Stamford mayor praises Indian American community’s contributions

GOPIO-CT presents $5,000 to Mill River Park Collaborative for organising activities for children & adults

Stamford mayor Caroline Simmons has praised the contributions of the Indian American community to the city over the years in diverse fields from education to business, innovation, arts and culture.

“How proud we are to the Indian American community and the rich contributions brought to our city for so many years – everything from education to business, innovation, arts and culture as well as the organization’s activities have brought so much vibrancy to our city,” she said .

Read: Stamford looking for Indian companies to set up business (March 25, 2022)

“Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) – Connecticut Chapter is a vibrant organization that brings rich contributions for Stamford spanning education to business, innovation, arts and culture,” she said at community event Friday.

Simmons was present to administer the oath of office for the newly elected GOPIO-Connecticut executive council and board of trustees at the Stamford Hampton Inn and Suites in Stamford, Connecticut, according to a press release.

Indian Diaspora has achieved political mainstream in many countries and currently serves heads of state in the UK, Ireland, Guyana, Suriname, Seychelles and Mauritius, said GOPIO founder and chairman Dr Thomas Abraham in his introduction.

“Indian Diaspora is proud of its achievement in the political arena as well as in the corporate world with many persons of Indian origin heading large multinational companies,” he said.

Simmons thanked Abraham, all members of GOPIO-CT and the entire leadership team for everything they do for Stamford City and the generous contributions for the local community.

GOPIO-CT has been funding a local community service organization every year. For 2023, the chapter selected Mill River Park Collaborative (MRPC) which organizes activities for children and adults of all ages as well, the release said.

Read: Connecticut General Assembly honors India for its 75th anniversary (August 12, 2022)

A check for $5000 was presented by GOPIO-CT’s immediate past president Ashok Nichani to the MRPC Board Chairman Arnold Karp and the Director of Operations Dianne Houtz in the presence of Mayor Simmons. The activities for the year were inaugurated by chief guest Simmons.

Simmons said that she and her team look forward to working with GOPIO-CT and supporting its initiatives to build a more inclusive and equitable society.
Delegates from various service organizations were also present at the event including Women’s Mentoring Network, Future 5 and Stamford Public Library.

President Dr. Jaya Daptardar officially welcomed new GOPIO CT Executive board members team:

Executive VP Mahesh Jhangiani, Vice President Prachi Narayan, Secretary Sushanth Krishnamurthy, Joint Secretary Ashwini Persaud, Treasurer Srinivas Akarapu, Immediate past President Ashok Nichani who served from 2019 to 2022;

Board members: Meera Banta, Dilli Bhatta, Ruby Chadda, Ravi Dhingra, Sonali Gannu, Nandu Kuppusamy, Manish Maheswari, Dr. Anita Mathur, Vikas Mathur, Ravi Nichani, Mangal Shah and Dr. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox;

Trustees: Shelly Nichani, Prasad Chintalapudi, Joe Simon, Shailesh Naik, Dr. Thomas Abraham and Neelam Narang.

Read: Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons administers oath of office to GOPIO-CT 2022 team (March 20, 2022)

Daptardar said GOPIO CT raised $5,000 for Turkey earthquake disaster relief and sent food, tent, men’s and women’s jackets, baby formulae, children’s clothes and orthopedic supplies by Turkish Airlines. She also presented the 2023 GOPIO events and activities overview.

Over the last 17 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, the release said.