Page 14 - The Indian EYE 122923

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline DECEMBER 29, 2023 | The Indian Eye 14

GOPIO-CT Chapter Raises Funds for CIRI,

Future 5 and Women’s Mentoring Network

OUR BUREAU with GOPIO International and GO-
PIO chapters for a send=off party
Stamford, CT
for India’s Consul General in New
OPIO-CT chapter organized York Shri Ranjit Kumar Jaiswal.
a fundraiser at its Holiday Par- GOPIO-CT Board Member
Gty on December 15th to bene- Prof. Sujatha Gadkar-Wilcox, who
fit Connecticut Institute for Refugees is a professor Quinnipiac University,
and Immigrants (CIRI), a statewide was recognized for being appoint-
nonprofit organization that assists ref- ed by Governor Ned Lamont as a
ugees and immigrants resolve legal, Commissioner at Connecticut Hu-
economic, linguistic and social barri- man Rights Commission. Prof. Gad-
ers so that they become self-sufficient, kar-Wilcox said that the Commission
integrated and contributing members aims to eliminate discrimination and
of the community. CIRI https://cirict. establish equal opportunity through
org/contact-us/) achieves this mission civil and human rights law enforce-
by providing a compassionate array of ment as well as advocacy and educa-
high-quality legal, social and educa- tion. She has dedicated her entire ca-
tional programming and by promot- reer both in and out of the classroom
ing cross cultural understanding and to drawing the world’s attention to
decent treatment for all. human rights and principles of jus-
It was one of most successful Top left: Anita Bhat (in the middle) being presented with Liberty Award 2023. From the left, tice that are mentioned in the US
Holiday Party and fundraising for Past Presidents Sangeeta Ahuja and Shelly Nichani along with in the right GOPIO Chairman constitution and international law.
charities. With a full house and over- Dr. Thomas Abraham and GOPIO-CT President Dr. Jaya Daptardar; Top right: CIRI President GOPIO-CT honored its Past
flowing, the chapter raised $5,000 President Anita Bhat at the Holiday
and the check was presented to CIRI Susan Schnitzer accepting a check from GOPIO-CT Trustee Chair Shelly Nichani, flanked by Party with Liberty Award 2023 for
President and CEO Susan Schnitzer. GOPIO EC and Board Members and Trustees; Bottom left: Future 5 Executive Director Amanda community leadership and for her
“At CIRI we provide legal, economic, Dubois-Mwake receiving a check from GOPIO-CT Treasurer Srinivas Akarapu; and Women’s services to GOPIO for over a dozen
linguistic and social services to immi- Mentoring Network Executive Director Lana Gifas accepting a check from GOPIO-President years. This was to be presented ear-
grants, refugees, survivors of human Jaya Daptardar and Treasurer Srinivas Akarapu. lier at the India Independence Day
trafficking throughout Connecticut Celebrations in August but she was
to our clients who come from more not available at that time. Anita said
than 90 countries,” said Schnitzer. that GOPIO-CT is doing a great job
GOPIO-CT also presented in community service.
checks to two other charities with GOPIO-CT has reelected the
similar amounts, Future 5 and Wom- team for 2024 at the General Body
en’s Mentoring Network. These two Meeting held before the Holiday
later groups have been supported by Party. The new team members are
GOPIO-CT since 2016. President Dr. Jaya Daptardar, Exec-
Women’s Mentoring Network’s utive Vice President Mahesh Jhang-
Executive Director Lana Gifas said iani, Vice President Prachi Narayan,
“GOPIO has been always supportive Secretary Sushanth Krishnamurthy,
to our program in Stamford focusing Associate Secretary Ashvini Persaud
on economic empowerment of single and Treasurer Srinivas Akarapu.
women and their families and pro- The General Body also elected Dr.
viding support services that focus on Thomas Abraham and Totty Narang
finding better employment and edu- to the two open positions of Trust-
cational opportunities.” ees. Continuing Trustees are Shelly
The Holiday Party started with Nichani (Chair), Joe Simon, Shailesh
President Dr. Jaya Daptardar with Naik and Prasad Chintalapudi. Up to
a welcome speech. She gave an ac- GOPIO-CT officials at the event: Secretary Prachi Narayan, Secretary Sushanth Krishnamur- 11 new Board Members will be ap-
count of the various activities for the pointed by the Executive Council.
year, including huge India Indepen- thy, Executive Vice President Mahesh Jhangiani, Trustee Joe Simon, Treasurer Srinivas A musical evening followed and
dence Flag Hoisting at the Stamford Akarapu, President Dr. Jaya Daptardar, Trustee and GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, was organized by GOPIO-CT Pres-
Govt. Center followed by a festival Board Member Anita Mathur and Past Presidents Sangeeta Ahuja and Anita Bhat ident Daptardar and was compered
at the Mill River Park, participation by Board Member Sonali Gannu.
with Mayor’s Multicultural Society tax and investment seminar, mental ford Hospital’s Bennet Cancer Cen- Singers at the evening were Raashmi
celebrating Stamford Day, contribut- health seminar, hosting welcome re- ter, hosting GOPIO International Sathe, Anant Nimkarde, Sachin and
ing to Mill River Collaborative for its ception/dinner for Indian students General Body Meeting, organizing a Shilpa Kulkarni, Leena Damle, along
children’s activities, interacting with from University of Connecticut, par- Diwali Festival at the Stamford Pub- with DJ Ryan Persaud. A sumptuous
Congressman Jim Himes, organizing ticipation in a fundraising for Stam- lic Library and finally joining hands Indian dinner followed.

www.TheIndianEYE.com