GOPIO NEWS BULLETIN
JULY 2005
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CONTENTS
GOPIO SURINAME SCHEDULES DIASPORA CONFERENCE OF WESTERN HEMISPHERE
DUAL CITIZENSHIP PROCESSING STARTED
NATIONAL INDIAN AMERICAN GROUPS JOINTLY HOLD GALA RECEPTION/DINNER FOR US LAW
MAKERS
- INDIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY SUMMARY OF ISSUES PRESENTED TO THE US
CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS
BRUSSLES CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS TRADE AND INVESTMENT BETWEEN EUROPE AND INDIA
NRIs/PIOs ACHIEVE
- POLAND CONFERS HIGHEST CIVIL AWARD TO NRI BUSINESSMAN
-
SEVEN INDIAN AMERICANS APPOINTED TO MICHIGAN ADVISORY COUNCIL
- INDIAN AMERICAN PHYSICIAN TO ADVICE US HEALTH SECRETARY
- INDIAN AMERICAN TO
HEAD INDIANA UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS SCHOOL
- US SENATE PASSES BILL TO HONOR LATE
CONGRESSMAN SAUND
- INDO-CANADIAN BECOME ATTORNEY GENERAL OF BRITIsH COLUMBIA
-
YOGI BHAJAN HONORED AT THE US CAPITAL
- QUEEN ELIZABETH HONORS 22 NRIs
NEWS OF INTEREST TO NRIs AND PIOs AROUND THE WORLD
- GOI CONSIDERING TO REPLACE
FOREIGN CONTRIBUTIONS ACT
- RAJASTHAN NRIs TO AID HAWA MAHAL UPKEEP
- TYTLER
ANNOUNCES NRI/PIO WELFARE MEASURES
- FEE INCREASE OF $32,000 FOR NRI MEDICAL
STUDENTS
- SALE OF NRIs LAND IN PUNJAB ONLY THROUGH NAMBARDARS
- NRIs RENOVATE
INDOOR STADIUM
- NRIs GOING TO JALANDHAR FOR DENTAL WORK
- BUDGET AIRLINES FOR
KERALA NRIs
GOPIO LIFE MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTER FORMATION
EDITORIAL BOARD
***
GOPIO SURINAME SCHEDULES DIASPORA CONFERENCE OF WESTERN HEMISPHERE
GOPIO-Suriname Chapter is extending an invitation to everyone to its conference
titled INDIAN DIASPORA IN WESTERN HEMISPHERE with theme World Peace,
Development and Integration Through Indian Diasporic Cultural and Commercial
Linkages to be held on AUGUST 21 through AUGUST 25, 2005 in Paramaribo,
Suriname
As the conference theme indicates, the primary purpose is to promote peace,
development and integration on a global level through active linkages in culture
and commercial enterprises throughout the Indian Diaspora. The conference is the
first of its kind in the Caribbean Region and will focus on crucial aspects of
people of Indian origin (PIOs) who live and conduct businesses in multi-ethnic
societies as in the Caribbean area, and other newly settled countries as well.
The program includes 4 separate and appropriately structured sessions of
presentations and panel discussions on the topics pertinent to the theme
The two-day conference will be preceded by GOPIO International mid-year global
meetings on GOPIOs accomplishments, current activities, plans and schedules.
The conference package includes evenings of dinner accompanied by full cultural
presentations by local and (international) performers. The conference will be
conducted in English.
This conference has the full support of the government of Suriname. The Hon.
President of Suriname, will officially open the conference on August 22, and the
Hon. Speaker of the National Assembly, will deliver the closing address.
Noted guests of honor include Jagdish Tytler, Minister for Overseas Indian
Affairs. The invitation to Guyana President Bharrat Jagdeo is under protocol
review, whilst other VIP and other notable political, business, academic and
civic leaders from the Caribbean, North American, European and Asian regions are
invited.
The organizers of this conference have made every effort to plan, coordinate and
solicit the most suitable participants available for the various topics in the
conference program so that the subject matters are explored and deliberated in
meaningful and productive panel sessions and discussions.
