GOPIO NEWS BULLETIN

April 2006

NOTE: GOPIO News is a monthly newsletter of GOPIO International, based in the USA. If you do not wish to receive this newsletter in future, please go to the bottom and click the unsubscribe URL. If you feel the information contained here is useful, please forward this e-mail to your friends and relatives. One could also subscribe this newsletter FREE by visiting www.gopio.net and type in the e-mail address and other details.

CONTENTS

GOPIO SUPPORTS RATIFICATION OF NUCLEAR AGREEMENT

GOPIO NEEDS VOLUNTEERS FROM EVERY STATE IN THE US

MOIA ANNOUNCES DIASPORA YOUTH INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

EMERGING US-INDIA RELATIONS DISCUSSED AT GOPIO-FAIFIELD (CT) CHAPTER LAUNCH MEET

GOPIO TO PARTICIPATE IN International Symposium on Diaspora Politics

GOPIO URGES NRIs/PIOs TO PARTIPATE IN TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY'S EDITING SURVEY

GOPIO CHAPTER NEWS

GOPIO AMSTERDAM TO HOST PROF. A. GRIFFITHS IN ATHARVAVEDA PRESENTATION

GOPIO NORWAY CELEBRATES ITS ANNIVERSARY

GOPIO-LONDON HOSTS IT FIRST UK RADIO PROGRAM

NRIs/PIOs ACHIEVE

INAUGURAL RAMANUJAM PRIZED BAGGED BY TWO INDIAN AMERICANS

LORD PAUL APPOINTED FIRST CHANCELLOR OF WESTMINSTER UINIV.

NRI NAMED SINGAPORES TOP ENTREPRENEUR

MAKAY TAMIL WOMAN SHORT-LISTED TO BE ASTRONAUT

INDO CANADIAN SCIENTIST WINS STOCKHOLM WATER PRIZE

UK INDIAN PHYSICIAN WINS SCIENCE AWARD

INDIAN AMERICAN BRAJENDRA MISHRA INSTALLED AS TMS PRESIDENT

SEVEN INDIAN AMERICAN STUDENTS HONORED BY USA TODAY

UCLA ESTABLISHES DR. MANI BHAUMIK AWARD

FOUR INDIAN AMERICANS RECEIVE 2006 SLOAN FOUNDATION AWARDS

NEWS OF INTEREST TO NRIs AND PIOs AROUND THE WORLD

SARNMI HUIS OPENED IN THE HAGUE

F-4 NETTER DEAL FOR STUDENTS

GOVT. TO AMEND 1983 IMMIGRATION ACT

GOPIO LIFE MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTER FORMATION

EDITORIAL BOARD

GOPIO SUPPORTS RATIFICATION OF THE NUCLEAR AGREEMENT

Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) commends President George W. Bush for his bold decision on signing the proposed Nuclear Agreement with India.  President Bush has rightly referred to it as "historic."  This Nuclear Deal has been hailed worldwide as a step in the right direction by the two great democracies.  The British Prime Minister Tony Blair said that the accord could "make a significant contribution to energy security as well as representing a net gain for the non-proliferation regime" while the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Chief Mohammed El Baradei said that the US-India deal would end Delhi's nuclear isolation and spur non-proliferation efforts.  French President Jacques Chirac, who signed a similar deal with India earlier, said the agreement would help fight non-proliferation efforts.

"However, there exists some skepticism about the agreement reached by the two leaders in New Delhi but that may be due to lack of full understanding of the deal which by design is equitably beneficial to the US interests," observed Dr. Piyush Agrawal, National Coordinator of GOPIO.   India deserves to be rewarded for being a responsible nuclear power with an impeccable record of a non-proliferation," said Dr. Agrawal.

Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman of GOPIO International was of the opinion that "the media and the supporters of the deal need to educate the public and the Congress that how this deal is a win-win situation for the US and India as well as the security interest of both countries.

Inder Singh, President of GOPIO International said, "The landmark agreement should help India realize its goal of self-sufficiency in energy and also enhance energy security of the two countries."

GOPIO plans to conduct briefing sessions and educational forums throughout the USA to enunciate the mutual benefits of the proposed agreement with India and US. We are also encouraging individuals and organizations to take an active role in supporting the proposed agreement, and meeting with their individual elected US representatives for prompt passage and approval by the Unites States Congress", said Secretary General of GOPIO Ashook Ramsaran.

Feedback from the Indian American community is that Civil Nuclear Agreement signed by President Bush & Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi is an important step in the right direction. In fact, this cooperative agreement is in the best interest of both countries. Bill has already been introduced in both the houses of the US Congress. The House Bill is #4974 and the Senate Bill is #2429.

GOPIO urges the community leadership in America We to seek a face-to-face meeting with Congressmen and Senators. If there are any questions for which one needs answers, please visit the White House Website http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/03/ for some of the answers.

