Intro: India's biggest diaspora, Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International) seek policy driven partnership with India
The year 2014 is a watershed year in the history of India and the global Indian Diaspora movement. India was ushered into a new journey on May 26, 2014, with a majority government in Parliament led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). And, the biggest Diaspora organization, the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International), which celebrated its 25th Anniversary (Jubilee) Convention May 27-30, 2014, at Radison Hotel, Port of Spain, Trinidad has with great fervor resolved to now partner with a resurgent India.
GOPIO’s Silver Jubilee celebration coincided with the 169th anniversary of Indian Arrival Day commemoration in Trinidad & Tobago. The convention theme was ‘Indian Diaspora Today & Tomorrow’. There were about 250 delegates from chapters spread across all continents, as well as a unique reception hosted by Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar at her official residence for all participants.
The convention was an historic one as it attracted maximum attendance from countries where Indians arrived almost two centuries ago. The countries of People of Indian Origin (PIOs) as they are called included Malaysia, Fiji, Mauritius, Reunion Islands, South Africa, Suriname, Guyana, Bermuda, West Indies, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Guadaloupe, Martinique and Sri Lanka. GOPIO International of course derives significant strength in countries with 20th century immigrants and participants joined in from USA, Canada, UK, France, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, UAE, Bahrain etc. Also, India was represented in large numbers.
The 2014 GOPIO convention was applauded for the theme that syncs with the introspection by Diaspora organizations in terms of their role in the modern context. There was significant emphasis on cultural and traditional engagement with India for carrying forward the idea of linking with roots. But, as youth has become a significant part of the organization, more than 35 million (independent source – assembled from continental numbers gathered by PIO TV) Indian Diaspora, several cases were made to study and analyze new trends in migration of communities from Indian and Indian Diaspora perspectives.
Throughout the two-day formal conference and informal dialogue, the influential delegates gathered in Trinidad stressed the need to focus on several issues and patterns like: Assimilation in countries of adoption; need for heightened political role by immigrants in their adopted countries; championing the human rights of Indian blue collar workforce especially in the Middle East countries; the growing migration of Indians as white collar Multinational professionals; Indian businesses expanding overseas; and, recognizing the growing number of affluent 2nd through 4th generation young Indians born overseas migrating for opportunities in work and business, including considering India as a destination.
In the context of the rapidly growing India with focus on infrastructure development, new economic order, consumerism, education, skill development, science, technology, innovation and more, GOPIO International delegates were of the view that the connect with motherland (or, grand motherland) India should be escalated from engagement to partnership. And to acknowledge contribution by overseas Indians in all spheres of India’s growth and development, as well as the need for India to harness the power of its Diaspora in bilateral and multilateral foreign relations be given the thrust of policy that must be implemented with gusto.
Another notable highlight of the convention was GOPIO’s biennial election in which the dynamic President Ashook Ramsaran (from Guyana now living in New York) was re-elected with his team intact.
GOPIO delegates were special guests at cultural performances held at National Cultural of Indian Culture (NCIC), during which, unveiling of a historic arrival monument, at Waterloo-by-the-Sea, marking the first arrivals of indentured Indian laborers in Trinidad took placeon 30th May 1845. It must be noted that through GOPIO efforts, supported by Indian High Commissioner in Trinidad & Tobago H.E. Gauri Shankar Gupta, a stupendous monument heralds the land Indians set foot on as indentured laborers and one of them today has risen to be serving as the Prime Minister, Kamla Prasad.
It is a secular, nonpartisan, non-sectarian, not-for-profit global organization engaged in prompting the wellbeing of non resident Indians and people of Indian origin, enhancing interaction and communication between these groups living in different countries and in furthering their linkages with India. This essence was highlighted in the remarks of Prime Minister Kamala who was nostalgic in remembering her visit in 2012 to the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) held in Jaipur, Rajasthan, and then to the Kolkata Memorial at Port Trust, the point that marks the beginning of the journey of hundreds of thousands of Indians as indentured laborers who are now its affluent and influential Diaspora in tens of countries. Earlier, upon arrival at the PM Kamla's residence, GOPIO delegates were enchanted with a warm welcome by a receiving line and tassa drums at the entrance. In attendance were several ministers and members of parliament of the Government of Trinidad & Tobago. The evening included a special celebratory treat of Caribbean and Indian music with delegates joining in dancing.
GOPIO International began with 3,000 plus delegates gathering in New York’s plush Manhattan district in September 1989 to then underline the need for the community coalesce and protect the human rights of Indians living around the world. In contrast, 25 years hence, the Indian Diaspora has attained stature as Nobel Laureates, Heads of States, Politicians, Academics, Professionals, IT wiz kids, including notching up top positions in 50 richest in the world.
GOPIO International delegates that included speakers and presenters were: Dr. Chan Misier ( Chairman, Surichange Bank NV, Netherlands & Suriname); Dr Yesu Persaud, Chairman Demerara Bank, Demerara Distilleries (Guyana); Deo Gosine (Founder & President of Labidco Port Services, Trinidad & Tobago), Dr. Sid Gautam (Center for Entrepreneurship, USA), Ishwar Ramlutchman (Founder & Chairman, AC Industrial, South Africa); Ashok Motwani (DNN News, India). Romanee Kalicharran (USA) made a special film presentation of “The Voyage”.
Conference Sessions were: Inaugural Session I: Indian Diaspora Today & Tomorrow; Session II: The Indian Diaspora: Issues, Challenges & Opportunities; Session III: Global & Regional Diaspora Investments & Economic Opportunities; Session IV: Diaspora’s Youth, Children, Gender & Inter-Generational Issues; Session V: Multi-Cultural Diversity & Inter-Ethnic Cooperation in the Indian Diaspora; Session VI: Education, Science & Technology as Significant Assets in the Indian Diaspora; Session VII: Health, Wellness, Lifestyle & Nutritional Factors in the Indian Diaspora; Session VIII: GOPIO’s 25th Anniversary Resolutions.
In attendance was Indian High Commissioner to Trinidad & Tobago, HE Gauri Gupta; Trinidad & Tobago’s Minister of Trade & Investment, Dr. Vasant Bharath; and Min. Ramona Ramdial, Minister in the Ministry of Environment & Water Resources.
The Indian Arrival Monument at Waterloo-by-the-Sea was unveiled on 30th May 2014. The monument is another commemorative milestone of the first arrivals of indentured Indian laborers in Trinidad & Tobago. This project was initiated by GOPIO in similar manner as with the Kolkata Memorial in India (2011) and Indian Arrival Monument in Guyana (2013).
-Munish Gupta (The writer is Executive Council Member & International Coordinator-Africa, Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) International)
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