GOPIO NEWS BULLETIN

August 2006

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CONTENTS

GAINING OVERESEAS INDIAN CITIZENSHIP TO BE MADE EASIER

US-INDIA NUCLEAR ENERGY COOPERATION BILL PASSED BY THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WITH THUMPING MAJORITY

GOPIO DEPLORES T&T GOVERNMENT ACTION AGAINST CHIEF JUSTICE

GUYANA SEEKS DIASPORA RESOURCES

GOPIO INTL. AND CHAPTER NEWS

GOPIO HOLDS PROTEST RALLY AT THE UN TO PROTEST VIOLATION OF RULE OF LAW IN TRINIDAD

NED LAMONT CHATS WITH MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF GOPIO-CT

GOPIO-CT TO PRESENT SCHOLARSHIPS TO ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS ON AUGUST 11

GOPIO CONDEMNS MUMBAI TRAIN BLASTS

NRIs/PIOs ACHIEVE

BENITA SINGH IS RECIPIENT OF NEWS WEEK MAGAZINE AWARD

BELGIUM HONORS INDIAN DIAMANTAIRE DILIP MEHTA

GUYANA APPOINTS PREM MISIR TO COMMISION OF SOUTH AMERICAN COMMUNITY OF NATIONS

CAMBRIDGE STUDENT WINS GLOBAL SPACE AWARD

TWO INDO-CANADIANS NAMED TO THE ORDER OF CANADA

NEWS OF INTEREST TO NRIs AND PIOs AROUND THE WORLD

MAHATMA GANDHI MEMORIALS TO BE BUILT IN SOUTH AFRICA

AMITABH BACHCHAN HONORED IN UK

TAGORE SCHOOL NAMED IN GERMANY

MADHYA PRADESH ORGANIZES NRI MEET

GULF NRIs FACE HIKE IN AIRFARE

NRI CELL IN ANDHRA PRADESH

GOPIO LIFE MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTER FORMATION

EDITORIAL BOARD

GAINING OVERSEAS INDIAN CITIZENSHIP TO BE MADE EASIER

India's union minister for overseas Indian affairs Vayalar Ravi has said that a large number of NRIs and PIOs who are citizens of other countries are applying for Overseas Citizens of India (OCI). Ravi further said that he would talk to the Home Ministry to make the process faster by channeling the process through Embassies and High Commissions of countries with large NRI/PIO population.

The Minister had a lively interaction with over 200 nonresident Indians (NRIs) and people of Indian origin (PIO) gathered over a luncheon organized by the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) and hosted by GOPIO-New York chapter on July 8th at the Five Star Banquet in Long Island City in Queens, New York City.

The interactive session was moderated by GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham. Lal Motwani, president of the GOPIO-New York, in his welcoming address said that NRIs and PIOs number over half a million people in the Tri-State New York area represent an important segment of the global Indian Diaspora. . Other distinguished guests included India s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Nirupam Sen and Deputy Consul General of India A.R. Ghanashyam. Both Sen and Ghanashyam felicitated Minister Ravi and also complimented GOPIO and the Indian American community for their contributions to improved US-India Relations and in particular to the successful campaign to support US-India Nuclear Energy Cooperation Bill in the US. Congress.

Before Minister Ravi spoke, GOPIOs National Coordinator for USA, Dr. Piyush Agrawal, presented the various GOPIO resolutions submitted to Govt. of India at the last Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Hyderabad. Commenting on the GOPIO resolutions, Minister Ravi said, "A bill for voting rights to nonresident Indians who are citizens of India is already presented before the parliamentary committee."

The minister also tackled a sensitive issue raised by the PIOs, especially those hailing from the Carribbeans, that nonresident Indians don't treat them as one of their own. "They are our brother and sisters. I appeal every nonresident Indians that they should not forget the sacrifices made by the people of Indian origin in order to maintain their Indian identity," the minister said amid a rousing applauds.

