GOPIO-CT to Celebrate 20th Anniversary Banquet Honoring Five Outstanding Indian American Leaders

GOPIO-CT: The Connecticut chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-CT) will celebrate its landmark 20th anniversary on Saturday, June 13, 2026, by honoring five prominent Indian American leaders at its Annual Awards Banquet. The milestone event will take place at the Water’s Edge Banquet Hall in Darien, Connecticut, starting at 6:00 p.m..

This year’s gala recognizes an exceptional roster of professionals spanning state governance, biotechnology, mass media, corporate finance, and academic engineering. Organizers anticipate a bipartisan gathering of Connecticut lawmakers, municipal officials, and civic leaders, reflecting the expanding political, economic, and cultural influence of the state’s growing South Asian diaspora.

“We select the awardees who have made an impact in our society and those who provide outstanding service,” stated GOPIO-CT President Mahesh Jhangiani. Dr. Thomas Abraham, founder president of GOPIO International and current chairman of the awards committee, added, “These awardees are role models for our new generations,” noting that the chapter’s two decades of dedication have significantly strengthened ties between Indian Americans and Connecticut’s broader civic framework.

The 2026 Honorees:
Political Leadership and Constitutional Scholarship
Honoree: State Senator Prof. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox

Contributions: Elected in 2024 to represent Connecticut’s 22nd District, Senator Gadkar-Wilcox is also a Professor of Legal Studies at Quinnipiac University. A former Fulbright-Nehru Scholar, her academic research and legislative portfolio focus deeply on constitutional law frameworks, comparative governance, human rights, and localized civic education. Her role underscores the rising representation of South Asians moving from grassroots community advocacy into formal legislative policy-making roles.

Innovations in Nanotechnology and Biopharma:
Honoree: Dr. Anil R. Diwan

Contributions: As the founder, president, and executive chairman of Connecticut-based NanoViricides, Inc., Dr. Diwan is being recognized for his achievements in entrepreneurship and business. He has championed the development of NV-387, a novel, broad-spectrum antiviral drug candidate that mechanically neutralizes viral threats. The therapeutic has demonstrated efficacy against COVID coronaviruses, RSV, influenza, and measles, and is currently undergoing Phase II clinical trials for Mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Journalism, Media Advocacy, and Mental Health Service:
Honoree: Ajay Ghosh

Contributions: With a versatile career spanning more than 30 years, Ghosh serves as the publisher and chief editor of The Global Net News and Health and Wellness News. To foster professional standards among diaspora journalists, he founded the Indo-American Press Club and served as its inaugural president. Bridging mass media with community health, Ghosh also practices as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) at Yale New Haven Hospital.

Corporate Governance and Community Banking:
Honoree: Nitin Mhatre

Contributions: Recognizing excellence in corporate leadership, Mhatre recently assumed the role of CEO at First County Bank, an independent mutual community bank operating in Connecticut for over 174 years. His distinguished banking career includes tenures as CEO of Berkshire Bank and senior roles at Webster Bank and Citibank. He also served as Chairman of the Consumer Bankers Association (2019–2020), guiding retail banking regulations through the onset of the pandemic.

Four Decades of Academic Engineering and Applied Sciences:
Honoree: Hemchandra M. Shertukde, Ph.D., P.E., DMS

Contributions: An alumnus of IIT Kharagpur and the University of Connecticut, Dr. Shertukde has served on the faculty at the University of Hartford for nearly 40 years. His prolific academic and research career has yielded 13 solo-authored textbooks, over 40 co-authored technical books, 100 peer-reviewed papers, and 10 registered U.S. patents. He has successfully bridged academia and business by founding multiple technology and medical device startups.

Celebrating Two Decades of Diaspora Civic Engagement:
Organized under the leadership of the Awards Banquet Committee, led by GOPIO-CT Secretary Mirat Joshi, the evening will also pay tribute to the chapter’s foundational roots.

Special recognition will be extended to the chapter’s founding members including Dr. Thomas Abraham, Viresh Sharma, Sangeeta and Paul Ahuja, Meera and Bhom Banta, and Gharry Gill as well as past presidents who steered the organization across its 20-year history. Sharon Priya Banta will also be honored for her contributions as the chapter’s inaugural Youth Coordinator.

Since its inception, GOPIO-CT has remained a non-partisan, secular, civic organization. As the South Asian population in Fairfield and New Haven counties continues to grow, the chapter’s focus has evolved from fundamental cultural preservation into driving active community participation in state economic policy, public health initiatives, and local governance.

Event Details & Attendance: Ticketing, corporate sponsorships, and attendance protocols for the 20th Anniversary Gala are being managed through the non-profit platform Zeffy.

source: globalnet