BANGALORE: NRIs, ill prepared for the sudden demonetization of high value currency notes in India would be among the hardest hit. “One group that will be hit hard by the government’s restrictions will be hundreds of delegates reaching Bengaluru for the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention from all over the world,” said Sunny Kulathakal, Convention Convener and GOPIO’s Global Ambassador.
He added that many of them have in their possession demonetized currency notes that they may find difficult to exchange on arrival in India. GOPIO has requested the government to facilitate the exchange of these notes at various Indian embassies or other means.
Earlier, GOPIO President Niraj Baxi wrote to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to extend by six months the cut-off date for depositing the demonetized notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 denominations.
“NRIs and PIOs should be allowed to exchange whatever amount they have as long as they show the proof of past conversion of foreign currency to Indian currency in the last 10 years,” said Thomas Abraham, Chairman of GOPIO International.
GOPIO will discuss this and other issues at the convention in Bangalore on January 5 and 6 at Hotel Le Meridien, Bengaluru. Union Minister of State for External Affairs M. J. Akbar will inaugurate the Convention at 4 PM on 5th. The Chief Ministers of Southern States of India and other prominent personalities will attend.
On 6th morning Dr. Shashi Tharoor, MP will inaugurate the panel discussion on Diaspora issues. It will be followed by panel dialogue on philanthropy by Lord Dilgit Rana, Lord Raj Loomba and others. Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien will be attending the valedictory function.
The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) is hosting its convention on January 5 and 6, at Hotel Le Meridien, Bengaluru in conjunction with Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conducted by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
This convention in Bengaluru attracts investors, political functionaries, business leaders from India and abroad and would be an important milestone which will chart out a course of action for the future.
GOPIO, founded in New York in 1989, has been serving the 30 million global Indian communities for the last 27 years. GOPIO serves as an effective platform to channel NRI/PIO talents and investments to India their motherland.
Over the years, GOPIO has taken up issues of civil rights and human rights violations of the Indian Diaspora around the world and are pleased to say that our communities have joined the political mainstream in many of the Diaspora countries. The philanthropic and social causes undertaken by GOPIO among the needy and distressed NRIs and PIOs are acclaimed by one and all.
The Awards Banquet function at 7 pm on January 6 will be attended by Governor Vajubhai Vala, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other dignitaries. GOPIO Community Service Awards will also be presented at the Finale Banquet event. This year’s awardees are as follows:
Abraham M. George, New Jersey, USA and Tamil Nadu, India: Abraham M. George is engaged in several social projects including: Shanti Bhavan Residential School for children from socially and economically disadvantaged families; Indian Institute of Journalism & New Media (IIJNM)
Chandu Patel, California USA: Chandu Patel has set up the Sabarkantha Health and Research Foundation (SHRF) to augment the state’s healthcare system. He started Krishna General Hospital in Himatnagar and plans to upgrade it to a medical college.
Dr. George Cherian, Bahrain: After a 25 year career in Neonatology that spanned 3 continents, for the last 7 years Dr. Cherian has taken leadership of the American Mission Hospital in Bahrain. The hospital has been providing high quality care regardless of the ability to pay for the last 120 years.
Vinod Patel, Fiji: Vinod Chandra Patel has served Town and District of Ba as a Councilor and Mayor and as an elected Member of Parliament of Fiji on two occasions. His contributions have been in the field of Education, Sports, Religion, Community Health, Local Government, and National Government and in Community and Philanthropy.
Ram Buxani, Dubai, UAE: Dr. Ram Buxani is a three time Forbes awardee. He is the Chairman of the ITL-Cosmos Group, a diversified global business entity.
He is a visionary entrepreneur, endowed with unfailing business acumen. His autobiography “Taking the High Road”, is now in its second edition.
Naliandra (Jay) Naidu, Durban, South Africa: Jay is currently employed as group head (home care) for Amka, a major toiletry and household company in South Africa. He has been with Amka for 28 years. He studied marketing and sales at various business institutions in South Africa.
PRAKASH M SWAMY
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