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    NORTH AMERICAN Newsline                                               AUGUST 28, 2026      |  The Indian Eye 27

            to be Indians.” Speakers emphasized
            that celebrating Indian heritage and
            American identity are complementa-
            ry,  reflecting  the  community’s  com-
            mitment to both its cultural roots and
            its contributions to the United States.
                The program also recognized
            the approaching 250th anniversary
            of American independence, provid-
            ing an opportunity to reflect on the
            ideals  of  freedom,  democracy,  and
            pluralism shared by the two nations.
            Nitin Mhatre, President and CEO of
            First County Bank, also addressed the
            gathering and conveyed his Indepen-
            dence Day greetings.
                Pilar Pelaez, President of the
            Stamford   Mayor’s  Multicultural
            Council, spoke about the importance                          Dignitaries, GOPIO officials and the community at the flag hoisting
            of cultural diversity in Stamford. She
            noted that the council represents the   Dr.  Purushotham  also  drew
            many cultures and ethnicities that   connections between historical mile-
            contribute to the character and vital-  stones such as 1776, 1946, and 1947,
            ity of the city and emphasized the im-  while  reflecting  on  the  challenges
            portance of enabling residents to cel-  confronting  societies  today.  He  em-
            ebrate and take pride in their heritage.  phasized  that  history  continues  to
                                              shape how people understand the
             Dr. Sunil Purushotham Discusses   present and envision the future.
               the Significance of August 15      He noted that historical inter-
                The  keynote  speaker,  Dr.  Sunil   pretation  remains  highly  relevant,
            Purushotham, holds a doctorate in   including in the American legal sys-
            History from the University of Cam-  tem,  where  courts  such  as  the  U.S.
            bridge and has written extensively   Supreme Court frequently examine
            on modern South Asian history. His   historical context in addressing ques-
            address focused on a fundamental   tions of law and constitutional inter-
            question: What is the significance of   pretation.
            August 15?                            Despite the challenges facing
                Dr.  Purushotham  discussed  the   contemporary  societies,  Dr.  Purush-
            challenges involved in interpreting   otham expressed optimism about the    GOPIO-CT officials with Dr. Sunil Purushotham, Standing from l. to r.: Dr. Thomas Abraham,
            history, particularly when political   future. He pointed to the growing par-  Sonali Gannu, Dr. Purushotham, Mahesh Jhangiani, Meera Banta, Mirat Joshi and Sushanth
            parties and competing ideological   ticipation of young people in protests,   Krishnamurthy; Sitting from l. to r: Prasad Chintalapudi, Manish Maheshwari, Deepender
            perspectives offer different accounts   civic activities, and public discourse
            of the past. He emphasized the impor-  as evidence that a new generation is                 Gupta and Santosh Gannu
            tance of examining historical events   actively thinking about the kind of so-
            carefully  and  critically,  noting  that   ciety and future it wants to create.
            political rivalries can sometimes ob-  The GOPIO-CT Independence
            scure a fuller understanding of history.  Day celebration thus served not only
                He described August 15, 1947, as   as a commemoration of India’s inde-
            representing far more than the end   pendence but also as an opportunity
            of British colonial rule. It marked the   to  reflect  on  democracy,  freedom,
            beginning of a new era in which India   equality, cultural identity, and civic
            sought to establish itself as a demo-  participation.
            cratic nation committed to represen-  As the Indian American commu-
            tative government, equality, peaceful   nity continues to grow and strength-
            governance, and the rejection of caste-  en its presence in Connecticut and
            based  discrimination  and  prejudice.  throughout the United States, GO-
               “1947 brought an end to kingship   PIO-CT’s celebration underscored
            and it was replaced by the will and   the importance of preserving cultural
            sovereignty of the people,” Dr. Puru-  heritage while contributing actively to
            shotham said, describing the transfor-  the larger American community.
            mation of India’s political system and   Over the last 20 years, GO-        Connecticut Senator Majority Leader Bob Duff addressing the community
            its aspirations for a more equal society.  PIO-CT, a chapter of GOPIO Inter-
                He placed Indian independence   national has become an active and   area organizations to help create a   culture, customs and contributions of
            within the broader history of decol-  dynamic organization hosting inter-  better  future.  GOPIO-CT  –  Global   people of Indian origin through com-
            onization in Asia, describing India’s   active  sessions  with  policy  makers   Organization of People of Indian Ori-  munity programs, forums, events and
            emergence as an important develop-  and academicians, community events,  gin – serves as a non-partisan, secular,  youth activities. It seeks to strengthen
            ment in the global history of freedom,  youth mentoring and networking   civic and community service organiza-  partnerships and create an ongoing
            self-government, and democracy.   workshops, and working with other   tion – promoting awareness of Indian   dialogue with local communities.

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