The New Delhi based Global Indian Association (GIA) launched a round-the-clock service to assist resident and visiting overseas Indians in need of help.
GIA is a national body and is distinct from the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), which has its headquarters in the US, with Chapters in a number of countries including New Zealand.
Inaugurating the ‘Helpline Service’ in New Delhi on December 1, All India Congress Committee (AICC) Secretary Tom Vadakkan said that such a service was of great importance with the growing Indian Diaspora throughout the world.
“I hope that overseas Indians who are in need will use this 24-hour, seven-day-week service and I also hope that the Association will publicise it adequately for the benefit of all overseas Indians,” he said.
GIA President Rajeev Joseph said that apart from providing information to callers, the helpline will try to address the grievances of overseas Indians.
Addressing problems
“We will seek the intervention of the Central and State Governments wherever necessary. Our service will include assistance on issues to Indian living aboard with their families in India,” he said.
Among the others present at the modest inaugural function at the GIA were Jobin Xavier, Sajan Jose, Shajan Thomas, Savio Peter and Sijo John.
The Association was established in 2005 as a charitable trust to be a “part of a network to help overseas Indians who become victims of unscrupulous employers and oppressive governments.”
Mr Joseph, who toured the world on a bicycle as a teenager promoting peace and harmony, realised the need for a global organisation based in India to offer support and assistance to people of Indian origin around the globe.
“Former Indian President Shankar Dayal Sharma encouraged me to work for Indians who become victims of apathy and ‘draconian laws’ and languishing in jails in some countries. My passion for such an organisation grew as I lived as a Non-Resident Indian in a foreign country,” he said.
Helpful initiatives
He said that GIA has planned a series of initiatives for NRIs and Indians who have returned to India.
“I welcome overseas organisations to join hands with us to realise the objectives of helping Indians in distress,” he said.
GIA presents its ‘GIA International Excellence Awards’ to PIO who have distinguished themselves in various fields. These awards are presented on the side-lines of the ‘Pravasai Bharatiya Divas’ organised by the Overseas Indian Affairs of the Government of India every year in January.
Judge Ajit Swaran Singh of Auckland District Court received the Award at a ceremony held in New Delhi on January 10, 2012.
Youth Festivals
GIA will participate in Indian Youth Festivals scheduled to be held next year in London (UK), Berne (Switzerland), Warsaw (Poland), Sydney (Australia), Singapore, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Johannesburg (South Africa) and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).
Voting Rights
GIA launched a campaign in May 2012 to secure voting rights for about 30 million NRIs for the general election in 2014.
The Indian Government recently granted a concession to NRIs (those holding Indian Passports) to vote in the general election if they were present in their constituency on the day of polling. GIA wants the federal government in Delhi to facilitate postal voting system.
“NRIs must be able to cast their votes in General Election under the supervision of Indian Embassies, Consulates at the respective countries of NRIs. Our stand is that there should be a viable mechanism to implement the right to vote,” Mr Joseph told Indian Newslink (June 1, 2012 issue).
The Helpline can be accessed on +9818342949
Email: global.indian.association@gmail.com
Website: www.giadelhi.com
