Once again New Year Greetings from GOPIO-Manhattan team Set up in September 2020, GOPIO-Manhattan is a platform for Indian Americans to join hands and promote common interests and as a service organization for all Indian Americans in Manhattan. GOPIO-Manhattan is registered in New York State as a charitable organization with non-profit 501 (c) (3) status by the IRS.

After a great start in September, 2020, GOPIO-Manhattan has many achievements in such a short period in spite of the pandemic. Please see a report of activities in the last four months as attached.

To celebrate our achievements, GOPIO-Manhattan is organizing a Zoom New Year Party on Saturday, Jan 9, 2021 at 6.00 p.m. EST with a musical evening (see details below). We cordially invite you to join us with your family and friends.During a solemn virtual ceremony, which was live webcast around the world, GOPIO-Manhattan  Chapter was launched, with a new team led by Shivender Sofat as the President assuming charge  of the GOPIO-Manhattan Chapter on Thursday, September 24th, 2020. Attended by several  community and business leaders from around the New York region, Consul General of India in  New York, Randhir Kumar Jaiswal, inaugurated the new Chapter.

The program, compered by Co-Secretary Dr. Lisa George with Co-Host Bhavya Gupta, started  with American National Anthem by Shruti Sen followed by Indian National Anthem by Jaya  Sharma. Since Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th Anniversary was being celebrated throughout the world,  in commemoration, his favorite bhajan Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye was sung by Jyoti  Singh.

Ambassador Randhir Kumar Jaiswal, Chief Guest, said, “It’s a privilege to be able to join you all  in inaugurating the GOPIO-Chapter, which will strengthen GOPIO, the NRI community and the  Consulate in New York.” Ambassador Jaiswal congratulated the leadership of GOPIO, which he  said, “has played a stellar role in shaping Indo-US Relations. We are proud of your achievements.”  

Showering praises on the Indian Diaspora in the US, the Senior Diplomat from India said, the  success stories of every Indian American is “a great source of strength to the people in India.  GOPIO has played an important role in fostering this relationship, he said. While assuring whole hearted support to GOPIO, he urged GOPIO to “connect with the youth both in India and the  USA.”  

Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman GOPIO International, in his introductory remarks said, “GOPIO  was born in 1989 and today, it has over 100 chapters across the world, contributing to the larger  community. GOPIO chapters also serve the local communities in need, by sponsoring soup  kitchens and giving scholarship to needy students. During the Covid-19 period, GOPIO chapters  have been making financial contributions and replenishing food items at the food pantries serving  the needy. Some chapters also provided N-95 medical masks to frontline workers, he said. 

India’s Consul General Randhir Kumar Jaiswal inaugurates the GOPIO-Manhattan chapter  

Summarizing the long-felt need for a GOIPIO Chapter in the Business Capital of the US, Dr.  Thomas Abraham said, “In Manhattan, there are a large number of Indian-American young  professionals who move to the city from all over the country. Also, many parents are moving to  Manhattan to be closer with their grownup children who work in New York City. We have been  receiving enquiries from those who move to the city to join a GOPIO chapter and we want to make  that happen. 

Shivender Sofat. President, GOPIO-Manhattan, said, GOPIO was started in NYC and now we are  back in action reviving the organization in the city, where 60 to 70 percent of NRIs have a  connection. Describing some of the programs GOPIO-Manhattan has envisaged, the President of  the Chapter said, “Motivate our Indian Diaspora community to participate and help in local  charitable and social service activities including soup kitchens and walkathons benefitting local  charities; Organize seminars and symposium on subjects of interest to the Indian Diaspora  community; Host elected officials from New York and India with interactive sessions; A welcome  networking reception and dinner for all new students from India who join colleges and universities  in New York city; and, Build an Indian American Youth and Young Professionals network and  organize program for them.”  

