The Indian Panorama

Tag: GOPIO-CT

  • GOPIO-CT Celebrates India’s 75th Independence Day with Flag Hoisting, Kite Flying, Cultural Events

    Ajay Ghosh

    STAMFORD, CT (TIP): The Mill River Park in Stamford, CT on Saturday, August 6th wore a festive look as Indian Americans gathered in large numbers to celebrate India’s 75th Independence Day with an annual India Day Festival. Dressed in colorful traditional Indian attire, with melodious music from the popular Bollywood world, dances depicting the wide variety of Indian culture, kite flying, spicy Indian cuisine, and booths decorated with Indian symbols and face art, the festivities were a treat to the fast-growing Indian American community in the state of Connecticut. The City of Stamford led by Mayor Caroline Simmons, along the Mayor of Norwalk, Harry Rilling,  and several elected state lawmakers joined hands with the Indian Diaspora in Connecticut for a celebration organized by the Connecticut Chapter of Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-CT).

    The day-long celebrations began with the hoisting of the American, Indian, and Connecticut flags at the Government Center in Stamford by Mayor Caroline Simmons, State Senator Patricia Billie Miller, 27th District, event Gold sponsor, an investment firm 3Lines Partner, Nandu Kuppuswamy, and Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman of GOPIO International.

    During the inaugural ceremony, Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons proclaimed August 15th as India Day to commemorate Indian Independence when Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru raised the Indian flag at the Red Fort in New Delhi on August 15, 1947. In the proclamation presented to GOPIO, Mayor Caroline Simmons said that the Indian Independence was marked largely by non-violent resistance and civil disobedience and the Independence Day is celebrated by the Indian Diaspora worldwide. The proclamation further noted that Stamford City will honor Indian community which is an integral part of city’s diversity, success and great future. Prominent among those who addressed and greeted the Indian American community included: State Senator Patricia Billie Miller, 27th District; Representative Daniel J. Fox, 148th District; Representative Matt Blumenthal, 147th District; Representative David Michel, 146th Dist; Representative Corey P. Paris, 145th District; and, Representative Hubert D. Delany, 144th District.

    A citation by the Connecticut General Assembly honoring India’s 75th Anniversary of Independence was presented to GOPIO-CT officials. “In Recognition Of: India is celebrating its 75th Anniversary of Independence, also known as Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. Today, we join you to celebrate the rich history and culture along with freedom and liberty with people of India. We urge all our citizens to join us in publicly acknowledging the many achievements and contributions Indian Americans have made to the economy of Connecticut especially in IT and Technology, Healthcare and Hospitality. Congratulations on your Independence Day!”

    “The India Festival is a tribute to a strong and vibrant Indian-American community that has excelled in almost all areas of life in this adopted nation of ours,” assemblyman Harry Arora, who shared with the audience his childhood in India and later on, how he continued to cherish the memories of India’s non-violent freedom movement and close partnership between Indian and the United States, the largest democracies of the world.

    The program began with the singing of a patriotic songs by children. The cultural programs depicted the diversity of Indian culture and traditions. Among those who portrayed the diverse and cultural traditions of Indian traditions included Lakshmi Sujanan, daughter of Vineetha and Sujanan, former president of MASCONN.

    In his welcome address, GOPIO-CT Trustee/Advisor and Chairman of GOPIO International Dr. Thomas Abraham, a veteran community leader instrumental in numerous community and professional organizations said, “The India Festival in Stamford, CT is a tribute to a strong and vibrant Indian-American community that has excelled in almost all areas of life in this adopted nation of ours,” Dr. Thomas Abraham, Founder President and chairman of GOPIO International, who is also a Trustee of GOPIO-CT, said. “We are cultivating and developing community networking with all these younger elected officials,” he added. In her address, Executive Vice President Dr. Jaya Daptardar described the many flagship events the organization organizes every year. “Our mission at GOPIO-CT is to be active participants in the local community through involvement in community events and local politics, and by providing services to the Indian community at large here in Connecticut.

    The activities for 2022 gave an overview of several programs GOPIO-Ct offers to the larger society such as Women’s Mentoring Network, Future 5, Children’s Learning Center, Building One community, Grassroots of Norwalk/Stamford and Stamford Public Library.