Suriname, a former colony of the Netherlands, a relatively small yet progressive
country, is located on the northern coast of South America with a population of
425,000 of which approximately 37% (150,000) are descendants of Indians brought
as indentured laborers to work on the sugar plantations during the latter half
of the 19th century. It is situated between Guyana and French Guiana, with its
capital city of Paramaribo which is readily accessible by air from all major
cities in Europe, North America and the Caribbean.
We look forward with enthusiasm to your attendance and participation at this
conference where we have made every effort for your trip and stay a truly
productive and memorable one, said Harold Ramdhani, Secretary of GOPIO Suriname
and Conference Program Coordinator. We encourage you to visit and enjoy the
warmth of our hospitality and tropical climate as you participate in the
conference, Ramdhoni added.
CONFERENCE PROGRAM AGENDA
SUNDAY/MONDAY, AUGUST 21/22 Arrivals of International and Regional Delegates
MONDAY, AUGUST 22
08.00 09.00 BREAKFAST
09.00 10.30 OFFICIALS VISITS BY GOPIO DIGNITORIES TO PRESIDENT, VICE
PRESIDENT, SPEAKER and INDIAN AMBASSADOR
10. 30 12.30 MORNING SESSION GOPIO INTL MID YEAR MEETING
12.30 14.00 LUNCH
14.00 16.30 AFTERNOON SESSION - GOPIO REGIONAL REPORTS
19.00
20.30 OPENING CEREMONIES
19.00 19.05 WELCOME
19.05 19.25 FLAG PRESENTATION OF PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES
19.25 19.40 ADDRESS BY K. NANDOE, PRESIDENT GOPIO SURINAME
19.40 19.55 ADDRESS BY INDER SINGH, PRESIDENT GOPIO INTL
19.55 20.10 ADDRESS BY HON. JAGDISH TYTLER, MINISTER OF OVERSEAS INDIANS
AFFAIRS NEW DELHI, INDIA
20.10 21.30 ADRESS AND OFFICIAL OPENING BY H.E. PRESIDENT
OF REPUBLIC OF SURINAME
20.30 23.00 RECEPTION/DINNER and CULTURAL SHOW
TUESDAY, AUGUST 23
08.00 09.00 BREAKFAST
09.00 09.15 WELCOME AND REMARKS BY DAYS CHAIRMAN
09.15 10.00 KEYNOTE ADDRESS by HON. JAGDISH TYTLER
SUBJECT: THE PLACE,
PURPOSE and POSITION of the INDIAN
DIASPORA IN TODAYS GLOBALISING WORLD
10.00 10.15 PANEL DISCUSSION
10.15 10.45 QUESTIONS/REMARKS
10:45 11.00 FIRST PLENARY SESSION
SPEAKER: Ms. NEENA GILL, MEMBER EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
SUBJECT: RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN THE INDIAN DIASPORA AND EU
11.00 11.45 PANEL DISCUSSION
11.45 12.00 QUESTIONS/REMARKS
12.15 13.45 L U N C H
14.00 14.30 SECOND PLENARY SESSION
SPEAKER: MAURITS HASSSANKHAN UNIVERSITY of SURINAME SUBJECT: THE INDIAN
DIASPORA IN SURINAME, ITS INCEPTION,
DEVELOPMENT and FUTURE
14.30 14.45 PANEL DISCUSSION
14.45 15.00 QUESTIONS/REMARKS
15.15 15.45 THIRD PLENARY SESSION
SPEAKER: PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS AND DIRECTOR OF METHODIST
COLLEGES CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP, FAYETTEVILLE, NC,
SUBJECT: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN THE INDIAN DIASPORA WITH EMPHASIS ON WESTERN
HEMISPHERE
15.45 16.00 PANEL DISCUSSION
16.00 16.15 QUESTIONS/REMARKS
16.30 17.15 REFLECTIONS OF THE DAYS PRESENTATIONS
20.00 2200 DINER AND CULTURAL SHOW
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24
08.00 09.00 BREAKFAST
09.00 09.15 CALL TO ORDER and REMARKS by DAYS CHAIRMAN
09.15 09.45 FOURTH PLENARY SESSION
SPEAKER: Dr. E. JHARAP, PRESIDENT SURINAME STATE OIL SUBJECT: THE PLACE
AND POSITION OF SURINAME IN TODAYS
DEVELOPING WORLD OF ENERGY LINKED TO THE INDIAN DIASPORA
09.45 10.00 PANEL DISCUSSION
