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GOPIO NEWS
April 7, 2014
A Publication of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO)
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| Issue: XIII-3 | April 7, 2014 |
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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
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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.
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GOPIO JUBILEE CONVENTION 2014 PLANNING IN FULL SWING IN TRINIDAD
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The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International) has scheduled its 25th (Jubilee) Anniversary in Port of Spain in Trinidad & Tobago, with a 2-day gala celebration on 27th to 29th May,
2014 preceding the annual Indian Arrival Day commemoration in that
country. GOPIO International Trinidad & Tobago Chapter will be the
convention host, along with a well organized convention team which
includes GOPIO's regional and international chapters, executives,
councils and life members, as well as businesses, government,
organizations and academic supporters.
Theme: The Indian Diaspora - Today and Tomorrow
Convention Convener:Ena Maraj, (Trinidad) President of GOPIO Int'l Chapter of Trinidad & Tobago
General Convener: Dr. Arnold Thomas (St. Vincent), GOPIO International Coordinator, Caribbean
Program Outline
Tuesday, 27th May
Welcome Reception & Dinner
Wednesday, 28th May
GOPIO Meetings (Radisson Hotel, Port of Spain):
Business to Business (B-B) Meetings
Dinner & Cultural Extravaganza Evening (NCIC venue being confirmed)
Thursday, 29th May
Conference (Radisson Hotel, Port of Spain and University of West Indies)
Theme: The Indian Diaspora - Today and Tomorrow
Awards Banquet and Gala (Convention Centre NAPA being confirmed)
Friday, 30th May
Indian Arrival Day (Trinidad)
Saturday, 31st May (Onwards)
Hotel Accommodations at Radisson Hotel, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain, Trinidad
Hostel Accommodations at University of West Indies, St Augustine (Port of Spain), Trinidad
Hospitality Accommodations - families hosting international delegates
Air, Hotel, Tourism Package Bookings - air, hotel and holiday packages with options
Advertising & Sponsorships
Souvenir Brochure -a comprehensive commemorative keepsake 120-page Souvenir Brochure
Registration - for all convention events
Contacts:
Ena Maraj (Convener) e.maraj@yahoo.com
Dr Arnold Thomas (General Convener) arnoldthom@yahoo.co.uk
Deo Gosine (Grand Patron) deogosine@gmail.com
Shalima Mohammed (Public Relations Coordinator) sentra046@hotmail.com
Seeta Sahatoo (Hospitality Coordinator) seeta17@yahoo.co.uk
Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh (Conference Coordinator) j_teelucksingh@yahoo.com
Mahadaye Ramlagan (Convention Secretary) mahadaye.ramlagan@gmail.com
Dr Indrani Rampersad & Dr. Kumar Mahabir (Exposition & Displays) i_rampersad@yahoo.com , dmahabir@gmail.com
JUBILEE CONVENTION 2014 PLANNING TEAM KICK-OFF MEETINGS
The planning team for GOPIO 25th
Jubilee Anniversary Convention 2014 held a series of one-to-one and
group meetings in Port of Spain, Trinidad from March 15 thru' March 18
following several previous meetings on-line and tele-conferencing.
Intensive planning meetings were held on selection of the venues for
various events, selection and assignment of team members, roles and
responsibilities, program details, conference details, jubilee souvenir
brochure, volunteers for hospitality, transportation, sponsorships and
support. Discussions were held on roles and responsibilities and
assignments.
 Photo
above: GOPIO International officials with Trinidad convention team in
Port of Spain after the convention meeting last month, from l. to r.:
Ashook Ramsaran, Shalima Mohammed, Ramdai Sookdeo, Dr. Kumar Mahabir,
Seeta Sahattoo, Navin Rampersad, Ramdaye Ramlagan, Dr. Indrani
Rampersad, Karan Nancoo, Dr. Bisham Bimail, Dr Piyush Agrawal, Deo
Gosine, Ena Maraj, Dr. Arnold Thomas
Joining
the Trinidad based Convention Team which is headed by Ena Maraj
(Trinidad), President of GOPIO International Chapter of Trinidad &
Tobago, and GOPIO 25th Jubilee Anniversary Convention 2014
Convention Convener: Ashook Ramsaran (New York, USA), President, GOPIO
International; Dr. Piyush Agrawal (Florida, USA), Senior Vice President
of GOPIO International; Dr. Arnold Thomas (St Vincent), General Convener
and GOPIO International Coordinator, Caribbean. Other team members
include: Shalima Mohammed, Dr Kumar Mahabir, Dr. Indrani Rampersad,
Karan Nancoo, Ramdai Sookdeo, Mahadaye Ramlagan. Geeta Sahatoo, Dr.