Prof. Arvind Panagariya, a Padmabhushan Recipient, former Niti Ayog Vice Chairman and a  Faculty at Columbia University, while according a warm welcome to the new Consul General in  New York, shared his greetings to the new OIffice Bearers of the GOPIO Chapter in NYC. He  applauded Dr. Thomas Abraham and called him “a Pillar of the Indian Community globally.”  

Prof. P. Somasundaran, a Padmashri Recipient and Faculty at Columbia University, in his address,  complimented GOPIO, which he said, “is a brainchild of some creative people.” Referring to the  extreme challenges, particularly climate change, chaos and political violence, he said, “We need  the comfort and support of each other. Current pandemic has shown how important and critical it  is to stay united and for all of us to work together.”  

New York State Senator Kevin Thomas, described the launch of the GIPIO Chapter in Manhattan  as “awesome” and thanked “GOPIO for bringing us together as one family.” He praised the Indian  Diaspora for its great contributions to the larger American community. “I am so proud to be the  first Indian American Senator in NY,” he said. Jenifer Rajkumar, the first Indian American  candidate for NY State Assembly called upon the Indian Diaspora to stand united to promote India  and its heritage in the United States.  

Dr. H.R. Shah, a Padmashri Recipient and Chairman, TV Asia, while offering whole hearted  support, extended his heartfelt greetings to GOPIO and the officers of the New Chapter. He called  upon the 5.7 Million Indian Diaspora to play an active role in the local communities and in politics.  He called upon GOPIO to “encourage the new generation and motivate them to join politics and  serve the community.”  

Dr. Sudhir Parikh, a Padmashri Recipient and Chairman and Publisher, Parikh Worldwide Media,  in greetings, congratulated GOPIO and the leadership of Dr. Thomas Abraham “for his vision”  and wished the best to the new Chapter team for the leadership. Stating that he has been associated  with GOPIO since its inception, he described GOPIO to be “a home away from home.”  

Neeta Jain. A Democratic leader from Queens, and national delegate for Biden, shared about her  30 years of fight for “equality and cultural recognition, which is ongoing.” Dr, Navin Mehta,  Chairman, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, NYC, praised Dr. Thomas Abraham, who is “always with  full of energy.” Extending wholehearted support to GOPIO, said, New York City has much  potential and “we can do so much together.” 

Sunil Hali, Publisher & Promoter of Indian Eye Newsweekly, Radio Zindagi and Divya Bhaskar  NA Edition, described the launch of a new Chapter in NYC as “an extraordinary moment in NRI  history.”  

Indian American Global Chamber of Commerce President Rajeev Bhambri said that GOPIO  Manhattan will fill in a void for providing service to our community and extended all help through  his media outlets.  

Honored and distinguished guests at the GOPIO-Manhattan launch – from top left clockwise – Prof. Arvind  Panagariya, Prof. P. Somasundaran, NY State Senator Kevin Thomas, Dr. H.R. Shah, Dr. Sudhir Parikh,  Rajeev Bhambri, Neeta Jain, Sunil Hali, Jenifer Jayakumar and Dr. Navin Mehta  

Others who facilitated GOPIO included Poet Anoop Bhargava and Global Indian Trade and  Cultural Council Chairman Harinder Singh Panaser,  

GOPIO-Manhattan activities and services to be provided were explained by its board  members and committee chairs including Youth Initiative Coordinator Mukul Gupta, Vice  President Dr. Vimal Goyle (Supporting food pantries/soup kitchens), Executive VP Prof.  Rajasekhar Vangapaty (Welcoming and Hosting Students from India) and Sid Jain  (Reaching Out Indian American College Students). Treasurer Braj Aggarwal outlined the  membership details and appealed everyone to become members. Membership form is  available online at https://forms.gle/r7qpsX3QPndNMV1dA. 

GOPIO-Manhattan Chapter launch organizers, from top left clockwise, Dr. Thomas Abraham, Dr. Asha  Samant, Shivender Sofat, Braj Aggarwal, Sid Jain, Pallavi Verma Belwarrier, Prof. Rajasekhar Vangapaty  and Megha Bhouraskar (missing Dr. Vimal Goyle and Mukul Gupta)  

GOPIO-Manhattan’s charitable and social service activities got a boost when  Philanthropist Sreedhar Menon committed $10,000 for the next two years. 

