crowley said Gandhi shaped modern India and has continued to shape the world by inspiring some the greatest leaders of the time. 

"A champion for the rights of all people, he fought apartheid in South Africa, colonial rule in India, and oppression and injustice in all its guises. In doing so, he has inspired our world's greatest leaders from Nelson Mandela to Cesar Chavez, Aung San Suu Kyi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr," he said. 

"It was Dr. King who once said he owed his inspiration to fight injustice to God and his method--nonviolent resistance--to Gandhi. The American civil rights movement, from lunch counter sit-ins to the Montgomery County bus boycott, was influenced by Gandhi's foundational principle of Satyagraha, or nonviolent civil disobedience," he said. 

"Today, modern India is a leader as the world's largest democracy, among the world's largest economies, and as our close friend and ally. The US -India friendship remains a growing and essential part of US foreign policy, and working together our two countries are a powerful force for positive change in the region and in the world," Crowley said.

 

AUSTRALIA CANCELS VISAS OF OVER 15,000 STUDETNS FOR VIOLATION OF RULES

 

Australian authorities have cancelled 15,066 student visas of foreign nationals, including Indians, for breaching visa conditions, reports said.

 

The immigration department has already cancelled 15,066 foreign student visas in the past year, a 37 per cent spike from the previous year.

 

About 3,624 students are facing deportation for flunking subjects or missing classes and a further 2,235 visas were cancelled on students who quit their original courses and were either working illegally, in some cases in brothels, 'The Daily Telegraph' reported.

 

The report said that Indian students have been hit the hardest where as Chinese students were fared better as they were less likely to be studying for a trade.

 

Under the new rules, University graduates will have the right to work here for two years after they graduate, leaving vocational training students to wait on a second tranche of changes, due next year, to find out where they stand.

 

Of the 332,709 international students in Australia in June, more than half were studying at university, while a third were on vocational training visas studying diploma courses.

 

The report said that one in every five international students is Chinese, while one in every six is Indian. The majority of international students were placed in New South Wales and Victoria.

 

To receive a visa students must be enrolled in a course and show they can pay tuition and living costs and meet health and English language tests.

 

Immigration Department offers eight kinds of student visas - including vocational training, university, English language courses or school education visas.

 

The department's annual report said that 8,309 student visa holders became "unlawful" in the past year because their student visa expired and they did not apply for a new one, such as a bridging visa.

 

In some cases, foreigners were not genuine students and use the work rights of a student visa as a back door to higher wages and working conditions in Australia.

 

Some women have come to Australia on student visas to work in illegal brothels.

 

UK MAKES IT MIORE DIFFICULT TO GET STUDENT VISAS, BANS 1,900 INDIAN BANKS

 

Britain on Tuesday published a list of nearly 1,900 banks in India - most of them cooperative - whose financial statements will not be accepted for student visa purposes, a move that is set to affect thousands of Indian students wanting to study there.

 

The new list has just 85 banks operating in India whose statements will be accepted for purposes of student visas.

 

As part of the application for student visas - Tier 4 under the points-based system - applicants have to show evidence of possessing the necessary funds to pursue a course of study and live in the UK for the duration of the course.

 

INDIAN EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTRY ASK MISSIONS TO STOP OUTSOURCING VISA-RELATED WORK

 

The foreign ministry's experiment with outsourcing has not taken off. Stung by complaints from NRIs and others seeking Indian visas, the ministry last week issued a circular to all Indian missions asking them not to outsource any visa and passport related work to foreign firms.

 

At the outset of handing over the passport, OCI and surrender certificate work to the Travisa, GOPIO had complained about the inexperience of the outsourcing company personnel to handle these work. There have been several complaints from the community about the outsourcing company personnel not knowing the intricacies of Indian birth certificates, etc. Not knowing Indian language was another issue.

While WTO regulations prevented the ministry from banning foreign companies altogether, it said in the circular that outsourcing contracts should only be awarded to Indian companies "with or without foreign partners". 

The circular comes close on the heels of foreign minister S M Krishna's letter, dated October 20, to all Indian envoys warning them of disciplinary action if they failed to ensure transparency in procurement and visa outsourcing. 

Officials said the decision to issue the circular was taken because of growing number of complaints against foreign firms, including Travisa in the US, which are handling such work on behalf of Indian missions. The ministry surprised many in 2007 when it allowed Indian missions to outsource visa and passport processing to private companies saying that because of the shortage of staff, it was no longer possible to handle a rapidly growing number of visa applications for tourism and trade purposes. 

Immediately after this, the Indian embassy in the US outsourced all visa and passport processing work to Travisa which became the face of the Indian mission for those seeking travel documents as it exclusively handled all such work. Four years later though, things seem to have worsened. In fact, during his last visit to the US in September, Krishna held a meeting with Indian ambassador to the US Nirupama Rao to find out why complaints from Indians were piling up. Apparently, there were not enough staff well versed with Indian languages in all the centres. 

According to a MEA official, the existing contracts will remain for now but from now on, no new contract will be given to any foreign firm which does not have any Indian partner.