Jerome Teelucksingh, Navin Rampersad, Seeta Sahatoo, Surujdeo Mangaroo
(NCIC), Aleem Mohammed, and several others.
Meetings
were held with officials of the Government of Trinidad & Tobago,
University of West Indies, National Centre for Indian Culture (NCIS),
and Indian Commissioner to Trinidad & Tobago. Several of the team
members were interviewed by WIN TV for live broadcast on March 17. The
meetings and planning sessions were very productive and continue on a
regular basis. Mr. Deo Gosine, GOPIO Life Member and Co-Chairperson of
GOPIO Business Council, became the first grand sponsor at the meeting on
held March 15 at NCIC. The 3-days of meetings concluded with a Press
Conference held at the Radisson Hotel on March 18, 2014.
 Photos
above from top left clockwise: Convention team meeting at NCIS; Team at
press conference; Meeting with University of West Indies; Meeting with
Indian High Commissioner; Team after interview with WIN TV
GOPIO INVITES NOMINATIONS FOR GOPIO JUBILEE RECOGNITION 2014
GOPIO International is planning to confer GOPIO Jubilee Recognition for outstanding
achievements in selected categories which contribute to benefit or
betterment of life for people of the Indian Diaspora. This is in
addition to GOPIO Community Service Awards (GOPIO CSA) Banquet on the
evening of May 29, 2014 in Port of Spain, Trinidad as the concluding
event of GOPIO Convention 2014 (Trinidad).
The
Jubilee Recognition recipient must have achieved a significant and
prominent level of stature and recognition in his/her field of endeavor
which has served interests of people in
his/her country of domicile and others as well, in addition to
generating pride and respect among the Indian Diaspora and others in
country of birth or domicile.
Nominations are invited for suitably qualified candidates in the following categories: Youth, Women; Legacy (Oldest NRI, PIO); Writers, Literature; Academia; Culture& Religion; Politics; Business; Philanthropy; Sports; Human Rights Advocacy; Film& Documentary; Medical; Legal; Science& Technology; Media; Posthumous; Friends of the Diaspora.
Nominations
of suitably qualified candidates are requested for consideration by
GOPIO's CSA 2014 Selection Committee. For details of GOPIO CSA criteria,
format for submission of nominations and deadline for submission,
please visit the GOPIO website, http://www.gopio.net/
Nominations
are to be submitted using the prescribed form with supporting documents
by April 20th, 2014 to Chair, GOPIO CSA 2014 Selection Committee at indersinghusa@gmail.com
GOPIO INVITES NOMINATIONS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE (CSA) AWARDS 2014
At
the GOPIO Biennial Convention, those who have provided outstanding
community service will be recognized at the finale banquet on May 29th
evening. GOPIO is seeking nominations of suitably qualified candidates
from the NRI/PIO community for consideration by GOPIO's 2014 Selection
Committee. For more details and format for submission of nominations,
please visit the GOPIO website, http://www.gopio.net/
Nominations
are to be submitted using the prescribed form with supporting documents
by April 20th, 2014 to Chair, GOPIO 2014 Selection Committee at indersingh.usa@gmail.com.
GOPIO INVITES ARTICLES FOR JUBILEE CONVENTION SOUVENIR BROCHURE
The 25th (Jubilee)
Anniversary Convention 2014 will include a comprehensive commemorative
keepsake 120-page Souvenir Brochure. It will be a suitably designed
cover and contents will include: Messages
and letters of support and endorsement, GOPIO's history and
achievements, GOPIO's International Team and Jubilee Convention Team.
There will be articles on: GOPIO - 25 Years of Progress; The Indian Diaspora - Today and Tomorrow;
GOPIO and the Indian Diaspora; History of Indians in the Caribbean;
Challenges & Opportunities in the Indian Diaspora; Advancing Women's
Role in the Indian Diaspora; Retaining Indianness in the 21st
Century; GOPIO's Role in Fostering Inter-Ethnic Relationships. It will
also include detailed Convention Program, GOPIO photo gallery - 25 years
of achievement, Chapter Formation & Membership forms, Sponsor
profile and recognition, with Thanks and Appreciation section
We invite articles on the theme of The Indian Diaspora - Today and Tomorrow with emphasis on the sub-themes of the conference sessions focusing on the
Indian Diaspora, History of Indians in the Caribbean, Challenges &
Opportunities in the Indian Diaspora; Advancing Women's Role in the
Indian Diaspora; Retaining Indianness in the 21st Century; GOPIO's Role in Fostering Inter-Ethnic Relationships.