Others in attendance were India’s Deputy Consul General Shatrugna Sinha. Consul for community  Affairs A.K. Vijayakrishnan, GOPIO Vice President Ram Gadhavi, SACSS Executive Director  Sudha Acharya, GOPIO-New York President Beena Kothari, GOPIO-CT President Ashok  Nichani and GOPIO Central New York President Patsy Leopald.  

The hour and a half long program concluded with greetings by GOPIO International  Coordinator-at-Large Dr. Asha Samant and vote of thanks by GOPIO-Manhattan Board Member  and Legal Advisor Megha Bhouraskar.  

GOPIO International is Pan-Indian community organization for NRIs and PIOs with over 100  chapters spread in 35 countries. In the New York area, GOPIO has chapters in New York (Central  NY and Queens & Long Island), in New Jersey (Central and North) and in Connecticut. These  chapters organize programs tailored to the Indian community, motivating the community to  participate in civic and local community activities, and provide services to the larger society.  GOPIO-Manhattan is already registered as in New York State a charitable organization and has  accorded non-profit 501 (c) (3) status by the IRS.  

GOPIO Chapters and IMPACT host Indian Americans to the State Houses in  the Northeast USA 

(New York, NY: October 14th, 2020) Since the initial days immigration from South Asia to the  United States in the early 1960s to the present, Indian Americans have steadily grown from a very  insignificant minority to the current fast growing and influential community in the United States.  They are described as a model minority community for what they have been able to become and  achieve in about half a century.  

GOPIO chapters in the New York area (Manhattan, New York, Connecticut and Central Jersey)  in collaboration with IMPACT Project organized an interactive Zoom session, celebrating Indian  American community’s emerging political leaders in the Northeast of the United States on  Thursday, October 8th, 2020.  

Moderated by Raj Goyle, Former Member of Kansas State Assembly and Co-Founder, IMPACT  (New York, NY), the session showcased several Indian American leaders from the Northeast, with  the audience from around the United States, on how they developed interest in public service, their  challenges and the sense of pride and achievement in what they have accomplished. Describing  himself as a pioneer in US politics, Goyle said, “When I had joined politics, I did not know much  of politics. I was one of the first to be elected to any State Assembly. And I am proud to be part of  the new generation of PIOs/NRIs in politics.” said Goyle.  

Raj Goyle began his career in politics following his work as a policy analyst and civil rights  attorney. Goyle served two terms in the Kansas House of Representatives, making him the first  Asian American elected to office in Kansas’ history. He is currently the CEO of Bodhala, a leading  legal technology, and resides in New York City with his wife and two daughters.  

In his opening remarks, Dr. Gautam Mukunda at The Center for Public Leadership, Harvard  Kennedy School, Cambridge, MA, eloquently educated the audience on the history of universal  adult franchise in the US, starting with the “fight by the Black Americans for voting rights in the  US.” Stating that he had to learn the rising of the Indian Americans through academics, took the  audience down the memory lane, when the 1st Indian American, Dalip Singh Saund to be elected  to the US Congress in the 1950s. Referring to the pioneers of Color who had fought for equal rights  and freedom, he said, “We could not be where we are today, if they did not fight for equal rights  for all. There is no better way than running for office,” he said. Pointing to the many Speakers  (Indian American Candidates Running for State Elective Offices in the Northeast of the United  States), he said, “Everyone of you gives me hope. People in US believe that Indian Americans are  capable of becoming leaders in the nation.” 

Moderator Raj Goyle and Prof. Gautam Mukunda of Harvard Kennedy School  

Connecticut State Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan, Candidate for CT House of Representatives in the  2nd District shared with the audience as to how he got interested in entering politics, especially  through his “commitment to Environment after Hurricane Katrina devastated the nation.” While  he had lost the election the first time by 260 votes, did not deter him from contesting again. And  he won convincingly the second time he fought the election. “It was the desire to give back to the  society that prompted me to enter politics and serve the people,” he said.  