10.00 10.15 QUESTIONS/REMARKS
10.30 11.00 FIFTH PLENARY SESSION
SPEAKER: Dr. BRINSLEY SOMAROO, UNIVERSITY OF THE
WEST INDIES, St. AUGUSTINE, TRINIDAD
SUBJECT: THE INDIAN DIASPORA in the WESTERN HEMISPHERE
11.00 11.15 PANEL/DISCUSSION
11.15 11.30 QUESTIONS/REMARKS
11.45 12.15 SIXTH PLENARY SESSION
SPEAKER: FROM AFRICAN OR ASIAN CONTINENT
SUBJECT: TO BE ANNOUNCED
12.15 12.30 PANEL DISCUSSION
12.30 12.45 QUESTIONS/REMARKS
13.00 14.30 L U N C H
14.30 15.00 REFLECTIONS OF THE DAYS PRESENTATIONS
15.00 15.45 RESOLUTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
15.45 16.15 CLOSING ADDRESS BY THE SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SURINAME
19.30 22.00 FARE WELL DINER AND CULTURAL SHOW
19.39 19.45 CLOSING REMARKS AND THANK YOU
BY THE CONVENER OF THE CONFERENCE
REGISTRATION & ACCOMMODATION FORM
Name:
.. Life Member: Yes ______ No _______
Chapter:
Position:
.
Mailing
Address:
.. State/County:
.
.. Country:
.
Telephone:
Fax:
..
REGISTRATION:
Registration Fee : US$ 150.00 Early Bird us$ 125.- up to
JULY 25 th, 2005 (Deadline for registration via mail is AUGUST 15th, 2005)
ACCOMMODATIONS:
SURINAME TORARICA 135.00 5-Star (Single/double)
SURINAME KRASNAPOLSKY
95.00 4-Star (Single/Double)
SURINAME RESIDENCE INN 85.00 3-Star
(Single/Double)
SURINAME ECO RESORT 85.00 2-Star (Single/Double)
SURINAME
QUEENS HOTEL 85.00 3+Star(Single/Double)
All rates are inclusive of
breakfast, taxes and service charges
One nights deposit is required to
confirm reservations by cash or Credit card.
Date required from:
.To
..
No. of Nights:
.
Name of
person(s) sharing room:
PAYMENT:
Cash: ____ Credit Card: ______
Credit Card Information:
American Express Dinners Club
Visa Master
Card
Credit Card No.:
.
..
Name on Card:
.
Expiration
Date:
..
Signature:
.
Enclosed: US$
. One Night Hotel Deposit
US$
. Registration
US$
. Total
TRAVEL INFORMATION:
Arrival Date :
Flight no.:
.
Time:
Departure Date:
Flight no.:
.
Time:
REGISTRATION & ACCOMMODATION FORM
Registration fee can be paid only by Cash or Bank Draft in name of: ORGANIZING
COMMITTEE - GOPIO CONFERENCE SURINAME. Registration fee includes: 12
Meals/Transportation from/to Airport and to/from all venues/Conference kit/
coffee/tea breaks during conference sessions/Non-alcoholic drinks during
sessions/conference facilities.
Send completed Forms and Payments to:
HAROLD R.RAMDHANI
Secretary, GOPIO
Suriname
30 NEUMANPAD
PARAMARIBO, SURINAME, SOUTH AMERICA
FAX +597 472411
E-mail HAROLD R. RAMDHANI@ramsholding.sr
May also contact GOPIO Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran in the USA, Tel:
718/939-8194, E-mail: ramsaran@aol.com
DUAL CITIZENSHIP PROCESSING TO START IN AUGUST
WITH the recent okay from the Cabinet, the long wait for acquiring dual
citizenship seems to be almost over for people of Indian origin. The ministry of
overseas Indian affairs(MOIA) is finalizing and notifying a one-page application
form for the process.
According to S Krishna Kumar, secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs the
first applications will be processed by August 2005 and dual citizenship to be
granted to applicants. Kumar said that a new simplified one-page form will be
issued by the overseas missions and consulates from August this year to members
of the Indian diaspora who qualify and want to apply for dual citizenship. The
process for obtaining the dual citizenship would take just two weeks in normal,
and straightforward cases.
