Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 4 CITY VIEWS October 31, 2025 GOPIO-CT Celebrates Diwali Supporting Local Charity; Stamford Mayor Proclaims Diwali Day T he Connecticut Chapter the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-CT) and Hindi USA Stamford Chapter jointly celebrated Diwali on October 17th atWestover Magnet School in Stamford, CT. A lamplighting ceremony was followed by more than fifteen group dance items, followed by a dinner. The program was put together by GOPIO-CT Board Member Manish Maheshwari, who also serves as Coordinator of Stamford- Hindi USA, a press release from the organization said. As a Diwali giving, GOPIO-CT Chapter presented a check of $25,000, contributed by its members, to 100-year-old Children’s Learning Center (CLC) in Fairfield County in Connecticut. The Chapter has been supporting many local charities in Connecticut. This year GOPIO-CT supported Future 5, an organization which provides coaching of high school students from low-income and immigrant families as well as Society for Human and Environment Development (SHED) which runs schools in Mumbai slums and in the rural areas of Maharashtra. Stamford City Mayor Caroline Simmons issued a proclamation to honor Diwali. It was presented by Stamford Mayors’ Multicultural Council Vice President Malinda Polite along with Board Member Shobhna Bhatnagar. In her proclamation, Mayor Simmons noted the presence of 66,000 people of Indian origin liv- ing in Connecticut and 4.8 million in the USA enriching communities across the nation with deep tradition, professional excellence and cultural vitality. The proclamation also recognized Diwali, India’s largest religion Hinduism with one billion followers and India in its 77th year of independence, the press release said. By a StaffWriter Jersey City Council Honors Hindu Heritage Month, Recognizes Community Leader T he Office of Jersey City Council President Joyce E. Watterman presented a City Proclamation recog- nizing October as Hindu Heritage Month recog- nizing the community’s contributions to Jersey City and beyond. Educator and community leader Anita Chadha pre- sented a certificate of recognition for her service to Jersey City and beyond. As part of the observance which took place October 24, 2025, Council PresidentWatterman honored educa- tor and community leader Anita Chadha, “whose work exemplifies the values of service, education, and cultural unity,” a press release said. For more than 3 decades, Chadha has been a teacher, as well as a mentor of fellow educators. She is also a licensed real estate agent. Chadha is the founder of the Saraswati Cultural As- sociation of New Jersey, a nonprofit based in Jersey City that promotes cultural awareness, unity, and educational opportunities within the South Asian community and beyond through festivals, cultural programs, and chari- table initiatives. She has also run for Councilwoman of South River, New Jersey. “Recognizing leaders like Anita Chadha reminds us of the power of service and the importance of preserv- ing culture while building bridges across communities,” said Council President Joyce E. Watterman. “Her lifelong dedication to education, civic engagement, and cultural unity truly embodies the spirit of Jersey City.” Those who know her say her impact continues to be felt across generations as she mentors youth, supports families, and uplifts her community through compassion and action. Watterman, who presented the recognition is a distin- guished leader in her own right as the first African Ameri- can woman to serve as Jersey City Council President. She is currently a candidate for Mayor in the 2025 Jersey City election. If elected, she would become the first African American woman Mayor in Jersey City’s history. By a StaffWriter PHOTOS:MOHAMMED JAFFER/ SNAPSINDIA Traditional lamp lighting ceremony at the Jersey City Council’s presentation of Proclamation on Hindu Heritage Month October 24, 2025. Hindu Heritage Month being recognized at the Jersey City Council October 24, 2025. PHOTOS:GOPIO-CT Presenting Stamford City Mayor’s proclamation of Diwali Day at the celebration. From l. to r.: Babita Gupta, Sonali Gannu, Jayashri Chintalapudi, Stamford Mayor’s Multicultural Council (MMC) Vice President Malinda Polite, GOPIO-CT President Mahesh Jhangiani, Stamford-HindiUSA Coordinator Manish Maheshwari, GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, Kavita Rathi, Rekha Heda and MMC Board member Shobhna Bhatnagar. Photo (left): Dancers at Diwali Celebration by GOPIO-CT and Stamford Hindi-USA Photo (right): GOPIO-CT Presenting a Check of $25,000 to Children’s Learning Center, from l. to r. Prasad Chintalapudi, Viresh Sharma, Sonali Gannu, CLC’s Director of Partnerships Jennifer Hallissey, CLC CEO Monica Maccera Filppu, GOPIO-CT Treasurer Srinivas Akarapu, GOPIO-CT President Mahesh Jhangiani, GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thoams Abraham and Stamford-Hindi USA Coordinator Manish Maheshwari.