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The Indian Eye
NORTH AMERICAN Newsline AUGUST 21, 2026 28

Connecticut General Assembly and City of

Stamford Honor India and Indian Americans

at India’s 79th Anniversary

OUR BUREAU ed many service organizations in Con- past and existing GOPIO-CT mem- rule. Jhangiani recognized India Day
necticut including Future 5, Wom- bers. He adds that Indian Americans not only as a celebration of Indian
New York, NY
en’s Mentoring Network, Children’s are making progress in shaping Amer- American culture and traditions, but
s in the previous years, Con- Learning Center, Teach for America, ican science, ecology, business, art, as a day to recognize the people who
necticut State Assembly has Building One Community, Grass and public service. “As members of celebrate them. He notes that at the
Aissued a citation to honor Roots of Stamford and Norwalk, Mill the Indian diaspora we represent the core of Indian American and GOPIO
Global Organization of People of In- River Park Collaborative, Connecti- bridge between the two democracies. beliefs is the idea that one’s wellbeing
dian Origin – Connecticut Chapter cut Institute for Refugees and Immi- The world’s greatest, the largest, and is connected to the wellbeing of those
(GOPIO-CT) for its India Day Cel- grants, Norwalk Community College, the world’s oldest. Our two democ- around them. Jhangiani connects this
ebration commemorating the 79th Dollar for Scholars, New Covenant racies share a lot through economic, belief to a well-known prayer. “May
Anniversary of India’s Independence. Center and other food pantries in innovative, cultural, and educational all be happy. May all be free from ill-
The official citation was initiated by Fairfield County, Person to Person, eyes. At the heart of this relation is the ness. May all see what is good. May
Senator Patricia Billie Miller and in- and the Stamford Hospital Founda- Indian diaspora.” says Mike Joshi in no one suffer,” he reads. The prayer
troduced by nine other Senators and tion, and its Bennet Cancer Center.” reference to the prospering relation- is not about a specific community or
State Representatives. It congratulat- Photo: Presentation of Connecti- ship between India and the U.S. Joshi a particular family but instead focuses
ed GOPIO-CT for promoting aware- cut State Citation and Stamford City ends his speech by discussing how on the wellbeing of others. He con-
ness of Indian culture, customs and Proclamation to GOPIO by elected GOPIO-CT celebrates the culture, cludes his statement by stating the im-
the substantial contribution of Indi- officials at the ceremony of Indian heritage, and traditions of India that portance of being proud of all aspects
an Americans to various fields. The Day Celebrations, from l. to r.: GO- at its core focuses on giving back to of being Indian American.
citation also recognized GOPIO-CT PIO-CT VP Sonali Gannu, Executive local communities and passing along GOPIO International Chairman
for supporting many charities in Con- Vice President and Program Chair these great values to the next genera- Dr. Thomas Abraham discussed the
necticut. The citation was signed by Sushanth Krishnamurthy, Assem- tion of Indian Americans. history of India’s Independence, not-
CT General Assembly’s Pro Tempore blyman Jonathan Jacobson, Indian The India Day Program Chair ing the millions of Indians worked to-
Marten M. Looney, House Speaker Consul Upendra Negi, Senator Sujata Sushanth Krishnamurthy, the Event wards separating from British colonial
Matt Ritter and Secretary of State Gadkar-Wilcox, Senator Patricia Billie Chair for the India Independence rule. He used this story to show how
Stephanie Thomas. Miller, Stamford Mayor’s Represen- Day celebration welcomed guests to India was once challenged in the face
Stamford Mayor Caroline Sim- tative Janeene Freeman, GOPIO-CT the program. Apart from GOPIO-CT of poverty and limited resources, and
moins issued a proclamation in rec- President Mahesh Jhangiani, GOPIO representatives such as President Ma- yet the country managed to choose
ognition of India’s Independence and International Chairman Dr. Thomas hesh Jhangiani and GOPIO Interna- democracy. India may not have been
congratulating GOPIO-CT for its ser- Abraham and GOPIO-CT Secretary tional Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraha- the first Democracy; however, India
vices and contributions to Stamford. It Mirat Joshi ms, Krishnamurthy introduced Indian proved to the world that Democra-
was presented by Mayor’s Represen- The program started with GO- Consul Upendra Negi, Senator Sujata cy was sustainable even in a country
tative Janeene Freeman who is Direc- PIO-CT Secretary Mirat Joshi serving Gadkar-Wilcox, and Stamford City’s plagued with adversity. Abraham adds
tor of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion at as the MC, who opened the India In- Director of Diversity, Equity, and that India is moving towards valuable
the mayor’s office. The proclamation dependence Day program by welcom- Inclusion for Stamford CT Janeene scientific, economic, and social prog-
had words of thanks to GOPIO-CT ing guests to sing the American Na- Freeman, and Representative Jona- ress that is allowing it to slowly emerge
for its services and support of many tional Anthem, followed by the Indian than Jacobsen. as one of the leading economies on a
charitable service providers in the National Anthem. GOPIO-CT President, Mahesh global scale. He concluded his remarks
Fairfield County Joshi highlighted GOPIO-CT re- Jhangiani acknowledged August by recognizing core Indian values,
The proclamation noted, “In the cently celebrating its 20th anniversary 15th, 1947 as the day India gained “Democracy, freedom, justice, toler-
last 20 years, GOPIO-CT has support- and directed his appreciation to all the independence from British colonial ance, and peace,” Abraham stated.

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