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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline AUGUST 28, 2026 | The Indian Eye 26

GOPIO Celebrates Indian

Independence Day with Flag

Hoisting Ceremony at Govt. Center

OUR BUREAU
Stamford, CT
he Global Organization of
People of Indian Origin–
TConnecticut Chapter (GO-
PIO-CT) commemorated India’s
Independence Day on August 15
with a flag-hoisting ceremony at the
Stamford Government Center, cel-
ebrating India’s 79th Independence
Day and the enduring contributions
of Indian Americans to Connecticut
and the United States.
The chief guest was Connecti-
cut State Senator Bob Duff, Senate
Majority Leader. Also attending
were Janeene Freeman, Director of
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and
representative of Stamford Mayor
Caroline Simmons; Nitin Mhatre,
President and CEO of First Coun-
ty Bank; Pilar Pelaez, President of
the Stamford Mayor’s Multicultural
Council; GOPIO leaders; communi-
ty representatives; and members of
the Indian-American community.
During the ceremony, the Amer-
ican flag was raised by Senator Duff
as the U.S. national anthem was sung.
This was followed by the singing of First County Bank President Nitin Mhatre raising Indian flag
the Indian national anthem and the
raising of the Indian tricolor by Nitin Independence Day Luncheon comed the attendees and expressed He further spoke about the re-
Mhatre. The Connecticut state flag and Lecture appreciation to the elected officials, cent launch of the GOPIO Chamber
was raised by Janeene Freeman. Following the flag-hoisting cer- community leaders, sponsors, volun- of Commerce and Industry (GCCI)–
Following the flag-hoisting, emony, attendees gathered at the teers, and members of the community Connecticut Chapter at the Connecti-
Senator Duff and Ms. Freeman ad- Hampton Inn & Suites for a luncheon who participated in the celebration. cut State Capitol. The chapter was
dressed the gathering and praised and an address by Dr. Sunil Purush- Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chair- launched following the signing of the
GOPIO-CT for organizing programs otham, Associate Professor of Histo- man of GOPIO International and an Connecticut-India Trade Commission
that preserve and celebrate Indian ry at Fairfield University. A historian Advisor and Trustee of GOPIO-CT, legislation by Governor Lamont. Dr.
heritage while strengthening the of modern South Asia, Dr. Purush- highlighted GOPIO’s longstanding Abraham encouraged Indian-Amer-
community’s engagement with the otham’s research focuses on the his- international presence. Founded in ican small and medium-sized busi-
broader Stamford and Connecticut tory of sovereignty and democracy in New York in 1989, GOPIO has grown ness owners, entrepreneurs, and
community. India, Indian political thought, and into a global organization with more professional practitioners to become
The ceremony brought togeth- global intellectual history. His book, than 100 chapters in over 30 countries. involved with GCCI, emphasizing
er elected officials, community From Raj to Republic: Sovereignty, Dr. Abraham also highlighted its potential to connect businesses
leaders, business representatives, Violence and Democracy in India, the recent establishment of the Con- and professionals locally, national-
and Indian American community was published by Stanford University necticut-India Trade Commission, ly, globally, and with India. He also
and friends to honor India’s inde- Press in 2021. legislation for which was signed by introduced GCCI Treasurer Prasad
pendence while celebrating the Sushanth Krishnamurthy, Chair Governor Ned Lamont. He noted Chintalapudi.
diversity, democratic values, and of the GOPIO-CT Independence that GOPIO had played an import- A central message of the celebra-
shared aspirations that connect the Day Program, opened the luncheon ant role in supporting the legislation, tion was that Indian Americans can
Indian-American community with program and introduced GOPIO-CT including by providing testimony in be “proud to be Americans and proud
the United States. President Mahesh Jhangiani, who wel- support of the initiative. Continued on next page... >>

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