Our Bureau
New York, NY
The Manhattan Chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-Manhattan), established in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, successfully conducted elections for its Executive Committee and Board of Trustees and formally inducted its new leadership team on Sunday, May 17, 2026.
The oath-taking ceremony was held at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Manhattan in the presence of members, supporters, community leaders, dignitaries, and well-wishers, reflecting a strong spirit of unity, leadership, and commitment to community service.
The event was attended by GOPIO International leadership, including Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, President Prakash Shah, and General Secretary Siddarth Jain, who extended their greetings and support to the newly elected team.
President-Elect Prof. Rajasekhar Vangapaty warmly welcomed the audience and shared his vision of collaborative and inclusive leadership for the chapter. He then invited Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chair of the Election Committee, to speak about GOPIO’s history, mission, and contributions to the global Indian diaspora community.
Dr. Abraham shared valuable insights into GOPIO’s journey, accomplishments, and continued efforts in connecting and empowering the Indian diaspora worldwide. He then invited GOPIO International President Prakash Shah, who spoke about upcoming GOPIO programs, including the GOPIO Convention in Mumbai. President Shah then administered the oath of office to the newly elected Executive Committee, Board of Trustees, and Board Members of GOPIO-Manhattan for the 2026–2027 term.
New York Democratic Congressional Primary candidate Vichal Kumar also addressed the gathering, congratulating the new leadership team and emphasizing the importance of greater community participation in civic engagement and the political process.
The newly elected Executive Committee is headed by Prof. Rajasekhar Vangapaty as President. His team members are: Executive Vice President – Bhavya Gupta, Vice President – Dr. Vimal Goyle, Secretary – Raj Punjabi, Treasurer – Braj Aggarwal, Joint Secretary – Gagan Gujral
The new Trustees are: Shivender Sofat, Dr. Thomas Abraham, Mukund Mehta, Siddarth Jain, Anil Narang and Neha Motwani.
Appointed Board Members are Dr. Lisa George, Dr. Arnab Ghosh, Manoj Jareth Asig and Jasvir Ubhi.
Following the oath-taking ceremony, newly sworn-in President Prof. Rajasekhar Vangapaty welcomed the new leadership team and expressed his sincere gratitude to the Election Committee—Dr. Thomas Abraham (Chair), Shivender Sofat, and Mukund Mehta—for conducting a smooth and successful election process. He also congratulated all newly elected members for accepting their responsibilities and reaffirmed his commitment to serving GOPIO-Manhattan and the broader community.
Prof. Vangapaty invited several distinguished attendees to offer felicitations during the ceremony, including GOPIO-Manhattan’s First and Immediate Past President Shivender Sofat (via telephone), GOPIO Life Member Mrudul Pathak, and Congressional Primary candidate Vichal Kumar. They conveyed their congratulations, appreciation, and best wishes to the new leadership team, commending GOPIO-Manhattan’s continued efforts in community service, cultural engagement, and leadership development.
The ceremony concluded on a positive and inspiring note, with members expressing enthusiasm and dedication to working together toward meaningful community service and impactful programs in the coming year. Guests enjoyed refreshments, tea, and coffee, providing an opportunity for networking and fellowship.
Prof. Rajasekhar Vangapaty expressed special thanks to Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Executive Director Minesh Patel and the entire Board of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan for graciously providing the venue and facilities for GOPIO-Manhattan’s networking and oath-taking ceremony.
