Perspectives
“…Since its inception 20 years ago, GOPIO has made remarkable progress as the global organisation representing the interests of over 25 million persons of Indian origin living outside of India. As the number of persons of Indian origin living in other countries continues to increase, GOPIO’s role becomes more important and timely as it continues to reach out to persons of Indian origin living in more countries…
The Crowne Plaza Hotel in New York provided the centerpiece for the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) 20th Anniversary Celebration, from Thursday, August 20 through Sunday, August 23, 2009; the GOPIO’s theme was “People of Indian Origin: Strengthening Global Connections.”

GOPIO was born in 1989 at the first Convention of People of Indian Origin (PIO) where it endorsed 23 Resolutions, including the PIO Card and Dual Citizenship for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and PIOs from the Government of India.

GOPIO filed human rights violations petition to the United Nations for the PIOs in Fiji in 1990 and for those in Sri Lanka in 1992, among a host of other significant accomplishments lobbying to promote the NRI/PIO interests.

Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh observed in his message to this Convention that “…GOPIO has emerged as a leading organisation providing a unique platform for the vast Indian overseas community for promoting their interests and realizing their aspirations. It has contributed significantly in the process of engagement between the Government of India and the Indian Diaspora. The bonds between the motherland and the people of Indian origin across the globe are valuable and precious…”

Our own President Bharrat Jagdeo in his message observed that “…Since its inception 20 years ago, GOPIO has made remarkable progress as the global organisation representing the interests of over 25 million persons of Indian origin living outside of India. As the number of persons of Indian origin living in other countries continues to increase, GOPIO’s role becomes more important and timely as it continues to reach out to persons of Indian origin living in more countries…”

Prime Minister of Mauritius Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam observed: “…Whatever the country they have settled in, people of Indian origin have made it a point to preserve and promote their rich cultural heritage. I am glad to note that the GOPIO is allowing Indian culture a significant space within its program activities. Indeed, no development can be considered complete without the cultural dimension…”

Some of the Sessions covered themes as: India & the Global Economy; Indian Diaspora – Prospects and Challenges in the Emerging Global Economy; Diaspora in India’s Development; India’s Diaspora in Social development – What Could We Do?; Energizing the Global Indian Diaspora; Living/Pioneers – Global Perspective on Indian Elders; The Global Indian Diaspora: Then and Now; The Next Generation; The Global Indian Diaspora: Inter-Ethnic Relations; The Global Indian Diaspora: The Family unit Including Women and Inter-Generational Issues.

Some of the participants included the following: Lord Diljit Rana, House of Lords, Great Britain; Hon. Basdeo Panday, Opposition Leader, T&T; Hon. Logie Naidoo, Deputy Mayor, South Africa; Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Professor of economics and Jagdish Bhagwati Professor of Indian Political Economy, Columbia University; B.C. Gupta, Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Government of Punjab, India; Aruneshwar Gupta, Former Advocate General of Rajasthan; Dr. Raj Warrier, Vice Chancellor, Manipal University, India; Professor Chandrashakhar Bhat, Former Professor, University of Hyderabad; Professor Parmatma Saran, City University of New York; Professor Mohan Gautam, Leiden University, Netherlands, Yesu Persaud, Caribbean Council of Europe; among many ‘distinguished’ others.

There is growing need to have a working relationship of Overseas Indians with India, amid a fiercely brutal economic globalization process; and given, too, that India is fast emerging as a global economic super power.

As Nehru said, each Indian takes a piece of India to the new abode. However, any chance of limited political and economic networking among Overseas Indians, notwithstanding their many notable accomplishments, guarantees a reduced prevalence of their culture in the major institutions of multiracial societies; the reduced prevalence drives a wedge between India and Overseas Indians.

And GOPIO, among its several mandates, ensures that this limited prevalence has no sustainability.