GOPIO Chairman Abraham further clarified that GOPIO coined the word People of Indian Origin or PIOs for Indians living outside India. We felt that everyone is comfortable with that title, the NRIs and those migrated earlier, and we are glad that Govt. of India has adopted PIO to represent all Indians living outside India, Dr. Abraham added.

GOPIO had arranged several such interactive sessions with India's senior political leaders and opinion builders. "It's not only GOPIO but there were several other Indian-American organizations from tri-state area that helped us make this event successful in a very short notice," Motwani said after the event. "We're grateful to all of them."

Some of the organizations who cosponsored the event were: GOPIO-Connecticut, National Federation of Indian American Associations, Federation of Kerala Association of North America, American Indian Association of North America, World Gujarati Conference 2006, Indian American Kerala Cultural and Civic Center, Indian Business Association of NJ, Association of Indians in the Construction Industry, Indian Association of Long Island and Indo-American Business Association of NY.

Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha of West Indies, Guyana East Indian Civic Association, Indo-Caribbean Council, World Business Forum Inc, Asian American Coalition USA Inc, Sikh Organization of New York, Non-Resident Indian for Secular and Harmonious India and Indian Muslim Council-USA were also the cosponsors. 

Ravi was visibly touched by an emotional poem read in the function by Taij Kumarie Moteelall, Indo-Guyanese poet/writer and community activist. She, in her long reciting, vividly explained the bond between mainland India and the Caribbeans, the plights of the people who were forcibly loaded into the boats and brought to the Western Hemisphere, their heart-wrenching sufferings at the sugarcane plantations, and the topical urgency of unity among Indians living in the East and West.

Ravi assured the PIO community full cooperation of the government of India and made a clarion call to PIOs and NRIs for a large participation in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas scheduled for January 7-9, 2007 in New Delhi. He extended full support of his ministry to GOPIO India to host GOPIO International Annual Convention on Jan 5 & 6, 2007, in conjunction with the event.

GOPIO International recognized GOPIO-New York for its contribution with a plaque presented by Minister Ravi and was received by its president Lal Motwani. GOPIO Academic Council Chairman Dr. Jagat Motwani and GOPIO Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran presented the minister with a book on Indian Diaspora and GOPIO booklets and resolutions respectively. The program ended with concluding remarks Ramsaran.

GOPIO Hosts Meeting in Los Angeles

Earlier on June 29^th, GOPIO in association with many local community organizations including NFIA, FIAs, IONC hosted reception for Minister Ravi Vayalar at the Bombay Club restaurant in the Loss Angeles area. The reception and gala dinner was attended by over 250 people from the Indian community.

On behalf of GOPIO International, President Inder Singh presented GOPIO life membership certificate to the minister in the presence of life members Dr. Arjun Daluvoy, Dr. Pammi Bevli, Babu Patel, Chandu Patel and Santosh Verma.

Many local Indian community leaders attended the reception. Also, two Indian American elected officials Harry Sidhu, councilman for Anaheim City and Suja Loenthal, council woman for Long Beach City were present.

In answering questions from the audience, Ravi said that there is large number of applicants for dual citizenship from all over the world, mainly from the United States and so far 33,000 cards have been issued. He acknowledged that many NRIs have complained that the Government of India has been slow to issue the cards. The Government is going to speed up the process and clear the backlog.

GOPIO Hosts Meeting in Orlando

GOPIO National Coordinator Dr. Piyush Agrawal organized another reception in honor of Minister Ravi with Indian American community in Orlando on July 3rd. The GOPIO forum again served to discuss various community issues as well as how NRIs/PIOs can participate in Indias developments.

During his three-week-long whirlwind trip to the United States, Ravi addressed several functions and participated in interactions with India community in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Orlando, Washington DC, New York, New Jersey and Chicago.

