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GOPIO
NEWS
March
25, 2011
A
Publication of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO)
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Issue: X-3
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March
25, 2011
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NOTE: GOPIO News
is a FREE bi-monthly newsletter of GOPIO International,
based in the USA.
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SafeUnsubscribe at the end of this newsletter.
Since many of the
GOPIO officers were in India
in january to attend GOPIO Convention and Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, we
coudl not bring out Ferbuary issue. Regular bulletin starts with this
issue.
GOPIO is a
community supported non-profit organization taking up issues of the
Indian Diaspora and attempting to unifying the community in its common
causes. Support GOPIO by becoming a Life Member or chapter member. Once
can become Life Member online by visiting http://www.gopio.net/online_membership.html.
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KOLKATA MEMORIAL FOR PIOs INAUGURATED IN JANUARY, 2011
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The Kolkata
Memorial was inaugurated on January 11, 2011 at Kidderpore Depot along
the Hugley River in Kolkata by Mr. Vayalar
Ravi, Minister of India's Overseas Indian Affairs, attended by Shrimati
Mamta Banerjee, Minister of Railways. Also in attendance and
participating were MOIA
Secretary Dr. A Didar Singh; Shri M L Meena,
Chairman of Kolkata Port Trust and Shri Mukul Roy, Hon Minister of State
for Shipping.
The event was
attended by a huge turn-out from several countries including Guyana,
Trinidad, Surname, Guadeloupe, USA, Canada, UK, Netherlands, Switzerland,
South Africa, Kenya, Fiji, Mauritius, Re-Union Islands, New Zealand,
Australia and other many others countries where Indians and persons of
Indian origin reside.
The Kolkata
Memorial is inscribed with a memorial plaque (in English and Hindi) that
pays tribute to those who left India as indentured Indian laborers from
1834 thru' 1920. It is meant as "recognition and
remembrance of their journeys and the as Indian indentured laborers to
faraway lands seeking better livelihoods for themselves and their
descendants; for their pioneering spirit, determination, resilience,
endurance and perseverance amidst the extremely harsh and demeaning conditions
they encountered; for their preservation of sense of origin, traditions,
culture and religion, and their promotion of the Indian culture; for
their achievements and successes despite insurmountable odds".
The plaque is
based on a proposal by Guyanese born Ashook Ramsaran, in his capacity as
Executive Vice President of the Global Organization of People of Indian
Origin (GOPIO International) who, along with Leela Sarup of
Mauritius/Kolkata, made several trips to Kolkata and collaborated closely
and continuously with the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs to draft
the inscription and on the design of the plaque. The Government of India
accepted the proposal and proceeded to erect the memorial monument with
the inscription plaque contained within the monument. The inscription on
the plaque was taken directly from the proposal provided by Ashook
Ramsaran who quite succinctly captured the shared sentiments of the
descendants of those indentured laborers.
The inaugural was
preceded by a commemorative luncheon hosted by the newly formed Global
Indian Heritage Society (GIDHS) and GOPIO and attended by Min Ravi and
members of his staff at the Oberoi Grand Hotel in Kolkata. Many remarks
were made by those attending from various countries, expressing their
gratitude for the Kolkata Memorial as a symbol of their connection and
roots in India.
It is a long overdue tribute to those who took the risks on barely a
promise, to their individual and shared sacrifices and their endurance
that made it possible for their descendants to flourish with the spirit
of Indianness that transcends time, and to their courage which become a
living testament in so many lives.
Photo below: GOPIO
and Gidhs opresent memen to Minister Vayalar Ravi for his help and
commitment to make the Kolkata Memorial happen.Head Table (left to
right): Indian High Commissioner to Trinidad & Tobago Malay Mishra;
GOPIO Executive Vice President Ashook Ramsaran; Leela Sarup of Global
Indian Heritage Society; MOIA Minister Vayalar Ravi,; MOIA Secretary Dr. A Didar Singh;
GOPIO International Chairman Inder Singh; Empire India
Publisher Sayantan Chakravarty
Photo
above - Kolkata Memorial Inauguration. From L. to R. Minister of Railways
Mamta Banerjee, MOIA Minister Vayalar Ravi, Minister of State for
Shipping Mukul Roy, Former Vice President of Mauritius A. Raouf Bunbhun,
MOIA Secretary Dr. A. Didar Singh and the MC.
In his remarks
after the unveiling, Min Ravi said that the memorial is in remembrance of
all Indian emigrants who passed through Kolkata seeking better lives
elsewhere and reflects on their endurance and spirit of Indianness.
In the speech
preceding the presentation of the Pravasi Samman 2011 awards on January
9, 2011 President of India Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil remarked of the
"steps to set up a Memorial for Indentured Workers at Kolkata Port to mark the indomitable
spirit of Indian emigrants". At the same ceremony, MOIA Min Ravi
also praised the efforts that made the Kolkata Memorial a reality. The
Pravasi Samman 2011 Citation states that, "Ashook Ramsaran has been
deeply involved in working to establish a memorial for indentured workers
in Kolkata".
The inaugural and
unveiling was a solemn event with the expected heartfelt emotions by so
many who came from far off lands to witness this historic event. After
the unveiling and remarks by Min Ravi, Min Banerjee, Min Mukuk Roy,
Chairman Meena and Secretary Dr Didar Singh, attendees from the various
countries gathered at the memorial and praised the efforts of the
Government of India for the recognition and remembrance of their
ancestors who left those shores generations ago. It was at times very
emotional and there was singing with fervor unmatched in recent times.
The delegations from Mauritius
and Re-Union
Islands sang
familiar songs, expressing their gratitude for their presence and
participation at the inauguration and unveiling with meaningful
significance to all of them.
Photo below:
Invited Guests at the Inauguration. GOPIO was well representaed by it
internaitonal officers and members.
Photo above:
Attendees from Reunion Islands and Mauritius
at the inaugural of the Kolkata
Memorial Monument
along with Dr Thomas Abraham and Ashook Ramsaran of GOPIO Int'l.
The Kolkata
Memorial project has meaningful significance to millions of descendants
of those who left India
as indentured Indian laborers from 1834 thru' 1920. The plan to begin
with the installation of the inauguration plaque on January 11, 2011
followed by the memorial museum and resource center, has been received
with overwhelming emotional sentiments and enthusiastic support from all
corners of the global Indian diaspora, in particular from persons of
Indian origin (PIOs) in destination countries where Indian indentured
laborers emigrated from 1834 thru' 1920.
"This will be
a lasting legacy for present and future generations of their
descendants", remarked Ramsaran."The museum will house records
of Indian indentured laborers' emigration during the 18th and 19th
centuries" said Sarup; " A momentous occasion" remarked Sayantan
Chakravarty of Empire India;"A noble effort indeed", said
writer and historian Dr Anand Mullo of Mauritius; "An extra ordinary
service to the Indian Diaspora", said Indian emigration roots
researcher Shamshu Deen of Trinidad & Tobago; "A commemoration
tribute whose time is overdue" said Prof Mohan Gautam of The
Netherlands; "I congratulate Ashook for his efforts to remember our
ancestors in a profoundly historic way" said Dr Arnold Thomas of St
Vincent's; "We are all deeply indebted for the Kolkata Memorial
which is a tremendous achievement", said prominent Indo-Caribbean
Diaspora icon Dr Yesu Persaud of Guyana.
Says Ramsaran of
the Kolkata Memorial, "I feel so honored and privileged to be
actively working in prominent civic leadership role to make it possible
for the Kolkata Memorial become a reality. I have remarked previously
that, "our ancestors who left those shores truly deserve their place
in the annals of Indian history and the journeys of people of Indian
origin. We owe them due recognition and a lasting remembrance - and that
is what the Kolkata Memorial will be". I feel so honored and
privileged - truly so fortunate and blessed -- to be doing this.
