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CONTENTS

HIGH EXPECTATION AT THE INDIA-EU TRADE AND INVESTMENT CONFERENCE

GOPIO ACADEMIC COUNCIL HOLDS ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION IN NEW YORK

GOPIO CHAPTER NEWS

LATE US CONGRESSMAN SAUNDs BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED 

TEARS IN PARADISE LAUNCHED IN LOS ANGELES

NEWS ROUND-UP FROM NEW DELHI

DIASPORA YOUTH INTERNSHIP PLANNED FOR DEC./JAN.

NRIs/PIOs ACHIEVE

GUYANA PRESIDENT JAGDEO TO CHAIR WORLD BANK AND IMF BOARDS

KARAN BHATIA TO BECOME DEPUTY US TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

BHOLA WINS UNESCO AWARD

TWO INDIAN AMERICANS IN FORBES RICHEST AMERICANS

KETAN GANDHI FIRST INDIAN PRESIDENT OF HOME NEWS TRIBUNE

HARVARD NRI WINS TOYA AWARD

TWO NRI LAWYERS AMONG HIGHEST PAID IN UK

NEWS OF INTEREST TO NRIs AND PIOs AROUND THE WORLD

NEW US VISA PROCEDURE COMES INTO EFFECT

INDIA GOVT. WILLING TO FUND MIGRATION STUDIES

NRI WORKERS WIN CASE IN MALAYSIA

FOUR GENERATIONS OF NRI FAMILY RESIDES IN HONG KONG MANSION

US INCREASES FEE STRUCTURE FOR IMMIGRATION SERVICES

NRIs/PIOs SEND HUGE REMITTANCES TO INDIA

UK WANTS TALENTED INDIANS TO STAY BACK

NRI GROUP PLANS BIGGEST FDI IN INDIAN REAL ESTATE

UK NRIs CAN MAKE CHEAP CALLS TO INDIA

NEW MEXICO HIGHWAY RENAMED AS YOGI BHAJAN MEMORIAL HIGHWAY

SCHOOL TO NAME NEW BUILDING AFTER THE NRI DONOR

YADUNANDAN CENTER FOR INDIA STUDIES INAUGURATED

NRI ENDOWS INDIAN MUSIC CHAIR AT UCLA

SILICON VALLEY NRIs RAISE $1 MILLION FOR AIF

SIKH DELEGATION VISITING PAKISTAN FOR HINDU TEMPLE RESTORATION

GOPIO CONTRATULATES GUYANA FOR ITS 13 YEARS OF DEMOCRATIC RULE

GOPIO LIFE MEMBERSHIP AND CHAPTER FORMATION

EDITORIAL BOARD

 

The Europe India Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with GOPIO Belgium and Commonwealth Business Council, is all set to host a high level Conference on EU-India Strategic Plan: Enhancing Trade and Investment on 8-9 November. The Inaugural Session of the Conference will be held in the Hotel Sheraton on November 8^th evening whereas all other business sessions will be held in the European Parliament on November 9^th. The Conference is being held in the background of the Strategic Partnership Agreement which India signed last year with the European Union. The upcoming economic conference will contribute in expanding economic and trade relations between the two sides. 

The conference will open with an overview of the EU-India strategic relations with comments by high profile representatives of the European Parliament, European Commission and the Indian government.  This will be followed by distinguished panels examining the trade, investment and other economic issues that are important for developing stronger relations. The EICC-CBC-GOPIO Conference Committee is working very hard to make the Conference a memorable event not seen in Europe for sometime at least and we look forward to your participation and rich contribution to the success of the event. If you need any further info, please do not hesitate to contact me. The choice is yours, service is ours. 

 

European Parliament Entry Pass:

 

As mentioned above, the Business Sessions of the Conference will take place in the European Parliament which is a high security zone and to get entry to the Parliament, you need a Parliamentary pass. In order to avail, Parliamentary pass all participants need to fill the Registration Form without which the participation will not be accepted. The deadline for receiving Registration is 15 October. The Secretariat of our Honorary Chairman Mr. Nirj Deva MEP will co-ordinate with the Parliament authorities to get all the passes ready for you to collect as soon as you arrive in the Parliament Reception Desk on 9 November morning. Indeed, you will be welcomed by EICC-CBC-GOPIO Executives and we shall be available for any help that you may require. 

