GOPIO CT AWARDEES 2017

Ila Paliwal for Performing Arts

Ila Paliwal is a classically trained Indian vocalist, songwriter and producer based in New York. She released her album NAVARATNA in 2015 at the Carnegie Hall to a sold-out audience. NAVARATNA celebrates India’s secular and festive spirit and is executive produced by legendary music composer AR Rahman. In 2015, She also released a video, HOLI celebrating the Indian ancient phrase Vasudev Kutumbakam. Through her music, Ila focuses to spread the message of Unity in Diversity. Ila along with her family supports several philanthropic organizations through their Family’s Charitable Foundation.

Dr. Draupathi Nambudiri for Medicine and Health Care

Dr. Draupathi Nambudiri currently serves as the Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Stamford Hospital and is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College. She completed her fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry from New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell University and has been practicing psychiatry for over 30 years. She has been an active clinician, leader, mentor, and educator over the course of her career. In addition to being Board Certified in Geriatric Psychiatry, Dr. Nambudiri also holds Board Certifications in Addiction Psychiatry, General Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine. She and her family have been active members of the local Indian community for more than 3 decades. 

Dr. Rupendra Paliwal for Education

Rupendra Paliwal, Ph.D. currently serves as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Sacred Heart University. Before taking on the role of provost, Paliwal served as vice president for strategic planning, special assistant to the president for strategic planning, associate dean of the Jack Welch College of Business (WCOB), interim dean of the WCOB, associate dean for Academic Affairs and associate professor of finance. Prior to coming to Sacred Heart, he was a senior officer of the National Stock Exchange of India. Dr. Paliwal holds a bachelor’s degree in electronics and telecommunication engineering from Rani Durgawati University in Jabalpur, India; a post-graduate diploma in business administration and chartered financial analyst from the ICFAI Business School in India; and a doctorate in finance from the University of Connecticut. Paliwals reside in Woodbridge, CT

Captain Alpa Ladani for Service to the Nation

Captain Alpa Ladani, a distinguished 20-year Veteran of the Connecticut Army National Guard, was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as Germany and Bahrain in a number of different capacities. Most recently, Captain Ladani served as the Executive Officer for Forward Support Base, Headquarters Resolute Support in Kabul, Afghanistan. Her awards and decorations include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, and Iraq Campaign medal with 2 Campaign Stars, amongst a host of other honors accrued over her lengthy time in service. Captain Ladani currently resides in Boston, MA and works as the Senior Program Manager of Emergency Planning for the Boston Public Health Commission’s Office of Public Health Preparedness.

Nitesh Banta – President’s Award for Young Professional Achiever

Nitesh Banta born and raised in Stamford CT is a 2008 Harvard University Alumni was selected for the well-known Forbes 30 Under 30 List in the New Venture Category. He is an active angel investor and is the CEO and co-founder of B12 which has been recognized as the hottest emerging startup by Nasdaq at the Founders Forum. Nitesh is a participant in the AI Xprize. In October 2016, Nitesh won the Rising Star Award for B-12. Previously, Nitesh was at a Venture Capital Firm General Catalyst Partners.  where he focused on investments in early-stage technology businesses. Nitesh loves supporting first-time entrepreneurs. In 2012, Nitesh co-founded Rough Draft Ventures, a student-run venture initiative where each student entrepreneurs can receive up to $25k to fund their new start-up. At Harvard, Nitesh was a John Harvard Scholar and he graduated with High Honors.

Ila Paliwal for Performing Arts

Dr. Draupathi Nambudiri for Medicine and Health Care

Dr. Rupendra Paliwal for Education

Captain Alpa Ladani for Service to the Nation