     The program included remarks by the honored dignitaries, brief entertainment of music, presenting a community service award and recognition high school graduates who graduated from high School and are on way to prestigious Colleges across the nation\. Independence Day Liberty Award 2022 Recipient for Service to GOPIO-CT and Community Causes was given to Ashok Nichani, past president of GOPIO-CT, Following the flag hoisting, an India Festival comprising of colorful Folk and Classical Dances of India, Music, Magic Show and Bollywood Dances were enjoyed by one and all. There were vendors who served delicious Indian food, Indian arts and crafts, Indian clothing and other items were displayed at the Park, giving a glimpse of India’s rich and diverse culture.

    (Press Release issued by Ajay Ghosh)

  • Consul General of India and Norwalk Mayor Rilling exchange Views

    Consul General of India and Norwalk Mayor Rilling exchange Views

    NORWALK CITY, CT (TIP):  Consul General of India at New York, Randhir Kumar Jaiswal and Deputy Consul General Dr. Varun Jeph had  a meeting with Norwalk City Mayor Harry Rilling. They were joined by officials of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin-Connecticut Chapter (GOPIO-CT).

    Indian Americans have been settling in the lower Fairfield County which includes Norwalk for the last 3 decades and the flow is still continuing. Most of the community members moving in are in IT industry or healthcare. Mayor Rilling told Consul General Jaiswal about the City and its friendly environment for business including availability of office space to attract new businesses from India. Indian companies, especially in the IT sector, have been starting outfits in the USA and hoping that some of them could consider Norwalk as a destination. Consul General Jaiswal also suggested that companies from Norwalk could also consider India as a destination.

    Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling with Indian Consul General Randhir Kumar Jaiswal and GOPIO-CT Delegation at Norwalk City Hall. From l. to r.: Viresh Sharma, Mahesh Jhangiani, Jayashri Chintalapudi, Ashok Nichani, Dr. Thomas Abraham, Mayor Rilling, Consul General Jaiswal, Deputy Consul General Dr. Varun Jeph, Srinivas Akarapu, Prasad Chintalapudi, Dr. Sudhir D’Souza and Prachi Narayan

    The delegation from GOPIO-CT consisted of GOPIO Intl. Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, GOPIO-CT President and serial investor Ashok Nichani, GOPIO-CT Exec. VP Prasad Chintalapudi who is also Vice President of IT Company Panzer Solutions, Laser Systems President Viresh Sharma, GOPIO-CT Secretary Prachi Narayan, GOPIO-CT Treasurer and IT Consultant Srinivas Akarapu, IT Consultant Mahesh Jhangiani along with his wife Yashasvi Jhangiani and Fr. Sudhir D’Souza who us the pastor of St. Philip Catholic Church in Norwalk.

    The delegation also emphasized the need for having a Cricket  ground for the new immigrant groups from South Asian nations, Caribbean, South Africa, Australia, England, Australia, New Zealand and East African countries. Such an initiative will make the city a more welcoming place for immigrant professionals from those countries.

    GOPIO-CT has assigned a four-member committee to brainstorm the idea of reaching out Indian companies with the Norwalk City officials and India’s commercial attaché in New York. Those assigned with this task are Norwalk residents Srinivas Akarapu, Mahesh Jhangiani, Prachi Narayan and Fr. Sudhir D’Souza. There was also a suggestion that the Norwalk Community College should be connected to an Indian institution with similar programs. This will be explored further.

    Over the last 16 years, GOPIO-CT, a chapter of GOPIO International has become an active and dynamic organization hosting interactive sessions with policy makers and academicians, community events, youth mentoring and networking workshops, and working with other area organizations to help create a better future. GOPIO-CT – Global Organization of People of Indian Origin – serves as a non-partisan, secular, civic and community service organization – promoting awareness of Indian culture, customs and contributions of the Indian Diaspora through community programs, forums, events and youth activities. It seeks to strengthen partnerships and create an ongoing dialogue with local communities.

    (Based on a press release)

  • GOPIO-CT to Celebrate India Independence Day in Stamford with Flag Hoisting, India Festival and Kite Flying on August 8th

    GOPIO-CT to Celebrate India Independence Day in Stamford with Flag Hoisting, India Festival and Kite Flying on August 8th

    Stamford City joining hands with GOPIO-CT to celebrate India Independence Day

    Shailesh R. Naik, Recipient of GOPIO-CT’s Liberty Award 2021

    STAMFORD, CT (TIP): India got its independence from the British in 1947. To mark the 74th Anniversary of India’s independence, the Connecticut chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-CT) has joined hands with Stamford City and Mill River Collaborative to host India Festival in Stamford to commemorate Indian Independence, when the then Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru raised the Indian flag at the Red Fort on August 15, 1947. The Indian Diaspora in Connecticut is a growing community consisting generally IT and management professionals. healthcare workers and a large number of entrepreneurs in hospitality and small businesses. They will join for a celebration organized by the GOPIO-CT by hoisting American, Indian and Connecticut flags at the Government Center in Stamford on Sunday, August 8th at 11.30 a.m.

