“My participation in the celebration of India’s Republic Day today is a testament to the value I place on the friendship United States has with India,” including continued collaboration in all the possible sectors while stating that the US -India strategic partnership, based on mutual values and commitment will continue under the new Biden–Harris administration, ranking Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks, Chairman of House Foreign Relations Committee, said. 

Rep. Meeks was the chief guest at the celebration of India’s 72nd Republic Day, organized by GOPIO New York. The virtual celebrations began with the virtual flag hoisting and with the singing of the Indian and American national anthems by Manik Malhotra and Mathy Pillai.

 Rep. Meeks of New York was introduced by Lal Motwani, Honorary Chairman of GOPIO-NY who shared with the audience about the close relationship the Congressman has with GOPIO and the larger Indian American community. “He is a true friend of the Indian American community,” Motwani said.   

Meeks was “appreciative of the partnership of the leadership of the largest democracies in the world.” He praised the influence of Mahatma Gandhi and the power of nonviolence. Praising the contributions of Indian Americans, Meeks said, “I want to say to all today: You have made USA a better and peaceful place.”

Meeks pointed to the bill passed with bipartisan support by the US House of Representatives, that would establish an exchange initiative between the USA and India to study the work and legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. “Written by civil rights icon John Lewis, who died early this year, the Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative Act authorizes the State Department, in cooperation with the Indian government, to establish an annual educational forum for scholars from both countries that focuses on the legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.” 

This legislation honors the long-standing relationship between the USA and people of India and advance his teachings and establish a development foundation that would allow India and the US to work together to address pressing issues like climate change, education and public health," Rep. Meeks said. 

Indian Consul General Randhir Kumar Jaiswal spoke about India’s plans “to share the fruits of science” with regional countries and across the globe by supplying vaccines to the needy, thus living India’s philosophy of “The whole world is one family.”

New York State Senator Kevin Thomas was introduced by Dr. Thomas Abraham, as a friend and part of the Indian American community. Dr. Abraham conveyed Republic Day greetings from all GOPIO International officers including President Sunny Kulathakal from Bahrain, Executive VP Ishwar Ram Lutchman from South Africa, Vice President Ram Gandhi from the USA and all other international coordinators from all over the world present at the Zoom celebrations.

 Senator Thomas said that “India is not only an emerging power but today India contributes globally”. Pointing to the many seminaries between India and the USA he said, “We stand united for the progress of the world. As we move forward, let us remember the preamble, and make this our guiding principle.” He promised to introduce a resolution in the New York State Senate honoring India on Jan 26th.

New York State Representative Jenifer Rajkumar thanked GOPIO and the Indian American community for the inspiration she has had in her life,  “I stand on your shoulders as GOPIO has played a great role in helping me get elected to the State Assembly”.Referring the “Samosa Coccus” formed in the State of New York with a record three Indian Americans elected to the state, she said, “We made history this year and I want to thank the community leaders who have made this possible.”