New York State Senator Kevin Thomas, a candidate for NY State Senate District 56, said, he is  “proud of the community he has come to represent. My constituents sought change and they got  the change by electing me.” Stating that there are many forces from outside of his state are pouring  in money to unseat him, he urged the community to support him with fund raising efforts. Stating  that during his short term in the NY Senate, he has been successful in bringing in much needed  funding to serve the diverse needs with several new programs for his constituents.” He urged  everyone to VOTE in the upcoming election and make “our voices heard.”  

Ohio State Rep. Niraj Antani, a candidate for Ohio State Senate District 6, said, he is the 2nd  Indian American ever elected to a statewide office and he is one of the only Republicans of Indian  Origin to be elected. “I work hard to reach across the aisle and cooperate with people in both the  Parties to legislate.” Sharing his early days and inspiration to enter politics, he said, “My parents  worked hard to live the American dream. There is a need for us to be at the decision-making table.  Everyone is able to realize the dream. We stand on your shoulders, to carry on the Indian values.”  Niraj Antani is serving his third term in the Ohio House of Representatives. He was the youngest  Indian American elected official in the United States. 

Jeremy Cooney from Rochester, New York, a candidate for NY State Senate District 56, said, “I  am from India. I was adopted as a young child. My commitment is to give back to the community.”  Cooney added, “I had great opportunity to work for elected officials and grateful for the  opportunity to serve. We cannot control the politics of DC but can serve the inclusive NY state.”  Born in an Indian orphanage, Jeremy was adopted by a single-mother and grew up in the South  Wedge neighborhood of the City of Rochester. After losing his mother to dementia and brain  cancer, Jeremy has devoted his career to serving the community that helped raise him from the  YMCA to all levels of government. Now Jeremy is running for State Senate to create new and  good paying jobs, improve schools and provide access to quality healthcare for all.  

New Hampshire State Rep. Latha Mangipudi, who is a candidate for NH House of Representatives  35th District for a 5th Term, shared with the audience about her own life, challenges in becoming  a female, non-White elected official from a state which is majority White. “It was a very slow and  gradual journey after I had come to the US to pursue higher studies in the 1980s.” Inspired by  Gandhiji’s message of non-violence, which Martin Luther and late Rep. John Lewis had imbibed  in their public life, the 1st generation Indian American said, “I am a woman, Brown colored, 1st  generation Indian and very vocal in expressing my views.”  

Rupande Mehta from New Jersey, a candidate for NJ State Senate District 25, said, “I have been  working in my community for long, which needs a new leader, who can represents our values of  my state and my constituents.” Describing his life as “My story is a story of dreams. Coming from  Mumbai, seeking freedom, I am running for office, because representation matters.” If elected she  will be the first person of South Asian to be elected from his District. “I am ready to take on the  most conservative, who has no regard for public safety,” Mehta added.  

NJ State Rep. Raj Mukherji from NJ’s 33rd District said, “My story is simple.” Stating that it is  “premature to say we have arrived. Our community’s vote matters. We are proud to be Brown  hibernated community.”  

Kesha Ram, Burlington, Vermont, a candidate for VT State Senate Chittenden District, shared of  the reasons for her entering politics. “I got engaged with the community for long, where we care  for each other.” One of the youngest ever to be elected to State Assembly at the age of 21, she  said, she had left active politics, and now she is back to run for the Senate seat. “As a daughrer of  a Punjabi from India, I remember my Math classes. I try to listen and follow up. Ninety percent of  what we communicate is through body language. I strive to make people comfortable,” which  helps the Indian American win people’s hearts.  

 The initiative, The Indian-American Impact Project, has a political action committee appendage  — the Indian-American Impact Fund”— and is collectively known as “IMPACT” was founded by  Raj Goyle and Deepak Raj, Chairman of Pratham USA and founder of the Raj Center on Indian  Economic Policies at Columbia University.  

