A new Chapter of GOPIO is launched

Jun 13, 2008 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
I write to applaud Guyanese settled in the Bronx and Upstate New York who have come together to form a Chapter of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO).
There are similar chapters in Queens and in several countries including Guyana. The main branch of GOPIO was launched at a convention in 1989 at which Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Yesu Persaud, and a host of other prominent Guyanese, including Ravi Dev, Dr. Baytoram Ramharack, Vishnu Bisram, among others, made presentations and or assisted in its launching.
Subsequently, President Jagan inaugurated the second convention in New Delhi and Jagdeo inaugurated the organisation’s third convention in 2001 in Queens.

The fourth convention is scheduled for Queens next year. One of the objectives of GOPIO is to pool resources of the large Indian Diaspora to assist developing countries like India and Guyana.

It is felt that the professional expertise and resources of Diaspora Indians can be pooled and put to use efficiently to help these countries. This is one of the objectives that motivated Guyanese in the Bronx to form a chapter in that county.
The organisers of the new GOPIO chapter explained that one of its aims is to inspire Guyanese and other West Indians to play a vital role in the socio-politico, economic and cultural development of their community as well as voice their concerns on issues affecting them in the Bronx.
The organisers also said they will seek ways to assist Guyana. The formation of this organisation has made the news internationally, appearing in publications in New York, London, Toronto and Florida.

The organisation is called GOPIO Upper NY. The officers (all professionals) of the organisation are: Satruhan Sukdeo, president; Netram Rambudhan, vice president; Rodney Gocool (A Hollywood actor), secretary; Premnauth Singh, treasurer; Lloyd Lochan, director; and Ramesh Budhram, director.
In a ceremony to launch the organisation, the President showered praises to the indentured servants who came to and settled in Guyana for their enormous contributions to society.

Prominent Guyanese born historian, Dr. Basdeo Mangru, author of several books on indentureship and its role in Guyana’s history and a former lecturer at UG, applauded the founding of the organisation. He gave a talk on the Rev. C. F. Andrews, a British Indian, who visited Guyana during the early 20th century to the effects of indenturedship.

Father Andrews’ visit led to the preparation of “The Indenturedship Report”, which described the harsh conditions endured by the indentured labourers and the situation of Indian workers on the sugar plantations of Guyana. Mangru has authored a book on C.F. Andrews’ presence in Guyana.

Ashok Ramsaran, a Guyanese prominent Engineer in Queens, who is Secretary General of GOPIO worldwide, applauded the formation of the chapter. The organisation has planned a number of activities for the West Indian community in the Bronx for the rest of the year. These include seminars on health issues and investments.

GOPIO of Upper New York Chapter Is also organising a golf outing on June 11, 2008 at the Dunwoodie Golf Course, Wasylenke Lane, Yonkers, New York (Tel: 914-231-3490). The theme will be “Remembering Sewsankar ‘Papwa’ Seegolum”, a Guyanese, and proceeds will be used for funding GOPIO of Upper New York Chapter community activities.
Vishnu Bisram

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A new Chapter of GOPIO is launched

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