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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline FEBRUARY 27, 2026 | The Indian Eye 18

GOPIO International Youth Council Hosts

Global Webinar “The Power of Youth:

Creating Impact in an Evolving World”

OUR BUREAU ty, ethical leadership, and structured
mentorship. She emphasized that the
New York, NY
age of reinvention demands more
he Global Organization of Peo- than ambition — it demands align-
ple of Indian Origin (GOPIO) ment, disciplined execution, and eco-
TInternational Youth Council system-building. Pawar highlighted
successfully hosted a global webinar that leadership is not about holding
on Saturday, 14th of February 2026, power but about creating more lead-
themed “The Power of YOUth: Cre- ers, reinforcing the importance of
ating Impact in an Evolving World.” enabling others to rise. Her message
The virtual gathering brought to- urged youth to shift from aspiration
gether young leaders, entrepreneurs, to actual impact through consistency,
professionals, students, and members courage, and character.
of the Indian Diaspora from across Moderator Patel then introduced
continents for a powerful 90-minute the Chief Guest welcoming the Chief
exchange of insight, reflection, and Guest Nitesh Banta, Co-Founder &
action. CEO of B12, who spoke on Building
In an era defined by artificial in- Beyond Hype, Banta, after gradu-
telligence, rapid technological shifts, ating from Harvard, initiated a few
and borderless opportunity, the ses- companies and then went to Goo-
sion moved beyond age-based defini- gle, from there to venture investing
tions of youth to focus on awareness, and entrepreneurship. Banta spoke
ownership, and purposeful action. As about the exponential pace of AI
articulated during the initial address, development and its transformative
youth is not about chronology - it is societal impact.
about consciousness. It is about step- Banta advised young leaders
ping up today for a better tomorrow. to continuously learn, build with AI
The webinar emphasized that in a tools, and engage across generations.
trend-driven world, true leadership Importantly, he distinguished be-
requires clarity over noise, purpose tween founders who chase valuation
over popularity, and discipline over and those who build lasting value,
distraction. Participants were re- emphasising sustainability, prob-
minded that roles do not define indi- lem-solving, and long-term thinking
viduals; it is how one plays those roles over hype cycles.
that creates impact. The recurring Awareness & Identity: Breaking
message throughout the session was Patterns, Building Possibilities: Patel
clear: youth are not preparing for the vation and leadership. GOPIO Pres- neurial Mindset, Wellbeing & Bal- then introduced and welcomed Ce-
future; they are actively building it. ident, Mr Prakash Shah, President of ance, and Purpose-Driven Leader- lebrity Guest Ms. Manasvi Mamgai,
Opening Address: A Global Call GOPIO International, encouraged ship former Miss India, Actor and now
to Conscious Leadership, GOPIO deeper engagement with GOPIO Mr. Viresh emphasized that a Hollywood producer. Manasvi
Associate Secretary, Sunil Vuppulal initiatives to foster community-led speed without direction is noise, and shared her journey from Miss India
opened the session by highlighting growth and promote global collabo- that real growth begins with inner to creative leadership, emphasis-
India’s powerful youth demograph- ration. clarity. Drawing parallels between ing the importance of staying true
ic dividend and its global potential. Setting the Context: From the human mind and AI, he not- to one’s passions and cultural roots.
He underscored the urgent need Trends to Transformation Mr. Vi- ed that “our mind responds to the She discussed her career in enter-
to bridge the gap between access resh Patel, Founder & CEO of Intell prompts we feed it,” reminding par- tainment and her new initiative, the
to technology and meaningful em- IDEA and Co-Chair of the Youth ticipants that self-awareness is the South Asians in Media and Arts
ployment opportunities, positioning Council, also panel executive host for foundation of emotional excellence Foundation(SAMA), aiming at sup-
youth empowerment as a collective this webinar, set the tone for the ses- and conscious leadership. porting the next generation of talent
responsibility. sion by reframing youth as a mindset Keynote Address: Adaptabili- in the arts and media.
GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thom- of awareness and responsibility rath- ty in the Age of Reinvention GO- AI & Human Skills: Staying Hu-
as Abraham welcomed participants er than age. He outlined key themes PIO Youth Council Chair Ms. Vasu man in a Digital Age - Mr. Anub-
and spoke on GOPIO mission and that would shape the dialogue during Pawar, CEO of Step2StepUp Inc., hav Jain, Founder of TWC UK and
achievements in the last 36 years and the webinar, such as Awareness & a non-profit, delivered a keynote GUTSY, explored how AI is redefin-
emphasized the pivotal role of the In- Emotional Intelligence, AI & Future address ‘Adaptability in the Age of ing industries. He stressed that while
dian Diaspora in driving global inno- Skills, Financial Wisdom, Entrepre- Reinvention’ centred on adaptabili- Continued on next page... >>

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