GOPIO, Indian Consulate, help launch book collection at Parsippany Public Library, NJ

- ADVERTISEMENT -

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin-North Jersey Chapter (GOPIO-North Jersey) in cooperation with the Indian Consulate in New York, organized the launch the India Collection of Books at the Parsippany Library in New Jersey on Sunday, September 29^th at the library. Other co-sponsors of the launch include Parsippany Rotary International, Heart and Hand for Handicapped and Gandhian Society and a dozen area community groups, a press release from GOPIO said.

With a house full crowd, the launch was inaugurated by Indian Consul for Visa and Community Affairs Pragya Singh in the presence of Library President Melisa Kuzma, Parsippany Mayor James Barberio, Former AP and Telangana Minister from India Ponnala Lakshmaiah, New Jersey Commissioner Upendra Chivukula, the White House Policy Advisor on Energy Jai Vaingankar and community leaders.

The program started a welcome from the Program chair Rajendar Dichpally who serves as the Director of Gandhian Society and Founder of Zakir Hussain Foundation in the USA. “Efforts like this will help the Indian American Community and also strengthen the bond between the two largest democracies,” said Dichpally.

Program Co-chair Santosh Peddi, who serves as the President of the Parsippany Rotary International said that Rotary was happy to co-sponsor the event as part of its social/community outreach.

Children sang the American and Indian national anthems.

Library Director Kuzma said she was happy to host the India Initiative as this reflects the diverse attributes of the library. She was happy to receive so many books of different genre and said it reflects the rich and diverse culture of India. She also said that the library would be hosting an event to celebrate Diwali in the later part of October.

Welcoming everyone to Parsippany, Mayor Barberio said that Parsippany was a home to many Indian Americans, and he was proud that many of them have contributed to making Parsippany a better town. Mayor Barberio, who is of Italian origin, also said that he always felt Indian Americans and Italian Americans have similar attributes and was happy to see that the India Initiative in Parsippany Library was seeing a good response.

GOPIO International Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham who initiated and coordinated this effort noted how Indian Americans have done extremely well professionally, politically and financially, and that community should do more for the larger society. GOPIO chapters in the New York area have successfully launched India Collection of books at the public libraries in Norwalk and Stamford in Connecticut, Edison, New Jersey, and Queens and Long Island in New York State.

After the ceremony, some classic books in Hindi and half a dozen regional languages were presented by community representatives in their traditional dress. After describing the book and reading a passage from the book, these books were presented to Library’s Head of Information Services Nicholas Jackson. These books will be catalogued and will be available soon from the library.

A cultural program followed with music and dances from India put together by Manju Bhargava, president of New Jersey Telegu Association. The dancers were Indian American high school and college students. The program continued with a networking reception.

Those who want to donate to the cause may contact GOPIO at 203-329-8010 or send an e-mail to gopio@optonline.net.