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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline JUNE 26, 2026 | The Indian Eye 24

GOPIO-CT Marks 20th Anniversary,

Honors Distinguished Leaders

OUR BUREAU
Darien, CT
he Connecticut chapter of the
Global Organization of People
Tof Indian Origin (GOPIO-CT)
celebrated its 20th Anniversary with a
grand Annual Awards Banquet at the
Water’s Edge Banquet Hall, Darien,
CT on June 13, 2026, recognizing five
prominent Indian American leaders for
their civic and professional excellence. CT Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson presenting award plaque to DCG Vishal Harsh presenting the award to CT State Senator Sujata
The milestone event brought to-
gether a bipartisan group of state and veteran journalist Ajay Ghosh Gadkar-Wilcox
local lawmakers, community leaders,
and professionals, reflecting the grow- ways, its success became a model for
ing political, economic, and cultural GOPIO International in shaping the
influence of the South Asian diaspora structure and activities of local chap-
in Connecticut and across the United ters worldwide.
States. The evening also highlighted While reflecting on the origins of
two decades of GOPIO-CT’s commit- GOPIO International, Dr. Abraham
ment to advocacy, cultural preserva- said, since its launch in 1989, GOPIO
tion, and community service. has championed issues affecting the
The Chief Guest was India’s Indian Diaspora, including civil rights,
Deputy Consul General in New York, human rights, community empower-
Vishal Harsh, who also presented ment, and political participation. GO-
awards to the honorees. Other digni- PIO continues to expand its mission
taries who spoke at the banquet were through conferences, public forums,
CT Senators Sujata Gadkar Wilcox community celebrations, social service,
and Tony Hwang, and CT Assembly- a philanthropic initiatives. “GOPIO
man Jonathan Jacobson. remains committed to enhancing In- DCG Vishal Harsh presenting the award to Nitin Mhatre, CEO at First County Bank
Dr. Vishal Harsh, Deputy Consul dia’s image globally while promoting
General of India in New York, in his business, trade, investment, philan- Distinguished Honorees Across Sectors • In Corporate Leadership, the chap-
keynote address said, “The achieve- thropic linkages between India and ter will recognize Nitin Mhatre, who
ments of Indian Americans have be- the worldwide Indian Diaspora,” Dr. This year’s honorees represented assumed the role of Chief Executive
come a global benchmark—communi- Abraham the veteran founder of GO- a wide range of fields: Officer at First County Bank on
ties across the world look to replicate PIO said. • In the category of Political Lead- April 15, 2026. Mhatre takes the
the success and impact you have creat- Mike Joshi, the GOPIO-CT Ban- ership, GOPIO-CT honored State helm of an independent mutual
ed in the United States.” Elaborating quet Chair and GOPIO-CT Secretary, Senator Prof. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox. community bank that has operated
on the success story of the Diaspora, who eloquently emceed the gala, said, Elected to the Connecticut State continuously in Fairfield County
he said, “The Indian diaspora in the “The banquet is not only a celebration Senate in 2024 to represent the and the surrounding Connecticut
United States stands as a powerful of the 20th year milestone for GOPIO 22nd District—which encompasses municipalities for more than 174
testament to excellence, innovation, but also enabled us to raise funds to parts of Trumbull, Monroe, and years.
and global leadership. They have dis- support Youth Charity Initiatives in Bridgeport—Gadkar-Wilcox is • Hemchandra M. Shertukde, Ph.D.,
tinguished themselves across sectors, our community. Your continued sup- also a Professor of Legal Studies at P.E., DMS, who is being recognized
setting benchmarks of achievement port makes it possible for GOPIO Quinnipiac University. for his Achievements in Engineer-
and integrity.” He highlighted the to continue to deliver on its mission • The award for Entrepreneurship ing and Applied Sciences. Dr. Sher-
numerous consular services available of enhancing cooperation between and Business Achievements will be tukde has served as a faculty mem-
to the Diaspora community, making people of Indian Origin with local presented to Dr. Anil R. Diwan, the ber in the College of Engineering,
them available 24/7, to meet the needs communities and continue to support founder, president, and executive Technology, and Architecture at the
of the community, he said. through charitable contributions and chairman of NanoViricides, Inc. University of Hartford for nearly 40
Dr. Thomas Abraham, founder volunteer efforts across Connecticut.” (NYSE American: NNVC). Head- years.
president of GOPIO International The 2026 honorees included a quartered in Connecticut, Diwan’s • Ajay Ghosh, a veteran journalist
and chair of the Awards Committee, state senator, a nanotechnology exec- firm has focused on the develop- received the award in the Journal-
emphasized the broader significance utive, a veteran journalist, a prominent ment of specialized antiviral thera- ism category. Ghosh’s career spans
of the honorees. “Over the past two regional bank CEO, and a long-stand- pies using proprietary “nanoviricide” more than 30 years across mass me-
decades, GOPIO-CT has set an out- ing engineering professor, reflecting technology, which aims to neutral- dia, higher education, and clinical
standing example of how a local chap- the diverse professional and civic con- ize viruses mechanically rather than healthcare, highlighting a versatile
ter can effectively organize, engage, tributions of the state’s growing South relying solely on host immune re- career path dedicated to public in-
and serve the community. In many Asian diaspora. sponses. terest communication.

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