GOPIO Kochi Convention

Dear Friends,

To discuss about the details of GOPIO Kochi Convention 2013 and registration of 

GOPIO Kochi  chapter we have to meet at 7.00 p.m on Friday the 30th Nov 2012 

at Presidency Hotel.

Please make it convenient to attend

Regards

Sunny Kulathakal

Exec. Vice president, GOPIO International

GOPIO Kochi Chapter

Dear All,

The next meeting of the GOPIO Kochi Chapter will be  held at 7.00 p.m on Tuesday , 

the 23rd Oct 2012 at The Presidency Hotel, Ernakulam North.

The main agenda will be the registration of Kochi Chapter and the GOPIO  Kochi Convention 2013 on 5th & 6th Jan 2013.

Kindly make it convenient to attend the meeting followed by dinner.

With best wishes & regards

Sunny Kulathakal

Exec.Vice President-GOPIO International

Chairman, GOPIO Kochi Convention 2013

(M)+44-7812539464cf

gopio convention

gopio london chapter

Under the patronage of Mr. Veerendra Sharma M.P. the London Chapter of GOPIO will be inaugurated on 16^th Oct. 2012 in the London Parliament.This was decided by a meeting by Mr. Sunny Kulathakal, Executive Vice President of GOPIO with Mr.Sharma yesterday at Southal. Mr.Sharma will be attending the GOPIO Cochin Convention on 6^th Jan 2013. Those who wish to attend the GOPIO  London Chapter inauguration  on 16^th Oct 16^th in London Parliament may contact Mr.Kulathakal on (M) +44-78-12539464

BOOK RELEASE IN LONDON

“An Introduction to Kerala Studies” – The first reference cum Text book on Kerala

kerala studies
www.bookonkerala.com/pho :9495664963/9736992550/

Book Description

This Book on Kerala offers students up to date information on a state of exceptional
importance and interest located on the southernmost part of India. 100 professors and
authors drawing from their experience have contributed 85 chapters in varied subjects.
The chapters are clear, thought provoking and serve as a thorough introduction
to history, culture, anthropology, sociology, philosophy, politics, language and
literature, religions, economics, developmental studies, international studies, tourism,
environment, biodiversity and ecology of Kerala, a scenic region in India, worth for
exploration, study, research and root tourism.

Target Readers

The International Institute for Scientific and academic Collaboration has been working
with professors and experts from all over the globe to put together a book on Kerala
called “ An Introduction to Kerala Studies”, this book will serve three purposes:

The first is to educate second generation Keralites living outside Kerala about their home
culture and society. There are an estimated two million non-resident Keralites living
outside Kerala. For their high school and college age children, this book will introduce
the rich legacy and complex culture of their ancestral land.

Secondly the book is intended to inform foreign students who are interested in South
Indian culture, which could be especially helpful if they plan on traveling to Kerala
during study abroad tour. This will serve as a valuable reference book on a region where
no such suitable book currently exists. It can also be used as a text book in institution of
higher education for courses such as Indology, South Asian Studies etc.

Thirdly, the book will serve as the basis for introducing course on Kerala studies in
identified US/Foreign universities during summer months for the benefit of Malayalee
Diaspora. Already universities in NewYork, New Jersey and Chicago agreed in principle
to introduce such courses with the support of Malayalee communities in US. Our institute
has already established faculty-led Kerala studies programs with Kerala since 2009.
Please visit our web site www.iisac.org for course content and syllabus.

Authors and subjects

The book is comprised of a series of articles covering a vast array of topics that serve
to give an overview of the entire region of Kerala. A team of experts constituted
the Editorial team headed by Prof. Dr. J.V Vilanilam, former vice chancellor of
Kerala University. A team of experts constituted the editorial team headed by Prof.
Dr. J.V Vilanilam, former vice-chancellor of Kerala University. The contributors
are internationally known experts, professors and researchers in Kerala studies. The
topics covered include: History, Society, Culture and Religions; Biodiversity and
Agriculture; Politics and Economy; Education and Health Practices; Print and Visual
Media, Language, Literature and Personalities; Diaspora studies, Kerala’s International
contributions; and Tourism studies. Each section is additionally broken down into
individual topics that are key elements of what makes Kerala so different from other
Indian states. The book carries 85 chapters in two volumes of 1200 pages.

The world renowned writer, speaker, diplomat and an authority on India studies Dr.
Sashi Tharoor is giving the introduction chapter while Dr. Rajasekharan Pillai (Advisor
to Kerala govt. on higher education and VC of Indira Gandhi University) is giving the
foreword for this unique book on Kerala. Dr. Babu Paul is giving “Afterward” for the
book. Please visit the web site of the book www.bookonkerala.com.

Pre-publication release
The pre-publication release of the book was done by the hon. Chief minister of Kerala
at Thiruvanathapuram on December 30, 2011. The first edition will reach over 5000
families, businesses and academic institutions all over the world. Also we plan to
distribute 1000 copies to libraries world wide. The second edition of the book will follow
shortly after getting the public/academic responses of the book and our ultimate aim to
make the book available for every Malayali Pravasis family all over the world.

