GOPIO-CT Marks 20th Anniversary, Honors Distinguished Leaders

“Celebrating Legacy; Inspiring Youth; Building Tomorrow”

Darien, CT — June 18, 2026 — The Connecticut chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-CT) celebrated its 20th Anniversary with a grand Annual Awards Banquet at the Water’s Edge Banquet Hall, Darien, CT on June 13, 2026, recognizing five prominent Indian American leaders for their civic and professional excellence. 

The milestone event brought together a bipartisan group of state and local lawmakers, community leaders, and professionals, reflecting the growing political, economic, and cultural influence of the South Asian diaspora in Connecticut and across the United States. The evening also highlighted two decades of GOPIO-CT’s commitment to advocacy, cultural preservation, and community service. 

The Chief Guest was India’s Deputy Consul General in New York, Vishal Harsh, who also presented awards to the honorees. Other dignitaries who spoke at the banquet were CT Senators Sujata Gadkar Wilcox and Tony Hwang, and CT Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson.

Dr. Vishal Harsh, Deputy Consul General of India in New York, in his keynote address said, “The achievements of Indian Americans have become a global benchmark—communities across the world look to replicate the success and impact you have created in the United States.” Elaborating on the success story of the Diaspora, he said,  “The Indian diaspora in the United States stands as a powerful testament to excellence, innovation, and global leadership. They have distinguished themselves across sectors, setting benchmarks of achievement and integrity.” He highlighted the numerous consular services available to the Diaspora community, making them available 24/7, to meet the needs of the community, he said.

“As we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of GOPIO-CT, I am honored and grateful to reflect on the incredible journey of our organization over the past two decades,” said GOPIO-CT President Mahesh Jhangiani. “Since its founding, GOPIO-CT has served as a vibrant platform promoting community service, cultural heritage, civic engagement, and unity among People of Indian Origin in Connecticut and beyond.”

He went on to add: “This milestone is a testament to the dedication of our members, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners whose unwavering support has made our growth and achievements possible. Together, we have built a strong and respected organization committed to service, education, youth empowerment, and community collaboration.”

Dr. Thomas Abraham, founder president of GOPIO International and chair of the Awards Committee, emphasized the broader significance of the honorees. “Over the past two decades, GOPIO-CT has set an outstanding example of how a local chapter can effectively organize, engage, and serve the community. In many ways, its success became a model for GOPIO International in shaping the structure and activities of local chapters worldwide.

While reflecting on the origins of GOPIO International, Dr. Abraham said, since its launch in 1989, GOPIO has championed issues affecting the Indian Diaspora, including civil rights, human rights, community empowerment, and political participation. GOPIO continues to expand its mission through conferences, public forums, community celebrations, social service, a philanthropic initiatives. “GOPIO remains committed to enhancing India's image globally while promoting business, trade, investment, philanthropic linkages between India and the worldwide Indian Diaspora,” Dr. Abraham the veteran founder of GOPIO said.

Mike Joshi, the GOPIO-CT Banquet Chair and GOPIO-CT Secretary, who eloquently emceed the gala, said, “The banquet is not only a celebration of the 20th year milestone for GOPIO but also enabled us to raise funds to support Youth Charity Initiatives in our community. Your continued support makes it possible for GOPIO to continue to deliver on its mission of enhancing cooperation between people of Indian Origin with local communities and continue to support through charitable contributions and volunteer efforts across Connecticut.”

The 2026 honorees included a state senator, a nanotechnology executive, a veteran journalist, a prominent regional bank CEO, and a long-standing engineering professor, reflecting the diverse professional and civic contributions of the state’s growing South Asian diaspora.

Distinguished Honorees Across Sectors 

This year’s honorees represented a wide range of fields: 

• In the category of Political Leadership, GOPIO-CT honored State Senator Prof. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox. Elected to the Connecticut State Senate in 2024 to represent the 22nd District—which encompasses parts of Trumbull, Monroe, and Bridgeport—Gadkar-Wilcox is also a Professor of Legal Studies at Quinnipiac University.

