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SPEAKING FROM THE CHAIR
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Selvarajoo Sundram, Chairman, GOPIO International based in Kuala Lumpur was part of the pioneering process that saw the formation of this global body in the late 1980s. Today, Sundram’s task is cut out. He voiced his views and concerns to INDIA EMPIRE even as he tapped into his networks within the Indian community ahead of December’s 9th GOPIO International Convention
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GOPIO is doing, and will continue to do everything that is in tune with current lines of globalization, not in conflict with globalization. There is a tremendous momentum that has been achieved as a result of the five Pravasi Bharatiya Divas events held in India between 2003 and 2007. The events have been a celebration of the Indian diaspora on the one hand, and India’s socio-cultural and intellectual richness on the other. In one single venue, we the PIOs, get to interact with all state CEOs with an open invitation to participate in the economy of the states. All this is truly motivating and morale boosting, for at no time in the past was this kind of a platform available to the Indian diaspora. The back up comes in the form of PIO cards and the announcement of a PIO University in India.
Having said that, the time has now come for the PBD events to take things to the next higher level. India for me is still hesitant on diaspora issues. The mainstream PIOs are not able to benefit or participate in the new, liberalizing, young India. At an annual growth rate of 8 per cent, we can see India as a bottomless well of wealth for the next 30 years. Why cannot PIOs be a part and parcel of this growth? There are only about 25 million of us. We need integration in the budget, and for this there must be a pre-budget dialogue with PIOs.
Look at the Chinese diaspora. For the last 15 years, it has contributed US $ 50 to 60 billion annually in investments back into China.
The blueprint for the next phase of GOPIO has to be a global effort. It needs to be materialized by the joint efforts of all GOPIO country chapters. Partnership support will be sourced from Governments, international institutions and civil society organizations. A principal guideline is to network and partner with all like-minded institutions and civil societies for the synergetic growth of PIO communities. Further, the activities of GOPIO should be contributive towards the well-being of all and towards global peace.
The VIIth Convention in 2003 also observed that the global PIO community is a diverse community and that its diversity is its strength. GOPIO’s strength will be in providing for the diversity through the numerous sectors of activities and partnering with PIO sister organizations. The sectors will be encouraged and mandated to develop parallel global bodies for their focused areas of interest. A good example is the GOPIO Business Sector that organizes conferences at national, regional and global levels. A world council of PIO chambers is a worthy objective.
Also, the proclamation of the PIO Capital in Mauritius and holding the VIIth GOPIO International Convention in 2003 under the aegis of the Government of Mauritius, was another important step forward for GOPIO. The PIO Capital in Mauritius is an additional opportunity to nurture and to develop an economic hub for the global PIOs. Mauritius as the PIO Capital for the diaspora is strategically situated in the middle of an international time zone and is one of the few countries conversant in both English and French. GOPIO will articulate to encourage the PIO entrepreneurs to operate their representative business offices in Mauritius.
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GOPIO STRONGMAN
 Dr Kamalanathan Sappani, Secretary General, GOPIO International, is based out of Kuala Lumpur. Hugely passionate about India, he wants to do everything that he can to network the Indian community in Malaysia to have a strong voice
Malaysian Indians are hugely marginalized. There was a time until the 1970s when Malaysian Indians occupied 60 - 70 per cent jobs in important sectors like telecommunications, irrigation, water, and utility services. Systematically, Indians have been removed and are now totally marginalized, as a community we are now almost on the verge of extinction in the Government.
We at the GOPIO urge large Indian companies like Infosys to invite Malaysian Indians to get hands on experience. Many Indians from Malaysia want to study in India. By studying in India, one is in touch with one’s roots, and that is very important. I studied medicine in India, and that made a huge difference to me. I’m sure, greater the economic success of India, greater will be the opportunities for Malaysian Indians.
We want to tell the Government of India that for contracts to be awarded in Malaysia to Indian firms, it is required to have at least 50 per cent Bhumiputra participation. Similarly, Malaysian companies in India must also have similar Indian participation. And in the areas of infrastructure and road building, special privileges must be given to Malaysian Indian firms.
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August 2007
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