Indian Diaspora Council

Dr. Narendra Singh awarded Canada’s Meritorious Service Decoration (Civil Division)

Dr. Narendra Singh awarded Canada’s Meritorious Service Decoration (Civil Division)

Humber River Hospital Chief of Staff Dr. Narendra Chetram Singh awarded Canada’s Meritorious Service Decoration (Civil Division) by His Excellency the Right Hon. David Johnston, Governor General of Canada.

Toronto-based pediatrician Narendra Chetram Singh founded Guyana Help the Kids in 2009 to address neonatal and infant mortality rates in his country of birth. He raised funds to procure essential equipment, then went on to establish a residency program in collaboration with Canadian universities to train Guyanese pediatricians and nurses. Thanks to his efforts, the infant mortality rate in Guyana’s largest hospital has decreased by nearly 40 per cent.

Hospital President & CEO Barb Collins congratulated Dr. Singh, noting “we are all proud of the amazing work Dr. Singh, and many of his colleagues at Humber, do, not just in our hospital every day but beyond into the local and global communities. In Dr. Singh’s case, his leadership has seen the neonatal and infant mortality in his birth country of Guyana drop dramatically, saving the lives of hundreds of babies every year.”

Dr. Singh thanked his partners in Guyana Help the Kids, saying “I’m honoured to share this with them: this is a true team effort from people determined to make a difference for these kids. I also want to thank my colleagues at Humber River Hospital for their support and encouragement at every step.”

IDC Presents Memorandum on Matters of Interest to PIOs from Francophone Territories

IDC Presents Memorandum on Matters of Interest to PIOs from Francophone Territories

The Indian Diaspora Council International (IDC) presented to H.E Amb. Vinay Mohan Kwatra, India’s Ambassador to France, on 16th October 2017 a “Memorandum of Matters of Interest to Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) from Francophone Territories” containing a synopsis of the major issues of interest to persons of Indian origin (PIOs) in Francophone territories who comprise a significant percentage in the Indian Diaspora.

Presenting the memorandum were: Mr. Deo Gosine, President of IDC Trinidad & Tobago; Prof. Francis Ponaman, President IDC Francophone Countries; Dr. Jean Regis Ramsamy, President of IDC Reunion Island; Ms. Rita Abraham (South Africa), Chair of Indian Diaspora Women’s Forum.

The memorandum was developed from input, suggestions and recommendations from multiple sources, including community organizations, scholars, individual and IDC affiliates in several countries. It is also based on IDC’s extensive knowledge and experience, as well as interest within IDC and active engagement with other groups in the worldwide Indian community.

Some of the critical issues pertinent to PIOs from Francophone Territories and suggestions include:

  • Easier accessibility to OCI cards by persons of Indian origin (PIOs) in Francophone Territories who are presently being denied due to lack of original English or French immigration documentation from India to prove direct links to India. IDC proposes acceptance of alternate authenticated documentation as being applied to Mauritius. Refer to attached information in the Memorandum.
  • Preservation of all available English or French immigration documents for posterity and research.
  • Conference sessions at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) be also made available in French via translation means or devices. Sessions specific to Francophone countries to be conducted in French.
  • Know India Programmes (KIP) should accommodate French speaking youth who account for an increasingly significant number of participants annually.
  • Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra (PBK) in Delhi set aside a section for documents, literature, films, documentaries, publications, works of art published in French
The memorandum requested that these matters of interest and concern be consider favourably and forward to the respective ministries of the Government of India for satisfactory resolution as soon as feasible.

(l-r): Jean Regis Ramsamy (Reunion Isl), Deo Gosine, Mrs. Tara Gosine (Trinidad & Tobago), Pankaj Saxena, Minister Consul of Embassy of India in Paris, Rita Abraham (South Africa) and Samarassame Tanigar ( IDC France)

IDC Proposal to co-name 169th Street in Queens, New York in honor of late Kalicharran

IDC Proposal to co-name 169th Street in Queens, New York in honor of late Kalicharran

In his remarks at the wake of the late Ramesh D. Kalicharran on Tuesday, December 5, 2017, Indian Diaspora Council International (IDC) president Ashook Ramsaran also stated that:

“I have already started the process of renaming a portion of 169th Street as “Kali Avenue”. It is a fitting and well deserved tribute to Kali, his ideals and his legacy”.

This proposal was received with overwhelming applause in the presence of New State Assemblyman David Weprin who read and presented a posthumous tribute proclamation to Kalicharran’s wife Judy.

The proposal being submitted by Ramsaran is to rename 169th Street from Hillside Avenue to Highland Avenue as “Kali Avenue”. Kalicharran had his place of business and his home on 169th Street.

This proposal has the being supported by several New York based Caribbean organizations, groups and individuals – as well elected state and city officials who are very familiar with the outstanding contributions of Kalicharran, especially those officials whose constituency includes or are near to 169th Street.

“We are seeking maximum community and elected official support for this endeavor and we urge everyone to join with us in this well-deserved, life time achievement tribute to an icon of the Caribbean community in New York”. The renaming application will be filed with Community Board #8 and New York City Department of Transportation”, said Ramsaran.

Kritilata Ram again named one of 100 Most Influential Women in Mauritius

Kritilata Ram again named one of 100 Most Influential Women in Mauritius

Kritilata Ram, the Indian Diaspora Council (IDC) Coordinator in Mauritius, has again been recognized among the 100 Most Influential Women in Mauritius. Kritilata Ram is one of the hundred women who were recently rewarded at the ceremony 100 Most Influential Women in Mauritius. From education to entrepreneurship to social work, health and culture, these feminine elements stand out in the sectors in which they are engaged.

As President of Training & Development at the Mauritius Council of Social Services (MACOSS), her role is to provide specific training to entrepreneurs and start-ups so that they can become independent. “In two years, 1,200 have been trained in communication and project writing,” said Kritilata Ram. Twenty women will also be trained in December so that they can then train 120 women across the country.