Articles
to be more no more than 2 pages single spaced 12-sized Times New Roman
font submitted via email to be considered by the Editorial Team. Cut-off date: May 4, 2014
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28TH KNOW INDIA PROGRAM TO BE HELD FROM JUNE 8TH TO 30TH - APPLICATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 10TH
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The 28th "KNOW INDIA PROGRAMME [KIP]"
run by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Government of India,
is to be held from 9th June - 30th June 2014. The programme will be
conducted in partnership with the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir.
Those interested may apply before 10th April 2014.
About the KNOW INDIA PROGRAMME
In
order to bring the Indian Diaspora closer to its roots and make them
aware of the various facets of India, the Ministry of Overseas Indian
Affairs, Government of India, have introduced the 'Know India Programme'
(KIP). The Know India Programme is a three-week orientation programme,
wherein participants from amongst the youth of Indian Origin visit
India to know and learn about Indian society, culture, economic and
scientific progress etc. KIP also provides a unique forum for students
& young professionals of Indian origin to share their views,
expectations & experiences and to develop closer bonds with the
contemporary India. The Programme involves visit to historical,
cultural, industrial, academic and tourist places along with meetings
with constitutional Head, Hon'ble Governor, Speaker of the Assembly,
Chief Minister and other eminent personalities. The participants will
also be given exposure of village life and interaction sessions in
premier university/institution within the partner state.
Applying for the Programme
Further details, including application form and eligibility criteria, for the 'Know India Programme' may be accessed at: http://moia.gov.in/services.aspx?id1=42&id=m4&idp=42&mainid=23 .
Selected
participants are provided full hospitality in India during the
programme and 90% of the cost of air ticket is reimbursed to the
participants on successful completion of the programme.
Diaspora
youth in the age group of 18-26 years, who are either Graduates or
pursuing their Graduation, can apply through the Consulate General of
India, Johannesburg well in time so that their applications can be
forwarded to MOIA by 10th April 2014.
The application forms for the Know India Programme are available at:
The following are the tentative schedule of the Know India Programmes during 2014-15:
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| GOPIO INTERNATIONAL AND CHAPTER NEWS | |
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GOPIO-CT ORGANIZES RECEPTION AND INTERACTIVE SESSION WITH NORWALK MAYOR
GOPIO-CT
organized a reception and interactive session with the newly elected
Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling at Aladin Indian Bistro restaurant on
Monday, March 24th. Norwalk
Police Chief Thomas Kulhawik and Norwalk City Sheriff Anna Duleep, an
Indian American who was a Norwalk City Council Member till last year,
were also present to interact with the community.
The
program started with a welcome by GOPIO-CT president Shelly Nichani who
said that GOPIO-CT has been organizing such interactive sessions with
elected officials for the last eight years.
GOPIO
Founder President Dr. Thomas Abraham, who initiated this program, said
that Indian American community is the second largest growing community
in Connecticut after Hispanic Americans and that the community has been
well settled in different towns and cities and that it would like to
contribute to the local communities.
Mayor Rilling said that he had had similar visits with the Latino community and the Society of Retired Executives.
The
Sikh temple at West and Elm had been an early topic. "They are advising
that they are looking to either add on to the building or to perhaps
locate to another area, not necessarily outside of Norwalk," Rilling
said.
Many
of the people at the event do not live in Norwalk. Rilling said it was a
way of informing them about activities in the city, where they may do
business. He also tried to recruit volunteers to serve on boards and
commissions.
Inni
Kaur of Fairfield said knowing that Rilling and Kulhawik were aware of
the Sikh temple built a comfort level. "It's always nice to have a
relationship because you never know. I mean, after the Wisconsin tragedy
the police department in Norwalk was fantastic," she said, referring to
a 2012 mass shooting. "We had the vigil at our place of worship and the
support which we got from the Norwalk Police Department was fabulous.
After the Wisconsin tragedy we want to have that comfort feeling with
the police department. Not to say that anything is going to happen but
it is nice for them to know where we are," Kaur said.
Kulhawik
said almost everyone asked him about burglaries at Indian homes, which
he said have been a trend in Connecticut and New York for the last
couple of years. "There was a recent arrest made with the use of DNA
evidence on a burglary that happened 1½ years ago, he said. But it's a
tough problem," he said. Kulhawik said that the burglaries in the New
York area are done by an organized professional group of people. They
have been targeting families from New York all the way up to Windsor,
Conn. "Even when some of them get arrested there's others following them
right back so it's a problem that we are continuing to address and
we're doing it not just on a Fairfield County basis but statewide and
even New York as well," he added.