The vision of a single, suitably significant place of emotional and
physical connection for the descendants of indentured workers is finally
becoming a reality".
The significance
of the Kolkata Memorial transcends all boundaries and can become an
example for other groups who emigrated from India during and/or
subsequent to the 1834-1920 period. The message of the Kolkata Memorial
should be disseminated to as many as possible to inform others as well as
generate support for its museum and resource center plans.
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GOPIO CONCLUDES
SUCCESSFUL CONVENTION IN NEW
DELHI
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The Global
Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) concluded its very
successful Convention 2011 in New
Delhi from January 6th through
January 7th 2011 preceding Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2011. The
GOPIO meetings and conferences were held at the FICCI Conference Centre
and GOPIO's Community Service Awards banquet was held at the Hotel
Ashoka. The conference was formally inaugurated on January 6th
by Hon Salman Khurshid, Min of Water Resources, Min of Minority Affairs.
FICCI Secretary General Dr. Amit Mitra was featured speaker.
 GOPIO Convention
included several intensive meetings and conference sessions, in addition
to other related GOPIO events that combined to produce a very
comprehensive and successful Convention 2011 that was well attended and
produced tremendous positive feedback and interaction among the
participants and attendees. In addition, GOPIO discussed, deliberated and
issued several resolutions on pertinent issues of concern to the global
Indian community.
On January 5th,
2011, GOPIO held its Executive Committee Meeting followed by its General
Council Meeting at which several operational and procedural matters were
discussed and decisions reached. The Executive Committee Meeting was
chaired by President Lord Diljit Rana and the General Council Meeting
chaired by Inder Singh, Chairman. GOPIO Council & Country/Chapter
Reports were provided by: Dr. Piyush Agrawal, Regional Vice President,
North America; Sunny Kulathakal, Middle East Coordinator; Chanchal Chowdhry,
Secretary General; K. N. Gupta, President GOPIO-India; Harrry Walia,
Regional Coordinator, GOPIO Australia; Umesh Chandra, GOPIO Australia;
Suman Kapoor, GOPIO New Zealand. Council Reports by: Dr Mohan Gautam,
Academic Council (Netherlands); Deo Gosine, Business Council
(Trinidad/USA); Munish Gupta, Media Council (India-USA); Lady Shruti
Rana, Women's Council (UK).
On January 6th a
full day conference was held on FICCI Conference Centre comprising four
(4) sessions as follows:
Session I: Is
Single Window Open & Working?
Session
II: NRI/PIO Services at Overseas Indian Consular Offices: Issues
& Challenges
Session
III: Kolkata Memorial and 19th Century Indian Emigration
Session
IV: Cultural Preservation in Expanding Indian Diaspora
Session
V: Resolutions
Session I:
"Is Single Window Open & Working?"
The session was
chaired by Lord Diljit Rana (UK); Co-Chaired by Chan Chowdhry (UK).
Speakers included: Mr. Gaurav Makhija (KPMG India); Mr Pamarty
VenkataRamana(New Delhi, India); Mr Vijay Kumar Gupta, Chairman,
Beekay Engineering Corp (India).
Wrap-Up
& Concluding Remarks by Dr Thomas Abraham (USA). See videos of some
presentations at the following links:
Full Session - http://www.piotv.com/content-inner.php?content_id=66&id=46&p=d&category_id=117&category_name=9th%20Pravasi%20Bhartiya%20Divas
Industrialists
Vijay Kumar Gupta speaking - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAUQlGTB088&feature=related
Photo above: GOPIO
conf. sessionon on Is Single window Open and Working. From L. to R.:
GOPIO Founder President Dr. Thomas Abraham, Industrialist Vijay Kumar
Gupta, GOPIO Secretary General Chan Chowdhry and GOPIO Preisdent Lord
Diljit Rana
Session II:
"NRI/PIO Services at Overseas Indian Consular Offices: Issues &
Challenges"
The session was
chaired by Mr Inder Singh (USA); Co-Chaired by Mr Umesh Chandra (Australia).
Speakers included: GOPIO Founder President Dr. Thomas Abraham; MEA
Additional Secretary B.K. Gupta, Ministry of External Affairs (New Delhi, India);
Mr J C Sharma (New Delhi, India); Jay Banerjei (Canada);
Wrap-Up & Concluding Remarks by Mr Ravi Gidar (UK). See videos of
some presentations at the following links:
Full Session - http://www.piotv.com/content-inner.php?content_id=68&id=46&p=d&category_id=117&category_name=9th%20Pravasi%20Bhartiya%20Divas
Dr. thomas
Abraham Speaking - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh-lM2FHW1I&feature=related
Mr. Jay Banerjei
speaking - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAmSXMECvVw&feature=related
Mr. Umesh
Chandra speaking - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCb8K1f5jV8&feature=related
MEA Additional
Secretary B.K. Gupta speaking - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwamdKF6klw&feature=related
Photo below:Session
on Consular Issues. From L. to R. Ravi Girdar (GOPIO London). Dr. Thoms Abraham (GOPIO
Intl.), Ambassadro J.C. Sharma, Umesh Chandra (GOPIO-Brisbane), GOPIO
Chairman Inder Singh, MEA Additional Secretary B.K. Gupta and Jay
Banerjei (GOPIO-Toronoto)
Photo above:
Inaugural Session - Suman Kapoor (GOPIO New Zealand), GOPIO Secretary
General Chan Chowdhry, Prof. Prabhat Jha MD, GOPIO Chairman Inder Singh,
Minister Salman Khursheed, GOPIO President Lord Diljit Rana and GOPIO
Exec. Vice President Ashook Ramsaran.
Inaugural
Session: Inauguration by Hon Salman Khurshid,Min of Water Resources,
Min of Minority Affairs. Special recognition of achievement was given to
Prof. Prabhat Jha, MD DPhil (Canada)
who worked to improve health and quality of life of resident Indians,
started the Million Death Study in 2001 in collaboration with the
Registrar General of India.
The session was chaired by Inder Singh, Chairman of GOPIO and
Co-Chaired by Lord Diljit Rana, President of GOPIO. See videos of
inaugural session at the following links:
Full Inaugural
Session - http://www.piotv.com/content-inner.php?content_id=55&id=46&p=d&category_id=117&category_name=9th%20Pravasi%20Bhartiya%20Divas
Minister Salman
Khurshid speaking - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDl--6jK-lU
Special Session
- Financial Matters for NRIs and PIOs
Officials of
Kotak Mahendra, the main sponsor of the GOPIO convention, spoke at a
special session on financial matters and investment opportunities for
NRIs and PIOs. See presentations below:
http://www.piotv.com/content-inner.php?content_id=67&id=46&p=d&category_id=117&category_name=9th%20Pravasi%20Bhartiya%20Divas
Session III:
"Kolkata Memorial and 19th Century Indian Emigration"
The session was
chaired by Ashook Ramsaran (Guyana-USA), Co-Chaired by Dr Shekhar
Tiwary (India).
Speakers included: Leela Sarup (Mauritius-W. Bengal); Christelle Gourdine
(Guadeloupe); Jean Regis Ramsamy (Re-Union
Islands); Marina Budhos (USA). See
full presentations below:
http://www.piotv.com/content-inner.php?content_id=69&id=46&p=d&category_id=117&category_name=9th%20Pravasi%20Bhartiya%20Divas
Session
IV: "Cultural Preservation in Expanding Indian Diaspora"
The session was
chaired by Harmohan Walia (Australia). Speakers
included: Arvind Sood (USA);
Prof Mohan Gautam (Netherlands);
Dr Harshinder Kaur (India).