US-INDIA NUCLEAR COOPERATION BILL PASSED BY THE US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WITH THUMPING MAJORITY

By an overwhelming majority of 359 in support of, while 68 against, the House of Representatives passed the bill titled 'United States and India Nuclear Cooperation Promotion Act of 2006. The US Senate will vote on a similar bill which was passed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Once passed by the US Congress, the new act will authorize the president to exempt the US-India nuclear cooperative agreement from statutory prohibitions, which would consequently clear the way for the transfer of civilian nuclear technology, including nuclear reactors and nuclear fuel to India.

The margin was overwhelming. GOPIO along with several other Indian community groups has been actively engaged in educating the public officials about the importance US-India cooperation in nuclear energy and other areas. GOPIO plans to continue it campaign till the bill passes through the Senate and finally through the House and Senate Conference Committee. GOPIO thanks all its chapters and other Indian American organizations, which have been actively campaigning for the passage of this bill in the US Congress.

GOPIO DEPLORES T&T GOVERNMENT ACTION AGAINST CHIEF JUSTICE

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International) deplores and condemns the recent and continuing actions by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to impede the independent functioning of the judiciary and the process of constitutional law in Trinidad and Tobago.

The constitution of Trinidad and Tobago Section 136 mandates specific legal procedures to be followed should the removal of a Chief Justice become an issue. Yet the Government of Trinidad and Tobago has blatantly and willfully disregarded its own constitutional laws to pursue its announced determination to force the resignation or arrest of the Chief Justice. GOPIO International vehemently protests open threat of action by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago against Chief Justice Satnarine Sharma, which is tantamount to an unprecedented and a willful assault on due process, rule of law and presumption of innocence.

We view with grave concern the arbitrary and deliberate decision by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to deny due legal process as flagrant violation of individual rights as well as the rights of all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, a civil society guided by established laws of the land. It is obvious to us that the action by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago subverts the will of the people and diminishes overall respect for its institutions, remarked Inder Singh, President of GOPIO International.

The threat by the Prime Minister a few weeks ago that the Chief Justice must resign or otherwise he would be charged by the Police on the accusation of attempting to pervert the course of justice, raises the question of the Prime Minister controlling the judicial process. This smacks of dictatorial tendency and tentamounts to naked attack on the independence of all Judges of the Supreme Court and on the human and fundamental rights of all individuals in Trinidad and Tobago, said QC Attorney Ramesh Maharaj, Chairman GOPIOs Human Rights Council and Chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Rights Association. The statement refers to violations of Section 136 of the Constitution of Trinidad and Tobago.

The actions of the government of Trinidad and Tobago directed against Chief Justice Sharma are a blatant attempt to humiliate a person of Indian origin. The public humiliation of Chief Justice Sharma was done in an undignified manner that also creates an impression of deteriorating social and political conditions in Trinidad and Tobago, observed GOPIO Internationals Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham. Governments must not thwart the process of law in an arbitrary manner that suits its own motives and render the society with mistrust and lack of confidence in its institutions, continued Dr. Abraham.

While every country should maintain and enforce its laws, we expect that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago must also take all appropriate measures to abide by the rule of law and provide the guaranteed means for due process and protection of fundamental individual rights as stipulated in Articles 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, said GOPIO Internationals Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran. Irrespective of the nature or outcome of the accusations, denial of fairness and equitable treatment of its citizens according to rule of law are a breach of trust and must be remedied, continued Ramsaran.

GOPIO International firmly supports the concept that no one should be above the law, and recognizes that fair and just application of the rule of law is the cornerstone of a progressive society. We expect that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago would take all necessary precautions to ensure that no unfavorable impressions or undue actions would raise the level of racial tensions in a society that is known for its fairly high level of peaceful co-existence among the different ethnic groups, stated GOPIOs Trinidad chapter president Devant Maharaj.

GOPIO International encourages and fully supports all efforts for the fair and equal treatment of all citizens of any country, especially one with a significant population of people of Indian origin. GOPIO International urges the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to promptly revert to the rule of law and due process so that this present critical situation can be remedied without prolonged and adverse effects to the good citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.