 Photo
above: GOPIO-CT Officials with Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling and Sheriff
Anna Duleep. From l. to r.: Sheriff Duleep, Shelly Nichani, Mayor
Rilling, Dr. Thomas Abraham, Meera Banta, Pradeep Govil and Ravi Dhingra
(Photo credit: Matt Vinci)
The program ended with concluding remarks and thanks by GOPIO-CT Executive Vice President Pradeep Govil.
Contact: Shelly Nichani, President GOPIO-CT, Tel: 203-550-7747 or E-mail: shellynichani@msn.com
GOPIO-SYDNEY NORTHWEST JOINS HANDS WITH OTHER GROUPS TO BID FAREWELL TO INDIAN CONSUL GENERAL ARUN GOEL
Members
of Sydney's Indian community gave a farewell to Indian Consul General
in Sydney, His Excellency Arun Goel, and his wife Alka Goel, on Friday,
28 March, 2014. Around 150 people attended the event, held at the event
centre, The Grand Marion, Harris Park, NSW. The gathering included local
elected officials David Clarke MLC (Parliamentary Secretary, NSW Govt),
Geoff Lee (State MP for Parramatta), John Robertson (NSW Opposition
Leader) and Lord Mayor Clr. John Chedid (Mayor of Parramatta).
The
organising committee included Harry Walia, Balvinder Ruby, Sukhvinder
Rajput, Dr Bharathi Reddy, Thiru Arumugam, Venkata Prasad Ragipani,
Padmanabhan Karamil and Dr. Yadu Singh.
Dr.
Yadu Singh and Hemu Negi produced and presented a short video on the
Consul General. Dr Singh was the Master of Ceremonies. Electric Korma
band, a western band entertained the audience with Bollywood songs.
The
Consul General spoke about the achievements during his tenure in
Sydney. A memento was presented on behalf of the community to Consul
General.
 Photo above: From l. to r. Dr. Yadu Singh, Padamanabhan Karmil, Sukhvinder Rajput, Consul General Arun Goel, Harry Walia, Balwinder Ruby and Venkata Prasad Ragipani.
GOPIO-LA
JOINS HANDS WITH INDIAN AMERICAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION AND INDIA
ASSOCIATION OF LA FOR SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Applications
are now being accepted from qualified High School and Middle/Junior
High School students of Asian Indian ancestry, graduating in the year
2014 for scholarship awards to be presented at the 28th Annual India
Heritage Awards function on April 20, 2014 at the Long Beach Hilton,
Long Beach, California.
Academic Excellence Awards
High School Graduates - Nine Awards $750 - $2000
First Place Winner will also receive "Profiles in Excellence" Revolving Trophy
Middle School (8th grade) Graduates - Five Awards $200 - $600
First Place Winner will also receive "IAHF Founders" Revolving Trophy
Outstanding Achievement Awards
High School Graduates: $600 and a revolving trophy
1-Sports; 2-Math, Science & Technology; 3-Visual & Performing Arts;
4-Community Service
Special Awards:
$200/each for Perfect score in Quiz/SAT
Middle/Jr. High School Graduates:
Visual & Performing Arts - Two ($250 and $200), India Heritage Plaque
Eligibility Criteria
GPA
of C or higher for Outstanding Achievement Awards and B or higher for
Academic Excellence Awards, graduating in year 2014 from a school in
Southern California, with one or both parents of Asian Indian origin
For more information, application forms and guidelines for applicants, send an email to Awards.middlehigh@gmail.com or call Inder Singh at (818) 708-3885.
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| NRIs AND PIOs ACHIEVE | |
US SENATE CONFIRMS INDIAN AMERICAN PUNEET TALWAR FOR KEY STATE DEPARTMENT POST
Puneet
Talwar has been confirmed by the US Senate to a key diplomatic
position, becoming the second Indian-American to join the State
Department.
Talwar, who was a key aide of President Barack Obama on the Middle East, would now serve as assistant secretary for political-military affairs, Talwar would be serving as a bridge between the State and Defense departments. Talwar would provide policy direction in the areas of international security, security assistance, military operations, defence strategy and plans, and defence trade. Talwar becomes the third Indian American in a top position at the State Department after Nisha Desai Biswal, point person for South and Central Asia, and USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah, the highest ranking Indian American in the Obama administration. At over two dozen, Obama administration boasts of having the highest number of Indian Americans in key jobs than any previous administrations in the U.S. Since 2009, Talwar has been a special assistant to the US President and senior director for Iran, Iraq, and the Gulf States on the White House National Security Staff. Prior to this, Talwar served as a senior professional staff member on the Committee on Foreign Relations of the US Senate (SFRC) from 2001 to 2009 and from 1997 to 1999, and was the chief adviser on the Middle East to then senator Joseph R Biden in his capacity as the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He served as a member of the department of state's policy planning staff from 1999 to 2001. From 1992 to 1995, he served as a foreign policy adviser to Representative Thomas C Sawyer, and from 1990 to 1992 as an official with the United Nations. Talwar received a BS from Cornell University and an MA from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs.