   

• The award for Entrepreneurship and Business Achievements will be presented to Dr. Anil R. Diwan, the founder, president, and executive chairman of NanoViricides, Inc. (NYSE American: NNVC). Headquartered in Connecticut, Diwan’s firm has focused on the development of specialized antiviral therapies using proprietary “nanoviricide” technology, which aims to neutralize viruses mechanically rather than relying solely on host immune responses.

   

• In Corporate Leadership, the chapter will recognize Nitin Mhatre, who assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer at First County Bank on April 15, 2026. Mhatre takes the helm of an independent mutual community bank that has operated continuously in Fairfield County and the surrounding Connecticut municipalities for more than 174 years. 

   

• Hemchandra M. Shertukde, Ph.D., P.E., DMS, who is being recognized for his Achievements in Engineering and Applied Sciences. Dr. Shertukde has served as a faculty member in the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture at the University of Hartford for nearly 40 years.

   

• Ajay Ghosh, a veteran journalist received the award in the Journalism category. Ghosh’s career spans more than 30 years across mass media, higher education, and clinical healthcare, highlighting a versatile career path dedicated to public interest communication.

   

In a very profound and powerful speech, Sen. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox referred to how diverse cultural traditions have contributed to the American story. She said, “Sunday family dinners have their roots in the Italian culture. Similarly, when Quinnipiac University hosts a Garba dance and Diwali celebration, students now from different backgrounds mark their calendars and all look forward to attending. These traditions become part of the American story because immigrants and their families are the American story.”

Referring to recent social media posts against immigrant, she said, “Beyond the racism and xenophobia inherent in those comments, we have the problem of who gets to speak for the United States, who gets to say they're truly American, and who has to justify their story. I tell the story of the immigrant as an American story, because that right belongs to all of us. That sense of belonging is part of all of us.”

In his acceptance address Ajay Ghosh, said, “I am proud to represent journalists around the world,” he said. “I dedicate this honor to my colleagues who work tirelessly to keep the public informed and ensure that truth reaches society in a responsible way.” 

Ghosh warned of the challenges faced by journalists around the globe. “Journalism is facing a crisis as never before,” he said. “Across the globe, the institution we rely on to inform us, challenge power, and uphold truth is under strain. This is not a local problem—it is global and systemic.” 

Two Decades of Community Leadership 

In addition to honoring the awardees, the gala recognized GOPIO-CT’s founding members and past presidents for their leadership over the past two decades. The organization has played a key role in fostering civic dialogue, youth engagement, and professional networking across Connecticut. 

The Founder Members of the Chapter, Dr. Thomas Abraham, Viresh Sharma, Sangeeta and Paul Ahuja,  Bhom, and Meera Ahuja were honored. Past presidents Sangeeta Ahuja, Shailesh Naik, Shelly Nichani, Anita Bhat, Ashok Nichani, and Jaya Saptardar were also honored for their services in building the organization in Connecticut. The Chapter’s Youth Coordinator in the early years, Sharon Priya Banta was also recognized.

Cultural performances by local artists, performing traditional Indian dances to modern Bollywood dances by popular artists, including by a group of artists representing MASCONN showcased the rich cultural tr4aditions of India.

With the South Asian population continuing to grow in Connecticut, GOPIO-CT’s mission has evolved from cultural preservation to active participation in public policy, economic development, and community health initiatives. 

A Celebration with Lasting Impact 

The 20th Anniversary Gala was not only a celebration of individual achievement but also a reflection of the community’s expanding role in shaping the state’s future. The program was mainly managed by Awards Banquet Chairman Mike Joshi, President Mahesh Jhangiani, and Awards Committee Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham.

In their ongoing mission to support and empower local communities, GOPIO-CT contributed $25,000 each to the two charities, Future 5 and Children’s Learning Center (CLC) of Fairfield County. The checks were received by Future 5’s Founder Clif McFeely and CLC’s CEO Monica Maccera Filpu, and  its Director of Corporate and Foundation Relation Jennifer Hallissey.

Through both recognition and reflection, the evening underscored a broader message: that leadership, truth, and civic responsibility remain deeply interconnected in an increasingly complex world.