Wrap-Up & Concluding Remarks by Deo Gosine, (Trinidad-USA).See
presentation by Prof. Mohan Gautam below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Zi2BX9vrZw
Session V:
Resolutions
The session was
chaired by Dr Piyush Agrawal (USA) and Co-Chaired by Rajindre Tewari
(Netherlands).
GOPIO PASSES SERIES
OF RESOLUTIONS AT GOPIO CONVENTION 2011 IN DELHI
At its Convention
2011 held on January 5-6 in New
Delhi, GOPIO deliberated, discussed and passed
resolutions pertinent to the interests and needs of the global Indian
Diaspora of NRIs and PIOs. The following is a list of the resolutions
passed.
RESOLUTION
1: Image of India
as a Country
RESOLUTION 2: Inconsistent
Policies of Government of India
RESOLUTION
3: Taxes on NRIs after stay of 60 days in India
RESOLUTION
4: International Indian Emigration Day
RESOLUTION
5: Consular Services for NRIs and PIOs
RESOLUTION
6: Policies & Practices
RESOLUTION 7: Rajya
Sabha Seats for Non Resident Indians (NRIs)
RESOLUTION
8: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas & Problems at Delhi Airport
RESOLUTION
9: Registration Fee Surcharges & Additional Fee for Late
Registration at PBDs
RESOLUTRION
10: Terrorism: Safety of Life & Property
RESOLUTION
11: Investments In Properties & Disputes
RESOLUTION
12 Divorces and Child Custody in Indian Courts
Further details
can be obtained at www.gopio.net
GOPIO COMMUNITY
SERVICE AWARDS BANQUET HELD ON JANUARY 6
Following the
conclusion of the GOPIO Conference on January 6, 2011, GOPIO held its
annual CSA awards banquet on the same evening at the Ashok Hotel in New Delhi. The
Chief Guest was Hon. Vayalar Ravi, India's Union Cabinet
Minister of Overseas Indian AffairsMinister and Parliamentary Affairs.
The Guest of Honor was Shri Bhoopinder Singh Hooda, Chief Minister
ofHaryana.
Photo above: GOPIO
officials at the Awards Banquet with Digntaries. From L. to R. Inder
Singh, Ashook Ramsaran, Minister Vayalar Ravi, Lord Diljit Rana, Chief
Minsiter Bhoopinder Singh Hooda, Candadian Member of Parliament Ruby
Dhalla and Chan Chowdhry.
GOPIO's annual CSA
awards were established to recognize and honor those NRIs and PIOs who
have provided significant community and public service or done
philanthropic work for the Indian Diaspora and/or to India.
Photo above: India's
top bureaucrat and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minsiter of India
T.K.A. Nair being inducted into GOPIO's Honor Roll at the Awards banquet.
From L. to R.: Lord Diljit Rana, Inder Singh, T.K.A. Nair, Ashook
Ramsaran, Dr. Thomas Abraham
The awardees for
GOPIO Community Service Awards 2011 for services to the Indian Diaspora
were: Mr Gambhir Watts (Australia)
and Prof.
M.C. Madhavan (USA).
In addition, Mr. T. K. A. Nair, Principal Secretary, Prime Minister's
Office, was inducted to GOPIO's Honor Roll.See full session at the
following link:
http://www.piotv.com/content-inner.php?content_id=56&id=46&p=d&category_id=117&category_name=9th%20Pravasi%20Bhartiya%20Divas
MEETING WITH
OPPOSITION POLITICAL LEADERS
 During the stay in
New Delhi,
GOPIO offcials met with opposition political leaders. GOPIO Founder
President Dr. Thomas Abraham and GOPIO Detroit President Radha Krishnan
met with CPM General Secretary Prakash Karat on Jan. 5th and discussed
many of the NRIs issues as well as on how NRIs can be be fully invovled
in India's
devleopment.
A larger
delegation of GOPIO officials including President Lord Diljit Rana, Dr.
Thomas Abraham, Vice President Dr. Piyush Agrawal, Secretary General Chan
Chowdhry, Ambassador J.C. Sharma, BJP Mumbai Pradesh Committee President
Raj Purohit and several GOPIO chapter presidents called on to the leader
of Opposiiton in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj on Jan. 5th evening at her
residence. The delegation discussed a wide range of issues including the
passport surrender issues implemented by Govt of India last year, areas
where NRIs/PIOs can be utilized to develop and support India's
image aborad and promoting investments by NRIs/PIOsin Inida.
Photo above; GOPIO
delegation with Leader of Opposiiton in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj. From
L. to R: Dr. Piyush Agrawal, Sudha Agrawal, Suman Kapoor, Raj Purohi,
Lord Dilji Rana, Sushma Swaraj, Dr. Thomas Abraham, Radha Krishnan,
Ritesh Agrawal and Ambassador J.C. Sharma
Statement by Main
Sponsor Kotak Mahindra Bank:
Speaking at the
occasion, Mr. Virat Diwanji Executive Vice President, Kotak Mahindra Bank
said "Kotak Mahindra Bank is happy to be associated with GOPIO and
partner in events and initiatives undertaken by GOPIO. As a large India
centric bank and investment focus, Kotak can be a perfect financial
partner for GOPIO and its member to support this engagement. Kotak
Mahindra Bank would like to strengthen the association going forward and
support GOPIO on their various initiatives."
Kotak Mahindra Bank
offers investments and wealth management services to NRIs and PIOs across
the globe. Kotak Mahindra Bank has a comprehensive suite of investment
products and services for NRIs across the globe which includes deposits,
remittance, mutual funds, life insurance, loan and other banking and
investment products and services. Visit www.NRI Matters.com to check out
information and answers to questions on Finance, Investments, Real Estate
and Citizen Law.
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GOPIO'S
RAMSARAN AMONG 15 PRAVASI SAMMAN RECIPIENTS
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At the concluding
session of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2011, the President of India, Smt.
Pratibha Devisingh Patil, called upon Indian Diaspora to participate in
building a better future of India for the disadvantaged
sections of society. She said, "Your contribution in the health and
education sectors, in efforts to make India slum-free, as well as
your participation in infrastructure development projects would be
welcomed." She also said that the Indian Diaspora have come to be
recognized as the 'knowledge Diaspora'. Diaspora's expertise and skills
will be a vital resource for India's efforts to forge
inclusive growth for all its citizens.
President Patil
conferred the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award to fifteen
distinguished members of the Indian Diaspora for their achievements in
life and contribution to the welfare of the Indian community and
enhancing India's
image overseas. The awards were presented to these the eminent Overseas
Indians at the valedictory function of the third and concluding day of
the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2011.
The
following 15 eminent NRIs were selected after a careful scrutiny to be
recognized for their outstanding contributions. Indian President Smt.
Pratibha Devisingh Patil gave away Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Awards to the
eminent Overseas Indians which included two active GOPIO members,
Executive Vice President Mr. Ashook Kumar Ramsaran from USA and Wahid
Saleh from the Netherlands. Other recipients are: Dr. Rajiv Shah from USA. Sir
Anand Satyanand from New Zealand, Prof. Veena Harbhagwan Sahajwalla from
Australia, Ms. Lata Pada from Canada, Mr. Harindrapal Singh Banga from
Hong Kong, Mr. Mohammad Munir Nazir Hassan Ansari from Israel, Mr. Upjit
Singh Sachdeva from Liberia, Tan Sri Dato' Ajit Singh from Malaysia,
Indian Community Benevolent Forum of Qatar, Dr. Mohiaddin Syed Karimuddin
from Saudi Arabia, Mr. Mano Selvanathan of Sri Lanka, Mr. Mohan Jashanmal
from UAE, Baroness (Dr.) Sandip Verma from UK.
