======================================================================== Ongoing: Exhibition of paintings, Art Chamber, Calangute www.goa-art.com Dec 13: Dance workshop, with Jaap Van Maanen. Tel 2275733 BB Cafe Dec 14 onwards: Shireen Mody's Goa 2002 exhibition, Arpora. Tel 2276759 Dec 14: Customer Relationship Mgt Seminar, Xaviers, Mapusa Tel 2262356 Dec 17, 18, 20: Indo-Portuguese furniture, lectures Fundacao Ph 2230728 Jan 18-19: International kite carnival at Morgim beach, Pernem ========================================================================
Countdown to global Indian family reunion begins By Deepshikha Ghosh, Indo-Asian News Service New Delhi, Dec 14 (IANS) One in every six human beings is an Indian and, come January, many of them will find their way home to rediscover India, the land of their roots. The countdown has begun for the first ever reunion of the global Indian family less than a month away in New Delhi, and the less than expected participation has not daunted those involved in the mammoth exercise. Some 750 people of Indian origin from 45 countries have registered for the three-day convention beginning January 9 - or the "Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Indian Diaspora Day) - marking the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa before he plunged into India's freedom movement. Despite the thinning guest list, what has heartened the organisers, the ministry of external affairs and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is that the low participation from the U.S. and Europe has been compensated by the unusual interest from persons of Indian origin (PIOs) in countries like Suriname or Madagascar that till now had little connection with India. "The response is picking up now and more and more people are calling up to register," said J.C. Sharma, member-secretary of the organising committee and secretary in the ministry of external affairs. "It is rapidly becoming the greatest event of its kind with 50 countries under one roof." Sharma said so far there are 750 participants but expressed confidence that the attendance would cross 1,000. Of these, only a tiny 130 members would be from the U.S. There has been a surprisingly good response from countries such as Reunion Island, Guadaloupe, Madagascar, Martinique, Holland and Suriname. He said: "Those who are calling now are not getting reservations easily. And many say they will register after arriving in New Delhi. This is usual in such big events. "But with a large number of Indian organisations asking about participation and sponsorship, our purpose has already been partly met, that of creating awareness." Nobel laureates Amartya Sen and V. S. Naipaul will address sessions in this first ever exercise by India to officially engage with its 20 million strong diaspora across six continents to rejuvenate ethnic and cultural bonds. Sen, who is acknowledged among the foremost economists of the world, will speak on "What India can be proud of." Naipaul is slated to speak on "Culture and the Indian identity." Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will inaugurate the event that will also feature former Fiji premier Mahendra Chowdhury, top London-based businessman Swraj Paul and telecom guru Sam Pitroda. Lata Mangeshkar, the unofficial nightingale of India whose voice has been heard by millions across the world, is expected to regale the gathering with a soulful invocation. It will be a season for nostalgia, with film stars spanning three generations -- Dev Anand, Dilip Kumar, Waheeda Rehman, Sharmila Tagore, Kareena Kapur and Prabhu Deva - interacting with and entertaining delegates. But film star Amitabh Bachchan, who was slated to be a big draw, has not agreed with the organisers on his fee. His colleagues Shatrughan sinha and Vinod Khanna, both ministers, are sure to add some star appeal. Also present will be the former husband of Mahatma Gandhi's granddaughter, Meva Ram Govinda, who was at the forefront of the freedom struggle in South Africa. Current Hollywood sensation Manoj Night Shyamalan and Pulitzer winning short story writer Jhumpa Lahiri, who have been invited from the U.S., are yet to confirm. Other celebrities such as writer Vikram Seth, astronaut Kalpana Chawla and filmmakers Ismail Merchant and Mira Nair have not confirmed their participation either. A galaxy of business leaders, doctors, lawyers, scientists, social scientists, film personalities, writers and others of Indian origin will commune with Indian authorities and celebrities. It would be an opportunity for Indians to see just how many fellow countrymen have attained top positions in their adopted lands and what they can do for their homeland. And these PIOs, many of them ministers, would engage with Indian ministers and chief ministers here. According to the organisers, the key theme of the event is to engage with the diaspora to understand their sentiments and expectations from India, and to evolve a policy facilitating a better interaction between India and its people in other countries. President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is expected to give away the "Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards" to 10 people as the highest acknowledgement of India's pride for their success. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas initiative follows recommendations of the diaspora panel, many of which were approved by the government early this year. --Indo-Asian News Service ---------------------------------------------------------- ***** CHRISTMAS PARTIES 2002 ***** Dec 14 - Goan Association of New Jersey, Inc., Somerset +1 (732) 599-7644 Dec 21 - GOA-LA, Los Angeles, [EMAIL PROTECTED] +1 (714) 821-6168 (late fee on tickets after Dec 10) Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] for a free X'mas party announcement here! ----------------------------------------------------------
