The “Indian Diaspora in the United States is very strong, and has contributed immensely to the India-US relations and to Mother India,” Indian Consul General in New York, Randhir Kumar Jaiswal, said as hundreds of Indian Americans came on the same platform to celebrate India's  Republic Day. 

“The Indian Diaspora is playing a very important role in the cooperation between India and the United States in all areas, especially in the healthcare sector." Jaiswal said. “Covid is one area where scientists from India and the United States are collaborating in developing vaccines and medicines. We are grateful to the Diaspora for all of your contributions.”
 
Indian Americans representing GOPIO New York, GOPIO Manhattan, GOPIO-CT, GOPIO-Central Jersey and other community organization in a show of unity came together to celebrate India’s 73rd Republic Day virtually paying rich tributes to their motherland, India as she stands tall among nations of the world, proclaiming freedom, democratic values, economic and technological advancements, and the rich cultural traditions, a media statement by GOPIO said.

Stating that celebrating India’s Republic Day is special each year, but this year it’s more so because it is the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence, Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Jaiswal pointed to the several events that are being organized across the United States to commemorate the event, where a large number of people joined virtually and in person, including greetings and proclamations from the governors of the states of New York and Ohio and from the mayor of New York City as well as from the NY State Senate.

Photo: American National Anthem by Mathy Pillai and Indian National Anthem by Jyothi Gupta and her team.

Referring to the several elected Indian American leaders who attended the event, Jaiswal said, “Your presence and greetings mean a lot to us and to the Indian Diaspora and to the Indo-US relationship.” 

Neil Makhija, Executive President of Indian American Impact spoke, about the organization's work in helping NRIs get elected to state and national offices. “Our goal is to increase the representation of Indian Americans in all states,” he said. “Across the country, a record number of Indian-Americans have been elected to the state and national offices. I am thrilled to be where we are today.” He went on to introducing each of the elected officials who had joined the celebrations today.

New Jersey State Senator Vin Gopal recalled his visit with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy traveling to several states in India meeting with several chief ministers and building relationships collaborating in several areas between India and New Jersey, which now has the fastest growing Indian American community in the United States. He proudly stated about how New Jersey has passed the legislation including Asian American history in the school curriculum teaching Indian history to all school children in the state. 

Referring to his frequent trips to India to meet with his grandparents, the young senator said, “I am inspired by the values taught by family, which we carry them in our lives.”

Vermont State Senator Kesha Ram shared the reasons for her entering politics. “I got engaged with the community for long, where we care for each other.” One of the youngest ever to be elected to State Assembly at the age of 21, she said, “I am the first ever woman of color top be elected to the state Assembly in Vermont. Continuing to break through the barriers, we can work together to elect more NRIs. “It’s incredible to be of public service, following in the footsteps of my great grandfathers,” she said, referring to her ancestry back in India, who had fought for the freedom for India. 

“We have carried with us that spirit of community service,”  she said. 

Ohio State Senator Niraj Antani said he is only the second Indian American elected to a statewide office and he is one of the only Republicans of Indian Origin to be elected. Sharing his early days and inspiration to enter politics, he said, “My parents worked hard to live the American dream. There is a need for us to be at the decision-making table. Everyone is able to realize the dream. We stand on your shoulders, to carry on the Indian values.”

New Jersey State Rep. Raj Mukerji said, “We are celebrating the world’s largest democracy today and India’s contributions to building a better world for all.” He pointed to how the Indian American Caucuses are growing across the nation and in several states. In the state of New Jersey, the Indian American representation in state offices has grown from 1 to 7 this year. “That’s the way it should be. I am proud of all that GOPIO has contributed socially and financially to make this happen. I am proud of the contributions of the Indian Diaspora, who are in the front lines of global healthcare. NRIs are helping the nation and the world, come out of the Covid. And it’s the time to celebrate.”

NY State Representative Jenifer Rajkumar from the 28th District thanked GOPIO and the Indian American community for the inspiration she has had in her life, “Indian identity is central to my election to the state assembly in New York. I stand on your shoulders as GOPIO has played a great role in helping me get elected to the State Assembly.” Referring to the record three Indian Americans elected to the state, she said, “We made history and I want to thank the community leaders who have made this possible.”  

