GOPIO NEWS BULLETIN
August 2005
OTE: This is a monthly newsletter of GOPIO International,
based in the
Also, starting this issue,
we have a veteran journalist P.N.A. Tharakan from New Delhi who has
volunteered to contribute a column NEWS ROUND-UP
FROM NEW DELHI
CONTENTS
Ø
GOPIO
CONFERENCE OF WESTERN HEMISPHERE ONLY TWO MORE WEEKS LEFT FOR THE CONFERENCE IN
o
FOURTH PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS TO BE HELD IN
o
WHY
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TENTATIVE PROGRAM
o
A RARE EXOSURE FOR THE SOUTHERN STATES
o
WORLD-CLASS CONVENTION CENTER
o
NO DECISION YET ON INDUSTRY/BUSIENSS PARTNER
o
VOTING RIGHTS FOR OVERSEAS INDIANS HOLDING INDIAN
PASSPORTS BEING CONSIDERED
o
NAVIN RAMGULAM IS NEW PRIME MINISTER OF
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RAMDIN SARDJOE ELECTED VICE PRESIDENT OF
o
INDIAN AMERICAN KETAN GANDHI APPOINTED
PRESIDENT OF HOME NEWS TRIBUNE
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INDO-CANADIAN WALLY
OPPAL APPOINTED BC ATTORNEY GENERAL
Ø
NEWS
OF INTEREST TO NRIs AND PIOs AROUND THE WORLD
o
NEW LABOR DESTINATIONS
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INDIAN PROFESSIONALS GOING TO
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FALL IN PRIVATE REMITTANCES
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NRIs LEAD HIGH NETWORTH
INDIVIDUALS IN UAE
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INDIAN AYURVEDIC DRUGS BANNED IN
o
DEPOSIT SCHEMES NO LONGER ATTRACTIVE TO NRIs
o
SIMPLER PROCEDURE FOR STUDENT VISA
o
NRI HUSBANDS EXPLOIT LEGAL LOOPHOLES TO OBTAIN
DIVORSE
GOPIO
CONFERENCE OF WESTERN HEMISPHERE - ONLY TWO MORE WEEKS LEFT FOR THE CONFERENCE
IN
The
GOPIO Suriname, a chapter of GOPIO International based in the
The
conference will formally launch on August 21 in
The
Government of Suriname is fully supporting the conference. The Hon President of
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
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.
The PIO leaders and the
volunteers have been working diligently to deliver an event unlike any in the
recent past. We encourage community activists all over the globe to attend the
conference and also learn first hand how our brethren faced hardships in
settling in a foreign land under harsh conditions with a strange language,
stranger customs, culture and traditions, and still preserved their own
religion, customs and cultural traditions. Those people who
have particular interest in the Indian diaspora won't want to miss learning how these hard working
children of Bharat Mata,
coming as indentured labor, have in just three generations, learnt to live and
conduct businesses in multi-ethnic societies and have climbed the economic and
political power ladders and gained educational attainments, said Harold Ramdhani, organizer of the conference.
The GOPIO team has
dedicated their time, energy and financial resources to plan the program that
features some really unique dynamics. The organizers have planned various
sessions in such a way that the subject matters are explored and deliberated in
meaningful and productive discussions, with notable speakers of relevant
expertise. It's not that you need convincing from us, but we think that you
should come, meet and interact with dignitaries and delegates some of whom
could be very inspiring and their success worth emulating. Everybody at every
level needs their belief bucket filled. This conference is absolutely going to
be the key for giving you some momentum, said Inder Singh, President of GOPIO
International.
Networking with delegates
from other countries could be a beneficial experience worth treasuring. Some
delegates with passion, posture, conviction and enthusiasm will be looking for
people like you to establish contacts, and even discuss growth of their
businesses. If there is one thing you come away from this conference with, it's
the personal satisfaction that the new contact or new knowledge could help you
achieve your desired goal and give you more of an opportunity for the dreams
you have set for yourself.
Please act promptly and
register for the conference right now by sending an email to Harold Ramdhani at HAROLD.R.RAMDHANI@ramsholding.sr, or by telephone at 597-856-3063
or Ashook Ramsaran at 718-353-1900 or by email at Ramsaran@aol.com.
Following the
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
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 AND COUNTRY REPORTS
19.00 19.05 WELCOME
19.05 19.20 FLAG PRESENTATION OF
PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES
19.20 19.30 ADDRESS BY K. NANDOE, PRESIDENT OF GOPIO
19.30 19.40 ADDRESS BY INDER SINGH, PRESIDENT OF GOPIO INTL
19.40 19.55 ADDRESS BY HON. JAGDISH TYTLER, MINISTER OF
OVERSEAS INDIANS
AFFAIRS,
19.55 - 20.10 ADDRESS
BY H.E. BHARRAT JAGDEO, PRESIDENT REPUBLIC OF GUYANA
(To be confirmed)
20.10 21.30 ADRESS AND OFFICIAL OPENING
BY H.E. R.R. VENETIAAN
PRESIDENT
OF
21.30 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:
MRS. NIRMALA RAMBOCUS, MEMBER OF DUTCH PARLIAMENT
SUBJECT
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE INDIAN DIASPORA AND THE EUROPEAN
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:
SUBJECT:
THE INDIAN DIASPORA IN
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
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,
SUBJECT:
THE PLACE AND POSITION OF
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,
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 Dr. KRISHNA KHARGI, CHIEF HEARTH SURGEON,
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 HON VICE PRESIDENT OF
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
Registration fee (US$150) can be paid only by Cash or
Bank Draft in name of:
ORGANIZING
COMMITTEE - GOPIO CONFERENCE
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
30 NEUMANPAD
Tel: +597-856-3063
FAX +597 472411
E-mail HAROLD R. RAMDHANI@ramsholding.sr
May also contact GOPIO Secretary General
Ashook Ramsaran in the