NEW YORK (TIP): The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International) has decided to hold its 25th (Jubilee) Anniversary in Port of Spain in Trinidad& Tobago, with a 2-day gala celebration on 27th May to 29th May, 2014 preceding the annual Indian Arrival Day commemoration in that country.

GOPIO International Trinidad & Tobago Chapter will be the convention host, along with a well organized convention team which includes GOPIO’s regional and international chapters, executives, councils and life members, as well as businesses, government, organizations and academic supporters.

Hosting of GOPIO 25th (Jubilee) Anniversary in Port of Spain has been enthusiastically endorsed and supported by the Government of Trinidad & Tobago, prominent persons of Indian origin and several chambers of commerce, businesses, organizations, academicians and academic institutions, media and others. The strong relationship between GOPIO and Trinidad & Tobago began with the formation of GOPIO in 1989 with high level representation of several prominent persons from Trinidad& Tobago, as well as other countries of the Caribbean region.

This relationship blossomed to continuing participation in GOPIO at the highest levels at GOPIO’s major events and GOPIO’s many visits to Trinidad & Tobago over the years. In addition, the International Chapter of Trinidad & Tobago is among the most active and vibrant of GOPIO’s many chapters globally, addressing current and critical community issues such as spousal abuse, alcoholism, education, children and health concerns. GOPIO is proud to have hosted Hon.

PM Kamla Persad Bissessar on 12th January, 2012 at special reception/dinner in Kolkata during her visit to India as the chief guest at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2012. GOPIO chapters in the Caribbean region are: Trinidad & Tobago; Guyana; Suriname; St Vincent; Belize; Guadeloupe and Martinique, with others in formation in Jamaica, St Lucia, Grenada and Barbados. Recently, GOPIO has held and collaborated on several major conferences in the Caribbean region: Trinidad & Tobago (2011); St Vincent (2012); Suriname (2013); Guyana’s 175th Indian Arrival Day Commemoration (2013; and Belize (2014). Minister Vayalar Ravi (India’s Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs) visited Trinidad & Tobago and other countries in the Caribbean region in 2007, 2011 and 2013.

“We feel privileged and are fully prepared to host GOPIO 25th (Jubilee) Anniversary in 2014 in Port of Spain in grand style that is fitting and well deserved”, said Ena Maraj, president of GOPIO International Trinidad& Tobago Chapter, who initiated the proposal to host the event. Dr Arnold Thomas, GOPIO International Coordinator (Caribbean Region) remarked that, “It is important to highlight this region of the Indian Diaspora, along with the many benefits and unique advantages of holding GOPIO’s 25th (Jubilee) Anniversary in Port of Spain”.

Trinidad and Tobago is an independent island nation located just off the northern coast of South America, with a population of over 1,300,000 of which 45% are people of Indian origin whose ancestors were brought there as indentured sugar plantation laborers with the first arrivals on 30th May, 1845. For more information, please contact GOPIO International at +1-818-708-3885, Email: GOPIO-Intl@sbcglobal.net. GOPIO is a non-partisan, non-sectarian global organization formed in 1989 and has chapters in several countries, actively promoting the interests of people of Indian origin worldwide by monitoring and addressing current critical issues of concern, and by enhancing cooperation and communication between groups of Indians living in various countries.