In the last two years, GOPIO had organized conferences, public platforms on issues, community celebrations and social service and philanthropic activities. The Biennial Convention held in New York in June 2016 has become a corner stone for GOPIO to be more involved in business, technology, investment and philanthropic activities. GOPIO decided to initiate GOPIO International Chamber of Commerce (GICC) which was officially launched on January 10th, 2017 in Mumbai. In the last two years, GOPIO organized conventions in Paris, Bangalore in conjunction with Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and GOPIO Global Indian Business Summit in Durban South Africa.
With the last GOPIO team ending its term in Bahrain, a new team was elected by an online vote before the convention. Over 70% of the delegates participated in the election. The following persons were elected:
During the convention, Sunny Kulathakal, an Indian from the Middle East was sworn in as the Global President of the organization for the two-year term of 2018-2019. It is the first time in the history of three-decade old GOPIO that an Indian from a country outside the US & Europe was given this position. Kulathakal has been actively involved with GOPIO for more than a decade. He served the Organization as Middle East Co-Coordinator, Executive Vice President & Global Ambassador.
South Africa’s Ishwar Ramlutchman is the new Executive Vice-President while Ram Gadhavi from the US is new Vice President. Dubai-based journalist Issac John has taken on the mantle of GOPIO Global Ambassador. Dr. Thomas Abraham from the US will continue as Chairman. Others elected/appointed are Lal Motwani and Dr. Asha Samant as International Coordinators-at-Large, Mehen Poinoosawmy as International Coordinator for Europe, Jagdish Lodhia as International Coordinator for Oceania, Kurian Abraham as International Coordinator for South Asia, Rita Abraham as International Coordinator for South Africa, Johny Kuruvilla asInternational Coordinator for the Middle East, and Harbachan Singh as International Coordinator for North America.
The Executive Council Meeting also appointed the following persons: Executive Trustee of the Foundation – Inder Singh; Chairman of GOPIO International Chamber of Commerce – Niraj Baxi; Secretary (Admin) – Dr. Rajeev Mehta; Chairman Chapter Review Committee and Automation – Dinesh Mittal; Treasurer – Kewal Kanda; and, Associate Secretary – Jaswant Mody