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GOPIO NEWS SPECIAL BULLETIN

 December 10, 2013

A Publication of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO)
Issue: XII-13 December 10, 2013
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In This Issue
GOPIO JOINS IN MOURNING THE PASSING OF NELSON MANDELA
GOPIO CONVENTION IN NEW DELHI, INDIA, JANUARY 5-6, 2014
PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS (PBD 2014) TO BE HELD IN NEW DELHI ON JAN 7-9, 2014 - 50% DISCOUNT IN PBD REGISTRATION FEE FOR GOPIO DELEGATES
GOPIO FOUNDATION JOINS HANDS WITH INDIA DEVELOPMENT COALITION ON THE CONFERENCE 'FINDING SOLUTIONS FOR POVERTY ERADICATION'
GOPIO JOINS HANDS WITH CHAUDHRY CHARAN SINGH UNIVERSITY TO ORGANIZE CONFERENCE ON POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY OF THE INDIAN DIASOPORA
GOPIO LIFE MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTER FORMATION
EDITORIAL BOARD
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NOTE: GOPIO News is a FREE bi-monthly newsletter of GOPIO International, based in the USA. We need your help in reaching out more NRIs/PIOs around the world. Please go to the bottom of the news bulletin and click the FORWARD button and type e-mail addresses of your friends and relatives. One could also subscribe this newsletter by visiting www.gopio.net and type in the e-mail address. All preivous issues of GOPIO News are provided at GOPIO News Archives. If you do not wish to receive this newsletter in future, please click SafeUnsubscribe at the end of this newsletter.

 

GOPIO is a community supported non-profit organization taking up issues of the Indian Diaspora and attempting to unifying the community in its common causes. Support GOPIO by becoming a Life Member or chapter member. Once can become Life Member online by visiting http://www.gopio.net/online_membership.html.
GOPIO JOINS IN MOURNING THE PASSING OF NELSON MANDELA 

 

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International) joins in solidarity with GOPIO's chapters in South Africa, worldwide organizations, institutions and individuals in mourning the passing of Mr. Nelson Mandela.

 

In a press statement issued on December 6, 2013,  Ashook Ramsaran, President ofGOPIO International, stated: "Mandela was a towering icon of peace, patience, tolerance and forgiveness that paved the way for his immeasurable contributions to freedom and betterment for people in South Africa. He has inspired the world with his persistence, example and selfless service to his people despite overwhelming opposition and insurmountable odds. Through his undaunted struggles for freedom, he was so unyielding in his "quest for peace, justice and equality that resonates so deeply, it's carried in the hearts and minds of every single man, woman and child on this earth", transcending time and place. Mandela was a gift to the world, a remarkable man, a leader with unmatched courage, stamina, grace and dignity who will always be revered among the most admired and respected of men".

 

Mandela was an avid follower of Mahatma Gandhi's teachings, and his love for India can be seen through his frequent visits. He first visited India in 1990 when he was released from jail after more than 25 years for leading the antiapartheid movement in South Africa. India was his first destination abroad after spending those years in jail. In 1990, Mandela was conferred the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor.
GOPIO CONVENTION IN NEW DELHI, INDIA, JANUARY 5-6, 2014

 

GOPIO International plans to hold its annual Executive Meetings and General Council Meetings, followed by its conference starting on January 5 afternoon and concluding on January 6, immediately preceding and in conjunction with Pravasi Bharatiya Divas PBD2014 events of January 7-9, 2013 in New Delhi, India (see more details below). The convention theme is "The Indian Diaspora: Engaging PIOs of Today and Tomorrow".

 

PROGRAM

 

January 5, 2014

 

Venue: The Federation House (FICCI), Council Room 3rd Floor, Tansen Marg, New Delhi 110001

 

1:30pm - 3:30pm          Executive Council Meeting

Chaired by Ashook Ramsaran, President, GOPIO International

 

3:30pm - 4:00pm          Tea Break

 

4:00pm -  6:00pm          Councils & Regional/Country Reports

Chaired by Inder Singh, Chairman, GOPIO International

 

                                    Council Reports (Open to the Public)

Dr. Ramesh Caussy - Chair, Science & Technology Council

                                    Suman Kapoor - Chair, Women's Council

Kirty Matabadal - Chair, Youth Council

Anita Bhat - Director (USA) Youth Council

Asha Tewari - Youth Council, Netherlands

Prof Prabhu Guptara - Chair, Academic Council

Rita Abraham - Co-Chair, Women's Council

Sangeeta Ahuja - Chair, Health Council

George Abraham - Chair, Business Council

John Isaac - Chair, Media Council

 

Regional/Country Reports (Open to the Public)

