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NORTH AmERIcAN Newsline MARCH 26, 2021 | The Indian Eye 32

gOPIO-Ct holds interactive meeting for

the community with Ct lawmakers

Organizers and Lawmakers at the conference. From l. to r. Dr. Thomas Participants at the Zoom Meeting of GOPIO-CT Annual Holiday Party.
Abraham, Cecil Nazareth, Suresh Sharma; Middle Row: from l. to r. Rep.
Harry Arora, Former Rep. Dr. Prasad Srinivasan and CT Assembly Speaker Cecil Nazareth, Manag- In his keynote address,
Matt Ritter; Bottom, CT Assembly Minority Leader Rep. Vincent Candelora ing Partner, Nazareth CPAs & Speaker of CT House, Matt Rit-
Member of the Global Tax Policy ter described 2020 as “strange

Our Bureau professionals and was timely Committee, Norwalk, CT, shared year. Nothing we had ever an-
which provided an opportunity her experiences during the past ticipated, unprecedented. No
Stamford, CT
to share their perspectives on year as her firm struggled with state did perfectly. Our residents
OVID has impacted all the impact of the Covid and how the lack of cash flow. “Demand take seriously the advice of the
aspects of our lives, and perceived the future. Connecti- plummeted, reducing cash flow,” government and scientific lead-
Cevery community in the cut lawmakers included Speak- Nazareth was appreciative of the ers. In CT, the vaccinations rates
US and around the world has er of the Assembly Mitt Ritter, Federal Government stepping very high. It’s unfortunate that
suffered immense losses due to Minority Leader Rep. Vincent in with remedial measures that we had higher number of deaths.
the deadly virus, taking a toll on Candelora and Rep. Harry Aro- have “immensely helped” es- We will find ourselves, being
our emotional, physical and eco- ra. The session was moderated pecially with PPP loans, “which able to reopen the state by Me-
nomic wellbeing. Indian Ameri- by former Assemblyman Dr. have been a big blessing.” With morial Day.” While expressing
can businesses, especially in the Prasad Srinivasan Covid impacting the businesses, gratitude for the contributions
hospitality, travel & tour groups, In his opening remarks, Dr. they have learnt to do new ways of the Indian Americans, Ritter
restaurants and some profes- Thomas Abraham, Trustee and of doing business. Nazareth said, “You make it diverse and
sional practices, have suffered Chairman of Seminar Series, sought additional funding from successful. Collegiality and coor-
huge losses. The Federal and GOPIO-CT, set the tone for a the state and federal govern- dination between the two parties
state agencies have been helping lengthy discussion with sharing ments in order for the economy is highly appreciated.” Acknowl-
many businesses and profession- the context and the need for such to move on in a healthy manner, edging that if things get worse,
al practitioners to get back to a timely topic. “This is the first Nazareth expressed “optimism” he said, “We will change the pol-
their normal business. However, time the Indian American com- in the outlook for the economy. icy depending on the needs. By
much more help is needed to get munity in Connecticut is doing Representing the most im- April 5th, all above 16 and up
back to normal. such a program, bringing togeth- pacted Hotel/Hospitality, Shelly can get vaccines. That will make
In this context, a virtual con- er lawmakers and business lead- Nichani, President, Infinity Hos- all the difference.”
ference on the Zoom “Current ers to come together and share pitality Group, Stamford, CT, In his response, CT Minority
and Post Covid: Getting Back their perspectives on Covid and said, while the industry has been Leader Rep. Vincent Candelora,
to Normal Business – An In- its impact on the business com- severely affected by the pan- praised the state of Connecticut,
dian American Perspective in munity in CT. This webinar will demic, “financial help from the saying “Globally overall CT has
Connecticut” with Connecticut also provide the participants to Federal government has helped done very well. Hospitals are
Lawmakers on Thursday, March hear the personal experiences. much, without which it would competing for quality care. “Dis-
18th, was organized on by the As we come out of the pandem- have been catastrophic.” While coveries of treatment for Covid
GOPIO-CT Chapter, consid- ic, we also like to see how Con- stating that the hospitality indus- had started in CT, which is un-
ered one of the most active chap- necticut can take new initiatives try in CT has been doing overall derstated. We need to work on
ters of GOPIO in cooperation to reach out those businesses in very well, but the pandemic has the need for children. They are
with Milan Cultural Association India who may be candidates to halted the path to progress. He most impacted by our decisions.
of Hartford. Participants includ- set up shops in America as Info- was optimistic that with the vac- Kids got isolated more than oth-
ed state lawmakers and Indian sys did successfully in Hartford cines and state help, the industry ers. We need to be focusing on
American business leaders and about two years back.” will return to normal soon. the wellbeing of the kids.”

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