Gopio begins today in Bahrain

Manama : ‘GOPIO International Convention 2018 and Pravasi Samelan’, attended by over 400 people from nearly 40 countries, opens today in Manama. The convention is being hosted by the world body GOPIO (Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin) and being held for the first time in the Middle East.

The Opening Session of the three-day event begins in the evening at the Gulf Hotel. Chief Guest at the event will be six-term Maharashtra lawmaker Raj Purohit who is also Special Advisor to GOPIO. This shall be followed by a glittering awards ceremony held by NRI Achievers magazine which will honour outstanding Indian women from around the world. 

The impressive list includes dancer Geeta Chandran, diaspora activist Sudha Acharya, Rio Paralympic medallist Deepa Malik, scientist Dr. Vibha Dhawan, businesswoman Shradha Agarwaal, crafts activist and Khadi (handspun cloth) fashion champion Parull Mahaajan, non-resident Indian lobbyist Arathi Krishna, Penguin-Random House top Editor-In-Chief Milee Ashwarya, US-based entertainment and radio host Shabnam Modgil, Bahrain CEO Kanika Dewan, Canada-based radio host and formidable charity worker Molly Banerjie, beauty queen and Mrs. United Nations pageant winner Roshini Hassan, entrepreneur Shivani Malik and rural activist Smita Shrivastav.

Bahraini businesswoman and BCCI Board member Ahlam Janahi will join a delegation of Bahraini businesswomen to felicitate their Indian counterparts at the ceremony. The awards ceremony shall be followed by a theatrical programme ‘Ashiyana: My Paradise’ by Swayam Productions. 

“GOPIO is a vibrant platform and in the 39 years since it was founded, the body has succeeded in bringing about very valuable changes in the interaction between the Indian government and the diaspora around the world,” said incoming International President Sunny Kulathakal, “We are honoured to organise this prestigious event in Bahrain, which shares a 5,000-year-old historic link of friendship with India.”

Undoubtedly the big news about the Convention in Bahrain is the attendance of Indian National Congress President and Leader of the Indian Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, on January 8, 2017. This is Gandhi’s second official visit abroad after his address at Berkeley University, USA last year and his first to the Middle East. He is expected to address GOPIO delegates on how the Indian diaspora can be an effective part of the contemporary Indian narrative. Other noteworthy speakers will be an orator, diplomat and Member of Parliament, Dr Shashi Tharoor, technology policy-maker Dr Sam Pitroda and former BJP MP and top-ranking journalist Dr Chandan Mitra.

GOPIO Founding Chairman Dr Thomas Abraham, Dr BR Shetty, Chairman, NMC Healthcare and Lord Diljit Rana, Former President, GOPIO shall address the convention.

Reception Committee Chairman Soman Baby,  “We are grateful to the President of the Court of the Crown Prince Shaikh Khalifa bin Duaij Al Khalifa, Minister of Electricity and Water Dr Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza and the CEO of BTEA, Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa who shall be attending and addressing the delegates.”

Dr Varghese Kurian, Chairman of the Organising Committee said, “The Bahrain convention will be a one of a kind of strategic networking platform for Indian businessmen globally. It is also a great opportunity for delegates to explore the unique attractions that make Bahrain a fantastic MICE destination and one of the tourist destinations that is opening up to tourists from all over the world.”

The event will include a series of discussions on topics such as ‘India 2030: An Economic Powerhouse’, opportunities for Business and Investment in India’, ‘India: The Healthcare Destination’ – ‘India Healthcare Challenges & Opportunities’, ‘Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Start-Up India’, Empowering Women Globally’, Rehabilitation of Returning NRIs’ and many more. The convention will also host a wide range of speakers addressing the audience, book launches, cultural programmes and award ceremonies.