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BEST OF BOTH WORLDS


Toronto, Canada November 10, 2007

Are Indian Visas routinely denied to ex-Pakistanis?

On Friday November 2, 2007 two directors of the International Goan Organization (IGO) of Ontario, Cellie Gonsalves and Al Mathias met the Consul-General of India (CGI), Mr. Satish C. Mehta.

Mr. Mehta was updated on the various accomplishments of the IGO including Academic Conferences, Indo-Canadian Enterprise Exchange Program, Health Services Project and the current Best of Both Worlds project. He was very impressed.

Mr. Mehta stated proudly that approximately 30,000 people participated in India Day celebrations in Toronto this year. He attended VIVA Goa having been invited by the Goan Overseas Association (GOA) Toronto this year and suggested that we leverage the huge attendance at Viva Goa by inviting Investment Companies and Realtors from Goa/India to showcase their products and services at Viva Goa.

"The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Government of India has introduced Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC) to study in Higher and Technical Institutions in India", advised Mr. Mehta, "assistance on Merit basis, is provided to the children of Diaspora [Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)] for the academic year 2007-2008". Mr. Mehta requested the IGO to publicize this program and welcomed applications.

Detailed discussion ensued on the Best of Both Worlds Project and actions taken to date to resolve the issues and problems in Goa faced by Non-resident Indians including Land & Property Disputes, Property Management, Buying, Selling, Leasing Real Estate, Estate & Taxation, Investing in India, Grievances of Non Resident Goans, an Information Center and Visa discrimination against ex-Pakistani citizens,

"The criteria to get an Indian visa for persons who presently or previously held Pakistan passports is clear and stated on our website," declared Mr. Mehta. He advised us that there are two categories:

1. Canadian citizens with Pakistani Passports - applicants have to be referred to India to obtain clearance - there is no commitment from the Indian Consulate regarding the time required to obtain clearance and the subsequent visa.
   
   
2. Canadian citizens who have renounced their Pakistan citizenship and surrendered their Pakistani Passport - applicants require to complete an Affidavit indicating that they have renounced their Pakistan citizenship and surrendered their Pakistani Passport . In this case visas can be obtained within one month.
   "Give me examples of visas being routinely denied," stated Mr. Mehta.

In response to the Consul-General's request, we would like to invite all those who previously held Pakistani Passports to advise us in detail of the specific problems they encountered relating to getting visas to visit India. Please include the circumstances of the problems, where, how and when they were resolved, and if resolved satisfactorily. Please provide your Name, Canadian Passport Numbers, date of application, date and receipt number for the Fee, date the notarized affidavit was submitted, date visa received or denied or still waiting for response and any other relevant details. Please provide details of your case quickly to : almathias@rogers.com so that we can hopefully resolve/expedite issuance of Indian visas.

Toronto, Canada August 29, 2007

Cousins Anton And Pedro Get Answers At IGO Meeting

Just under 100 people with a host of real estate, property management, and investment issues on their mind attended the International Goan Organization (IGO) of Ontario meeting on August 26, 2007.

Cellie Gonsalves, Director of the IGO reviewed the "Best of Both Worlds" project which dealt with seven major issues facing Goans living in Canada, namely Land & Property Disputes; Property Management; Buying, Selling & Leasing Real Estate; Estate & Taxation; Investing in India; Discrimination against Goans born in Pakistan and Grievances of NRGs and Information Center. Action taken in dealing with all these issues by the IGO and the Commissioner for NRI Affairs, Hon Minister Eduardo Faleiro in Goa was reviewed.

Officials from the State Bank of India, Dr. Ajay Tandon Sr. Vice President & Branch Head, State Bank of India (Canada), and Mr. Trevor Fernandes Chief Manager, State Bank of India, Goa shared their knowledge and expertise relating to banking, investing and taxation of capital gains in India.

Cellie stated that there is commonality between concerns of Goans in Canada and those residing elsewhere in the world. She said that the IGO therefore believes that spearheading solutions to these concerns will ultimately serve all Goans, and in this way spark a heightened sense of solidarity and connectivity between Goans the world over...and our motherland.