Deepak Raj, on his remarks said, there are as many as 70 Indian Americans are running for office  in the upcoming elections around the nation, and the scope has expanded today across the nation.  “This is our time,” said Raj. “Across the country, a record number of Indian-Americans are running  for office. We can’t leave it to chance that they will win on their own. We owe them our support 

— and we have a plan to help them run, win, and lead. We are nowhere on the celling yet. We are  at an early stage. But I am thrilled to be where we are today. There is lots to be excited about 2020  and beyond.”  

GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, the coordinator of the event, in his welcome address,  underscored the need for Indian Americans to come together and help elect the candidates across  the nation, who are standing for election. He assured the support of GOPIO, which has become an  active and dynamic organization hosting interactive sessions with policy makers and  academicians, community events, youth mentoring and networking workshops, and working with  other area organizations to help create a better future.  

Shivender Sofat, President of GOPIO Manhattan, concluded the session and proposed vote of  thanks wishing all the Indian American candidates success and offered whole hearted support of  the Indian American community.  

GOPIO and IMPACT Celebrate Indian American Election Victories 

“In the early 80s, there were two city council members from the Indian American community in  small towns – a remarkable achievement then. From those days we have traveled a long way to  win many positions in several states, including the vice presidency of the US.” That was Dr.  Thomas Abraham, founder president and currently Chairman of the Global Organization of 

People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), at a celebration honoring the newly elected members to  various state legislatures. The event, held on Zoom, was hosted by GOPIO chapters (Manhattan,  New York, Central New York, Connecticut, Central Jersey and Virginia) in collaboration  with the Indian American Impact Fund (IMPACT). The program was streamed live though The  Indus TV, PIO TV and UNI TV to all over the world.  

Two Republicans and 13 Democrats elected from 11 state legislatures recounted their  experiences. Former Kansas State Representative Raj Goyle, a co-founder of IMPACT, was the  moderator. 

Rep. Goyle said he feels he was elected 10,000 years ago in 2006 when he was 31. It is an  emotional thing to be to get elected, he said, pointing out that there were about 10 Indian families  in the district at that time.  

Goyle said the community worked for the level of success reached this year. “We expected it,” he  said, adding that the IMPACT fund raised $10 million for the campaigns.  

Impact Executive Director Neil Makhija provided information on the functioning of IMPACT  suggested potential candidates to fill up the form at the IMPACT website.  

Deepak Raj, the other IMPACT co-founder, said he met Goyle in 2008 and discussed ways to get  more Indians elected. Soon IMPACT was born. He pointed out that the Democratic Party has  understood the influence of the Indian American community.  

Goyle also noted that Raj, an entrepreneur wrote the first check for the organization and  continued to support the organization over the years.  

“As a broad-based community organization, we at GOPIO want to provide a bipartisan platform  to bring all statewide Indian American elected lawmakers, and we are hoping that  this will motivate more Indian Americans to join the political leadership process – especially  young Indian Americans,” Abraham said. 

Photo – Celebration organizers, from top left clockwise, Raj Goyle, Dr. Thomas Abraham,  Deepak Raj and Dr. Tushar Patel  

Dr. Nikil Saval, Democrat, a writer and community organizer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,  described his fight in the Senate District 1 to dislodge a three-term incumbent. He was the first  Indian American elected to the Pennsylvania legislature. Saval said he raised money from 5,000  people, and that about 500 volunteers worked to meet with the voters. He  promised to ensure basic amenities for all his constituents.  

Connecticut Representative Raghib Allie-Brennan, Democrat, elected from the 2nd District noted  his Guyanese and Irish Catholic origins. This is his second term and he has plans to run for  Congress in the future.  

Harry Arora, Republican, elected to Connecticut House 151st District for a second term,  expressed his joy to meet with people with similar background as his own.  