The passage of the nuclear agreement by the US Congress is very critical. It is therefore very important to educate those who have the power to change the old laws to accommodate new realities.

To find the name of your senators and congressman, visit http://congress.org, type your zip code in the box under Elected Officials and Click: "GO" One can send an E-mail. However, the preferred choice is to send a fax.

GOPIO NEEDS VOLUNTEERS FROM EVERY STATE IN THE US

If you like to volunteer in this campaign, contact the GOPIO National Coordinator Dr. Piyush Agrawal (Weston, Florida), Tel: 954-389-4465, E-mail: sudhapca@aol.com or GOPIO President Inder Singh (Tarzana, California), Tel:818-708-3885, Email: E-mail: gopio-intl@sbcglobal.net or GOPIO Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran (Fresh Meadows, New York City), Tel: 718-939-8194, E-mail: ramsaran@aol.com

MOIA ANNOUNCES DIASPORA YOUTH INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Following the successful Internship Programmes for Diaspora Youth (IPDY) during previous years, it has been decided to hold the fifth IPDY, to be renamed now as "Know India Programme, from 15th May to 12th June 2006. This will be in the nature of an Orientation Programme which will enable to participate to get exposure to various facets of Indian way of life, culture, spirituality, adventure and sports, creativity and composite character of India and interaction with youth from different parts of the country.

The Programme will be held in Delhi and Himachal Pradesh over a period of four weeks and will be organized by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA), with the support of Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) and in coordination with the Government of Himachal Pradesh, as the partner State. The qualifying age for the Programme will be

18-25 years. The participants will have to pay for their international travel costs from their respective countries to Delhi and back, while expenditure on internal travel, boarding/lodging, etc. will be met by MOIA.

The broad features of the Programme will be as follows:

* Acclimatization with urban India in New Delhi for two days (May 16 & 17 and again on June 12, & 13) each during the starting and finishing of the Programme. Exposure to MOIA, calls on Ministers/PM/President, site-seeing, shopping, etc. are being arranged during this period after which the participants will be taken to Himachal Pradesh.

* Home stay in a village for one week, exposure to the Heritage Camp including national integration camp being organized by NYKS. (Activities in the camp include lectures on ethics, Indian culture and values, adventure sports, cultural programmes, yoga, meditation, ayurveda and naturopathy).

Skill development exposure to participants in the areas of sculpture, painting, photography, musical instruments, etc. according to their choice.

* One week trekking programme and local sightseeing

* Calls on important dignitaries in the State Government.

* Visits to industrial establishments in Himachal Pradesh.

Besides the criteria mentioned above, it may be borne in mind that the applicant should have distinguished himself/herself in a particular field, should have an abiding interest in India and links with India through parentage. The nominations should preferably include both boys and girls.

Details of the programme are available in the MOIA website, i.e. http://www.moia.nic.in. One could apply through the Indian Consulate or Embassy/High Commission, who would make recommendations by April 7^th.

EMERGING US-INDIA RELATIONS DISCUSSED AT GOPIOFAIFIELD LAUNCH MEET

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) has a new chapter, i.e. GOPIO-Fairfield County (CT). On Friday, March 24, 2006 GOPIO organized a meeting with the US House Representative Christopher Shays as the keynote speaker at Meera Restaurant, Stamford, CT, which was attended by over 100 PIOs and Americans mostly from Connecticut and some from New York and New Jersey. Shays spoke on Emerging US-India Relations A Congressional Perspective. The dinner/Talk meeting also served as the launch for GOPIO-Fairfield County (CT) Chapter.

The GOPIO Chapter in Fairfield County was launched with the lighting of the traditional lamp, among others by Congressman Shays, Indias Deputy Consul General in New York A.R. Ghanashyam, GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, GOPIO Vice President Dr. Sushila Gidwani-Buschi, GOPIO Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran, GOPIO-New York President Lal Motwani, GOPIO-Upper New York President Rafeeq Baksh and GOPIO Fairfield Committee members Venkat Sharma and Sangeeta Ahuja. Dr. Abraham appealed to the participants to join in this international PIO movement to look after NRI/PIO interests and to help the Motherland India..

Dr. Abraham said, There is a change of perception in the US about India, and that is basically as a result of bridging the gap between reality and perception. This is also based on recognition of Indias fast growing economy. I see this not only in a bilateral context, but in the context of the world, the global context. How do we make the world a safer and a better place? India has taken concrete initiatives. For example, India has a strong democracy. The US and India can support democratic principles around the world, which is to help to build capacity in countries in transition to democracy.

In his brief address, Ghanashyam, Deputy Consul General of India in New York, asked and answered, why India and the US are important to each other and the world. He said it is a fact that India-US engagement in the earlier period was often episodic and there were periods of time of misunderstanding and long periods of benign neglect by both countries.

