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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline APRIL 03, 2023 | The Indian Eye 19

The activities for the year were
inaugurated by the Chief Guest
Mayor Caroline Simmons.
Mayor Simmons said that she
and her team look forward to work-
ing with GOPIO-CT and supporting
its initiatives to build a more inclu-
sive and equitable society.
She then administered the oath
of office to the newly elected 2023
Executive Committee, Board, Trust-
ees and the new president. Dele-
gates from various service organi-
zations were present at the event
including Women’s Mentoring Net-
work, Future 5 and Stamford Public
Library.
President Dr. Jaya Daptardar
officially welcomed new GOPIO CT
Executive board members team Ex-
ecutive VP Mahesh Jhangiani, Vice
President Prachi Narayan, Secretary
Sushanth Krishnamurthy, Joint Sec-
retary Ashwini Persaud, Treasurer GOPIO-CT 2023 team, from l. to r.: Prasad Chintalapudi, Ashvini Persaud, Prachi Narayan, Dr. Jaya Daptardar, Dr. Thomas Abraham, Ashok
Srinivas Akarapu, Immediate past Nichani, Sushanth Krishnamurthy, Srinivas Akarapu, Dr. Anita Mathur. Santosh Gannu and Meera Banta
President Ashok Nichani who served
from 2019 to 2022; Board members:
Meera Banta, Dilli Bhatta, Ruby
Chadda, Ravi Dhingra, Sonali Gan-
nu, Nandu Kuppusamy, Manish
Maheswari, Dr. Anita Mathur, Vi-
kas Mathur, Ravi Nichani, Mangal
Shah and Dr. Sujata Gadkar-Wil-
cox; Trustees: Shelly Nichani, Prasad
Chintalapudi, Joe Simon, Shailesh
Naik, Dr. Thomas Abraham and
Neelam Narang. “We will all work
together with GOPIO Chairman,
trustees and board members to serve
the community and will make sure to
make the difference,” Dr. Daptardar
added.
The newly elected President Dr.
Jaya Daptardar spoke about the re-
cent fundraiser. She said “On Feb
6th earthquake struck southern and
central Turkey and northern and
western Syria. GOPIO CT executive
team came together in raising funds
for Turkey disaster relief. Our GO-
PIO CT immediate past president
Mr. Ashok Nichani contacted Turkey GOPIO-CT organizers, musicians and sponsors of the launch event
embassy and found resources to send
the required aid. We couldn’t find Mental Health Awareness, “Hope (Stamford, CT), Wayne Purville, events, youth mentoring and net-
reliable resources to send relief to in Motion’ Walkathon on June 11th of Cero Communications (Mount working workshops, and working
Syria but we did as much as we could to raise funds for Bennet Cancer Vernon, NY), Braj Agrawal CPA with other area organizations to help
for the survivors in Turkey. Together Center of the Stamford Hospital, In- (Jackson Heights, NY), Dr. Rajesh create a better future.
5000 dollars of needed supplies such dia Day Celebration on August 6th, Kalra of NCR Care (Queens, NY). GOPIO-CT – Global Organi-
as food, tent, men’s and women’s Welcome Dinner for Indian students GOPIO-CT Vice President Prachi zation of People of Indian Origin
jackets, baby formulae, children’s at UConn in September, Diwali par- Narayan gave the vote of thanks. The – serves as a non-partisan, secular,
clothes and orthopedic supplies were ty in November and partnering with program continued with Bollywood civic and community service orga-
sent by Turkish Airlines.” community Diwali event at Ferguson music and dance. nization – promoting awareness of
Dr. Daptardar presented the library in Stamford and finally Hol- Over the last 17 years, GO- Indian culture, customs and contri-
2023 GOPIO events and activities iday Party in December which will PIO-CT, a chapter of GOPIO In- butions of PIOs through community
overview which includes a seminar raise funds for a local charity. ternational has become an active programs, forums, events and youth
on investments and tax tips in April, Sponsors of the event were In- and dynamic organization hosting activities. It seeks to strengthen part-
Health and Wellness seminar in May ternational Museum of the Saree interactive sessions with policy mak- nerships and create an ongoing dia-
on Mental Health as part of the (Queens, NY), Infinity Solutions ers and academicians, community logue with local communities.

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