GOPIO-Chicago's Feed the Needy charity event a grand success

Chicago IL: Chicago chapter of Global Organization for People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) organized a Thanksgiving Feed the Needy Charity Event at Viceroy of India Banquet Hall, Lombard, Illinois attended by Consul O.P. Meena, Judge Ketki Sheroff and a number of community and business leaders.

Chapter President Gladson Varghese presided over the meeting.

Chief guest Lou Lang, Illinois Deputy Majority Leader, called upon voluntary organizations, including GOPIO, to come forward to create wider awareness about the welfare schemes and to ensure that their benefits reach the target groups.

“Contributing to democracy is one's sacred duty. All American citizens should exercise their right to vote and enrich the political system," Lang asserted.

“Active participation of people in the functioning of democratic institutions is a prerequisite for ensuring multifaceted welfare of society,” Lang added.

Stephanie Kifowit, IL State Representative, in his keynote address, noted that bringing about change is not the duty of government alone; each citizen should contribute to this challenging task.

“The US is a huge country in terms of its size and diverse in terms of its composition. This calls for voluntary action, characterized by kind, loving, and humane approach, for the collective welfare of different sections of society,” Kifowit added.

Dr. Gopal Lalmalani, Mayor of Oak Brook, pointed out that there is an urgent need for addressing the universal problem of poverty by serving the poor, considering the fact that poverty anywhere is a danger to prosperity everywhere.

“Even though the US is a developed country, there are quite a few patches of poverty across its length and breath. Considering this, the practice of serving the poor becomes relevant even in the context of the US,” he noted.

“I have three messages to share. The first is to serve; the second is to serve; and the third is also to serve. And the best practice is to serve silently, humbly, lovingly, and unconditionally,” he added.

Raja Krishnamurthy, candidate for US Congress, noted that shelter, which is one of the fundamental needs of people, has not been fully met, across the globe. “GOPIO’s initiative of providing shelter to the people of Nepal is, therefore, a worth-emulating initiative”, he added. 

Gladson Varghese stated that the funds raised at the event will go to a Nepal-based charity organization and Missionaries of Chicago run by Mother Theresa’s Sisters. 

The Missionaries of Chicago will use the same to provide food and clothing to poor people in Chicago,” he added.

Earler, Krishna Bansal, Naperville City Planning Commissioner and GOPIO board member, welcomed the guests. He said that over 20 million people of Indian origin are spread across the globe and GOPIO is committed to establish a mechanism of their live networking.

Dr. Narayan Tata and his team sang the National Anthems of India and the US.  

Saarang Sane kick started the musical evening with the most haunting melody, â€˜kahin door jab din dhal jaye saanjh ki dulhan badan churaaye, chupake se aaye.’

Shalini Saxena rendered a wave of well-known tracks, including â€˜Suno na sangemarmar’ 

On public demand, Saarang and and Shalini sang duets, including ‘Tu hi ye mujhko bata de chahun main ya naa, apne tu dil ka pata de chahun main ya naa.’ 

Board members Syed Hussaini, Krishna Bansal, Ashfaq Syed, Ninan Thomas,Vandana Jhingan, Ram Saini, Vinoz Chanamolu, Shree Gurusami and Jeen Varghese led the events.

Savi Singh and Vikrant Singh were the emcees.

Photographs and Press release by: Asian Media USA