‘Global Indian Diaspora: GOPIO making an impact, written by Sayantan Chakravarty (Editor of the New Delhi based ‘India Empire’) is an informative book on People of Indian Origin (PIO) worldwide.
It outlines the history and achievements of the Diaspora and highlights the involvement of Indian immigrants in the economic growth of their adopted lands.
Mr Chakravarty talks about the issues raised by Indians in various countries and the aims, objectives and achievements of the ‘Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin,’ (GOPIO), the only worldwide body of its kind.
GOPIO was formed in 1989 in response to millions of Indians who migrated from their homeland and to cater to the needs of the growing diversity in Indian language and culture in their adopted lands.
Mr Chakravarty says that GOPIO aims to understand the needs of Indian immigrants and promote their best interests.
Impressive initiatives
The Book outlines the main objectives of GOPIO and its efforts to protect the evolving interests of PIO. It also features the major accomplishments of GOPIO and outlines the on-going work on a number of issues taken up with the federal and state governments in India. Some of these issues include voting rights, fraudulent marriages, property ownership and dual citizenship.
GOPIO’s efforts resulted in the launch of the ‘Overseas Citizenship’ scheme, grant of voting rights to Non-Resident Indians (holders of Indian passports) in their respective constituencies and incentives for investment. The ‘Kolkata Memorial,’ paying tributes to Indians who were taken as indentured labourers to various parts of the world, was a GOPIO-initiated project, inaugurated by Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi in Kolkata on January 11, 2011.
Nobel Laureates
Mr Chakravarty draws attention to Nobel Prize winners of the Diaspora.
Among the highlights of the Book are the profiles of GOPIO Chapters and Life-Members.
The profile on GOPIO NZ has a brief mention of all the Chapters in New Zealand and the current Executive Members. The profile includes information on major events and projects held in 2011. Some of these were the seminar on Family Violence addressed by Manukau District Court Judge Dr Ajit Swaran Singh, the one-day fast in support of the anti-corruption movement by Anna Hazare (held at Auckland CBD), an interactive meeting held with US based author Dr Parmatma Saran and the donations made to the St Johns Ambulance Fund and to Christchurch Earthquake Fund.
‘Global Indian Diaspora: GOPIO making an impact’ provides an insight into the issues faced by PIO and their achievements throughout the world.
It draws attention to GOPIO and how it has continued to promote the best interests of the communities it serves.
This Book is worthy of your Coffee Table.
Alkesh Sharma is the President of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) New Zealand Branch, which has 12 Chapters throughout the country.
