“I have developed a special love for Trinidad that has every feature of my motherland-Kerala,” Alex Vilanilam Koshy, former global president of World Malayalee Council, who is attending the silver jubilee celebrations of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) in the Caribbean nation wrote in an email.

“Although its economy is now based on its  oil and tourism, it is high time that it focuses on its agricultural base. The sugar cane, coconut farming must be strengthened and new cash crops like rubber, coco, cashew etc could be introduced in the conducive climate with fertile/favorable terrain. There may be investors for developing such industrial plantations, if properly handled by Trinidad government. We can definitely extend the experience and expertise for that,” he said.

He congratulated the GOPIO leadership for organizing the event. “Let me sincerely appreciate and congratulate each and everyone of you who worked hard during the past months to make the convention a big success and memorable one.

“It was a very unique convention in all respects. It coincided with the 169th anniversary of arrival of East Indians to the sands of Trinidad. GOPIO could achieve the history making event of unveiling a commemorative plaque in the presence of a 110 year old grandma, and 8 others, who are over 90 years.

“Let me sincerely appreciate GOPIO, especially is President Mr Ashook Ramsaran for the special efforts  made by him to achieve this landmark.

The chairman Mr Inderrjit Singh and founder Dr Thomas Abraham could effectively control the events and overcome difficulties, with their team in the executive council and in the convention committee. The host chapter president Ms Ena Maraj and her team did an excellent job.

All convention days were filled with very tight program schedules and seminars were very useful to participants and the host country. Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, deserve special thanks and appreciation for hosting a few events, especially the dinner at her residence.

Some suggestions for further improvement of conventions:

1. Introduce every delegate and allow more time for them to interact with each other

2. Reduce the number of speakers in seminars and allow more time for the participants to interact on the subject.

3. Introduce electronic voting system over internet to avoid tension and misunderstanding among members about the election process on the days of convention. The election must be completed by an independent body before the convention itself. The elected officials must be presented to the general body by the election committee and allowed time to present their vision and mission. 

4. All delegates attending international conventions may be given a commemorative memento. Receive floor suggestions from delegates for planning future programs of GOPIO and its public relation. 

5. Delegate’s feed back on the convention may be invited by the chair and president to improve/correct their decisions/actions and to improve convention effectiveness.

6. GOPIO should take the lead to invite all ethnic groups of PIOs by giving their non-profit organizations affiliation to GOPIO so that all can work together to address the issues concerning PIOs/NRIS.

I sincerely thank that I could  make a number of good friends from different countries and I look forward to be in touch with them.

Once again let me thank you all for providing a very successful and memorable international convention

Photos:

1. Alex Koshy addressing the general body

2. Photo with Trinidad PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Shaji Baby John, brother of Kerala Minister Shibu baby John and others.

3. Group photo with Gopio president [Ashook Ramesaran second from left], Exec VP Sunny Kulathakal, WMC Global Chair Issac John [Dubai], Dr. Thomas Abraham etc

4. India delegates with executive committee

5. PM of Trinidad arriving to host dinner for delegates.