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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline MARCH 27, 2026 | The Indian Eye 22

GOPIO facilitates direct descendants of Mahatma

Gandhi and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

GOPIO’s Women’s Council Hosts Webinar on Indian Diaspora Women: Leading and
Transforming the Social, Educational, Political, and Corporate Spheres.

OUR BUREAU journey with the Miss India U.S.A.
pageant and her increasing involve-
New York, NY
ment with International Women’s
he Women’s Council Wing of Day over the years. She recited a
the Global Organization of poem highlighting the need for wom-
TPeople of Indian Origin (GO- en’s rights and justice, referencing
PIO) hosted a webinar on March 14th the UN’s theme for 2026. She em-
titled “INDIAN DIASPORA WOM- phasized the importance of pageants
EN: LEADING AND TRANS- in developing skills and confidence
FORMING THE SOCIAL, EDU- for young women, encouraging net-
CATIONAL, POLITICAL, AND working and idea sharing.
CORPORATE SPHERES.” Held Writer and author of many books
virtually, the webinar brought togeth- and autobiographies, Dr. Bhuvan
er speakers and participants from Lall commented that this was the first
South Africa, Germany, India, Mau- time in his memory that the direct de-
ritius, United Kingdom, Caribbean, scendants of Mahatma Gandhi and
USA, Canada, Australia and New Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose – Ela
Zealand. The panel was put together Gandhi and Anita Bose-Pfaff were
by GOPIO Women’s Council Chair on one platform. GOPIO celebrates
Charu Shivakumar from Southern this statement.
California. The meeting further focused on
GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thom- women’s leadership and empower-
as Abraham, welcomed participants GOPIO Officials and Speakers at the Webinar: Top Row: L-R: Dr. Thomas Abraham, Siddharth ment, with speakers sharing their
and highlighted the organization’s Jain (Sid), Prakash Shah; Second Row: L-R: Ela Gandhi, Charu Shivakumar, Dr. Neerja Arun experiences and perspectives. Ela
global reach and advocacy for the In- Gupta; Third Row: L-R: Shefali Mehta; Prof. Anita Bose-Pfaff, Vasu Pawar; Bottom Row: L-R: Gandhi discussed dealing with re-
dian diaspora and its achievements in sistance by understanding others’
promoting dual nationality. GOPIO Dr. Aarti Shah, Ruchika Arora, CT-Senator-Prof. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox. viewpoints, while Anita Bose-Pfaff
President Prakash Shah announced emphasized not caring about being
upcoming GOPIO events, including and emphasized the need for shared touched on the diverse experiences seen as a leader but making her voice
monthly webinars and a biennial con- responsibility and societal change to of women leaders, including cultur- heard when necessary. The group
vention in Mumbai during December achieve gender equality. al challenges and the need for con- discussed creating a global network
18-20, 2026. Prof. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, tinued advocacy to prevent setbacks for mentoring younger women lead-
GOPIO Women’s Council Chair Senator from State of Connecticut, during crises. Prof. Bose-Pfaff shared ers, with a request for established
Shivakumar introduced the GO- shared her experience as the first her father Netaji’s views on women’s leaders to participate. The conversa-
PIO Women’s Council’s mission to Indian-American and first Asian rights and their role in society citing tion concluded with a discussion on
empower diaspora women through American Woman Senator in Con- an example that the INA’s first women spirituality and its role in facing chal-
networking, education, and leader- necticut, highlighting the difficul- leader was Captain Lakshmi Sahgal. lenges, with speakers emphasizing
ship development. Dr. Neeraja Arun ties women, especially those from Dr. Aarti Shah, a Board mem- the importance of universal values
Gupta, the moderator, emphasized diverse backgrounds, encounter in ber of NVIDIA, Northwestern Mu- across different religions.
the theme “Give to Gain” and in- politics due to patriarchy and cultur- tal and Sandoz as well a couple of Siddharth Jain (SID), GOPIO
troduced the distinguished speakers, al norms. She stressed the need for non-profits, emphasized the impor- International General Secretary
including Smt. Ela Gandhi, grand- grassroots movements to promote tance of heritage, values, and educa- gave the Vote of Thanks to the Chief
daughter of Mahatma Gandhi, and equity and change structural barri- tion in achieving success, while also Guest Ela Gandhi, Speakers: Prof.
Professor Anita Bose-Pfaff, daughter ers, such as pay disparities, to enable highlighting lessons from her career Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, Prof. Anita
of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. more women to enter and succeed in and the concept of servant leadership. Bose-Pfaff, Dr, Neerja Gupta, Dr.
Chief Guest Ela Gandhi, grand- political roles. She further emphasized the message Aarti Shah, Ruchika Arora, Charu
daughter of Mahatma Gandhi shared Prof. Anita Bose-Pfaff, daugh- of spirituality by listing the Four E’s: Shivakumar, GOPIO Leadership
her experiences as a politician in ter of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Energy Energetic Edge Execute. and members across various chap-
South Africa, highlighting the his- shared her experiences as a half-In- Dr. Neerja Gupta, the Vice ters and councils in attendance. Sid
torical struggle for women’s political dian scholar and professor in Europe, Chancellor of Gujarat University in highlighted the four E’s shared by Dr.
representation and her role in advo- discussing the challenges of cultural Ahmedabad, and moderator for the Aarti Shah, poem by Ruchika Arora
cating for women’s participation in identity and gender equality across session brought out the challenges and Dr. Neerja Gupta and comment-
negotiations that led to democratic different countries, while highlight- women still face in leadership roles ed that 50% of all population is wom-
reforms. She discussed the challenges ing the progress made in education and the need for continued efforts to en and the balance exists because of
women still face, including the triple but noting ongoing barriers in pro- ensure gender equality. them. We recognize the important
burden of work, home, and childcare, fessional spheres. The conversation Ms. Ruchika Arora shared her contributions by all Women.

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