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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline DECEMBER 26, 2025 | The Indian Eye 22

GOPIO-CT CHAPTER RAISES FUNDS FOR PERSON

TO PERSON AND WOMEN’S MENTORING NETWORK

OUR BUREAU

Stamford, CT
he Global Organization of
People of Indian Origin–
TConnecticut Chapter (GO-
PIO-CT) organized a successful
fundraiser at its Annual Holiday
Party on December 7, raising $5,000
in support of Person to Person, a
respected charitable organization
based in Darien, with branches in
Stamford and Norwalk.
Guided by its vision of “thriving,
hunger-free homes,” Person to Per-
son assists families and individuals GOPIO-CT’s new Executive Committee team with Board, Trustees and Advisors at the General Body Meeting.
on their path to stability by providing Sitting from left to right: Sonali Gannu, Meera Banta, Sangeeta Ahuja, President Mahesh Jhangiani, GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham,
healthy food, clothing, housing as-
sistance, and access to economic op- Sushanth Krishnamurthy. Standing from left to right: Manish Maheshwari, Paul Ahuja, Biru Sharma, Ambrish Mathur, Anju Simon, Anita Mathur,
portunity. A check was presented to Joe Simon, Bhom Banta, Santosh Gannu, and Mirat Joshi.
Ms. Sarah Lippman, Development
and Salesforce Manager of Person to empowerment for single women and
Person, during the event. their families through employment
The Annual Holiday Party and educational opportunities.”
brought together community lead- Representatives from several
ers, elected officials, and GOPIO partner organizations and institu-
members for an evening that includ- tions also attended and addressed
ed the swearing-in of GOPIO-CT’s the audience, including Eileen L.
newly elected leadership team, live McNamara, Development Manager
entertainment, and dinner. The pro- at the Norwalk Community College
gram opened with a universal prayer Foundation; Yelena Klompus of
led by GOPIO-CT Secretary Sonali Stamford’s Ferguson Library; Cliff
Gannu. McFeely, Founder of Future 5; Jen-
Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling nifer Hallissey, Director of Strategy
served as Chief Guest. Other digni- Partnerships at Children’s Learning
taries in attendance included Con- Center; and Jim Hoffman of Wheel
necticut State Senator Prof. Sujata It Forward.
Gadkar-Wilcox and Connecticut GOPIO-CT President Mahesh
Assemblyman Corey Paris. Mayor Jhangiani delivered the welcome ad- GOPIO-CT presents a check of $5,000 to Person to Person official Sarah Lippman. From left
Rilling noted that during his tenure dress and highlighted the chapter’s to right: GOPIO International Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, Srinivas Akarapu, Lucia Rilling,
as Mayor, Indian Americans have activities during the year, including Sarah Lippman, Rep. Corey Paris, GOPIO-CT President Mahesh Jhangiani, Mayor Harry Rilling,
made remarkable contributions to India Independence Day flag hoist-
the City of Norwalk. ing at Stamford Government Center Sushanth Krishnamurthy, Mirat Joshi, CT Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, and Sonali Gannu.
Assemblyman Corey Paris, who and a cultural festival at Mill River
also serves as Chief Philanthropy Of- Park; participation in Stamford Day sity, commended GOPIO-CT for its Thomas Abraham, Totty Narang, Jo-
ficer and Strategy Officer at Person and the Mayor’s Multicultural Soci- service-oriented initiatives that ben- seph Simon, and Shailesh Naik. May-
to Person, thanked GOPIO-CT for ety; community seminars on taxation efit the broader community. or Harry Rilling administered the
its continued support of the organi- and investments; advocacy with Con- The highlight of the evening Oath of Office. The GOPIO Chair-
zation and its mission. gressman Jim Himes on H-1B visa was the oath-taking ceremony for man and Advisor to GOPIO-CT
In 2025 alone, GOPIO-CT and fee issues; support for SHED’s rural the newly elected GOPIO-CT lead- served as the Chair of the Election
its members contributed $25,000 education initiatives in India; hosting ership team. Mahesh Jhangiani was Committee along with Biru Sharma
each to Future 5 and Children’s University of Connecticut students unanimously re-elected as President. and Jaya Daptardar.
Learning Center, and $10,000 to during Diwali celebrations; fundrais- Other officers include Sushanth GOPIO-CT’s newly elected
SHED. During the Holiday Party, a ing for Stamford Hospital’s Bennett Krishnamurthy as Executive Vice Secretary Mirat Joshi served as the
check was also presented to Wom- Cancer Center; participation in the President, Sonali Gannu as Vice Master of Ceremonies. A musical
en’s Mentoring Network. Norwalk NICE Festival; and joint President, Mirat Joshi as Secretary, evening followed with live Bolly-
Lana Gifas, Executive Director programs with GOPIO International Srinivas Akarapu as Treasurer, Nan- wood oldies by singer Seema Kaur.
of Women’s Mentoring Network, and regional GOPIO chapters. du Kuppuswamy as Board Member GOPIO Executive Vice President
remarked, “GOPIO has always been State Senator Prof. Sujata Gad- (Seminars), and Shelli Nichani and Sushanth Krishnamurthy concluded
supportive of our program in Stam- kar-Wilcox, Associate Professor of Prasad Chintalapudi as Trustees. the program with a vote of thanks,
ford, which focuses on economic Legal Studies at Quinnipiac Univer- Continuing Trustees include Dr. followed by an Indian dinner.

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