Our Bureau
Stamford, CT
The Connecticut Chapter of Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-CT) and Hindi USA Stamford Chapter joined together to celebrate Diwali on October 17th at Westover Magnet School in Stamford, CT. The program started with the lighting of the lamp by Stamford Mayor’s representatives and officials both organizations. Over fifteen group dance items were presented at the show which was followed by a dinner. The program was put together by GOPIO-CT Board Member Manish Maheshwari, who also serves as Coordinator of Stamford-Hindi USA.
As a Diwali giving, GOPIO-CT Chapter presented a check of $25,000, contributed by its members, to 100-year-old Children’s Learning Center (CLC) in Fairfield County in Connecticut at the Diwali Celebration organized by Hindi USA Stamford and GOPIO-CT. The chapter has been supporting many local charities in Connecticut. This year GOPIO-CT supported Future 5, an organization which provides coaching of high school students from low-income and immigrant families as well as Society for Human and Environment Development (SHED) which runs schools in Mumbai slums and in the rural areas of Maharashtra.
At the houseful Diwali show, the check was presented by GOPIO-CT President Mahesh Jhangiani along with GOPIO International Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham to CLC CEO Monica Maccera Filppu. GOPIO-CT had supported CLC earlier too.
Stamford City Mayor Caroline Simmons issued a proclamation to honor Diwali. It was presented by Stamford Mayors’ Multicultural Council Vice President Malinda Polite along with Board Member Shobhna Bhatnagar. In her proclamation, Mayor Simmons noted the presence of 66,000 people of Indian origin living in Connecticut and 4.8 million in the USA enriching communities across the nation with deep tradition, professional excellence and cultural vitality. The proclamation also recognized Diwali, India’s largest religion Hinduism with one billion followers and India in its 77th year of independence.
Over the last 20 years, GOPIO-CT, a chapter of GOPIO International 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. GOPIO-CT – Global Organization of People of Indian Origin – serves as a non-partisan, secular, civic and community service organization – promoting awareness of Indian culture, customs and contributions of people of Indian origin through community programs, forums, events and youth activities. It seeks to strengthen partnerships by financially supporting charitable organizations and creating an ongoing dialogue with local communities.