The documents that we will be given to people who acquire dual citizenship
include an overseas citizen card which will look like a passport and will be
color coded and a multiple-entry visa sticker with hologram and photo on the
passport. The visa will be valid for life.
The applications, which will be processed in two weeks in straight-forward
cases, will be decided at the consulates concerned and the passports or
applicants will not need to come to India. While applicants will be charged $275
for the entire process, PIO card holders will have to pay only $25. In case of
refusal to grant dual citizenship, the applicants will get a $250 refund.
We have introduced an extra document in this process, instead of just a visa
sticker, to makes things easier for PIOs who will be acquiring dual citizenship.
At a later stage, the MOIA, which has now been given the powers to notify all
benefits pertaining to NRIs & PIOs, will introduce a smartcard for dual citizens
which will make things even simpler, Kumar said.
NATIONAL INDIAN AMERICAN ASSOCIATIONS JOINTLY HOLD HISTORIC GALA
RECEPTION/DINNER FOR US LAWMAKERS
In an unprecedented move, six national organizations came together and held a
Gala Dinner Reception in honor of the US Lawmakers on the Capitol Hill, June 29,
2005. The Indian American Forum for Political Education (IAFPE), the National
Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA), the Association of Indians in
America (AIA), the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), the
American Association of Physicians from India (AAPI), and the Indian Diamond and
Colorstone Association (IDCA) joined hands in sponsoring the event and pledged
to continue to work together on agenda of common interest. Although the Asian
American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) was not a full participant, it
supported the event by sending a representative.
Congressman Gary Ackerman (D-New York) and Congresswoman Ilena Ros-Lehtinen
(R-Florida), the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian
Americans spoke to the press before the start of the event. "If I were a bating
man, I would have had a bet that this event would not take place," said Ackerman
jokingly. Ackerman commended the organizers for coming together for the first
time with members of Congress to collectively discuss issues concerning their
community at large, and for their efforts, leadership, and vision. "For the
leaders of diverse Indian Americans Associations to just get together on one
platform is a great accomplishment in itself and I congratulate all of you for
this," he added.
Ros-Lehtinen paid a great tribute to the Indian American community and said,
"your devotion and hard work have brought great prosperity to countless
communities in the United States." She said she plans not only to advance both
relations with India, but also help improve the lives of Indian Americans in the
United States and address important domestic issues to the community.
Soon after the press conference, there was an emergency evacuation of the White
House, U.S. Capitol and all Congressional buildings prompted by an intrusion of
a small plane in Washingtons restricted airspace. Every occupant of these
buildings was escorted out to open space. It took over an hour and a half to
bring back the situation to normal.
Although as a result of inconvenience and confusion caused by the evacuation
orders, some lawmakers committed to attend the event were unable to come, yet
over a dozen of prominent legislators made their voices heard at the reception.
The group had forwarded a set of suggested items of domestic agenda for the
Congressmen to address. These items included, immigration and visa problems
faced by the community, affordable health insurance for the employees of small
business owners, Franchising laws, health care reforms and Civil rights. The
group asked the Congress to remove those provisions in the Patriot act that
encourage racial profiling and curb civil liberties. Selected lawmakers were
asked to address each of these issues.
One of the first congressmen who arrived after the evacuation was from Florida.
Congressman Kendrick Meek who succeeded to his mothers seat in the Congress,
expressed his particular concern about the security of India in the light of
expanding terrorism and how the military cooperation between India and the US
was important for the two democracies.
Congressman Howard Berman (D-California), the ranking member of the House
Judiciary committee and an expert on immigration laws indicated that his
committee had raised the quota of H-1B visas granted to individuals. He said he
would continue to fight for fair and equitable immigration policies. He also
indicated that as member of the India Caucus, he has and will continue to work
with Indian American community.
Frank Pallone (D-New Jersey), the founder of the India Caucus and darling of the
community reminded the audience the challenges the community has to address in
the coming weeks. "President (George) Bush is going ahead with selling of F-16
planes to Pakistan, despite protests from some members of the India Caucus. The
Administration solution to also sell these sophisticated planes to India is no
solution at all," emphasized Pallone. He said it would change the balance of
power in the region and start an arms race all over again.