Photo
above: Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award Recipients 2011 with President
Pratibha Devisingh Patil, MOIA Minister Vayalar Ravi and MOIA Secretary
Dr. Deedhar A. Singh.
Ramsaran, who is a
third generation PIO born in Guyana, joins two (2) other
GOPIO executives who were previously accorded the prestigious award:
GOPIO President Lord Diljit Rana and GOPIO founding president and former
chairman Dr Thomas Abraham. Ramsaran also joins three (3) others from Guyana
were previously accorded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman: President Bharrat
Jagdeo, President of Guyana; Sir Shridat Ramphal, former Secretary
General of the Commonwealth; Dr Yesu Persaud, industrialist and civic
leader.
 The Pravasi Samman
2011 Citation to Ramsaran states that, "As a PIO originally from Guyana,
he has been deeply involved in working to establish a memorial for
indentured workers in Kolkata. He is recognized for his immense services
to the Indian community". In the speech preceding the
presentation of the Pravasi Samman 2011 awards on January 9, 2011 President
of India Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil remarked of the "steps to
set up a Memorial for Indentured Workers at Kolkata Port
to mark the indomitable spirit of Indian emigrants". At the same
ceremony, MOIA Min Ravi also praised the efforts that made the Kolkata
Memorial a reality. When asked how it feels to be accorded such a
prestigious award by the Government of India for his efforts, Ramsaran
remarked that, "it is indeed a special honor to be recognized as
such. It is because of the strength, resilience, perseverance and
sacrifices of our ancestors that we all stand tall. I feel gratified that
I have been able to contribute towards recognition and remembrance of our
ancestors who left India
as indentured laborers from 1834-1920".
Addressing
on the occasion the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Shri Vayalar Ravi
said that the ninth PBD took forward the 'inclusive agenda' we had
initiated last year in the eighth PBD. The focus this year was on
discovering innovative areas in which overseas Indians can benefit from
the many opportunities that India offers. Minister Ravi
emphasized that the event provided an opportunity for the Diaspora to
explore new areas for cooperation in the national priority areas of
Health and Education. We need to work towards building a relationship
that will see India
emerge as an economic power in the true sense. The Indian growth story is
an absorbing, inspiring and continuing one. In the midst of one of the
worst worldwide economic downturns, India has demonstrated the
merits of effective regulation combined with a free market democracy, he
reminded.
Celebrating
the many contribution of the Indian Diaspora the Prime Minister of India
Dr Manmohan Singh said, "I think it would not be an exaggeration to
say that the sterling achievements of our Diaspora represent a triumph of
the value that Indian culture places on education. We hope to use the
wisdom, experience and resources of the global Indian community to
develop a world class education system, particularly in the field of
higher education," Dr Singh said the PBD had enabled the
establishment of a new bond between India and her children who
live around the world. "It is a new bond based on our pride in the
achievements of people of Indian origin worldwide and their pride in India's
re-emergence as a cradle of creativity adventure and enterprise."
"These
interactions have enabled you to discover a new India and
feel enthused by our progress. When you see the knowledge explosion in Bangalore, the entrepreneurial vibrancy of Gujarat,
the creativity of Tamil cinema, the awakening of a new India,
you feel proud to say you are a person of Indian origin," he said.
The
President said that Regional Pravasi Bhartiya Divas is being celebrated
every year in one of the countries which have a significant number of
Indians for close-interaction with more and more overseas Indians. She
also announced that the next Regional Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas would be
held in Toronto
this year.
Mr.
Vayalar Ravi announced that a memorial plaque at Kolkata Port
on 11th of January 2011 will be unveiled to honour and
remember all the Indian indentured workers who had emigrated in the 19th
and early 20th centuries.
Mr.
Ravi announced that the next PBD would be held at Jaipur, Rajasthan from
January 7th to 9th, 2012.
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GOPIO
URGES RELIEF OF JAPAN,
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
DISASTER VICTIMS
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The Global Organization of People of
Indian Origin (GOPIO International) urges compassion, support and all
necessary relief on an urgent basis for those affected by the natural
disasters of recent floods and cyclones in Australia,
the earthquakes in New Zealand
and the massive earthquake/tsunami in Japan.
The Global
Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International) joins with
all respective GOPIO's chapters, GOPIO's councils and membership
worldwide in expressing concern for all the citizens of the affected
areas of Australia, New Zealand and Japan which are experiencing
unusually harsh conditions caused by the effects of flooding and cyclone,
earthquakes and tsunami conditions that have caused tremendous loss of
lives, undue suffering, pain and anguish to those affected.
GOPIO supports and
encourages all efforts being made by the respective governments to bring
needed relief to the affected citizens for alleviate the difficulties
being experienced and for the well being of its citizens. GOPIO urges
other countries, as well as local, regional and international relief
agencies, to respond urgently to this disaster and provide needed relief
in a timely manner".
GOPIO CHAPTERS SET
UP JAPAN
DISASTER RELIEF FUND
GOPIO-Edison and
Central Jersey Chapters in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Plainsboro,
New Jersey announced a Japan Disaster
Relief Fund at a function held on March 22, 2011 at the Guru Palace
restaurant in North Brunswick,
New Jersey. "Japan and India have accomplished great
things together. People of Indian Origin would like to show their
solidarity with the brave people of Japan at this very difficult time by
mobilizing the resources of GOPIO and its members to support the disaster
relief efforts for Japan." , said Arvind Sood and Rajeev Mehta,
Presidents of their respective GOPIO Chapters. About 50 people attended
the event and some of the members pledged their contributions towards the
Japan Disaster Relief.
Photo above:
Officials of GOPIO-Edison, GOPIO-Central Jersey
and rotary Cus of Plainsboro after their joint meetings.
The initiative
has strong support of GOPIO International's office leaders Lord Diljit
Rana, Dr. Thomas Abraham, Mr. Inder Singh, as well, Mr. Ashook Ramusaran,
and will be rolled out to other GOPIO Chapters around the globe.
Fund Raising
drive will begin immediately and will last until May 31st, 2011. GOPIO
will announce the fund recipient organizations as it completes
investigating organizations that can make the maximum impact, both in
terms of immediate relief needs as well as the longer term recovery
process. All funds will be routed through "GOPIO International"
which is a 501 (c) (3) non profit entity. 100% of your generous tax-deductible
contributions will go to organization(s) that directly help victims
recover from the devastating effects of the earthquake and tsunamis that
struck Japan
on March 11, 2011.
GOPIO is also
requesting volunteers donate their time to make phone calls, send emails,
organize collection boxes, handle media messages, and collect funds in
your respective localities and a host of other tasks needed to make a
maximum impact.
In the past,
GOPIO-Central Jersey and Rotary Club of Plainsboro have jointly conducted
many local community projects such as Medical Camps and Soup Kitchen, and
several international projects such as Jaipur Limb, Nepal
School facility, etc.
For further
details, call Arvind Sood at 732 277 6313, Email:
ak-sood@hotmail.com or Rajeev Mehta at 908 917 4081,
rajimehta@hotmail.com.
For more
information about GOPIO and Rotary Club of Plainsboro,
please visit:
GOPIO-Central
Jersey, http://www.GOPIOcentraljersey.org
GOPIO-Edison,
http://www.meetup.com/gopio-edison
GOPIO-International,
http://www.gopio.net
Rotary Club of
Plainsboro, http://www.plainsbororotary.org
Tax deductible
contributions can be sent to GOPIO Inc, P.O. Box 1413, Stamford,
CT 06904,
USA.
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GOPIO
CONVENTION TO BE HELD IN TORONTO,
CANADA,
SEPT. 2-4, 2011
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GOPIO's Convention
2011 is scheduled to be held in Toronto
on September 2 - September 4, 2011. The convention will be a 3-day event
with GOPIO of Canada holding its first international event along with its
several GOPIO chapters.