Rajkumar shared with the audience how growing up in a family that emphasized the teachings of Gandhian principles has helped her to appreciate diversity, justice and equality for all. She referred to the Bills she has introduced in the Assembly to celebrate Punjabi culture and declaring and October as Hindu heritage month as well as to celebrate India’s Independence Day.

Photo: GOPIO officials and organizers of the celebration, Top row, from l. to r. GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, GOPIO-Manhattan Executive VP Prof. Raj Vangapaty and President Shivender Sofat. Bottom row, from l. to r. GOPIO-Manhattan Committee Member Chitranjan Belwariar, GOPIO-CT President Ashok Nichani and GOPIO VP Ram Gadhavi

New Hampshire State Rep. Latha Mangipudi, who has been elected again to the NH House of Representatives, shared with the audience about her own life, challenges in becoming a female, non-White elected official from a state which is majority White. “It was a very slow and gradual journey after I had come to the US to pursue higher studies in the 1980s.” 

Inspired by Gandhiji’s message of non-violence, which Martin Luther and late Rep. John Lewis had imbibed in their public life, the first generation Indian American said, “I am a woman, brown colored,  first generation Indian and very vocal in expressing my views.” 

Stating that she has introduced traditional health systems of India, including ayurveda, in New Hampshire, she thanked the Indian Consulate which has “worked with us to enhance awareness on India and its diverse culture and democratic values.”

Connecticut State Representative Harry Arora said, “We know how powerful it is to have set up of laws and rules of laws, the power of a country comes from a beautifully written constitution which was adopted on that day and the fact that we have lived with that beautifully so many years with that constitution in India, which works.” Rep. Arora also added that we may complain that sometimes things might not work, but overall on a macro level it has worked.

GOPIO Chairman, Dr. Thomas Abraham, pointed out that India has sent a large number of its brightest to America, who have made substantial contributions in building up the economy of America. “Our contributions are noted very well in the health care especially our doctors and nurses are frontline workers against Covid. We have also made outstanding contributions in hospitality, science and technology and education. We are also not behind in the political process. The biggest achievement came when one of us, an African/Indian American woman Senator Kamala Harris was sworn in as the Vice President of the USA. The last general election also saw a larger number of Indian Americans being elected to state legislatures. Eight of them from the Northeast have joined us this evening. Thank you to all for joining us,” Dr. Abraham said.

GOPIO members have been in the forefront, contributing to the larger community here in the United States and towards supporting various initiatives back home in India, especially during the Covid pandemic. “We had sent Oxygen concentrators to India last year when the pandemic was at its peak. Many GOPIO chapters continue to serve the local communities in different countries by donating and serving food to the homeless and needy and replenishing and providing cash to the food pantries which serve the homeless and needy families.”  

Prominent among those who had joined the Republic Day celebrations included GOPIO VP Ram Gadhavi who is also the chair of Gujarat Literary Academy of North America; Lal Motwani, GOPIO Foundation Executive Trustee; Dr. Asha Samant, GOPIO International Coordinator-at-Large; and several GOPIO Chapter Presidents, including, GOPIO New York President Beena Kothari; GOPIO Manhattan President Shivender Sofat; GOPIO-CT President Ashok Nichani; GOPIO-Central Jersey Kunal Mehta; and, Rockland County Legislature Anney Paul. 

Co-Sponsoring Organizations and the leaders who had attended the event included: President of the National Federation of Indian American Association Lavanya Reddy from Seattle and Secretary Ashok Patnaik from Los Angeles, VP for New York Region Gunja Rastogi, who is the President of National Indian American Association for Senior Citizens; Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Executive Director Sudhir Vaishnav; Indo-American Senior Citizen Center of New York President Mukund Mehta; Jiwan Jyoti Chairman Suresh Arya from Rockland County; Jhilmil President Anoop Bhargava from New Jersey; Milan Cultural Association President Suresh Sharma from Hartford, CT; Kerala Center President Alex Esthappan from Elmont, New York; National AIA President Gobind Munjal and India Association of Long Island President Bina Sabapathi 

(For more information, please contact gopio@optonline.net. The taped program can be seen on YouTube at https://youtu.be/3d90UWW8SvA.)