ZUBIN MEHTA AND NRIs HONORED AT TIMES NOW NRI AWARDS
Renowned
music director and concert conductor Zubin Mehta was conferred the
special jury award by Times Now at the channel's NRI of the Year awards
recently.
In
their first year, the awards recognize non-resident Indians'
contribution across categories, including entrepreneurship, arts,
entertainment and philanthropy. The popular choice award at the show,
which had minister for overseas Indian affairs Vayala Ravi as the chief
guest, was given to Yusuff Ali A, managing director of Abu Dhabi-based
Emk Lulu group.
The
NRI of the Year awards aim to acknowledge non-resident Indian who have
achieved success in various fields in the countries they have chosen to
make their homes. Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan was named India's
global icon. Other recipients in the awards' debut edition were
Keertika Rawat for entertainment and Dr. Kunal Shah in the 'My India'
category, while Dr Raminder Singh Ranger, Rupesh Srivastava, Anand Kumar
and Nitish Jain were awarded in the entrepreneur category.
The
award among NRI students was given to Husain Khaki, Mala Kiran Talekar,
Abdul Muqeet and Aastha Chauhan.In the professionals' category, Dr
Ramesh Babu, Chandrabhan Singh, Chandrashekar Natarajan Y Sudhir Kumar
Shetty and Venkatesha Murthy won the award, while Suman Kapoor, Vijay
Goradia, Keshav Murleedharan and Dr. D. Chandroo were felicitated for
philanthropy.
among the award recipients Dr. Raminder Singh Ranger and Suman Kapoor are GOPIO Life Members.
Courtesy: Times of India, March 30, 2014
U.S. SENATE CONFIRMS INDIAN AMERICAN ARUN KUMAR AS ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
The
U.S. Senate has confirmed yet another Indian American nominee of
President Barack Obama to lead the trade promotion arm of the U.S.
Commerce Department charged with helping U.S. companies succeed in
markets around the world.
Kerala University physics graduate Arun Madhavan Kumar was
confirmed to be assistant secretary of commerce and director general of
the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service by a voice vote Mar. 12 along
with Puneet Talwar, a longtime White House national security staffer.
During
his confirmation hearing, Kumar told the Senate Commerce Committee that
he would "like to strengthen the focus on the markets offering the
biggest opportunities for American products and services, and on
orchestrating efforts to increase our market share in those markets."
Kumar,
who succeeds another Indian American, Secunderabad-born Suresh Kumar,
was earlier a partner and member of the Board of Directors at KPMG LLP.
From 2005 until his retirement in September 2013, Kumar led the firm's
West Coast finance management consulting practice. He also led the
firm's U.S.-India practice from 2007 to 2013. Kumar joined KPMG in 1995
as a finance management leader. From 1993 to 1995, Kumar was the founder
and CEO of Planning & Logic, Inc., a software company. Prior to
that, he was co-founder and CFO of Netlabs, Inc. from 1991 to 1993; the
CFO of Elite Microelectronics, Inc. from 1990 to 1991; and the director
of planning and management information at Silicon Graphics, Inc. from
1989 to 1990. From 1980 to 1984, he was the controller of Elxsi, Inc.,
and from 1984 to 1988 co-founder, CFO, and vice-president of operations
for Cydrome, Inc., a mini supercomputer company.
Kumar
who received a B.Sc. in physics from the University of Kerala, India,
went on to get an S.M. in management from the Sloan School of
Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
DR. SUNEETA KRISHNAN NOMINATED TO GENDER AND RIGHTS ADVISORY PANEL
Suneeta
Krishnan, Ph.D., a social epidemiologist at RTI International, has been
nominated to the World Health Organization's Gender and Rights Advisory
Panel. She will be one of 12 panel members serving a three-year term.
The
Gender and Rights Advisory Panel was set up in 1996 with the mandate to
examine the Department of Reproductive Health and Research's work from a
gender equality and human rights perspective, and to give guidance on
these issues in the field of sexual and reproductive health. The views
and recommendations of the panel are presented to the Department's
Scientific and Technical Advisory Group that reviews research and
technical support activities and recommends priorities for the
Department's future
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