GOPIO Fairfield Host Committee member Venkat Sharma introduced the Congressman Shays, who represents Fairfield County in Connecticut, as the latest US Congressman to join the powerful India Caucus in the US House.

In his keynote address, the US Congressman lauded contributions made by Americans of Indian origin to the culture and economy of the United States. I have always appreciated and stand in awe at the Indian community in the US, its culture and professionalism, he said.

India, which has been on the front lines in the fight against international terrorism for many years, directly shares America's determination to fight terrorism around the globe, he said. The United States and India are engaged as partners in a global coalition to combat the scourge of international terrorism, a partnership that began well before the tragic events of September 11, 2001, he said. Stressing that India, the largest democracy in the world needs its rightful place on the world map, Shays said, UN is simply not relevant unless it does not recognize Indias right to be a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and added, India deserves a place at the UN Security Table permanently.

Shays pointed out that rather than viewing India in a sub-regional context, during the current Bush administration, India has come to be viewed as an emerging global power with which it was in the interest of the United States to develop a strategic partnership. Our relationship, which is based on shared interests and aspirations, also long-term shared values and interests, we have no difficulty in reconciling principle and practice, ideals and interests, he said.

The senior US Congressman said, cooperation between India and the United States extends beyond the current international campaign against terrorism, and has been steadily developing over recent years. While highlighting that India has in recent years opened its economy to a considerable extent to trade and investment and has liberalized its internal economic system, the Congressman said, Indias relationship with the United States has deepened in past years and encompasses cooperation on matters relating to international security, political stability, world trade, technology, science, and health. 

Since the beginning of the second term of the current Bush administration, there has been marked change in the US perception of India, which has resulted in a deeper engagement between India and the US. These cultural connections are sure to build more harmony between the two nations, stressed Shays. Two recent controversies - the sale of port facilities to a company owned by the government of Dubai and the negotiation of a controversial nuclear cooperation deal with India - underscore the tensions and contradictions between America's commitment to economic globalization and its political priorities in a post-9/11 world.

While commenting on the recent agreement signed in New Delhi by both President Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, which marked a significant break from decades of U.S. nuclear policy, Shays highlighted the increasingly close relationship between the world's two largest democracies that has enabled both the nations work closely in the coming years to save the world from oil dependency to a large extent. The agreement would enable the US to nuclear power assistance to India for civil purposes, while separating it from the nuclear weapons production program. The Congressman said that the agreement is not without many hurdles before it becomes a reality. The agreement requires the US Congress and the Senate to adjust US laws and policies to accommodate it in its present form.

While, praising India for its willingness to voluntarily separate its civilian and military nuclear facilities and place its civilian nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards, the Republican Congressman pointed out that the changes of such magnitude are bound to find critics in both countries. While confessing that no one in the Government knows whether it will be approved by both the Houses, Shays said, he hoped that both the nations continue to work together to clear the doubts of the world and the lawmakers on the feasibility and the advantages of the agreement to both the US and India. If India can convince the Congress, the deal will be a reality, he said.

The organizing committee included Dr. Thomas Abraham (Stamford), Paul Ahuja (Stamford), Ravi Ahuja (Stamford), Pravin Banker (Greenwich), Bhom and Meera Banta (Stamford), Steve Chainani (Stamford), Arun Dongre (Stamford), Louella DSilva (Stamford), Rita Ghei (Westport), Bala Krishnamurthy (Ridgefield), Rajeev Menon (Norwalk), Ashoka Mitra (Westport), Kuriakose Pannikodu (Fairfield), Suti Prakash (Stamford), Viresh Sharma (New Canaan), Venkat Sharma (Bridgeport), Rajendra Shukla (Weston), and Sara Tierno (Stamford) The event concluded with Sangeeta Ahuja proposing the vote of thanks and the participants treated to a delicious Indian cuisine served by Meera Restaurant.

GOPIO TO PARTICIAPTE IN INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON DISPORA POLITICS

Center for Basque Studies, University of Nevada, Reno

April 27-29, 2006

Opportunity Structures in Diaspora Relations:

Comparisons in Contemporary Multi-level Politics of Diaspora and Transnational Identity

 
Worlds renowned experts will be investigating and debating the following areas: What are the main characteristics and organizational structures of contemporary ethno-national Diasporas, and to what extent might their relationships and political agency with their homeland and host-society governments develop? Which communal strategies and tactics (and in which circumstances) are used by diasporas and which are most effective at influencing global affairs, particularly the foreign policy of central governments? What opportunity structures exist for Diasporas in the post-modern and trans-state social, economic and political systems, and which are the most essential to foster and/or exploit (progression of spatial, historical, temporal factors)? In what ways do Diaspora activities and ethno-national identity maintenance in general, influence social and political security issues both domestically and in foreign policy?

