Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 7 CITY VIEWS February 9, 2024 GOPIO Executive Members, Organizations, Professionals, Meet To Plan For April Convention E xecutives of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) and representatives of community and professional organizations, held a kick-off planning meeting to launch GOPIO 2024 Global Convention of People of Indian Origin which is scheduled to be held in April 26-28 in Royal Albert’s Palace in Fords, NJ. The planning meeting was held Jan. 28, 2024, at the same venue. The April convention will focus on “India’s Present and the Future” and what role the diaspora Indians can play in helping to realize this desirable future. The theme of the convention is ‘Opportunities for Diaspora Indians in India’s Big Manifest Future.’ GOPIO Executive Council has appointed New Jersey businessman Prakash Shah as the Convention Convener. At the planning meeting, Shah said, “Laud- ing the positive optimistic vision prevailing in India, presents opportunity to invest in India which provides the best and biggest opportunity in theWorld. The Bombay Stock Exchange has just crossed $4 Trillion and has overtaken Hong Kong to become third largest in the world. While India needs the 35 million Diaspora to invest, it is an incredible opportunity for the Diaspora to prosper.” Apart from Prakash Shah, 50-member conven- tion committee includes Dr. Asha Samant as Co- Convener, Chitranjan Belwariar as Secretary and Srinivas Akarapu as Treasurer. Committee Chairs include the following: Awards – Lal Motwani, Finance/Fundraising – Siddarth Jain, Reception – Hemant Patel, Souvenir Brochure – Jigar Shah with Dinesh Mittal and Lal Motwani as advisor, Volunteers – Bharat Rana, Publicity/PR – Rohit Vyas with Vijay Shah as Media Representative/ Adviser, Registration – Dhananjay Desai, Banquet – Dr Rajeev Mehta, Additional Trips and Events – Sha- trughan Dawani. Conference Sessions are chaired by Vasu Pawar for Youth, Dr. Thomas Abraham for Diaspora Indi- ans in Technologies and AI, Dr. Asha Samant for Medical and Health and Prakash Shah for Networking Business through GOPIO Chamber of Commerce. GOPIO President Lal Motwani, who had earlier served as the Convener of GOPIO convention in NewYork in 2016, said, “We are doing this major event in the USA af- ter 8 years, this time in New Jersey. This is a big opportu- nity for our vibrant community in the Tr- State Area and in the USA to participate and help with this very Impor- tant event for the 35 million strong Indian Diaspora.” GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham spoke about the history of GOPIO and its accomplishments since the formation of GOPIO in 1989, implementation of the resolutions passed by the First GOPIO Convention which included issues of Dual Nationality and Voting Rights for NRIs, demands already met by New Delhi. GOPIOVice President Ram Gadhavi who served as the Co-Convener of the First Global Convention in 1989, urged younger GOPIO members to not only become ac- tively engaged, but to consider leading the organization into the future. The GOPIO Convention will also be a fun event, with some side trips (including optional trips to NewYork City, Atlantic City andWashington DC). Five conference sessions are planned at the convention, Diaspora Youth and Young Achiev- ers and the role they can play in India’s Future and how GOPIO can facilitate their partici- pation; DiasporaWomen and their Growing Contributions in Various Sectors; Technologies and AI and other Innovations: Diaspora Indi- ans Leading Research and Innovations; GOPIO Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Worldwide Networking of the Diaspora Busi- nesses; and Medical and Health Issues and how Diaspora Indians can Participate in India’s Frontline Role in Pharmaceuticals, Vaccines and Medical Tourism and in Propagating YOGA and its Benefits. The nearest airport is Newark, New Jersey, so GOPIO is making arrangements for pick-up. Those arriving at John F. Kennedy Airport or La- Guardia Airport, could take a shuttle to Newark Airport to be picked up. As part of the convention program, GOPIO is arranging a trip to the Capitol Hill inWashington DC on Monday April 29th to lobby Congressional Representa- tives on House Resolution 6542 “To amend the Immigra- tion and Nationality Act to eliminate the per-country numerical limitation for employment-based immigrants, to increase the per-country numerical limitation for fam- ily sponsored immigrants, and for other purposes.” GOPIO advised overseas delegates attending the con- vention to register first before invitation letter for visa is sent out. Those who want to apply for a US visa may write to Prakash Shah at firstgrwth@aol.com or contact him at +1 908-267-5021 or contact Lal Motwani at + 516-581- 3332. GOPIO International officials at the Kick-off Planning Meeting Jan. 28, 2024, in NJ. From left, VP Ram Gadhavi, Global Ambassador Prakash Shah, President Lal Motwani and Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham. GOPIO 2024 Convention Women’s Group, from l. to r. GOPIO-CT Associate Secretary Ashvini Persaud, GOPIO-Edison President Pallavi Belwariar, Author Ritu Chopra, GOPIO-Manhattan Vice President Dr. Vimal Goyle, GOPIO-New York President Beena Kothari and Kavitha Motwani. Photos:GOPIO By a StaffWriter T he University of California Merced (UC Merced) announced the appointment of Ronak M. Jani, managing director of The Jani Group of Companies to its External Advisory Board. Jani brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the finance industry to the EAB. The EAB meets regularly with the Dean of Engineering for the purposes of: Assisting the School of Engineering in developing strategic relationships with the engineering and business communi- ties across the state and beyond. Improving the school’s responsiveness to the needs of the engineering profes- sion and those organizations employing the school’s graduates. Identifying and helping implement de- velopment programs necessary to ensure that the school can meet its academic and professional goals into the foreseeable future. The Jani Group of Companies, a multi-generational family business, has a compendium of international financial services and venture firms headquartered in NewYork, while providing worldwide financial solutions. A Bachelor of Business Administra- tion in Public Accounting and an MBA in Financial Management from the Lubin School of Business – Pace University, NewYork, Jani is a Certified Commercial Investment Manager from the CCIM Institute, Chicago, and Certified by the Wharton School of Business – University of Pennsylvania in the Fundamentals of Quantitative Modeling. His portfolio of work includes more than $750 Million worth of commercial development transactions throughout the US, and Banking Instrument transac- tions well over $1Billion globally, the press release says. “Throughout his career, Mr. Jani has demonstrated a strong commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship,” the press release says. He is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and has been recognized for his contributions with numerous awards. He has collaborated with multiple Fortune 100 Companies with valuations over $1 Billion within USA and India. He has worked with compa- nies featured in Forbes, Fortune &Wired magazines. He has previously served on the boards of The Indus Entrepreneurs ‘TiE’ NewYork chapter, Rockland County Conservatory of Music and the Lion’s Club, among other institutions. By a StaffWriter GOPIO International and Chapter Officials with the Convention Team at the lamp lighting Ceremony to Kick-off the Convention 2024 planning Jan. 28, 2024. NY Financier Ronak M. Jani Joins University Of California Merced, External Advisory Board Ronak M. Jani Photo:@engineering.ucmerced.edu