Book review

“The makers of this book have done a commendable job in bringing together the
expertise, scholarship and experience on Kerala from all over the globe that the book
truly becomes a global and universal one. The logical and progressive organization of the
book in to various thematic sections and selection of chapters at the introductory, middle
and advanced levels make the book appealing and existing of all categories of readers-
the layman and the learned alike. Each page of the book, with enthralling pictures and
figures very well capture the enchanting beauty and unravel paradoxical magic of Kerala
that every Malayalee can treasure”.
/9736992550/

Gopio Kochi Chapter

 

 

Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Cochin Chapter was initiated at a dinner meeting held atPresidency Hotel at 7.30 p.m. on Monday, 13th August, 2012. Mr. Sunny Kulathakal, Executive Vice President ofGOPIO presided over the meeting. The following former NRIs and prominent people attended:-
1) Jose Thomas
2) Kurian Abraham
3) M. K. Harikumar
4) Babu Varghese
5) Jose P. L.
6) Jose Pudukaden
7) K. V. Prakash
8) Alex S. M.
9) Paul Vadassery
10) T. P. M. Ibrahim Khan
11) Nibu Mathew
12) James Kurian
13) Mohan Thomas
14) V. B. Cherian
15) T. B. Venugopal

Dr. Philip Augustine, Mr. Sivadasa Menon and Eng. Roy Abraham expressed their inability to attend but extend allsupport for GOPIO activities.
Mr.Kulathakal explained the salient features and purpose of GOPIO. He mentioned that Cochin Chapter willtake the lead in conducting GOPIO convention 2013 on 5th and 6th January, 2013 in conjuction with the PravasiMeeting.Mr. Ibrahim Khan was elected as the convener of Cochin GOPIO convention 2013. Mr. Sivadasa Menon’s
name was suggested as the President of GOPIO Cochin Chapter. Since he was engaged in other activities, Mr. Menonwanted to work as a member to start with. Lakeshore Hospital M. D. Dr. Philip Augustin has agreed to be the President
and Dharam Publication Editor Mr. Kurian Abraham as Vice President. Former Chamber of Commerce President, Mr.Jose Thomas was elected as the General Secretary, Advocate K. V. Prakash as Joint Secretary and CEO of Presidency
Hotel Mr. Nibu Mathew as Treasurer.Advocate Babu Varghese, Advocate James Kurian, CEO of HiFx IT and Media Services Mr. MohanThomas, former NRI and MD of East Fort Medical Centre Mr. Jose Puthukadan, Senior Special Councel (Govt. of
India) Mr. T. P. M. Ibrahim Khan and Director of Blossoms Training Institute Mr. P. L. Jose will be in the Executive
Committee.

Jose Thomas,
General Secretary.

K. V. Prakash,
Jt. Secretary.

It was an emotional journey back in time for the proud inheritor of a
legacy of grit, sweat and tears. Hon.Kamla Persad Bissessar, Prime
Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, who is on a 10-day official visit to
India, chose to spend a day tracing her roots. After an eventful trip
to her ancestral Buxar village in Bihar she paid a historic visit to
Kolkata Memorial symbolizing the emotional and cultural bond among
the descendants of millions of indentured labourers who had left the
Indian shores from 1834-1920. The memorial was erected through the
initiative of Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO)
at the spot from where the multitude of labourers set sail to far off
lands including Trinidad.


On January 11, the banks of Hooghly river reverberated with echoes
from the past as the first Indian-origin Prime Minister of Trinidad
and Tobago paid glowing tributes to her ancestors’ courage to brave
adversities to ensure a better life for their progeny. Draped in a red
sari, she walked around the memorial offering flowers in full media
blaze. She also planted a sapling at the harbor. She remarked, ‘’I
wish my grandfather and father were here holding my hand,’’ while
struggling to hold back tears.


Earlier the visiting Prime Minister attended a dinner hosted in her
honour by GOPIO. Addressing the gathering she lauded the efforts of
GOPIO in bringing the global Indian diaspora closer. She shared the
global perception that PIOs have become highly successful in their
chosen fields as business men or professionals. She said the people of
Indian Origin who constitute 42 per cent of the population of her
country have managed to keep alive the values, traditions and
festivals of their forefathers. While thanking the GOPIO for the
gracious hospitality, she assured the organization of her government’s
help in all its efforts towards a better world and a better Trinidad
and Tobago.


Mr.Sunny Kulathakal,Executive Vice President, GOPIO, in his address
explained the historical and cultural significance of Kolkata
Memorial. ‘’The Kolkata Memorial is of meaningful significance with



shared sentiments among millions of descendants of those who left
India as indentured labourers from 1834-1920. The memorial has been
well received by the global Indian diaspora. Cogratulating the Prime
Minister on her being conferred the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya
Samman award, he termed her visit to the memorial as a great honour to
the memory of indentured labourers.

Mr.Malay Mishra, India’s High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago,
urged GOPIO to broaden its activities in Trinidad to make it more
effective. Mr.Chanderdatt Singh, High Commissioner of Trinidad and
Tobago in India, West Bengal minister Mr.Sudarshan Ghosh, Mr.P.Roy,
Director, Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Minister
for Foreign Affairs, Trinidad and Tobago, Dr.Rambachan, spoke. While
Mr.Aravind Sood welcomed the gathering Mr.Mridul Pathak, GOPIO
co-ordinator, proposed a vote of thanks.
(EOM)