Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra was the chief guest.
AB Wire
GOPIO International officially launched a second chapter in New Jersey, GOPIO-North Jersey, at the Fairbridge Hotel, East Hanover, New Jersey, on May 22nd.
Chapter President Dhiraj Solanki welcomed guests and said that the chapter will reach out Indian Diaspora (NRI/PIO) community and involve youth and young professionals in the chapter activities.
The chief guest was India’s Deputy Consul General in New York, Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapatra, who welcomed the formation of a new chapter and promised to work closely with the new chapter on issues of Indian community in North Jersey.
“The consulate has improved the response and turnaround time for visa, passport and OCI cards services, because of feedback from GOPIO Chapters and GOPIO International,” said Dr. Mohapatra.
“When GOPIO brings any matter to us, we look at it and work on it right away,” said Dr. Mohapatra. “With a population 1.8 million NRIs/PIOs in the Northeast Region, the consulate can provide better service only with the help of organizait6ons such as GOPIO”.
New Jersey Assemblyman from District 33 Raj Mukherji praised GOPIO for the services provided to Indian Diaspora in New Jersey. Mukherji called upon the community to be pro-active in the political process.
Former Deputy Speaker of New Jersey State Assembly Upendra Chivukula who is currently the Commissioner on the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities said that when GOPIO recognizes a person, Govt. of India notices it and the recipients are likely candidates for receiving Pravasi Bharatiya Samman. Chivukula congratulated the organizers for opening a chapter in North Jersey.
GOPIO-Founder President Dr. Thomas Abraham said that unlike other India associations, GOPIO chapters will be involved in civic affairs and service to the local communities. GOPIO motto is “Think Globally and Act Locally.”