Joe Wilson (R- South Carolina) said that his connection to India goes long way
back when his father served in the World War II as member of the Flying Tigers
with Indian Soldiers. "I am very impressed with the entrepreneur spirit of
Indian Americans in my State," added Wilson who has an Indian American as a
senior member of his staff. He announced to loud applause that he was promoting
Dino Teppara to become his Legislative Director.
Bobby Jindal (R-Louisiana), the Indian American Congressman elected in 2004
after a long gap since Dalip Singh Saund came to the House in 1956, brought the
crowed on its feet when he barely entered the hall. He said he thought if you
had 3 Indian Americans, they would form 4 associations that do not speak to each
other. "How could you get all these associations together in one room," he
asked. He said he is very happy to serve the cause of Indian Americans in the
House and would work with the other members of the India Caucus to strengthen
US-India relations.
The Republican from Michigan, Congressman Thadeous McCotter said he was very
disturbed when his Sikh constituents were mistaken for Arab terrorists after the
9-11 incidents. He said he went to a Sikh Temple (Gurdwara) to ensure Sikhs that
he would do every thing to stop these incidents. He also indicated every newly
immigrated community has suffered similar treatment as the India Americans. "Ask
the Irish Americans what they had to go through," he added.
Other lawmakers who attended the event included, Congressmen Christopher Shays
(R-CT), Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland), Darrell Issa (R-California), Rush Holt (D-New
Jersey), Bob Filner (D-California), Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Jim Moran
(D-Virginia).
Several other members of the Congress came during the 6-7 p.m. when the
buildings were being evacuated and were not able to make their remarks.
Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula, the member of the New Jersey Legislature also
addressed the audience and impressed upon the attendees the clout we can have
when we join hands with other associations.
As a symbolic gesture to display the spirit of unity, the various heads of the
participating organizations or their representatives joined and raised their
hands to pledge to work together.
Throughout the evening a spirit of unity was felt in the air. "It (this event)
is a dream come true," said Nilesh Mehta, the president of IAFPE. He said he
invited the heads of various associations to the IAFPE convention last year and
impressed upon them the need to speak with one voice. Tonight was the result of
that effort.
"Over the past decade Indian American community has progressed from being an
invisible minority to a model minority. Thanks to our industriousness and
collective vision, we have made significant strides over the years. We have
moved from being ignored, to being observed. Now is the time to make our
presence felt on the main street USA. There are no excuses for not accelerating
our participation at the higher level of the political process," emphasized
Mehta. "This is our first step in that direction," he added.
Dr. Rajen Anand, president of the NFIA, an umbrella organization, narrated the
many significant outcomes of this event. "The very fact that we all have
gathered on one platform and pledged to speak with one voice is an
accomplishment in itself. We have agreed to a set of agenda items that we
jointly want to pursue, and for the first time, we have moved beyond the single
issue of US-India relations and are also focusing on domestic issues that affect
our daily life," he commented.
"Since our first effort to interact with the White House and the Capital, it
took about twenty years for the community to become matured so as to focus on
issues of common agenda" echoed Dr. Thomas Abraham, Founding President of NFIA
and currently Chairman of GOPIO. "For an organization such a GOPIO, it is very
important to work with other national Indian American associations to make the
US lawmakers aware of PIOs civil rights and human rights violations in some of
the countries," Dr. Abraham insisted.
Dr. Vinod Shah, treasurer of AAPI said that we all faced the same issues despite
our different organizational affiliations and it was extremely critical for all
of us to work together. Basant Johari of IDCA, remarked that the by uniting all
organizations we would have synergistic results, rather than every organization
working in isolation. Stephan Parker V.P of Fair Franchising and Government
affairs of AAHOA expressed a strong desire to work closely with all
organizations.
Dr. Piyush Agrawal, the past president of AIA summed up the sentiments of the
organizers when he remarked, "It was quite an intoxicating event as another
fresh start took place based upon the experiences gained through the previous
attempts. Cooperation is a multi-dimensional concept with a built-in provision
of give & take. I am extremely delighted that the spirit of cooperation was
alive and well at this event."
Indian American Community
Summary of Issues (2005) Submitted to US Congressional
Members
Immigration and Visas
v Oppose any welfare reform legislation that denies
benefits to legal immigrants.
v Urge the State Department to streamline the Consular operations in India to