Toronto, Canada April 26, 2007

Global Goans Convention in Goa on January 4, 2007

International Goan Organization of Ontario delegate Ms. Cellie Gonsalves presenting at the Global Goans Convention at Cidade de Goa on January 4, 2007. Also in the photo to Ms. Gonsalves's left are Ms.Sujata Singh Joint Secretary Europe West Ministry of External Affairs, Ms. Vicki Treadell British Deputy High Commissioner, Dr.Wilfred D`Souza Deputy Chief Minister, Government of Goa, Mr. Eduardo Faleiro Hon. Commissioner for NRI affairs and Mr. R.R.Dash Chief Passport Officer

International Goan Organization (IGO) of Ontario, Canada President Ms. Zulema de Souza and Director Mrs. Cellie Gonsalves met with Hon. Chief Minister of Goa, Mr. Pratapsingh Rane on January 19, 2007 to present and review the report titled "IGO of Ontario Canada, Best of Both Worlds - Non Resident Goans" at the Chief Minister's residence in Altinho, Panjim, Goa. Left to right are Mr. Tony Gonsalves, Ms. Zulema de Souza, Mr. Pratapsingh Rane, Ms. Cellie Gonsalves and Mr. Neves de Souza.

Toronto, Canada March 1, 2007

IGO of Ontario Takes Action to help Pakistan-born Canadian Goans

"If I apply for a Visa, the Indian Consulate in Toronto requires a 6 month waiting period… I am one of those Goans who was born 60 years ago, in British India that 59 years ago became Pakistan". This sentiment captured one of seven major issues identified during workshops held in Fall 2006 in Toronto, by The International Goan Organization (IGO) of Ontario Canada.

Ms. Zulema de Souza, President of IGO of Ontario wrote to the High Commissioner for India in Ottawa in November 2006 requesting that the visa process for Canadian citizens who are Pakistan-born Goans be expedited. The IGO delegate at the Global Goans Convention held in Goa on January 3-5 2007, Ms. Cellie Gonsalves, held meetings in Goa with Mr. R. R. Dash, Joint Secretary Head of Division (CPV) & Chief Passport Officer and Mr. Santosh Jha, Director America Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. She presented the plight of Pakistan-born Canadian Goans being harassed by Indian officials in Canada when applying for visas to visit Goa and requested that the existing discriminatory policy be terminated. She also provided copies of Ms. de Souza's letter to them for their follow-up and action.

Recent reports from Canorient members indicate that visa applications for India now only take 3 weeks! Officially, The Consulate General of India, Toronto website now states, "Canadians of Pakistani origin who no longer have Pakistani nationality and Pakistani passport may apply for visa on their Canadian passport with visa application meant for foreigners. Normally such passports would be mailed back in one month".

Ms. Cellie Gonsalves was one of three delegates invited to make presentations at the Global Goans Convention. In addition to Discrimination against Pakistan-born Canadian Goans, she described the six other major issues faced in Goa by NRIs, namely: Land and Property Disputes; Property Management; Buying, Selling, Leasing Real Estate in Goa; Estate and Taxation; Investing in India; Information Centre and the appointment of a Canadian Liaison Officer. A detailed report was presented separately to the Hon. Chief Minister, Mr. Pratapsingh Rane and Hon. Eduardo Faleiro, Commissioner for NRI Affairs during meetings held subsequent to the Convention. Both were very receptive to the concerns expressed in the report and committed to providing logistics and financial support to the appointment of a NRI Liaison Officer in Goa. IGO of Ontario was asked to recommend potential candidates for this position.

The IGO of Ontario, Canada will be presenting these issues and subsequent action taken, on Sunday April 29, 2007 at the Eatonville Library Meeting Room, 430 Burnhamthorpe Rd, Etobicoke from 1:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend. To register please email Mr. Al Mathias at almathias@rogers.com