The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO)-Connecticut Chapter will honor outstanding achievers of the Indian American community in Connecticut and those provide service to the community and/or India or the society at large at its Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, June 20^th at the Stamford Hilton Hotel, Stamford, CT starting at 6 p.m. Several dignitaries are scheduled to attend the event including Rep Jim Himes (D, CT 4^th District), Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling, Connecticut State Senators Carla Leone and Toni Boucher, and author/actress Moura Moynihan.

This year, GOPIO-CT has selected U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal to receive the Friend of India. The senior U.S. Senator from Connecticut serves several important Senate committees. He is the ranking Democratic Member of the Senate Committee on Veteransâ€™ Affairs and also serves on the Senate Committees on the Judiciary, Armed Services, and Commerce, Science and Transportation. With increasing US-India cooperation in Defense, Commerce and Science & Technology, Senator Blumenthal helps to improved bilateral relations between the two countries.

Four Indian Americans are honored for their achievements in profession and community service. Prof. Akhil Reed Amar is being recognized for his achievement and contribution to Arts and Letters. Prof. Amar is Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale University, teaches constitutional law at both Yale College and Yale Law School. Author of several books, his work has won awards from both the American Bar Association and the Federalist Society. Favorably cited by Supreme Court Justices in some thirty cases, he regularly testifies before Congress at the invitation of both the Republicans and Democrats. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and in 2008 received the DeVane Medalâ€”Yaleâ€™s highest award for teaching excellence.

Dr. Vinod Srihari is recognized for his achievement and contribution in Medicine. A graduate of University of Rochester where he received BA and MD, Srihari, completed Psychiatry residency and research fellowship training at Yale before becoming a member of their faculty in 2005. His clinical work and research has been focused on the care of individuals with schizophrenia and other psychotic illnesses. Since 2006 he has served as the founding director of an Early Intervention service for adolescents and young adults with psychotic disorders at the CT Mental Health Center in New Haven. Titled STEP, the program completed a pragmatic randomized controlled trial and has now launched a public education campaign, titled Mindmap to hasten access to care. Dr. Srihari is also an Associate Director of Yaleâ€™s Psychiatry Residency Training Program.

Ms. Nisha Arora, Co-founder of Indian Community Center (ICC) of Greenwich will be honored for Community Service and Promotion of Indian Arts and Culture. Nisha Arora is the COO of ARCIM Advisors LLC, a commodities hedge fund in Greenwich. She has been serving the community for the past 10 years. ICC promotes Indian arts and culture in the Lower Fairfield and Westchester areas. ICC\'s programs include visual and performing arts, culinary experiences and a speaker series highlighting Indian-American leaders. The organization also has a recurring seniors program and a children\'s program teaching language, Bhartanatyam, Tabla & Indian history.

Dr. George Joseph, Deputy Director of the Whitney and Betty MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies at Yale University is honored for his contribution to International Relations and Connecting India to the USA. He also supports Yaleâ€™s engagement, strategy, and visibility in South Asia. Since 2007, Dr. Joseph has devoted significant time and energy to advancing the Yale India Initiative and has held additional responsibility in the Yale OIA overseeing the development and the delivery of leadership programs for academia, government, and civil society convened by Yaleâ€™s faculty and schools including the India-Yale Parliamentary Leadership Program that over seven editions engaged more than eighty Indian parliamentarians.

GOPIO-CT Presidentâ€™s Young Achiever Award goes to Ms. Ms. Moh Sharma who serves as a Policy Advisor for the House Democratic Caucus under Chair Xavier Becerra. She was previously an APAICS Fellow and then a Legislative Aide to Congresswoman Judy Chu and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC). Earlier, Moh had worked for several government agencies and public institutions as well as serving in several non-profit and advocacy groups.

Commenting on the award selection, GOPIO-CT President Shelly Nichani said, â€œWe select the awardees, who have made an impact in our society and/or those who provide outstanding service.â€

GOPIO Founder President Dr. Thomas Abraham said, â€œGOPIO-CT chapter has done a great service promoting Indian culture and values to the new generation as well as promoting India to the larger society,â€

The awardees will be honored at GOPIO-CTâ€™s Ninth Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, June 20^th at the Hilton Stamford Hotel in Stamford. The program includes dignitaries, entertainment with a Bollywood theme and a DJ. For reservation or to buy tickets, call Anita Bhat 203-524-2935 or send an e-mail to abnewyork71@gmail.com.

From top left, clockwise, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Prof. Akhil Reed Amar, Dr. Vinod Srihari, Moh Sharma, Dr. Geroge Joseph and Nisha Arora

GOPIO-CT to honor five Indians and US Sen. Blumenthal