    

Hotel Accommodation:

 

For those who would like to seek accommodation in the hotel, the Conference organizers have negotiated a special room tariff with Hotel Capital for Single Room per night for 85 Euros and Double Room for 95 Euros inclusive of breakfast, taxes and services. The hotel is very conveniently located with easy access to The Hotel Sheraton and the European Parliament. The address of the Hotel is: Chausse de Vleurgat 191, 1050 Brussels Tel: 0032 2 646 6420. Those wishing to book through the internet, it is suggested that the participants use the Hotel Capital website booking form (http://www.hotelcapital.be). This form returns the information pre-formatted to the hotel. The participant can also send the form by fax on +32 2 646 3314 or by E-mail: info@hotelcapital.be attention Mr. Robert van der Plas. In the comment form, the request should mention their participation to the EICC-CBC-GOPIO Conference in order to avail the preferential rates. The Forms can also be downloaded from EICC website (www.eicc.be). Indeed, participants are free to make your own arrangement.

 

Tentative Programme

EICC-CBC-GOPIO Conference

EU-India Strategic Plan: Enhancing Trade and Investment

 

Tuesday, 8 November 2005

Hotel Sheraton, Horizon Room Top Floor, Place Rogier, Brussels (Belgium)

(INAUGURAL SESSION)

17:00 18:15 WELCOME AND REGISTRATION

18:15 18:25 WELCOME ADDRESS - Mr. Nirj Deva MEP, Chairman, EICC

18:25 18:35 ADDRESS BY His Excellency Mr. Dipak Chatterjee

Ambassador of India to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union

18:35 18:50 INAUGURAL ADDRESS BY CHIEF GUEST Hon. Guy Verhofstadt, Prime Minister of Belgium

18:50 19:05 Address by Hon. Dayanidhi Maran, Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology (t.b.c.)

19:05 - 19:25 Key Note address by Hon. Sam Pitroda, Chairman, National Knowledge Commission, Government of India

19:25 19:40 Address by Mr. S. P. Hinduja, Chairman, Hinduja Group

19:40 19.55 Address by Ms. Neena Gill, MEP & President, South Asia Delegation for the European Parliament

19:55 -20:05 Address by Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman, GOPIO International

Greetings by Mr. Inder Singh, President, GOPIO International

20:05 20:10 Mr. Sunil Prasad, Secretary General EICC

20:10 - 21:45 Dinner hosted by Sanjay Dalmia, Chairman, Dalmia Group of companies and EICC

 

Wednesday 9 November 2005

European Parliament (Room 3E-2)

rue Wiertz Wiertzstraat, B-1047 BRUSSELS

(BUSINESS SESSIONS)

08:45 09:20 Arrival of participants

09:20 09:30 Opening of the Business Sessions Address by Nirj Deva, Chairman, EICC

09:30 09:45 Address by Director, European Investment Bank

09:45 10:05 Special address by an EU Commissioner

10:05 10:20 Dr. Mohan Kaul, Director General, Commonwealth Business Council

10:20 10:35 Dr. Charles Tannock, MEP and Chairman, Friends of India Group in the European Parliament

10:35 10:50 Mr. H. S. Narula, Chairman, DS Group, UK

10:50 11:05 Mr. Ashok Sajjanhar, Dy. Chief of Mission, Indian Embassy

11:00 11:20 Tea/Coffee Break

 

SESSION 1

11:20 13:00 Trade and Investment: Corner Stone of EU-India Relations Views of Captains of Industry and Corporate World

Chair: Lord Dr. Diljit S Rana MBE (confirmed)

Dr. Ajit Shetty, CEO, Janssen Pharmaceutica, Belgium

Ms. Colette Mathur, Director, World Economic Forum, Switzerland

Mr. B. Ramlinga Raju, Chairman, Satyam Computers, India

Mr. Sanjay Dalmia, Chairman, Dalmia Group of Companies, India

Mr. Geoffrey H Lipman, Special Trade Advisor, World Tourism Organization

Inter-active session

13:00 14:00 Participants move to lunch

Seated/Buffet (Lunch hosted by Airbus)

SESSION 2

14:00 15:25 Investment potential in specific sectors in India : Experts views

Chair: Mr. Bogdan Golik, MEP

IT Sector Mr. Jan Boll, Sr. Vice President, Philips

Bio-tech Industry Prof. Dr. Marc Van Montagu

Aviation Sector Dr. Kiran Rao, Sr. Vice President, Airbus

Automobile Sector Mr. Thierry Moulonguet, Joint DG, RENAULT

Shipping Sector Mr. Ravi K Mehrotra, Chairman & CEO, Foresight Group Ltd.