Ved Prakash Goojha - France 
Deo Gosine - Trinidad & Tobago

Dr. Arnold Thomas - Caribbean

Munish Gupta - Africa

Loshni Naidoo - South Africa

Dr. Sai Giridhar - Middle East

Umesh Chandra - Oceania Region

Alkesh Sharma - New Zealand

Rajindre Tewari - Europe

Amb R. Dayakar - South Asia

Dr Piyush Agrawal - North America

Shailesh Naik - Connecticut, USA

Dr Sunny Wycliffe - Metro DC, USA

Lal Motwani - New York, USA

Jay Banerjei - Toronto, Canada

Jean Ramsamy - Reunion Island 

Dr. Prabhu Kulkarni - Dublin, Ireland

Koshy Thomas - London, UK

Lucienne Sacarabany - Martinique

Dinesh Petapermal -  Guadeloupe

K. N. Gupta - Liaison with Government of India

Harbachan Singh - Liaison to United Nations

Mridul Pathak - Diaspora Development

Sunny Kulathakal - GOPIO Council Reports Updates

Dr. Piyush Agrawal - GOPIO Chapter Developments

 

 

7:00pm - 8:00pm          Reception

 

 

January 6, 2014

 

Venue: The Federation House (FICCI), Commission Room 3rd Floor, Tansen Marg, New Delhi 110001

9:30am             Registration

 

General Council Meeting

10:00am - 11:00am       General Council Meeting

Chaired by Inder Singh, Chairman, GOPIO International

 

11:00am - 11:15am       Tea Break

 

11:15am - 12:30pm       General Council Meeting (Cont'd.)

Chaired by Inder Singh, Chairman, GOPIO International

 

12:30pm -   1:30pm       Lunch

 

Conference - Theme: "The Indian Diaspora: Engaging PIOs of Today and Tomorrow".

 

  1:30pm -   2:00pm      Inaugural Session: "Engaging PIOs of Today and Tomorrow".

   2:00pm -  3:30pm      Conference Session I: "

"Engaging the Diaspora's Youth/Next Generation & Women; Migration Trends; Cultural & Emotional Engagement"

   3:30pm -  3:45pm      Break

   3:45pm  -  5:15pm      Conference Session II:

 "Engaging and Enhancing the Diaspora: Connecting with Resurgent India; Business & Investments; Science & Technology; Education & Healthcare"

   5:15pm  -  5:30pm      Resolutions

   5:30pm -   5:45pm      Concluding Remarks

 

  6:30pm - 7:30pm        Reception (Venue: K K Birla Auditorium)

  7:30pm - 8:30pm        Valedictory Session & Felicitations (Venue: K K Birla Auditorium)

  8:30pm - 10:00pm       Dinner (Venue: K K Birla Auditorium)

 

Registration:

Advance registration - US$30 (all events) on GOPIO website via PayPal at www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/make-online-payments, or advance registration confirmation by Email to gopioindia2014@gmail.com by December 20, or payment on site at US$35 (all events). Confirmed attendees will be registered and issued tickets on site for attendance

 

Hotels (India Tourism Development Corporation):

SPECIAL OFFER FOR GOPIO MEMBERS (Members must register with GOPIO Convention India for verification - gopioindia2014@gmail.com )

 

Hotel Ashok: 

Standard Single Room  

Special Offer to GOPIO: Rs.6500/- CPAI to December 23, 2013.

After December 24, 2013:  Rs.7000/- CPAI 

(inclusive of buffet breakfast at the Coffee Shop, service Charge and all taxes)

 

Hotel Samrat:

Standard Single Room

Special Offer to GOPIO: Rs.5750/- CPAI to December 23, 2013.

After December 24, 2013: Rs.6250/-CPAI

(inclusive of buffet breakfast at the Coffee Shop, service Charge and all taxes)

 

Hotel Janpath: 

Standard Single Room

Special Offer to GOPIO: Rs.5750/- CPAI to December 23, 2013.

After December 24, 2013: Rs.6250/-CPAI

(inclusive of buffet breakfast at the Coffee Shop, service Charge and all taxes)

 

Convention Convener: Mr. K. N. Gupta

Convention Co-Convener: Amb. R. Dayakar

Convention Coordinator: Munish Gupta

 

For details and registration, contact Mr. K. N. Gupta, Convention Convener at knguptas@gmail.com; gopioindia2014@gmail.com
PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS (PBD 2014) TO BE HELD IN NEW DELHI ON JAN 7-9, 2014 - 50% DISCOUNT IN PBD REGISTRATION FEE FOR GOPIO DELEGATES 

 

50% discount in PBD registration fee for GOPIO delegates

The 12th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD2014) will be held from January 7-9, 2014 at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, India. The theme of PBD2014 is "Engaging Diaspora: Connecting Across Generations".

