Connecticut General Assembly and Cities of Stamford and Norwalk Honor India and Indian Americans at India’s 78th Anniversary

Connecticut Stare Assembly has issued a citation to honor India for its 78th Anniversary of Independence. The official citation was initiated by State Representative Matt Blumenthal and Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox and introduced by 13 other State Representatives and Senators. It congratulated the Connecticut Chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-CT) for promoting awareness of Indian culture, customs and the substantial contribution of Indian Americans to various fields, including business and political arena. The citation also recognized GOPIO-CT for supporting many charities in Connecticut. The citation was signed by CT General Assembly’s Pro Tempore Marten M. Looney, House Speaker Matt Ritter and Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas.

Celebrations have already started in the US cities to honor India for its 78th, being organized by the 5 million strong Indian American community GOPIO-CT had a highly successful celebration on August 10th with flag hoisting at the Stamford Government Center and a ceremony with elected Connecticut officials and dignitaries. The celebrations, with a colorful festival, then continued at the adjacent Mill River Park in Stamford.



Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmoins and Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling issued proclamations in recognition of India’s Independence and congratulating GOPIO-CT for its services and contributions to their cities. These citations were presented after the Indian flag hoisting by Consul Pragya Singh of the Indian Consulate in the presence of Connecticut State Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox and Senator Bob Duff.


A floating crowd of over 1,000 people attended the day-long program on August 10th starting with flag hoisting at 11.30 am followed by the India Festival and Kite flying at the Mill River Park from 12 Noon to 3.00 pm. Dressed in colorful traditional Indian attire, with melodious music from the popular Bollywood world, dances depicting the wide variety of Indian culture, music, kite flying, spicy Indian cuisine, and booths decorated with Indian symbols and face art, the festivities were a treat to the fast-growing Indian American community in the state of Connecticut and New York’s Westchester County.



The celebration had a combination of everything that one would want, catering to the diverse needs of the attendees ranging from toddlers to seniors. Over 12 performances by over 50 performers were presented at the cultural program.



The program then continued to the adjacent Mill River Park with an Independence Day Ceremony which was addressed by invited guests including several Connecticut state officials. The ceremony was started by the program Chair Sonali Gannu Zullurwar with rendering of India’s Natio0nal song Vande Mataram, who then introduced GOPIO-CT Executive Vice President Sushanth Krishnamurthy for his welcome remarks. Krishnamurthy in his welcome speech emphasized GOPIO-CT’s mission is to help the Indian Diaspora community and involving the community in the local activities, including supporting local charities.



Indian Consul Pragya Singh who is the Head of the Chancery at the Indian Consulate was the honored guest. In her address, she highlighted the accomplishments and contributions of the Diaspora. Consul Singh said, “I’m very proud to say that the numbers prove that you have broken many barriers to become one of the most successful immigrant groups in the US.”



Connecticut State Senators Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox (Senate 23rd Distrct (Bridgeport/Trumbull/Monroe) and Bob Duff (Senate 25th District Norwalk/Darien) and Representative Lucy Dathan (142nd District New Canaan/Norwalk) presented the Citation from the Connecticut Assembly recognizing India’s 78th and complimented the work of GOPIO-CT. All the elected officials who spoke at the event acknowledged India’s success as the world’s most populous and largest democracy.



GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, who also serves as Advisor/Trustee to GOPIO-CT, in his remarks said, “India made progress under a democratic rule in the 78 years, I emphasize democratic rule, in all the eight decades and now moving forward to become the Third Largest economy in the world in this decade. As we celebrate 78th anniversary of India’s Independence, let us rededicate ourselves to the cause of democracy, freedom, justice, and peace not only in India but all over the world.”



“While India was building up in the last 8 decades, India had also sent large number of its brightest to America who have made substantial contributions in building up the economy of America and our contributions are noted very well in corporate America, healthcare, hospitality, and in science, engineering and technology as well as in political arena,” Abraham added. He then introduced all the dignitaries for their felicitations.



Senator Gadkar-Wilcox, the first Indian American Senator in Connecticut recounted her parents’ journey as immigrants to New York City where she was born. A Professor of Legal Studies at Quinnipiac University, she was a Fulbright-Nehru scholar studying constitutional values in India. She also spoke about her grandparents’ involvement in India’s freedom movement.



An award and several recognitions were also presented at this milestone event. Mr. Joseph Simon, an active contributing member and Trustee of GOPIO-CT, was honored with India Independence Liberty Award for community service and philanthropy. Simon who is a technology professional focused on the media sector has contributed to a variety of charitable organizations including as a board member, disbursement panelist and trustee for GOPIO-CT, Asha for education - NYC and the Community Fund of Darien.

The newly selected winner of Miss Connecticut Cayla Kumar was honored at the event. Kumar, a Quinnipiac graduate and aspiring pediatric oncologist, champions her nonprofit, The Goal Driven Project, which supports pediatric cancer advocacy, will compete at the Miss America pageant in Orlando in September.

GOPIO-CT also honored all high school graduates from lower Fairfield County schools. The chapter also recognized Aarav Pandey, a 6th Grader at Scofield Magnet School in Stamford for his achievement as first prize winner of the Connecticut State Level Writing Competition. His winner writing topic was “Arav’s Dream Bog – Fear Not Today.”

GOPIO-CT Trustee Prasad Chintalapudi concluded the ceremony gave the vote of thanks. GOPIO-CT Board Member Mirat Joshi served as the master of ceremony for the cultural program.



The ceremony was followed by an Indian Festival with colorful Folk and Classical Dances of India, Music, and Bollywood Dances and were a treat for everyone to cherish. There were vendors, who displayed and sold Indian cuisine, Indian arts and crafts, Indian clothing, and other items. Free Carousel rides were provided for young children. Over 50 performers presented their colorful dances and other cultural programs.

The commemoration of India’s 78th Independence Day by GOPIO-CT was a grand success marked by a growing attendance through the day and a visually and audibly grand celebration of India’s culture, democracy, and the strong bonds between India and the United States. While reveling in India’s Independence, this event highlighted the enduring contributions, inclusivity, the pride and the positive energy shared by the Indian American community.



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 and create an ongoing dialogue with local communities.




 

GOPIO-CT Organizers and Dignitaries at the Flag Hoisting with Proclamations Read. Photo bottom right: Proclamations being presented, from l. to r.: Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, GOPIO-CT Exec. VP Sushanth Krishnamurthy, GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons, Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling, Indian Consul Pragya Singh, GOPIO-CT Treasurer Srinivasa Alkarapu, India Day Program Chair Sonali Gannu Zullurwar, CT Senator Bob Duff and GOPIO-CT Board Member Ravi Nichani

Photo: GOPIO-CT presenting Liberty Award to Joseph Simon for Community /service and Philanthropy. From l. tp r., Dr. Thomas Abraham, Senator Bob Duff, Sonali Gannu Zullurwar, Dr. Jaya Daptardar, Indian Consul Pragya Singh, Award Recipient Joseph Simom, Senator Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, Rep. Lucey Dathan and Sushanth Krishnamurthy

Photo: GOPIO-CT honors Miss Connecticut Cayla Kumar (in the center) with GOPIO officials and Connecticut lawmakers.

Photo: Graduating high school students and other students/volunteers being recognized with a certificate and Amazon gift card.

India Festival with colorful dances