Infrastructure Sector - Mr. R. Veeramani, President, Indo-Japan Chamber of Commerce, India

Inter-active session

SESSION 3

15:25 17:00 Indias Investment policies and Institutional weakness

Chair: Mr. Jacek Emil Saryuz-Wolski, MEP and Vice President, European Parliament

Impediments for India to join 21^st Century Mr. Ravi Shankar, Managing Director, EPIC Asset Group, UK

EU-India Economic Co-operation and role of Corporate and Business in

Banking Industry - Mr. Rutger Koopmans, Director, ING Bank & Chairman, Netherlands India Chamber of Commerce & Trade

Stakes for India in the Enlarged Europe - Dr Jean-Joseph BOILLOT, Financial Counsellor India & South Asia, French Embassy, New Delhi

Mr. Akash Passey, Vice President, VOLVO, India (t.b.c.)

Mr. Tim Jones, Director, Rolls Royce (Aviation Engine)

Investment Potentials in Indian Film Industry - Mr. Mehar Srivastava, Director Swarup Group of Companies

Inter-active session

17:00 17:30 Key Note address by EU Trade Commissioner

Q & A

17:30 17: 45 Closing Remarks by Dr. Prem Sharma, Patron, EICC and Chairman, India Development Trust, UK

 

 

GOPIOs Academic Council, in collaboration with the newly formulated GOPIO - Upper New York Chapter, held a roundtable discussion on the Indian Diaspora on Sunday, September 28, 2005 in Elmont, New York.

The guest speaker was Prof. Mohan Gautam, Co-Chair of GOPIOs Academic Council and Chairman of IUAES, Dept of South & Central Asian Studies at the KERN Institute in the Netherlands . Attendees include GOPIO members from the New York area, members of GOPIO of Upper New York chapter, Prof. Mahin Gosine of State University of New York (SUNY), and several attendees from Guyana, Bangladesh and South Africa. The event was coordinated and chaired by Ashook Ramsaran, Secretary General of GOPIO International.

Prof. Gautam enlightened the audience with his Insights from experience and extensive research on the Indian Diaspora. He spoke about its history and current status, and discussed its relevance and importance in todays global Indian Diaspora of over 23 million living in almost all countries outside of India. He also elaborated on the need for promotion and preservation of the Indian Diaspora, its problems, the opportunities, successes and challenges faced. Other topics included the difference between NRI (Non-Resident Indian) and PIO (People of Indian Origin), and the need for intra-Indian cooperation among groups, their common interests, goals and support.

The roundtable discussion with audience questions and participation focused on collective achievements, leadership role, GOPIO's global responsibility and emphasis on meaningful results, and the importance of communications and use of media for the benefit of the Indian Diaspora.

 

 

LATE CONGRESSMAN SAUNDs BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED 

 

California Governor last July signed a unanimously approved Assemblyman Rudy Bermudezs bill which called for an annual day of recognition to honor the late Dalip Singh Saund on Sept. 20, his birthday, for his outstanding achievement as the first native of Asia elected to the US Congress. California State Assembly Resolution AJR 1 officially became law when it was chaptered on July 6, 2005 by California Secretary of State.

Indian American Heritage Foundation, GOPIO, NFIA and some other organizations in Los Angeles area jointly organized the first celebration of birth anniversary after the enactment of law in California. Many prominent people including historians Prof. Stanley Wolpert, Prof. Karen Leonard, and Prof. Ram Mohan Roy, Councilman Harry Sidhu, India Journal Editor Mohinder Singh spoke about the accomplishments and legacy of late Congressman Saund. Assemblyman Bermuda paid glowing tributes to Saund who paved the way for many to follow his footsteps. He also presented a huge plaque with the contents of the resolution to Ellie Ford, daughter of late Congressman Saund.

Back in January 2002, three organizations GOPIO, Indian American Friendship Council and Global Punjabi Diaspora organized a tribute dinner to celebrate 45th anniversary of election victory of late Congressman Dalip Singh Saund. The event was highly publicized; all Indian newspapers in the US published articles about late Congressman Saund. The awareness thus generated encouraged some to organize seminars at other places in the US, prompted college students to write term papers on Saunds contributions, and motivated some organizations to institute awards in Saunds name. Congressman Joe Wilson introduced a bill which called for the placement of a portrait of former Congressman Saund in the US Capitol Building or inside a House office building. Congressman Darrell Issa moved a bill to name a post office building, 'Dalip Singh Saund Post Office Building' in Temecula, Riverside County in California. GOPIO/GPD requested US Stamp Advisory Committee to issue a commemorative stamp on Saunds 50^th election victory in 2006. At GOPIOs request Government of India named one of the conference halls as Dalip Singh Saund Hall at the first Pravasi Bhartiya Divas in New Delhi in 2003.