PBD conventions are being held every year since 2003 to mark the contribution of Overseas Indian community in the development of India. January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate this occasion since it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, returned to India from South Africa, led India's freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever.

These conventions provide a platform to the overseas Indian community to engage with the government and people of the land of their ancestors for mutually beneficial activities. These conventions are also very useful in networking among the overseas Indian community residing in various parts of the world and enable them to share their experiences in various fields. During the event, individuals of exceptional merit are honored with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to appreciate their role in India's growth. The event also provides a forum for discussing key issues concerning the Indian Diaspora.

    

GOPIO delegates shall get 50% discount in PBD registration fee. Please contact GOPIO at:Ramsaran@aol.com. Hurry, time is short, register fast.

 

TENTATIVE PROGRAMME: SCHEDULE

Day 1, January 7, 2014

0830-1000

Registration

1000-1100

Inaugural Session

1100-1130

Tea/Coffee Break

1130-1300

Plenary Session of Youth Pravasi Bhartiya Divas: Aspirations of Diaspora Youth

1300-1400

Lunch Break

1400-1600

Sharing a Common Heritage: The Emotional Connect

Young Achievers

Emerging India in a Dynamically Changing World

1600-1630

Tea-Break

1630-1800

Concluding Session - Building the Global Youth Diaspora Network

1900 onwards

Cultural Evening and Dinner hosted by Minister of External Affairs, Government of India

 

Day 2, January 8, 2014

0930-1015

Inaugural Session

1015-1030

Tea/Coffee Break

1030-1300

Plenary Session 1-India's Growth & Development Agenda

1300-1400

Lunch Break

1400-1600

Plenary Session 2- India's Soft Power

1600-1630

Tea/Coffee Break

1630-1745

PBD Oration

1900 onwards

Cultural Evening & Dinner Hosted by Minster of State for Youth Affairs and Sports ( Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Defence, Government of India

 

Day 3, January 9, 2014

0930-1130

Plenary Session 3 - Investment Opportunities in States (Chief Ministers' Session)

1130-1200

Tea/Coffee Break

1200-1315

Parallel State Sessions

1315-1430

Lunch Break

1430-1600

Innovation and Technology

Healthcare opportunities in India

Meeting of Diaspora organisations

Making India the Hub of Media & Entertainment Industry

1600-1630

Tea/Coffee Break

1700-1800

Valedictory Session and Conferment of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards

1900 onwards

Cultural evening and Dinner hosted by HMOIA

 

DELEGATE REGISTRATION

Package*
(per person)

Till 15th December, 2013

From 16th December, 2013

Conference Package

US$ 250

Rs. 15750

Entitled to 3 day Conference including Inaugural, Lunches, Dinners and Entertainment Evenings.

US$ 300

Rs. 18900

Entitled to 3 day Conference including Inaugural, Lunches, Dinners and Entertainment Evenings.

Non-Conference Package

US$ 100

Rs. 6300

Entitled to attend Inaugural, Dinners and Entertainment Evenings on all 3 days only.

US$ 125

Rs. 7900

Entitled to attend Inaugural, Dinners and Entertainment Evenings on all 3 days only.

Student Package

US$ 100

Rs. 6300

Entitled to 3 day Conference including Lunches, Dinners and Entertainment Evenings.

US$ 125

Rs. 7900

Entitled to 3 day Conference including Lunches, Dinners and Entertainment Evenings.

GOPIO Delegation*

US$ 125 per person

Conference Package

Entitled to a 3 day Conference including Inaugural, Lunches, Dinners and Entertainment Evenings.

For Registration and Program details, visit: Website: http://www.moia.gov.in    Registration:  http://www.pbd-india.com/registration.html
GOPIO FOUNDATION JOINS HANDS WITH INDIA DEVELOPMENT COALITION ON THE CONFERENCE 'FINDING SOLUTIONS FOR POVERTY ERADICATION'

  

India Development Coalition of America

(Tel:630-393-9592)

 

 

ANNOUNCES

 

The 10th International Conference in India

Co-Sponsors: IRRAD, Gurgaon, GOPIO Foundation GOPIO.Connect

 

Conference Theme

Finding Innovative Solutions for Poverty Eradication

  

 

 Date: January 10-11, 2014

Time:

January 10, 8:30 AM-6: 00 PM and

January 11, 8:30 AM-2:00 PM

 

Chief Guest: Mr. Kiran K. Kapila, Chairman, International Road Federation, Geneva, Switzerland, and Chairman/MD, Intercontinental Consultants and Technocrats Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi

 

Keynote Speaker: Mr. Ravi Chaudhry, Author, International Consultant and former Tata Group Executive, New Delhi

 

Venue:Institute of Rural Research and Development (www.irrad.org)

Plot No. 34, Sector 44, Institutional Area

Gurgaon, Haryana, 122002

 

The goal of this conference is to promote networking, learning and collaboration to eradicate poverty and mitigate climate change in India. We also want to inform and inspire citizens at large to support these efforts or start a project in their village/town in one or of the needs of the community.

