India Collection of Books Launched During Diwali Celebration at Stamford Public Library

(Stamford, CT. November 22, 2021)
Ferguson Library in Stamford, CT celebrated India’s Festival of Lights, Diwali, with the launch of India Collection of Books on Sunday, Nov. 14th. The Connecticut Chapter of the Global organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-CT) coordinated the program with the library. The India related books were donated by Govt. of India through its consulate in New York. The chief guest was Indian Consul General Randhir Jaiswal, who inaugurated the new book collection of Indian art, on political leaders and social reformers, travel books and books in Indian languages including Hindi, Telegu and Gujarati.

The launch event began with an invocation to Lord Ganesha and a universal prayer by GOPIO-CT Secretary Prachi Narayan and Yashasvi Jhangiani, which were followed by the lighting of the traditional lamp and Diyas by dignitaries and GOPIO leaders, signifying the Diwali celebration. In her welcome address, Library President Alice Knapp lauded the new initiative from the GOPIO-CT and thanked the Indian Consulate for donating the books.
GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham said that the underlying theme of Diwali celebration is, Light over Darkness, Victory of Good over Evil and Knowledge over Ignorance, which has caught up the attention of people all over the world including heads of many countries including President Joe Biden at the White House.

“As the pandemic is still not ever and there is resistance to vaccination by some groups of people and the celebration of knowledge over ignorance has greater meaning to people all over the world,” added Dr. Thomas Abraham, Emcee for the event and a main organizer, who had initiated the book launch.

Consul General Randhir Jaiswal inaugurated the book collection and complimented Stamford Library for this new initiative and said that USA and India have now a very close relationship. In his address, Ambassador Jaiswal said, “We are in the middle of festival season in India and I want to wish you all prosperity and happiness.” He thanked the library for launching the collection of books on and from India, “which will be a source of knowledge to many.”

Pointing to the fact that 55,000 students have come to the United States from India this year, which opens up immense opportunities for us in this “tech-driven world,” he said. Consul General Jaiswal referred to the recently concluded Global Climate Summit in Glasgow, where India has committed to a cleaner world by making newer assurances to make the world a better place for generations to come.

Stating that the sharing of knowledge and discovery have shaped the destiny of the humanity since beginning of the world, Consul General Jaiswal pointed out as to how in 1960s, India has gained sufficiency in food production by sharing of knowledge by the United States that led to Green Revolution in India. “And we are ever grateful to the United States for sharing of knowledge and for the friendship and collaboration between the two nations, which is the defining moment of the 21st century.”

Other dignitaries who spoke at the event were current Stamford Mayor David Martin, newly elected Mayor Caroline Simmons, CT Representative Matt Blumenthal, all of them lauded the new initiative by GOPIO-CT.

Stamford Mayor David Martin, in his opening remarks said, “As the Mayor of the City, I welcome you all to the celebration of Diwali, which is a celebration of victory of goodness over evil, celebration of light over darkness, and celebration of knowledge over ignorance.” My whole life has been an expectation of increase of knowledge and library is a place for us to obtain and sharing of knowledge,” he added.

Stamford’s Mayor-Elect Caroline Simmons, in her address said: “Thank you for reminding us of the importance of the true symbolism and virtues of Diwali, which is light over darkness, hope over despair, and love over hate. I look forward to continuing the many great efforts initiated by Mayor Martin, where you as the community has contributed significantly to the city of Stamford.”

CT State Representative, Matt Blumenthal in his felicitation address, “This has been trying times for the whole world. GOPIO has played a critical role in our state to help face and overcome the challenges. I am grateful to the Indian American community for your great contributions and making our state stronger and dynamic.”

The library was decorated with Diwali banners and artifacts by GOPIO-CT volunteers headed by Anita Mathur and including Shilpa Bhakta, Prachi Narayan, Jayashri Chintalapudi and Anju Simon.

Following the ceremony, Indian American dancers including children performed Indian classical, folk and Bollywood dances.

The book collection launch and Diwali event had Consul Vipul Dev, who looks after Political, Culture and Education segments at the Indian Consulate along with several Indian American leaders, GOPIO-CT officials including Executive Vice President Prasad Chintalapudi, Secretary Prachi Narayan, Joint Secretary Meera Banta and Board Members Anita Mathur, Mahesh Jhangiani and Srinivas Akarapu.

The cultural program coordinated by Yashasvi Jhangiani started with a Kuchipudi dance by Layavinyasa, a school of South Indian Classical Dance and Carnatic Classical Music and performed by it artistic director Sarada Nori. A Kathak dance by Rasika Sharma followed. Other dance schools performing classical, folk and Bollywood dances included Vani Natyalayam, Vaibhavi’s Dance Crew, Thirakte Kadam, Tinkle Toes Dance Company and Dancing Divas of Bollyon. Yashasvi Jhangiani and Prachi Narayan served as emcees. The program ended with a vote of thanks by GOPIO Exec. VP Prasad Chintalapudi.

Over the last 15 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 PIOs through community programs, forums, events and youth activities. It seeks to strengthen partnerships and create an ongoing dialogue with local communities.

GOPIO-CT Officials with Stamford Public Library President Alice Knapp and Dignitaries after India Collection of Books Launch

GOPIO-CT officials with dignitaries at Stamford Library’s Diwali Celebration and Launch of India Collection of Books, from l. to r. Jayashri Chintalapudi, Meera Banta, Anita Mathur, Prachi Narayan, Indian Consul Vipul Dev, Indian Consul General Randhir Kumar Jaiswal, Mayor David Martin, Dr. Thomas Abraham, Mayor-elect Caroline Simmons, Mahesh Jhangiani, Srinivas Akarapu, Rep. Matt Blumenthal and Prasad Chintalapudi

Photo L., Kuchipudi dancer Sarada Nori and R. Folk Dancers at the Diwali Cultural show