Although Saund was the first to be elected to a political office, yet very little has been done to promote his legacy. I am glad that since the seminar and banquet of 2002, some efforts have been made to get the Indian American pioneer, the late Congressman Saund, well deserved recognition, said GOPIO president Inder Singh, the chief organizer of the event.

 

TEARS IN PARADISE LAUNCHED IN LOS ANGELES

 

Tears In Paradise by Rajendra Prasad of Auckland, New Zealand was launched last month in Los Angeles. The author had come to USA to promote his book. Back in 1874, many Indians left the shores of India for Fiji. The book, Tears in Paradise chronicles the struggles and successes of those pioneering Indians who were brought to Fiji under the indentured system and made Fiji their home.  

'Tears In Paradise' is a remarkable book on history of Indo-Fijians since their arrival in Fiji 125 years ago. The book describes horrendous violence, unbearable hardships and pangs of loneliness in graphic details that the pioneering generation suffered in the sugarcane fields of Fiji. The author also traces the gradual rise of the community after it got unshackled from the indenture system.

The book is highly recommended to those interested in the study and research of Indian Diaspora, particularly as it relates to the indentured system.

The program was organized by GOPIO and USA-Fiji Business Council at the Renaissance Hotel near Los Angeles Airport on September 14^th.

 

 

DIASPORA YOUTH INTERNSHIP PLANNED FOR DEC./JAN.

 

The Government of Indias Ministry of Overseas Indians (MOIA) has scheduled the next Internship Program for Diaspora Youth (IPDY) as part of the 4^th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas from December 19^th, 2005 to January 6^th, 2006. The 3 week long IPDY will have the following broad outline:

Week 1 Tourism and exposure to Karnataka (arts, culture, business, IT, S&T)

Week 2 Internship with an organization/institute/corporate house in Hyderabad

Week 3 Attachment with the Center for Study of Indian Diaspora, University of Hyderabad, followed by participation at PBD 06 in Hyderabad (Jan. 7-9, 2006)

The participants will have to pay for their international airfare and reach Bangalore latest by Dec. 18^th, 2005 and plan to leave from Hyderabad on termination of the program as from Jan. 10, 2006. During the period of their stay in India, their lodge, board, internal transportation, internship fees, and other charges will be borne by MOIA and the state governments. All participating Interns will be granted gratis visa for their visit to India.

The Indian Consulates, Embassies and High Commissions are inviting nominations of overseas Indian students and/or young professionals of the age group 18-25 years for selecting and recommending to the Govt. of India for the program. Contact the Minister or Consul for Education and Culture at these offices.

You may also contact GOPIO President Inder Singh E-mail: gopio-intl@sbcglobal.net or GOPIO Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran, E-mail: ramsaran@aol.com for more info.

 

 

GUYANA PRESIDENT JAGDEO TO CHAIR WORLD BANK AND IMF BOARDS

Guyana's President Bharrat Jagdeo has been selected as the Chairman of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the coming year, a position that is effective immediately. This is quite a unique accomplishment, one that is reflective of President Jagdeos educational background and leadership in the financial area. The selection marks the first time that a Head of State in the Caribbean to ever hold the Chairmanship of the Boards of Governors since its inception in 1946.

According to a World Bank Group statement, President Jagdeos wide respect among finance and development officials is one of the main reasons for the choice of his candidacy over the others by the Executive Directors representing 34 countries of the Western Hemisphere region at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Every autumn, the 184 member countries represented by a Board of Governors hold their Annual Meetings to discuss a range of issues related to poverty reduction, international economic development and finance. These meetings, which provide a forum for international cooperation, are attended by about 10,000 people, including about 3,500 delegates of the member countries of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, and approximately 1,000 representatives of the media.

 

INDIAN AMERICAN KARAN BHATIA TO BECOME DEPUTY US TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

 

US President George W Bush has announced that he intends to nominate an Indian American, Karan K Bhatia, of Maryland, as Deputy US Trade Representative, with the rank of Ambassador.

Bhatia currently serves as Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs at the Department of Transportation. He previously served as Deputy Undersecretary of Commerce for Industry and Security. Prior to that, Bhatia was Chief Counsel for the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Export Administration. Earlier in his career, he was an equity partner at the law firm of Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering in Washington.

Bhatia received his Bachelor's degree from Princeton, his Master's degree from the London School of Economics, and his JD from Columbia Law School.

 

BHOLA WINS UNESCO AWARD

 

Dr. H.S. Bhola, Professor Emeritus, Indiana University at Bloomington, now an independent researcher and consultant living in Tucson, Arizona has won the UNESCO-UIE International Award for Literacy Research for 2004-05.