The Symposium will consist of presentations and discussions of papers given by confirmed invitees including Dr. Thomas Abraham (Chairman, Global Organization of People of Indian Origin, Stamford, CT, USA), Dr. Kim Butler (Chair, Department of Africana Studies, Rutgers University, USA), Dr. Nergis Canefe (Centre for Refugee Studies and Department of Political Science, York University, Canada), Professor Robin Cohen (ESRC Professorial Research Fellow and Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK), Professor William A. Douglass (Center for Basque Studies, University of Nevada, Reno, USA), Dr. Razmik Panossian (Director, Policy, Programmes and Planning, Rights and Democracy, Montreal, Canada), Professor William Safran (Department of Political Science, University of Colorado at Boulder, USA), Professor Gabriel Sheffer (Department of Political Science, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel), Dr. Ninna Nybery Srenson (Danish Institute for International Studies, Copenhagen, Denmark), Professor Khachig Tllyan (Chair, Department of English, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, USA), and Dr. Gloria Totoricagena (Director, Center for Basque Studies, University of Nevada, Reno, USA).

Please visit http://basque.unr.edu/diaspora2006 for a specific schedule of events.

Admission to the conference is FREE. For more info and registration, contact: Prof. Gloria Totoricagena, Director and Symposium Chair, Center for Basque Studies/322, University of Nevada-Reno, Reno, NV 89557, Tel: 775-784-4854, E-mail: basque@unr.edu

GOPIO URGES NRIs/PIOs TO PARTICIAPTE IN TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITYS EDITING SURVEY

Texas Tech University is conducting an international survey on editing from the author's point of view. Until this study, most editing research has been conducted only from the editor's point of view. The Texas Tech University research team headed by Dr. Angela Eaton, Assistant Professor of Technical Communication and Rhetoric at the Department of English and assisted by Tiffany Craft Portewig, Pamela Brewer, and Cynthia Davidson is interested in how people of Indian origin think about the editing process. The Indian community has been selected since it is one of the two largest and most quickly growing groups in the U.S.

If you have ever had your writing edited, the researchers are hoping that you might provide them with your point of view by filling out a survey uploaded in the website below:

To participate, please use this link:

http://english.ttu.edu/EatonSurvey/EditingSurvey

The survey only takes 14-18 minutes (depending on how much one has to say) and has received approval by Texas Tech University's Human Subjects Review Board.

This study won the Society for Technical Communication (STC) $10,000 Research Award this year. Results of the study will be presented at this year's STC Annual Conference, and they will also be submitted for publication to the journal Technical Communication.

TTU researchers appreciate your time and input.

Contact: Angela Eaton, Ph.D. (Department of English, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas USA, Tel: 806-742-2500 x229, E-mail:

angela.eaton@ttu.edu)

GOPIO CHAPTER NEWS

GOPIO AMSTERDAM TO HOST PROF. A. GRIFFITHS IN ATHARVAVEDA PRESENTATION

GOPIO Amsterdam is delighted to invite everyone for the first event of 2006! Prof. Dr. A. Griffiths will some of his work titled, The Atharvaveda, studying a living religious tradition in Orissa.

Griffiths presentation will have a scientific approach towards the Atharvaveda, one of the main

four Vedas. Prof. Griffiths has focused his research on the historical origin of the Atharvaveda as well as its effect on present society in and outside India.

In addition to the presentation. GOPIO chapter will discuss ideas for future events (first

planned for June). The program is scheduled for April 2nd, 2006 at:

Van der Valk Hotel Schiphol A4

Rijksweg A4 3, 2132 MA, Amsterdam

Detailed program

14.00 Welcome with refreshments

14.30 Opening by Chapter president Rajendre Tewari

14.45 The Atharvaveda,studying a living religious tradition in Orissa,by Prof Griffiths

15.15 Discussion

15.30 Informal reception

17.00 Closing

Please confirm attendance by email: gopioamsterdam@gmail.com.

GOPIO members and their guests have free admission for the presentation and drinks/snacks. For those who have not members yet, are invited to apply. Non-members fee of 10 will apply and drinks will be available on a cash bar basis.

Arlo Griffiths (1976) studied Indology at Leiden University and at Harvard University, and

holds the chair of Sanskrit in the Department of Indian & Tibetan Studies at Leiden

University. He is responsible for courses in Sanskrit (beginners and advanced), as well as

Contact: Rajendre Tewari, Chapter President, GOPIO Amsterdam, r.tewari@india.com

GOPIO NORWAY CELEBRATES ITS ANNIVERSARY

GOPIO Norway organized its first annual Anniversary celebration in Oslo on 11 March 2006. The Indian Ambassador to Norway His Excellency Mahesh Sachdev was the chief guest. Welcoming the participants, GOPIO Norway President Mohan Singh Varma spoke about relations between Norway and India and the contribution of the Indian community living in Norway towards