 

Please click the link below for more information.

 IDCA Conference on FINDING SOLUTIONS FOR POVERTY ERADICATION
GOPIO JOINS HANDS WITH CHAUDHRY CHARAN SINGH UNIVERSITY TO ORGANIZE CONFERENCE ON POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY OF INDIAN DIASPORA IN MEERUT, JAN. 10, 2014

 

Department of Political Science

( Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, UP. India)

and

Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO)

(New York/ Ahmedabad Chapter)

Jointly organize

One Day International Conference on

 

 POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY OF INDIAN DIASPORA: ISSUES, PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES

January 10th 2014, Meerut University, UP

 

The migrants Indians strived to make their social presence felt to the host societies. They have a very long history of survival imbibed in different struggles. The path had never been easy. Emotional dislocation, physical distance and political alienation have taught them the skill to excel. The communities even though shun by their own country, never remained exhausted and continued their march to succeed in strange and new environments. It happened a number of times that the Host countries itself faced turmoil in heir political and social spaces, even then the Indians, without loosing heart dislocated themselves to new spaces, countries and environment to write a new document of success. Fiji and many other such countries are living examples. Once their survival was stabilized on the social front their fight for political acceptance and excellence created a new history. Today Indian Diaspora can claim an overall success in almost all the fields they are working and living.

 

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, an official event in India has brought a manifold meaning in their lives. In such status, it is relevant to understand the POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY OF INDIAN DIASPORA: ISSUES, PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES.

 

A one day International Conference on January 10th 2014 is being jointly organised by the Department of Political Science, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut and Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin, New York on POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY OF INDIAN DIASPORA: ISSUES, PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES.

 

The conference will have four sessions:

  1. POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT OF INDIAN DIASPORA in GLOBAL ASPECT AND IMPACT ON INDIA

 

  1. SOCIOLOGICAL CHALLENGES IN CHANGING POLITICAL SCENE TO MIGRANT SOCIETY AND ROLE OF INIDAN INSTITUTIONS

 

  1.  ISSUES, PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES AS SHARED BY INDIA TO BRING DIASPORA HOME

 

  1. FUTURE BONDING, SYNERGY AND ROLE IN MUTUAL SOCIETIES

 

The organizers shall look after the transportation from Delhi to Meerut and back for those GOPIO Diaspora Participants who wish to attend this conference.

 

Arrangements shall also be made for stay at University guest House at Meerut if one desires so. 

 

For GOPIO members there is no registration fee. For other participants the registration fees is Rs. 300/-

 

For any further query may be made at following mails: officeipsa@gmail.com, drneerjaarun@yahoo.com

 

Organiser:

Dr Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, Professor and Head, Department of Political Science, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut,  Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, All India Political Science Association

 

For more details, click the link, DIASPORA CONFERENCE AT MEERUT UNIVERSITY
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 Chairman - Inder Singh, Tarzana, California, USA, Tel: +1-818-708-3885, E-mail:  GOPIO.Global@gmail.com.

 

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

 

GOPIO Executive Vice President - Sunny Kulathakal, Bahrain, Tel: +973 39441956 or +91 9845756692, E-mail: Kulathakal@yahoo.com

 

GOPIO Senior Vice President - Dr Piyush Agrawal, Weston, Florida, USA, Tel: +1-954-684-6494, E-mail:sudhapca@aol.com

 

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

 

Chief Editor: Dr. Thomas Abraham, Founder President and Chairman Emeritus of GOPIO Intl. and Executive Trustee, GOPIO Foundation (Stamford, CT, USA)

Editor: Nami Kaur, Secretary, GOPIO International (New York, USA)

Co-Editors: Bina Mahabir (Co-Chair GOPIO Media Council, Guyana-New York, USA), Nilofar Pardawala (Portland, Oregon, USA) and Kishor Kapitan (GOPIO Durban, South Africa)

Webmasters: Prashant Gupta (Hyderabad, India) and Abu Thomas (New Rochelle, NY, USA)   

Contributors of this issue: Ashook Ramsaran (President, GOPIO International), Munish Gupta, (GOPIO International Coordinator for Africa), Dr. Neerja Arun (GOPIO Academic Council Co-Chair, Ahmedabad, India), Dr. Mohan Jain (Chicago, IL, 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 GOPIO's Official site at www.gopio.net or www.gopio.com