Tentative program
outline is as follows:
· Friday, Sep 2
(day): GOPIO Meetings
· Friday, Sep 2
(evening): Inaugural Reception
· Saturday, Sep 3
(day): Conference
· Saturday, Sep 3
(evening): Banquet
· Sunday, Sep 4
(day): Conclusion
GOPIO of Canada will
take the lead, supported by all the GOPIO chapters in Canada,
taking the lead role in planning and coordination. The organizing
committees are being established. The conference program would be
addressing current, relevant PIO/NRI issues.
Contact: Jay
Banerjei, GOPIO of Canada at jay@jaybanerjei.com
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GOPIO
INTERNATIONAL AND CHAPTER NEWS
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GOPIO CALENDAR OF
MAJOR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE EVENTS 2011
May 31- Jun 1, 2011: Business &
Diaspora Conference (Trinidad)
June 8 - 9, 2011: PBD Canada (Toronto)
September 2 - 4, 2011: GOPIO Convention (Toronto)
GOPIO-CT ORGANIZES
YOUTH MENTORING AND NETWORKING EVENT
On December 24th,
the GOPIO Youth and Young Professional Group of Connecticut
held its 5th annual Youth and Young Professional Luncheon at
the Hampton in Stamford, CT. The
attendees consisted of of middle school, high school and college
students. The group was led by GOPIO Youth Chair Sharon-Priya Banta, who
has been a part of leading the youth for the last 5 years. Sharon stated,
"We want to provide an environment where we can mentor and
learn from one another."
"When I
attended high school in Stamford, we
didn't have any such youth groups and I see the opportunities to help
these kids since they are smart and talented," Sharon added. Until recently, Connecticut had
only small Indian youth population. Now that the number has increased,
GOPIO-CT Youth and Young Professionals would like to organize programs
to create a positive environment which facilitates a sense of
community for the younger Indian crowd.
 The event
consisted of two main speakers, an adult member and a youth member. The
first speaker, Mr. Arun Sinha, a Group Chief Marketing Officer of Zurich
Financial Services, eloquently spoke to the youth about his own
experiences in the corporate world. The main focus of his speech includes
five key points, which he feels are essential for success, they included
the following:
1) Dream Big. The
sky is the limit, and if you don't push yourself, to reach the highest
you can go, then you will never reach there.
2) Work hard; you
can never achieve a goal without putting in due effort.
3) Network. The
more people you meet, the more opportunities you can have in life.
4) Follow your
heart. The only way to find success in a field is if you want the
success. If you do not like what you do, then how can you do it well?
5) His final point
was sort of clichéd, but completely true and practical, have fun. If you
enjoy what you do, then nothing can derail you from becoming better.
Mr. Sinha grew Zurich brand from
almost obscurity to become one of the top global 100 brands and has also
written a book called, "Sweet Spot: How to Maximize Marketing for
Business Growth," which he passionately shared with the youth that
afternoon.
The second
speaker, Manu Bhat, a senior at University
of Pennsylvania, spoke about his
experience growing up in Stamford
and getting into him dream school. Manu encouraged kids to participate in
internships through out their summers in college and take advantage of
all the free time they have with activities they enjoy. He also discussed
that besides getting good grades in high school, community involvement is
also extremely essential. Manu held an internship with UBS Investment
Bank in New York
in the past summer,. He is currently a senior at UPENN and a double major
in both business and engineering. Manu told the youth to feel free to reach
out to him as their mentor and that if he could accomplish his goals,
they all could too! He told them to stay positive and "Never give
up".
Photo Above:
GOPIO-CT Annual Youth Networking and Mentoring Program participnats with
Coordinator Sharon Banta in the left
Both speakers had
great energy, were extremely inspiring and left the youth who attended
motivated and hungry to work hard to achieve their dreams.
High school rep,
Ashish Ramachandran, Youth Marketing Chair Rahul Sinha and youth member
Ashwin Singh spoke about upcoming youth events including a youth talent
show this spring being planned by GOPIO Youth group. For additional
information on how to get involved with the talent show, please contact
Rahul Sinha at rahulsinha95@gmail.com.
The youth who
attended said that they had fun and were excited for more GOPIO Youth
events. The group is looking for new youth members to join on the
board and current open positions including middle school rep,
secretary and historian. Please join the Facebook page and message for
info.
Adult leaders,
Anita Bhatt, Shailesh Naik and Dr. Thomas Abraham have
been instrumental in providing positive energy for the co-chairs as
well as the youth group members to stay driven and active. The event
would not have been possible without the help of Shelly Nichani, GOPIO
Vice President and owner of the Hampton Inn who generously lets the youth
hold events there every year. One can look for GOPIO-CT Youth Group on
Facebook and join its page to get more info on the group.
GOPIO COLLABORATES ON
"EMPOWERING IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORS' CONFERENCE IN NEW YORK
GOPIO is
collaborating with St. John's University's Committee on Latin
American and Caribbean Studies on a 1-day conference "Empowering our
Immigrant Neighbors Part II: Agenda for Action" to be held on
Thursday, March 31st, 2011 at St. John's University at the
D'Angelo Center of the Queens Campus located on 8000 Utopia Parkway, New
York. It is the second annual multi-disciplinary conference, Empowering
our Immigrant Neighbors Part II: Agenda for Action. This all-day multidisciplinary conference will highlight some of the
most important issues immigrant neighbors face in the tri-state area and
provide an agenda for action that would include solutions and support to
the difficult situations that diverse immigrant communities sometimes
face
Sessions comprise
of pertinent topics to be deliberated and discussed. These include:
o "Who are
We? A Demographic Portrait of the Immigrant Population"
o "Empowering Immigrant Students: Promising
School Practices"
o "Press
Coverage of National and Local Immigration Concerns"
o
"Psychological Strategies to Encourage Resilience in our
Immigrants"
o
"Immigrants' Activism in Adversarial Times"
o "The
Experience of St. John's
University's
Immigrant Students"
o Documentary
Among the several
speakers and presenters are Dr. A.M. Gondane, Deputy Consul General of
the Consulate of India in New York; Commissioner Fatima A. Shama of the
NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs; and Ashook Ramsaran,
Executive Vice President of GOPIO International whose presentation is
titled "Challenges and Opportunities Facing Immigrants of Indian
Origin from the Caribbean in the USA."
For details and
reservations, please contact St
John's University CLACS at 1-718-990-5829 or by
email at clacs@stjohns.edu.
GOPIO TO
COLLABORATE WITH OVERSEAS INDIAN FACILITATION CENTRE
GOPIO and The
Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC), a not for profit public
private initiativeof Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) and
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), have agreed to collaborate and
cooperate to foster a closer networking between Indian diaspora, and with
people and organizations in India to expand the economic engagement of
the Indian diaspora with India. Shefali
Chaturvedi, CEO of OIFC and Ashook Ramsaran, Executive Vice President of
GOPIO International, worked closely towards agreement on the partnership.
While OIFC
works to facilitate the economic engagement of the Overseas Indians with
India, it has a mandate to promote overseas Indian Investment into India
and facilitate business partnerships, establish and maintain a diaspora
knowledge network, assist states in India to project investment
opportunities, provide advisory services to PIO's and NRI's. GOPIO is the
international network of people of Indian origin, a non-profit
organization in the service of Non Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of
Indian Origin (PIOs) around the world. GOPIO has set its priorities in
pooling resources, both financial and professional, for the benefit of
PIOs, the countries they come from and India.
GOPIO AUSTRALIA
PROVIDES HELP
FOR INDIAN
VILLAGE SCHOOL
 GOPIO Australia
has provided clean water and winter clothes for a rural school in village
Wara Pohwindia, Zira. GOPIO Australia Coordinator Harmohan Singh Walia
along with Balkar Singh Kang of GOPIO Australia travelled from Sydney to India
to provide a hand pump for clean water, winter clothing, shoes, socks and
stationary for kids of Wara
Pohwindia Govt.