Trinidad and Tobago, a former British colony, is an independent island nation located just off the northern coast of South America, with a population of slightly over 1,300,000 of which 45% are people of Indian origin whose ancestors were brought there as indentured sugar plantation laborers during the nineteenth century.

GUYANA SEEKS DIASPORA RESOURCES

The Government of Guyana in collaboration with the private sector recently launched the Presidential Summit on Private Sector Development. The Summit was aimed at involving stakeholders from all walks of life in Guyana in the continued enrichment of Guyanas National Competitiveness Strategy (NCS).

On May 8, 2006, more than 300 public and private sector leaders came together at the Presidential Summit on Private Sector Development to support this ongoing process to create a more prosperous Guyana.

Several initial action areas were identified. These were Cricket World Cup 2007, Call Centres and Contract Manufacturing, Aquaculture, Non-traditional Agricultural Products, Financing, Creating Brain Gain, Opportunities from the CSME, a Five Year Tourism Development Plan and Tapping Diaspora Resources.

Dr. Prem Misir, Pro-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, is part of the leadership team tasked with tapping Diaspora resources. He is specifically responsible for building a database of skills and expertise from among the Guyanese Diaspora and Professional Associations and mobilizing their support for the National Competitiveness Strategy.

The action team is interested in enlisting your support for Guyanas development. For more information on the Presidential Summit on Private Sector Development go to www.summit.org.gy. Email us at diaspora@summit.org.gy.

GOPIO INTL. AND CHAPTER NEWS

GOPIO HOLDS PROTEST RALLY AT THE UN TO PROTEST VIOLATION OF RULE OF LAW IN TRINIDAD

A large sized, tumultuous and vocal crowd gathered on July 31, 2006 in front of the United Nations in New York at a GOPIO initiated rally to protest the actions of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago against the independence of the judiciary, the process of constitutional law, and the violation of human rights in Trinidad and Tobago. The crowd was comprised of people from the Caribbean residing in the USA and Canada as well as from Trinidad and Tobago who came to participate in the rally.

The purpose was to condemn the undemocratic actions of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago relating to the governments pursuit to arrest or force the resignation of Chief Justice Satnarine Sharma, and to demand the United Nations and other international agencies to seek remedy of the situation. The protest rally was initiated and arranged by GOPIO International (GOPIO), and co-sponsored by the local GOPIO New York Chapter (GOPIO-NY), the Queens Caribbean Bar Association (QCBA), Trinidad & Tobago Civil Rights Association (TTCRA), the Indo-Caribbean Council (ICC) and several other local, regional and global organizations.

It was an exhilarating crowd of protesters in front of a large banner captioned  PROTEST AGAINST VIOLATION OF RULE OF LAW IN TRINIDAD, and they were very vocal with their demands for "JUSTICE", "RULE OF LAW", "DEMOCRACY", "JUDICIAL PROCESS", "HUMAN RIGHTS". The crowd demanded prompt actions to correct the present threats to stability in Trinidad and Tobago that would have implications in the Caribbean region as well as globally, if left unchecked. The protesters had placards condemning what they consider the undemocratic actions of the government. They repeated their demands calling for the restoration of democratic rule and independence of the judiciary. They also had a coffin that bore the sign "RAPE OF DEMOCRACY".

The demonstration started with welcome by GOPIO-New York President Lal Motwani, who urged everyone to stand together in pursuit of justice. GOPIO Secretary General and the protest rally initiator and organizer Ashook Ramsaran stated in his opening statement that the rule of law is the cornerstone to any democracy and a progressive society. The United Nation Charter on Human Rights guarantees due process and the UN must bring pressure to bear on the government to respect the rule of law and the constitution".

An array of notable speakers included GOPIO Chairman Dr Thomas Abraham who reminded the crowd that GOPIO has been on the forefront in speaking out against violations of human rights against people of Indian origin (PIOs). Dr. Abraham referred to the historic 2000 Zurich GOPIO resolution which states, When any person of Indian origin is abused, attacked or discriminated against in any part of the world because of his or her ethnicity, all persons of Indian origin around the world will deem such an act or action directed against all of them and will stand together in the pursuit of justice. Dr. Abraham continued that we at GOPIO are vigilant on behalf of all Indians in the Diaspora and we take up the issue when their interests are at stake.

