GOPIO of Central Jersey recognizes several community leaders

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Close to 400 guests and invitees attended the 10th anniversary gala of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin, Central New Jersey chapter (GOPIO-CJ), held in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey, June 3, at Embers Banquets.

Several Indian-Americans were recognized for their contributions to the United States, to India, and to the community living here.

India’s Consul General in New York, Sandeep Chakravorty, was the chief guest and in his speech, he praised GOPIO for its work, noting that the Government of India looks to this organization when it is engaged in policymaking for the diaspora. He appealed to Indian- Americans to encourage youth to apply for the Know- India program which sends second generation diaspora youth to India.

Other dignitaries at the event included New Jersey Democratic Assemblymen Raj Mukherji and Andrew Zwicker, South Brunswick Mayor Charlie Carley, and West Windsor Mayor Hemant Marathe.

During the event, Dr. Tushar Patel took over as president of GOPIO-CJ which was formed 10 years ago, from outgoing president Suresh Reddy. Dr. Patel told Desi Talk his agenda was to increase the membership and take the organization to the next level to help the local community on issues such as health, discrimination, domestic violence, seniors issues etc.

Numerous achievers, including Padma Shri Dr. Sudhir Parikh, publisher of Desi Talk, were recognized with awards.

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr., D-NJ, representing District 6, was inducted as a ‘Friend of India’ in absentia. He has served as co-chair of Indian Caucus in the U.S. Congress; The Shri Krishna Nidhi (SKN) Foundation was recognized for its longstanding community service with a mission to improve total well-being; Ashok Luhadia, founder of US Pharma Labs, and Siby Vadakekkara of MarLabs, were recognized as an outstanding entrepreneurs; Rina Shah, the director and founder of AUM Dance Creations, was honored for her contributions to the performing arts.

Two awards were also presented for achievement in media to Dr. Parikh, philanthropist, and chairman and publisher of Parikh Worldwide Media Inc., the largest Indian-American publishing group in the United States, which recently also acquired the television channel ITV Gold. Dr. Parikh has worked to improve U.S.-India relations, and encouraged second generation Indian- Americans to engage with the political process; and H.R. Shah, the chairman and CEO of TV Asia, who supports various social works, cultural, educational and related activities.

A special award was presented to Sparsh Shah (aka Purhythm), a 15-year-old multi-talented singing prodigy who was born with an incurable disease called Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a condition that makes his bones extremely fragile and brittle.

Amit Jani, the president and co-founder of the NJ Leadership Program was recognized for his contribution to the Indian American community’s political involvement. He serves in Governor Phil Murphy’s Administration.

Pinakin Pathak, was recognized for his contributions to Public Service. He is an entrepreneur and community activist, a member of the Hindu-Jewish coalition, BAPS, and March of Dimes.

In his speech at the event, Dr. Parikh reminded the audience of the need to do more for the community and for India. He also urged GOPIO to use his newly acquired TV channel to broadcast community events and for the public good. Dr. Rajeev Mehta, a professor at the Rutgrs Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and co-founder of GOPIO-CJ, told Desi Talk he knows Dr. Parikh for many years and witnessed his commitment to service even before he became well-known and as successful as today.

The event was a “huge success.” Only 200 people were expected but some 370, attended, Dr. Mehta noted. “These awardees are role models and recognition of their achievements will motivate our new generations to contribute to our community and society at large,” Dr. Mehta said at the event.

“With a fast-growing Indian American population, we had a large number of nominations and we picked the best in the various categories.”GOPIO-CJ past-president Dinesh Mittal who is the Chair of GOPIO International’s Chapter Validation Committee said.

Thomas Abraham, co-founder of the umbrella GOPIO back in 1989, also spoke at the meeting. “I bring greetings from GOPIO-International. Which has a global network of several hundred Life Members and about 100 chapters in 35 countries,” he said, and noted the achievements of Indian-Americans on the national stage and in local elections, and in New Jersey in particular this past year, which saw an Attorney General, a Senator, Assemblyman, and Mayor as well as several other offices won by members of the community.

The June 3 gala included a cocktail reception, the awards ceremony, entertainment, dinner and dancing.