Middle School,
Zira, Dist. Ferozepur on 3rd January 2011. Fruits were also
distributed to all school children. To witness this event, local
authorities, Mr T.N. Passi, SDM of Zira and Mr Avtar Singh Zira, Director
Cooperative Societies were present along with local prominent
dignitaries. Mr Walia presented GOPIO Mementos to them along with School
Head Mistress. Mr Walia informed the gathering that this is one of the
objectives of GOPIO Australia to help under privileged schools in India.
GOPIO Australia had helped earlier flood victims of Bihar and Fiji, victims of tsunami in Samoa,
earthquake in Indonesia,
victims of Victoria Bushfire, victims of attack on Indian students in Sydney are some of
the examples.
GOPIO in Australia
and abroad has now set its priorities in pooling its resources, both
financial and professional, for the benefit of people of Indian origin
and the countries they come from. GOPIO North West has come up with the
idea to help underprivileged school kids in India. Antakshri 2010 was
held in November 2010, where funds were collected for this event has left
a lasting legacy for the students of a selected school by providing them
with well needed basic amenities.
Mr. Walia said
that at the background of this event were all GOPIO Australia Chapters'
contribution, namely Neeru Singh of GOPIO Sydney North West (lead
chapter), Lucky Singh of GOPIO Sydney, Amit Pall of GOPIO Parramatta,
Balbir Singh of GOPIO Ryde and Aayush Sharma of GOPIO Glenwood along with
their chapter members, many sponsors, attendees and volunteers.
Photo Above: GOPIO Australi and school officials
with some childrena nd staff. Sitting i=on the chair, from l. to.r.
an unidentified school teacher; Mrs. Surinderpal Kaur, Head
Mistress; Mrs. Manbeen Walia; Prof. Balkar Singh Kang, Member GOPIO
Sydney North West; Mr. T.N. Passi, SDM Zira; Mr. Avtar Singh Zira,
Chairman Cooperative Societies; Mr. Harry Walia, GOPIO Area Coordinator,
Sydney; Inspector Mr. Sandhu, Punjab Police; Mr. Baldev Singh, Member
Block Samiti
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NRIs/PIOs ACHIEVE
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JAY BHANDARI APPOINTED TO FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA
COUNTY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Prominent Indian
American community activist and GOPIO Northern Virginia President, Jay
Bhandari, has been appointed by Fairfax (Virginia)
County Chairman of the Board of
Supervisors, Sharon Bulova, in Citizens Advisory committee on
Reapportionment of the Board of Supervisors. Mr. Bhandari will represent
the Asian Pacific Islander community. This committee will plan and advise
the Board on redistricting options. Mr. Bhandari is the only person in 19
members committee from the Indian American community.
Jay Bhandari has
been a successful community activist and political leader for the Indian
community in numerous capacities. He is the immediate past President of
Association of United Hindu & Jain Temples of Metro Washington, which
is a congregation of 15 Temples in Virginia, Maryland,
and Washington DC. He is also director of
Indian Cultural Coordination committee and Chairman Public Relations
committee of the Jain Society of Metro Washington area. He has also
served as President of Jain Society of South Florida (2001-2002).
Mr. Bhandari has
organized several successful big events including largest Diwali Mela of
the decade in 2009, Grand Hindi Kavi Sammelan in Metropolitan Washington
area in 2010. Other events organized include: Republic Day, Independence
Day, Diwali celebration, Holi Mela or Community picnic.
SHASHI RUIA OF
ESSAR GROUP NAMED BUSINESSMAN OF THE YEAR
GOPIO Life Member
Shashi Ruia has been named as Businessman of the Year at the 29th
Business India Award event. Shashi Ruia, Chairman, Essar Group, is a
first generation entrepreneur industrialist. He has made invaluable
contributions toward strengthening the core and infrastructure sectors in
India
and has steered the Essar Group to a premier position in global industry.
Mr Ruia has masterminded the group's business strategy and consolidated a
range of activities through backward and forward integration. This has
enabled the group unleash unique synergies across its businesses.
Today, the Essar Group is a multinational conglomerate and a leading
player in the sectors of Steel, Oil & Gas, Power, Communications,
Shipping, Ports & Logistics, Projects and Minerals. With operations
in more than 20 countries across five continents, the Group employs
60,000 people, with revenues of USD 15 billion. Mr Ruia is also on
several important national bodies and industry associations, including
the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) the
Indo-US Joint Business Council and the Indian National Ship Owners
Association (lNSA).
In 2007, Mr Ruia joined an elite list of achievers who will independently
fund The Elders, a group of world renowned personalities who have joined
hands to tackle the world's most difficult problems. Widely regarded as
one of the architects of modem India, Shashi Ruia has a
passion for education and mentoring young talent
GUYANA'S PRESIDENT JAGDEO
CONFERRED WITH INDIAN DOCTORATE DEGREE
Guyana's President
Bharrat Jagdeo was conferred with the Doctor of Literature by the
Padmashree Dr. D. Y Patil University in Mumbai at its Annual Convocation
ceremony on February 8, 2011. The university is part of the D. Y Patil
Group, one of the largest groups in India in the area of private
education with over 100 educational institutions with over 100,000
students covering a range of disciplines. Along with President
Jagdeo, there were two other recipients: Professor M. S Swaminathan
who lauded the important contribution Guyana has been making
towards sustainable forest management and offering lessons that can serve
as a global example for other forest countries. The other recipient
was Dr. Makarand Jawadekar, former executive of Pfizer global research
and development who received a Doctor of Science.
President
Jagdeo, in accepting the award alluded to the global trends of greater
access to information which will change the demand for educational
services and technical expertise. India has emerged as a leader
in modernizing and expanding education to meet not only its domestic
demand but, has also strategically positioned itself to be able to offer
this expertise to other countries. In recognizing the global
challenges, President Jagdeo pointed to the opportunities for many
cultures to work together. The rich cultural heritage and tradition of India and Guyana has provided a good
foundation for the two countries to continue to work closely.
TWO INDIAN
AMERICANS NAMED 2011 FELLOWS BY SKADDEN FOUNDATION
Two Indian
Americans, Sushil Jacob and Devi Rao are among the 29 candidates named as
Fellows by the Skadden Fellowship Foundation for the year 2011.Jacob is
with the East Bay Community
Law Center
in Berkeley, California and advocates to advance
green community economic development by providing free, comprehensive
legal services to low-income entrepreneurs.
Rao seeks to
improve protection against gender-based bullying and preventing and
remedying such harassment by seeking enhanced enforcement of Title IX, in
collaboration with school districts and advocacy groups. Rao works with
the National Women's Law Center in Washington.
The Skadden
Fellowship is awarded for two years. The foundation, established in 1988,
gives a salary and pays all fringe benefits to which an employee of the
sponsoring organization would be entitled.
GUYANESE PIO
SCHOLAR ELECTED TO PRESTIGIOUS CANADIAN COUNCIL
On January 13, 2011, the City of Toronto, Ontario, Canada announced the
election of Guyanese born PIO attorney- at- law Julius Nathoo as the
president of the Transitional Council for the College of Registered
Psychotherapists and Registered Mental
Health Therapists of Ontario. The Transitional Council is the regulatory
college that formulates the regulations to enable the Psychotherapy Act
to be proclaimed and for the college to begin registering members. The
council was established in 2009. Once its members are registered, the
college will monitor them to ensure they uphold professional competence
and ethical standards
This is Nathoo's
second term in that office. Nathoo, from Ankerville, Port Mourant,
Corentyne, Berbice, was a Guyana
scholar. His father was a bookkeeper at the Port Mourant sugar estate.
