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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline MAY 10, 2024 | The Indian Eye 20

GOPIO PASSES RESOLUTION FOR FULL

DUAL NATIONALITY AT THE CONVENTION

OUR BUREAU
Stamford, CT

he Global Organization of People of Indian
Origin (GOPIO) celebrated its 35 Anniver-
th
Tsary on April 26-28, 2024 at its Convention
2024 at Royal Albert Palace, Fords, New Jersey,
USA. The convention focused on India’s Present
and the Future and what role the Diaspora Indians
can play in helping to realize this desirable future
with a theme, ‘Opportunities for Diaspora Indians
in India’s Big Manifest Future.’ The convention
ended with General Body passing four resolutions
including one demanding full dual nationality for
Overseas Indian Citizens (OCI) card holders.

The convention was inaugurated with a lamp
lighting ceremony on April 26th followed by
a universal prayer song by GOPIO-Edison

President Pallavi Belwariar and an invo-
cation dance in Kathak style by Mitali Nir- GOPIO Convention 2024 being inaugurated with lighting of the lamp by Ambassador Samuel Hinds,
Deputy Consul General Dr. Varun Jeph and GOPIO Officials
gude-Kaganeb. The chief guest was Guyana
Ambassador to the USA, His Excellency

Samuel Hinds, who earlier had served as the
Prime Minister and President of Guyana. In-
dia’s Deputy Consul General in New York Dr.
Varun Jeph delivered the keynote address.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams issued a ci-
tation honoring the Global Organization of People
of Indian Origin (GOPIO) on the occasion of its
convention and for its contribution to improve life
in New York city. The proclamation was presented
by Deputy Commissioner for International Affairs
Dilip Chauhan who complimented GOPIO for its
outstanding work for the benefit of the Indian Di-
aspora worldwide.
Ambassador Hinds fondly shared Guyana’s
close relation with India and GOPIO, especially
since the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan attended the first
GOPIO Convention in New York and later inaugu-
rated Second Global Convention held in New Del-
hi in 1992 as President of Guyana. Again in 1999,
Guyana President Bharrat Jagdeo inaugurated
GOPIO Convention in New York.
Ambassador Hinds said, “President Jagan had
high regard for GOPIO and was always seeking to New York City Deputy Commissioner Dilip Chauhan presenting citation from Mayor Eric Adams. From l. to r.: Convener
support GOPIO.” Dr. Jagan played a significant Prakash Shah, Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chauhan, Ambassador Samuel Hinds and President Lal Motwani
role in Guyana’s progress. “With oil discovery, Guy-
ana will prosper rapidly,” Ambassador Hinds added.
In his keynote address, Dr. Jeph articulated economy. Dr. Jeph said, “Indian Americans are playing
the tremendous progress India has made in many Dr. Jeph provided India’s growth, success and pivotal role in the US economy with start ups and
arenas and currently being the 5th largest economy potentials with amazing statistics and said that In- other business ventures, while being just over 1% of
of the world and will soon become the third largest dia with 65% of youth has bright prospects. Continued on next page... >>

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