GOPIO Conference held To Improve Conditions of Indian Diaspora
By siliconindia   |   Wednesday, 30 November 2011, 00:32 IST
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Fremont: The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International) held its Biennial Convention 2011 from 18 to 20 Nov, 2011 at the Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel in Iselin, New Jersey, U.S. The convention basically spoke about "Issues and Concerns of the Indian Diaspora". The conference assessed, debated, discussed and deliberated on the current, critical issues of concern that confront people of Indian origin of more than 25 million people living in various parts of the world. The convention was inaugurated by Deputy Speaker of New Jersey Assembly, Upendra Chivukula and Trinidad & Tobago's Consul General in New York, Rudrawatee Nan Ramgoolam. Both Chivukula and Ramgoolam lauded GOPIO for its efforts to connect those in the Indian Diaspora and address issues of interest and concern. A memorable souvenir brochure for this convention was released and distributed free of charge to all sponsors, participants, government agencies, members and guests. Elections were held for positions in the new two-year term in the GOPIO Executive Council in accordance with GOPIO's By-Laws and procedures. On 19th Nov, 2011 the convention was inaugurated by Speaker of New Jersey Assembly, Sheila Oliver and Deputy Speaker, Upendra Chivukula. The inaugural session 1 was preceded by GOPIO International Chairman Inder Singh, Co-Chaired by Convention General Convener, Dr Piyush Agrawal. GOPIO Chairperson of Media Council, Munish Gupta, delivered the "Thanks" at the conclusion of the inaugural session. The conference on November 19, 2011 examined issues of:Consular services, property, taxation, foreign accounts disclosures, NRI parents and related issues; issues related to health and wellness; Indian migration and the significance of Kolkata Memorial; Living in Fear: Gender & Inter-generational Abuse; Entrepreneurship and how to leverage the Diaspora networks to jump start new ventures; and challenges and opportunities for political empowerment and successful adaptation in adopted countries. The session "Road to Entrepreneurship: How to Leverage Indian Diaspora Networks to Jump Start new Ventures" was a resounding success. The session featured speakers who related their experiences building highly successful businesses in the USA, India and Guyana. They included Dr. Sid Gautam, Professor, Founder/ Director Center for Entrepreneurship at Methodist University, NC; Shaheen Majeed, Marketing Director, Sabinsa Corporation, Sami Labs & Sami Spice; Yesu Persaud, and Founder of the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED, Guyana; Prof. Piyu Tripathy, Director at Temple City Institute of Technology and Engineering, Bhubaneswar.

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