Nathoo was admitted to the Bar in Guyana
in 1996, and has since been associated with the legal firm of Rawana
Scott and Bahadursingh of South Road Lacytown, Georgetown
in Guyana.
Nathoo holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of London, England; a
postgraduate diploma in Education from the University
of Guyana; a Barrister- at- Law
degree from London, England; and a Masters degree
in English from the University of Western Ontario, Canada. Nathoo taught English
and Law at Regina Mundi College,
London, Ontario
before he was appointed by the governor- general of Canada to
the Chair of the Federal Appellate Tribunal that ad ministered the
Employment Insurance Act, a position which he held for nine years.
BOOK BY PROF ERRIAH
ON COMMONWEALTH CARIBBEAN FROM COLONIAL
TIMES
A new book has
been released by Guyanese born PIO Professor Paul Erriah titled "QUO
VADIS: Perspectives on the Commonwealth Caribbean
from Colonial Times to Present". It is an in-depth research
study of the history and motivations in the Commonwealth Caribbean during
British colonial times.
Quote from the
book: "Spain
brought nothing to the New World except
the horse and Roman Catholicism. The French wished to expand; the Spanish
wished to hold on to everything they could; the Dutch wished to be left
alone; the English planters wished to make money, at whose expense was
irrelevant; and the English Government also wished to make money at the
expense of the English planters in a chain of exploitation irrespective
of place and people".
The book is
available at www.amazon.com
INDO-CANADIAN JIMMY
HANSRA PLAYS CANADA
TEAM FOR WORLD CRICKET
Ludhiana born Jimmy Hansra
is part of the Canadian World Cup team and will play matches in Delhi, Bangalore
and Mumbai. Jimmi's father and brother are accompanying him to India to see him play Canada
and to give him moral support. For Jimmy's teachers at Ludhiana's
Sacred Heart Convent
School too it is a
proud feeling that their student was playing in the World Cup.
ASHOOK RAMSARAN RECOGNIZED IN TORONTO, CANADA
Pravasi Samman
2011 recipient Ashook Ramsaran was recognized in Toronto, Canada at a
gala awards event in recognition of his efforts to make the Kolkata
Memorial became a reality due to his initiative, articulation
of the need and for his persistence that convinced the Government of
India to build the Kolkata Memorial which was unveiled on January 11,
2011 in Kolkata. The awards event took place on February 12, 2011 at The
Mirage Banquet Hall and Convention Centre located at 1917 Albion Road in Etobicoke, Ontario
with this year's theme being "An Evening Of Love &
Appreciation".
Over the years the
Indo-Caribbean community has played a significant role in the development
of the rapidly growing society in Canada. There are many
individuals and organizations that have contributed tremendously in
making that community more accessible, progressive and convenient in
which to live and express its unique heritage.
A recognition
plaque was presented to Ramsaran by the Indo-Caribbean Music Culture and
Community (MCC) in recognition of his "dedication, excellence and
service to our community". The Caribbean East Indian Cultural
Organization (CEICO) presented a suitably inscribed and elegantly
designed Outstanding Achievement Award 2011 globe for "proudly
sharing your heritage with the world"
TWO INDIAN
AMERICANS TO SERVE ON US NUCLEAR TRADE COMMITTEE
Two
Indian-Americans Ganpat Mani and Vijay were appointed on Monday by US
secretary of commerce Gary Locke to serve on the Civil Nuclear Trade
Advisory Committee for two years. Mani and Sazawal along with 28 others
will make recommendations to the Secretary of Commerce concerning trade
policy development, improving the competitiveness of US
industry and its ability to compete for international contracts for civil
nuclear products and services.
The 30-member committee will also identify priority markets for US civil
nuclear products and services in the short- and long-terms.
Mani, originally from Tamil Nadu, is president of the Denver,
Colorado-based ConverDyn, which us a joint venture between affiliates of
Honeywell International and General Atomics. It manages the
international marketing of UF6 conversion and related services from
Honeywell's Metropolis, Illinois
facility. Active in the industry trade organizations, Mani was elected to
Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) Board of Directors in 2009.
He received his bachelor's degree in metallurgical engineering in 1971
from Loughborough University in England
and his MBA in 1973 from Rutgers
University, New Jersey.
Srinagar-born Sazawal, 64, who is currently the Director of Government
Programs of USEC Inc, was involved in Track-2 discussions preceding the
completion of the 123 Agreement between India
and the United States.
For over three decades Sazawal has participated in the US civilian and
defence nuclear programmes covering the entire nuclear fuel cycle, and an
array of reactor designs that have included conventional and space based
reactors, and black programs.
Sazawal was born and raised in Srinagar,
and came to the US
in 1970 for doing PhD. He graduated from the Tyndale
Biscoe Memorial
High School and the Amar Singh
College, and completed his
post-graduate engineering studies in the US.
As director of programs funded or supported by the US
federal government, Sazawal provides corporate programme oversight and
coordination of various government projects within the company. He is a
member of the management team involved in the American Centrifuge Project
(ACP), the leading initiative by USEC Inc to build a state-of-the-art
centrifuge nuclear enrichment plant based on American technology.
Sazawal holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Benarus Hindu
University (India), M Tech in Materials Engineering
from the M A College of Technology, Bhopal
(India), and PhD in
Structural Mechanics from the Michigan
Technological University. He has authored nine
published technical papers and articles.
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NEWS OF INTEREST TO NRIs AND PIOs AROUND THE WORLD
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PBD CANADA 2011 TO BE HELD IN TORONTO ON JUNE 9 -
10, 2011
The 2011 Regional
PBD will be held in Toronto
on June 9 and 10th. Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce is the nodal
agency for the event. The theme is Building Bridges: Positioning
Strategy of the Indian Diaspora. Indian Diaspora members in Canada, USA,
Mexico and the Caribbean countries are expected to attend the PBDCanada
2011 convention in large numbers. Also expecting participate are the
provincial governments and Canadian mainstream organizations.
Start
Date: 06/09/2011
End Date:
06/10/2011
Address:
255 Front St W,
Toronto, Canada
Price:
$250.00 CDN (taxes not included)
For more
information, visit www.iccc.org/PBDCanada2011.
US, INDIA WORKING TOGETHER TO
RESOLVE WOES OF CLOSED UNIVERSITY STUDETNTS
US authorities have
agreed to work closely with the Indian embassy here for early resolution
of the problems faced by hundreds of Indian students affected by the
closure of a fraud US
university. The agreement was reached during a meeting here between a
group of Indian students of the Tri-Valley University (TVU) with Indian
Ambassador Meera Shankar with representatives from the US Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
present.
There was a detailed and useful discussion and exchange of information on
the manner in which the problems of students at TVU are being addressed,
and some of the continuing concerns of the students, the embassy said. It
was agreed that the students and representatives from ICE and SEVP would
remain in touch with the Embassy to continue to work together for early
resolution of the issue.
The Embassy said it had also been informed by US authorities that more
than 50 per cent of the students were at various stages of processing for
reinstatement.
Other students were advised to contact ICE on their website (www.ice.gov/sevis), or contact
their call centre at telephone 703-603-3400 to initiate the consideration
of their cases.
Nearly 1,500 Indian students face the prospect of deportation unless they
can secure admission to another school to maintain their visa status.
As many as 18 Indian students were radio tagged to prevent their fleeing.
Anklet monitors of 11 of the students have since been removed following
the intervention of the Indian consulate in San Francisco.