Niraj Antani, 29, a Republican who in 2014 became the youngest member of the Ohio State  House, has been elected this year as Ohio’s first Indian American state senator – from District 6.  He described the journey his parents took from India and his own achievements. 

Attorney and professor Jay Chaudhuri, a Democrat who in 2016 became the first Indian  American to become a state senator in North Carolina, spoke about his work and the voters’  confidence in him that saw him re-elected to a third term.  

Immigration attorney Nima Kulkarni, Democrat, who was elected to Kentucky House from the  40th District, said there are only a handful of Indians in the constituency. She defeated a 22-year  incumbent.  

Padma Kuppa, Democrat, who was re-elected from the Michigan House’s 41st District,  described her excitement, when she was first elected. An engineer by profession, and one who  takes pride on her Hindu heritage, Kuppa had never contested in any election before running for  state legislature. There is three-term limit for House members and so she can contest for another  term after this one. She said she was also happy to have two more Indians in the legislature now:  Ranjeev Puri, a Democrat elected from District 21 and Dr. Shri Thanedar, 65, Democrat, elected  from 3rd District.  

Thanedar said he ran for Michigan governor in 2018 winning 18 percent votes. This time he ran  from Detroit, where 90 percent of the voters are African American. Thanedar is an entrepreneur  and scientist, with a PhD in chemistry, who once employed 500 people. He plans to work to  uplift the African American community and help its members become entrepreneurs  and thus create a new Black Wall Street in Detroit.  

Ranjeev Puri noted his Sikh heritage and his plans to work to improve the life of his constituents.  

Jenifer Rajkumar, 38, Democrat, an attorney and professor, noted a few records she created. She  is the first South Asian woman and Hindu elected to the New York State House. She defeated a  11-year incumbent. She said the role of government has become more important  in crises like the pandemic.  

Latha Mangipudi, a Democrat elected to New Hampshire House’s 35th District for a fifth term,  noted the help GOPIO and IMPACT gave her in her campaign. She said she shares her Indian  culture in her talks, and that mainstream people appreciate it. She also coined the term ‘Idli  Caucus’ to describe South Indian representatives while Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthy has  called the Indian American Congress delegation the samosa caucus. Mangipudi has promised to  cook Mysore Masala Dosas for visitors

Photo, left New Hampshire Rep. Lata Mangipudi, right GOPIO-Manhattan President Shivender  Sofat  

Kesha Ram, Democrat, the first woman of color elected to Vermont State House and later Senate  noted her Hindu/Jewish ancestry. She became a House Representative in 2008 when she was  only 21 years old. She thanked Latha Mangipudi for the help and support.  

Dr. Amish Shah, a Democrat re-elected to Arizona State House, joined the meeting in  scrubs since he was working at the hospital. His district includes parts of Phoenix. He spoke  about his work for the community and also how the state is changing from red to blue.  

Photo: Winners joined through video, from top left clockwise, Raghib Allie-Brennan, Harry Arora, Nima  Kulkarni, Padma Kuppa; Shri Thanedar, Dr. Amish Shah, Dr. Nikil Saval, Kesha Ram, Dr. Nikil Saval  

Dr. Tushar Patel, GOPIO Health Council Chair said that GOPIO chapters would be enablers in  promoting community involvement, especially the youngsters, in the political process. He also  noted the work Abraham has been doing for the community for many decades.  

The program ended with a closing remarks and vote of thanks by GOPIO-Manhattan President  Shivender Sofat, who urged community to become a member of GOPIO International or any of  the chapters. 

Photo – Participants at the Zoom celebration  

GOPIO-MANHATTAN COMMUNITY FEEDING PROGRAM IN NEW YORK CITY 

GOPIO-Manhattan is looking for sponsors for this community feeding program. It is only  $250 per feeding. One can sponsor it in memorial of your loved one’s death anniversary  or celebrate your loved one’s birthday or simply supporting the cause for feeding the  needy. Please call GOPIO-Manhattan Vice President Dr. Vimal Goyle at 316-371-7098.