    Following the flag hoisting, at 12.00 Noon, there is an official ceremony to celebrate Indian Independence Day at the adjacent Mill River Park (corner Broad St. and Washington Blvd., Stamford). Honored guests are Indian Consul A.K. Vijayakrishnan, Stamford Mayor David Martin, CT Attorney General William Tong, CT State Senator Patricia Billie Miller and CT State Representatives Harry Arora representing CT 151st district and Caroline Simmons representing 144th district. Baseball legend Bobby Valentine will also join the celebration as a honored guest.

    After the ceremony, the Mill River will witness Kite flying and an India Festival with colorful Folk and Classical Dances of India, Music, Magic Show and Bollywood Dances. There will be vendors for Indian food, Indian arts and crafts, Indian clothing and other items. Admission is FREE for both events.

    Stamford Resident Mr. Shailesh Naik will be bestowed with Indian Independence Liberty Award. An engineer by profession and Principal of Charles A. Manganaro Consulting Engineers, Naik has been serving the Indian American community for the last 15 years. Shailesh served as President GOPIO-CT from 2010 to 2014 and as President of Society of Indo-American Engineers and Architects (SIAEA) for two years. When Covid hit India badly in 2021 Spring, Shailesh came forward and coordinated GOPIO-CT’s efforts to raise funds and to send Oxygen concentrators to India. Naik is a licensed professional engineer with over 30 years of experience in the field of engineering.

    The celebration is hosted by Mill River Park Collaborative and the sponsor is First County Bank of Stamford.

    Over the last 15 years, GOPIO-CT, a chapter of GOPIO International has become an active and dynamic organization hosting interactive sessions with policy makers and academicians, community events, youth mentoring and networking workshops, and working with other area organizations to help create a better future. GOPIO-CT – Global Organization of People of Indian Origin – serves as a non-partisan, secular, civic and community service organization – promoting awareness of Indian culture, customs and contributions of PIOs through community programs, forums, events and youth activities. It seeks to strengthen partnerships and create an ongoing dialogue with local communities.

     

     

     

  • Indian Community Organization GOPIO raises $5,000 for Building One Community for new immigrants

    Indian Community Organization GOPIO raises $5,000 for Building One Community for new immigrants

    Indian community organization aims to help local communities hit hard by Covid pandemic.

    STAMFORD, CT (TIP): Global Organization of People of Indian Origin-Connecticut Chapter (GOPIO-CT) has  given Stamford-based Building One community (B1C) $5,000 for its mission to help in integration of new immigrants and their families.

    A check for $5,000 was presented to B1C’s Executive Director Dr. Anka Badurina towards their service activities to new immigrants by GOPIO-CT officials on Jan. 8, according to a GOPIO release.

    The Stamford based community service organization officials also discussed other ways to help B1C from Indian American community volunteers as mentors and as computer/ IT technical experts.

    “We, in GOPIO, promote all our chapters to contribute to the local communities and as a financially successful group in America, we owe to the society especially when the pandemic has hard hit the lower income communities,” said Dr. Thomas Abraham, GOPIO-CT Trustee and Chairman of GOPIO International.

    GOPIO raises funds at its annual Holiday Party every year for a charity which provides services to the local community.  This year’s Holiday Party with a musical evening was held virtually due to Covid-19 pandemic.

    Since 2016, GOPIO-CT had supported Women’s Mentoring Network, Future 5, Teach for America and Children’s Learning Center of Fairfield from its Holiday Party Fundraiser.

    Over the last 14 years, GOPIO-CT has become an active and dynamic organization hosting interactive sessions with policy makers and academicians, community events, youth mentoring and networking workshops, and working with other area organizations to help create a better future, the release said.

    GOPIO said it serves as a non-partisan, secular, civic and community service organization – promoting awareness of Indian culture, customs and contributions of PIOs through community programs, forums, events and youth activities as well as promoting involvement and supporting local charitable organizations.

    It seeks to strengthen partnerships and create an ongoing dialogue with local communities, the community organization said.

    (Based on a Press Release)