MALAYSIAN SPECIAL
IMPLEMENTATION TASK FORCE ON INDIAN COMMUNITY
The Special
Implementation Taskforce on the Indian Community (Prime Minister's
Department), in cooperation with the National Registration Department,
has launched a nationwide campaign between Feb 19 to 26, 2011 to register
and assist all undocumented Malaysian Indians secure their rightful
citizenship. The Special Implementation Taskforce on the Indian Community
has undertaken two micro business awareness programs. The first was in
Peri on December 18, 2010 and the second in Kapar on Jan 23, 2011. The
participating agencies at the first was BSN and AgroBank and in the
second we also invited AKPK which the Bank Negara Credit Counseling and
Debt Management Agency. These institutions provided financial education
on the availability of micro loans as well as how to effectively manage
finances in running a micro and small business
Datuk Dr Denison
Jayasooria congratulated EWRF for the fine work they were doing
especially in targeting underachieving youths and seeing the close
correlations between weak education performance and behavior issues. He
acknowledged the vision and dedication of the EWRF leadership and
volunteers. He made reference to his earlier work while he was in YSS on
the five levels of intervention which is relevant for analysis and
reflections: Youth living in high risk neighborhoods; Youths at risk of
social ills; Youths in active involvement in crime; Youths in custody;
Youths in the post custody stage.
This whole process
of identifying the educational needs and concerns, developing the
modules, teaching materials, documenting the experiences at the ground,
noting stories of achievements & success, failures & challenges
is an integral component of the learning journey. This will be very
useful and EWRF can set the framework for other NGOs to also use the
modules and experiences to reach out in other locations and areas. In an
effort to clear squatters the Federal government together with the
Selangor government established the Lembah Subang flats some 10 years ago
to provide transit accommodation while the squatters were cleared, flats
built and the people re-housed. There are eight blocks at Lembah Subang
with 392 units per block. Therefore there are over 3,000 units which are
in three phases. It is a large area allocated on the road towards the
Subang airport. The relevant agencies have all agreed to cooperate with
the Taskforce and community groups.
INDIA PROVIDES LINE OF
CREDIT TO BUILD SPECIALTY HOSPITAL
IN GUYANA
Guyana is planning to
build a specialty hospital in Turkeyen on the East Coast Demerara in Guyana
using an US$18 million line of credit from the Government of India. The
Indian Government was approached some time ago where it was agreed that a
line of credit will be used for the construction of the specialty
hospital and Guyana
would choose a partner from India to manage the
facility.The specialty hospital would perform complicated surgeries,
ranging from heart operations and organ transplants to cosmetic surgery.
Upon his return from India
in early February 2011, Guyana's
President Bharrat Jagdeo announcement that tenders would go out for an
Indian company to build the hospital since the line of credit is from India.
The plan is for an 150-bed surgical specialty hospital to do complex
surgeries, ranging from heart operations and organ transplants to
cosmetic surgery.
The hospital would
be staffed by specialist doctors and the rates would be negotiated with
the government and the managers of the hospital. He said the government
has settled on a management partner for the hospital. President Jagdeo
said the cost of complicated surgery would be at a fraction of the cost
that Guyanese pay for surgery overseas but at the same quality. In time,
he said the hospital would open its doors to clients form the Caribbean,
Northern Brazil and even from North America,
mainly Guyanese in the Diaspora. Jagdeo said that he is looking for
construction to start by the end of the year and for the hospital to open
its doors in two years' time.
INDIAN RADIO PROGRAM INTRODUCED IN ST. VINCENT'S IN THE CARIBBEAN
GOPIO Academic
Council Co-Chair Dr Arnold Thomas has started the first Indian radio
program in St Vincent's of St Vincent's & The Grenadines in the
Caribbean, broadcasting live on SVG Cross Country Radio every Monday
evening. The radio program is known as The Vincy Indian Hour"
and serves the people of Indian origin numbering approximately 6,000 in
the twin islands of St Vincent's &
The Grenadines. There have been several Indo-Vincentian guests on the
program discussing a wide range of topics such as yoga, Hindu burials,
marriage customs in St. Vincent
including arranged marriages, and the involvement of Indians in politics.
We also discuss the Indian festivals (both Moslem and Hindu) that are
held during the year
It is an
interactive program where listeners are invited to call in with views and
comments. Listeners could call the following numbers: From St. Vincent's
1-784-458-5555; from Canada:
1-416-628-2981; and from the USA 1-718-412-8986.
This year on June
1 marks the 150th anniversary of arrival of Indians to the shores of St
Vincent's & The Grenadines and it is expected that the St Vincent's & The Grenadines Indian Heritage
Foundation will plan several activities to mark the occasion.
OVER 500 INDIAN GUEST WORKERS SUE US
COMPANY FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Lawyers for a
group of Indian guest workers, trafficked to the US from India to work in shipyards
after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, have sued an American company, Signal
International, along with its co-conspirators and other entities for
human trafficking and racketeering.
If class status is granted, the lawsuit could be the largest human
trafficking case in US
history, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has said in a
statement. Workers were allegedly lured here with dishonest assurances of
becoming lawful permanent US
residents, the statement said.
The ACLU joined a class action lawsuit brought on behalf of over 500
guest workers from India
charging that the workers were trafficked into the US through the federal government's H-2B
guest worker program with dishonest assurances of becoming lawful
permanent US
residents and subjected to squalid living conditions, fraudulent payment
practices, and threats of serious harm upon their arrival.
The complaint alleges that recruiting agents hired by the marine industry
company Signal International held the guest workers' passports and visas,
coerced them into paying extraordinary fees for recruitment, immigration
processing and travel, and threatened the workers with serious legal and
physical harm if they did not work under the Signal-restricted guest
worker visa.
The complaint also alleges that once in the US, the men were required to
live in Signal's guarded, over crowded labour camps, subjected to
psychological abuse and defrauded out of adequate payment for their work.
The ACLU charges that the federal government has fallen short of its
responsibility to protect the rights of guest workers in this country.
According to the lawsuit, the treatment of the workers violates the
Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (TVPA) and the Racketeer
Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act (RICO).
In addition to the federal court litigation, in partnership with the
ACLU, the workers have testified before the UN special rapporteur on the
human rights of migrants, the UN special rapporteur on contemporary forms
of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and
senior staff at the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Signal, a marine and fabrication company with shipyards in Mississippi, Texas
and Alabama,
is a subcontractor for several major multinational companies.
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GOPIO
LIFE MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTER FORMATION
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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: 818-708-3885, E-mail: gopio-intl@sbcglobal.net
GOPIO President -
Lord Daljit Rana, UK, Tel: +44
28-9807-8787, Email: president.gopiointl@googlemail.com
GOPIO Executive
Vice President - Ashook Ramsaran, Fresh Meadows, New York City, Tel: 718/939-8194,
E-mail: ramsaran@aol.com
To become a Life
member of GOPIO, one can sign up online at http://gopio.net/online_membership.htm or fill up the form
and send it with a check to: GOPIO International, PO Box 560117, New York
NY 11356,
USA.
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EDITORIAL
BOARD
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Chief Editor: Dr. Thomas
Abraham, Founder President and Chairman Emeritus, GOPIO (Stamford, CT,
USA)
Editors: Ashook Ramsaran,
GOPIO Executive
Vice President (New York,
USA)
Webmasters: Prashant Gupta (Hyderabad, India)
and Abu Thomas (New Rochelle,
NY, USA)
Contributors of
this issue: Inder Singh (GOPIO Intl., USA), Munish Gupta
(GOPIO Media Council, New Delhi), Harry Walia (GOPIO-Australia), and Jay
Banerjei (GOPIO-Toronto), Sharon Banta (GOPIO-CT); Dr Arnold Thomas
(GOPIO-St Vincent's); Dr Yesu Persaud (GOPIO-Guyana); Netram Rambudhan
(GOPIO-Upper New York, 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.
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