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International

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PIO Meet in Mumbai to Discuss India
& Role of NRIs/PIOs
Six PIOs to be honored

NRIPULSE NEWS DESK

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) has scheduled GOPIO Conference 2004 in Mumbai on January 5th and 6th in conjunction with Pravasi Bharatiys Divas. The program will be held at Taj Mahal Hotel on Jan. 5th and Taj President Hotel on Jan. 6th. About 300 delegates from 25 countries are expected to attend. The conference theme is "India and NRIs/PIOs – Role, Relationship and Responsibility."

The program will start a with session on Country and Region Reports highlighting the issues and perspectives of the NRI/PIO communities from six regions of the world. This will be followed by a media conclave which will discuss Indian Diaspora and Media. About eight journalists from difference regions of the world will participate which will be keynoted by Kumar Ketkar, editor of the well known Maharashtrian newspapers Loksatta and Maharshtra Times. The conference will be officially inaugurated on Jan. 5th evening with the following dignitaries as speakers: Lord Navnit Dholakia (Deputy Leader of the House of Lords and President, Liberal Democrat Party, UK; Basdeo Panday MP (Former Prime Minister and Leaders of the Opposition, Trinidad and Tobago).

GOPIO has set up an Academic Council headed by Dr. Jagat Motwani and will be inaugurated on Jan. 6th morning at Taj President Hotel. The keynote speaker will be Panday, Former Fiji Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhri will be the other speaker. The Academic Council will develop a network among those who conduct Indian Diaspora studies.

The conference will have three sessions as follows:
(1) Indian Diaspora, Social, Political and Economic Issues
(2) GOPIO.Connect – Helping in Developmental, Philanthropic and Education Activities
(3) Business, Technology and Investments
Each session would have several speakers and has been organized with audience participation. The keynote addresses in the Business and Technology session will be delivered by Kapil Sibal, Minister of State, Science and Technology.

The convention will conclude with an Awards Banquet. Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs, Jagdish Tytler will be speak at the banquet. GOPIO has selected six persons among NRIs/PIOs to receive the awards and a special award to Tata Consultancy Services for its contribution to expanding Indian Diaspora by sending Indian IT professionals throughout the world. GOPIO will also induct four PIO political leaders into GOPIO Honor Roll as follows: Former Fiji Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry, Former Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, United Kingdom House of Lords Deputy Leader Navnit Dholakia and Malaysian Minister Dato Seri Samy Vellu.
GOPIO International is headed by Dr. Thomas Abraham as chairman and Inder Singh is president. The conference in Mumbai is being coordinated by GOPIO-Mumbai Coordinator V. Balachandran.

Brief Profiles of Awardees.

	Farook Khan A journalist by profession, a Gandhian in heart and campaigner of animal rights in passion, Mr. Mahomed Farook Khan Adikary of Pietermaritzburg (South Africa) has been among the front line of protestors and activist for social welfare. He has raised funds for building of schools, hospitals and community centres. Mr Adikary is associated with voluntary work providing food and clothing for children, the elderly and the indigent. He is actively involved in working to improve relations between South Africa and India.
	Keshavlal Amrutlal Shah alias Kishore Bhai Mr Kishore Bhai has dedicated his entire life for the community development and charity work in India and in preserving Indian culture and heritage. Kishore Bhai has been a crusader for animal rights and is the recipient of the Mahavir International Awards by the UN Organization and Commonwealth Associations. Through the various Trusts he is associated with, he has organized Eye Camps for poor and unprivileged and assistance people affected by the Gujarat earthquake and has given education relief to needy children.
	Uka Solanki Mr. Uka Solanki is a strong supporter of educational and medical charity activities and has been associated with charitable and community service in India, US and other North American countries too. Through his Trust activities, he has provided medical attention to the needy people and donated funds for earthquake victims. Recipient of Paul P. Harris award for his international humanitarianism from the Rotary he has provided Endowment to promote Indian culture and heritage in US university funds.
	John Mathai John Mathai has been a prominent leader of the two million strong Indian expatriate community in Dubai. He has contributed towards the all-round welfare, progress and uplifting of the community in several crisis situations, particularly during the two crucial Amnesty periods in the 1990's when tens of thousands of illegal Indian immigrants were forced out of the UAE. Mr. John has been bestowed with several awards and accolades for his social and humanitarian works.
	Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj Born in Trinidad of Indian parents and studied law in the United Kingdom, Lawrence Maharaj was a Member of Parliament. He practiced law in the Courts of Trinidad and Tobago and before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and was successful in creating several landmark judicial decisions which strengthened the rights of the oppressed and weaker sections of the society. He established the Human Rights Bureau in Trinidad and Tobago in 1978. He was appointed Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs in 1996 under the premiership of Mr. Basdeo Panday and served until 2001.
	Dato' Dr T Marimuthu Dato' Dr Marimuthu is a distinguished Malaysian who has made a mark both in academia and public life. After 20 years of service in the University of Malaya, he left the university in 1990 to enter public life. He served as Deputy Minister of Agriculture and thereafter became a Senator in the Parliament and holds various important positions in the Parliamentary Committees. Dato' Marimuthu has served as consultant to various international organizations such as UNESCO, NDI and the World Bank and has books and articles in the field of sociology of education.
	SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD S. Ramadorai, CEO of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Mumbai By placing Indian computer professionals around the world, TCS has provided a great service in the expansion of NRI/PIO communities through out the world. S.Ramadorai, CEO of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Mumbai started his career in 1972 as a junior engineer in the same organization which he is heading since 1996. During his stewardship TCS grew into the country’s first global billion dollar software organization, earning $ 1.5 billion revenue in FY 2004, an increase of 29% over fiscal year 2003. His leadership was recognized in 2002 by the Asia Business Leader Award in 2002 in recognition of his 30 year service in inspiring and motivating 30,000 employees located in about 32 countries. GOPIO recognizes Ramadorai and TCS for their contribution in expanding Indian Diaspora.