Our Bureau
Stamford, CT
GOPIO-CT chapter organized a fundraiser at its Holiday Party on December 15th to benefit Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (CIRI), a statewide nonprofit organization that assists refugees and immigrants resolve legal, economic, linguistic and social barriers so that they become self-sufficient, integrated and contributing members of the community. CIRI achieves this mission by providing a compassionate array of high-quality legal, social and educational programming and by promoting cross cultural understanding and decent treatment for all.
It was one of most successful Holiday Party and fundraising for charities. With a full house and overflowing, the chapter raised $5,000 and the check was presented to CIRI President and CEO Susan Schnitzer. “At CIRI we provide legal, economic, linguistic and social services to immigrants, refugees, survivors of human trafficking throughout Connecticut to our clients who come from more than 90 countries,” said Schnitzer.
GOPIO-CT also presented checks to two other charities with similar amounts, Future 5 and Women’s Mentoring Network. These two later groups have been supported by GOPIO-CT since 2016.
Women’s Mentoring Network’s Executive Director Lana Gifas said “GOPIO has been always supportive to our program in Stamford focusing on economic empowerment of single women and their families and providing support services that focus on finding better employment and educational opportunities.”
The Holiday Party started with President Dr. Jaya Daptardar with a welcome speech. She gave an account of the various activities for the year, including huge India Independence Flag Hoisting at the Stamford Govt. Center followed by a festival at the Mill River Park, participation with Mayor’s Multicultural Society celebrating Stamford Day, contributing to Mill River Collaborative for its children’s activities, interacting with Congressman Jim Himes, organizing tax and investment seminar, mental health seminar, hosting welcome reception/dinner for Indian students from University of Connecticut, participation in a fundraising for Stamford Hospital’s Bennet Cancer Center, hosting GOPIO International General Body Meeting, organizing a Diwali Festival at the Stamford Public Library and finally joining hands with GOPIO International and GOPIO chapters for a send off party for India’s Consul General in New York Shri Ranjit Kumar Jaiswal.
GOPIO-CT Board Member Prof. Sujatha Gadkar-Wilcox, who is a professor Quinnipiac University, was recognized for being appointed by Governor Ned Lamont as a Commissioner at Connecticut Human Rights Commission. Prof. Gadkar-Wilcox said that the Commission aims to eliminate discrimination and establish equal opportunity through civil and human rights law enforcement as well as advocacy and education. She has dedicated her entire career both in and out of the classroom to drawing the world’s attention to human rights and principles of justice that are mentioned in the US Constitution and international law.
GOPIO-CT honored its Past President Anita Bhat at the Holiday Party with Liberty Award 2023 for community leadership and for her services to GOPIO for over a dozen years. This was to be presented earlier at the India Independence Day Celebrations in August but she was not available at that time. Anita said that GOPIO-CT is doing a great job in community service.
GOPIO-CT has reelected the team for 2024 at the General Body Meeting held before the Holiday Party. The new team members are President Dr. Jaya Daptardar, Executive Vice President Mahesh Jhangiani, Vice President Prachi Narayan, Secretary Sushanth Krishnamurthy, Associate Secretary Ashvini Persaud and Treasurer Srinivas Akarapu. The General Body also elected Dr. Thomas Abraham and Totty Narang to the two open positions of Trustees. Continuing Trustees are Shelly Nichani (Chair), Joe Simon, Shailesh Naik, and Prasad Chintalapudi. Up to 11 new Board Members will be appointed by the Executive Council.
A musical evening followed and was organized by GOPIO-CT President Daptardar and was compered by Board Member Sonali Gannu. Singers at the evening were Rashmi Sathe, Anant Nimkarde, Sachin and Shilpa Kulkarni, Leena Damle, along with DJ Ryan Persaud. A sumptuous Indian dinner followed.
