GOPIO MEETS WITH GUYANA'S PRESIDENT BHARRAT JAGDEO


A delegation of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Secretariat members met with Guyana's President Bharrat Jagdeo on Sunday, March 2, 2003 in New York to voice its growing concern amid continuing reports of crimes being inflicted upon people of Indian origin in Guyana. Approximately 400,000 people of Indian origin living in Guyana, who account for about 50% of the population, are descendants of indentured laborers brought from India beginning in 1838 to work on the sugar plantations.

The meeting with President Jagdeo was beneficial and essential to GOPIO's understanding of the current situation in Guyana and the measures being taken by the Government of Guyana to eliminate the crimes. GOPIO reiterated its stated mission is to identify and address critical issues affecting people of Indian origin everywhere. As a result of the meeting and the discussions with President Jagdeo, GOPIO is better able to respond in an informed manner to its membership and others who seek GOPIO's responses to attacks on Indians in Guyana.

The delegation consisted of GOPIO's president Dr Thomas Abraham, Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran,Treasurer Dr SushialGidwani-Buschi, GOPIO NY Chapter President Lal Motwani and Secretariat member Prakash Singh.


Attached Photo - GOPIO delegation Meetign with Guyana President Bharrat Jagdeo, From L. to R.: Lal Motwani, Dr. Sushila Gidwani-Buschi, President
Jagdeo, Ashook Ramsaran, Dr. ThomasAbraham and Prakash Singh.

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