A very dynamic and compelling speech was delivered by Ramesh L. Maharaj, Chairman of the Trinidad & Tobago Civil Rights Association (TTCRA). The former Attorney General of Trinidad & Tobago told the audience the crowd that his mission in accepting an invitation to attend the rally as President of the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Rights Association was to make the international community more aware of the serious breaches of the rule of law in T&T especially as it relates to the violation of the constitution in removing the CJ from office. Maharaj charged that the government violated High Court and Privy Council orders on the Chief Justice issue.  He said whenever "a government disobeys orders of the High Court and interferes with the independence of the justice system, the government is no longer a democratic government. Dictatorship and tyranny then become the order of the day".

Maharaj said he regards "T&T as a dictatorship and a police state under the guise of constitutionalism". He continued, "the government's handling of the Chief Justice issue has fully established the dictatorship of the government because the government has openly decided not to follow the constitution of the country and to openly defy the orders of the Supreme Court". Maharaj stated that when law ends tyranny begins and "that is the position of T&T which makes the enjoyment of individual rights and freedoms not guaranteed".  He said "the treatment of the CJ gives the perception that an individual cannot get independent justice from the courts.  The judges have been terrorized by the government's action in the Chief Justice issue.  It sends a signal to them that the government can use the coercive powers of the state to effectively remove them from office without the government following the procedures established by the constitution for their removal". Maharaj called upon the Caribbean people to wake up and stand up for democracy in T&T. Maharaj said "this rally is the first of a series of international exposure which will be repeated in Trinidad and elsewhere.

Attorney-at-Law Kawal Totaram, Chairman of the Queens Caribbean Bar Association (QCBA), gave his full support to this rally to bring about the rule of law in Trinidad and Tobago. Attorney-at-Law Albert Baldeo followed with his encouragement for continued rally for the observance of the judicial process. Dr Parveen Chopra, Commissioner of Nassau County Human Rights Department, re-iterated his concern about the abuse of the rule and the violation of human rights that bode ill for the democratic process. Dr. Chopra voiced his support all civil measures to seek remedy of the current situation in TnT as a necessary action to be taken by the government.

Dr. Ashford Maharaj insisted on the respect for and observance of the judicial process that must be maintained for TnT.  He informed the crowd to sign the petition to be sent the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Amb. Luis Alfonso de Alba, President of the UN Human Rights Council. Guyanese East Indian Civic Association director Prakash Singh reminded the crowd of their obligations to be supportive of efforts such as this protest rally that defend your rights.

Linda Guillebeaux of FREE MUMIA COALATION was very emphatic in her appeal for rule of law, democracy, human rights and respect for the judiciary. We are all in this struggle together and we give strength for this common cause. ICC Secretary Roop Narayan Prasad expressed his appreciation for GOPIO's efforts to bring this issue to the forefront and to bring more awareness for the world to know Other speakers included Rev. Seopaul Singh and Pt. Upadhaya. Ramesh Kalicharran of ICC and a founding GOPIO life member, reminded everyone of the worthy cause we are defending here today as the struggle continues for rule of law and democracy in Trinidad and elsewhere.

In closing, GOPIO Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran repeated the unprecedented actions by the Government to thwart the judicial process and the need to continue to raise our voices in protest. Ramsaran expressed thanks for all the sponsors, supporters and all those who worked so hard and so diligently to make this event a success.

The rally planners further say that a formal report on the abuse of law in Trinidad and a petition will be filed with the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, the Secretary General of the U.N, and the Commissioner of the International Commission of Jurists.

NED LAMONT CHATS WITH MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF GOPIO-CT

Stamford, Connecticut July 11, 2006 the excitement builds as members and friends of Global Organization of People of Indian Origin Connecticut Chapter gathered to welcome and have an interactive session with Ned Lamont the Democratic challenger to Senator Joseph Lieberman.

 Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman of GOPIO International started the evening with observing a moment of silence to pay respect for the lives lost in terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India train bomb blasts. In his introductory remarks Dr. Abraham said that the Indian American community in Connecticut is numbering over 50,000 and is making substantial contribution to the State of Connecticut. GOPIO-CT is providing a platform to listen to various candidates to get to know their stand on various political and legislative issues.

Sangeeta Ahuja president of GOPIO-CT welcomed the attendees and said that the Connecticut Chapter was launched in March of this year and it is a non-partisan, secular organization that is engaged in promoting the wellbeing of people of Indian origin. She also mentioned that CT chapter is committed to get the youth involved in community activities. One of their goals is to interact with community leaders in order to build and strengthen relationships and promote better mutual understanding.

Pravin Banker a member of the Host Committee introduced Mr. Ned Lamont as a man who has the courage to challenge a well established member of the Senate.

Ned Lamont said that I am running for US Senate because we deserve a senator who will stand up for Connecticut and stand up for our progressive democratic values.

He discussed issues about Iraq, health care, education, rebuilding aging US infrastructure and took several questions from the audience. As usual he ended the interactive session with remarks I am Ned Lamont and I approve this message. At the end of the session Harry Gill presented him with a copy of Discovery of India by Pundit Jawahar Lal Nehru and when asked what do you give a man who has every thing? Mr. Lamont smiled and graciously said YOUR VOTES.

The evening was enjoyed by over fifty people. Venkat Sharma, Vice President GOPIO-CT in his closing remarks urged friends of GOPIO-CT to show their support by becoming members and getting involved in the Community.

GOPIO-CT TO PRESENT SCHOLARSHIPS TO ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS ON AUGUST 11

GOPIO-CT has scheduled a celebration for the 59^th anniversary Indias Independence with dinner, awards presentation and a speaker on Friday, August 11 at the Meera Restaurant in Stamford, CT. Earlier, GOPIO had invited high school and college students to participate in an essay contest titled How Does Democracy Arise, Survive and Thrive. Two winners in each category will receive scholarship worth $1,000 and $500 respectively.

The chief guest for the evening is Diane Farrell, democratic congressional candidate for the US House of Representatives from the 4^th District in CT.

Contact: GOPIO-CT President Sangeeta Ahuja at 203-329-9744, E-mail: sangeetaahuja@aol.com GOPIO-CT Secretary Bhaskar Majee at 203-853-2303, E-mail: bmajee@gmail.com

GOPIO CONDEMNS MUMBAI TRAIN BLASTS

GOPIO expresses strong and unequivocal condemnation of the seven train blasts in first class compartments of suburban trains killing over 150 innocent people and injuring over 500 others on July 11, 2006. GOPIO considers Mumbai explosions targeting the commuters during the peak hours around 6:00PM as unjustified and unforgivable criminal action directed to create fear among the Indian people and commuters in particular.

GOPIO also condemns grenade attacks in Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir State by the suspected terrorists that have killed eight people.

We strongly and categorically condemn these most reprehensible acts of crime against innocent people. We share the pain and anguish of our brethren and sisters in India, and extend our condolences to the families of the victims and offer prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured, said Inder Singh, President of GOPIO International.

NRIs/PIOs ARCHIEVE

INDIAN AMERICAN BENITA SINGH IS RECIPIENT OF NEWS WEEK MAGAZINE AWARD

Indian-American Benita Singh, a Yale university student, is among 15 US citizens and organizations chosen by 'Newsweek ' magazine for its annual 'Giving Back Awards' - honoring those who use fame, fortune and heart to devote themselves to helping others.
Benita and her partner Ruth DeGolia have been chosen for their work among women, especially widows, in Guatemala. The 15 awardees were chosen from among hundreds of nominations. The citation says Benita and Ruth were still undergraduates in the summer of 2003 when they found their de