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www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 6 CITY VIEWS January 9, 2026 Hemant P. Patel Recognized With Proclamation From NJ Governor GOPIO-CT Hosts Youth And Young Professionals Networking Event Indian American Hotel Owners Welcome Delay Of Tariffs On Wood Products T he Global Organization of People of Indian Origin – Connecticut Chapter (GOPIO-CT) hosted its annual Youth and Young Profes- sionals Luncheon & Networking Event, a program designed to support high school and college students as they prepare for academic, professional, and personal transitions. It aimed to demys- tify the college admissions process, high- light the realities of university life, and provide strategies for academic success and professional growth. Held on Tuesday, December 24, 2025, at Hampton Inn & Suites, Stamford, the event featured a panel discussion titled “College and Beyond,” bringing real- world insights to students and families. The event was sponsored by LCR Cap- ital Partners, Westport, CT and Hampton Inn & Suites, Stamford. Panelists offered perspectives from leading universities and industries. The discussion was moderated by Subha Pandalai, head of IT at J.M. Wright Tech- nical High School, Stamford. Panelists included: Amika Chavan – Freshman, University of Maryland, College Park; Nitish Gannu – Sophomore, Cornell Uni- versity; AryanWadhwa – Junior, Purdue University; Brian Thomas – Junior, NYU Stern School of Business; Jay Rathod – Senior, University of Connecticut; Ved- ant Gannu – Master’s Program, Colum- bia University; Professional at Google, California; Sandesh Gawande – CEO, ICEDQ.AI , Stamford, CT; and Mirat Joshi, director and Global Strategic & Regula- tory Initiatives Leader at Citibank and GOPIO-CT Secretary. The event opened with welcoming remarks by GOPIO-CT Vice President Sonali Gannu, followed by introduc- tory remarks by GOPIO Chairman and GOPIO-CT Advisor/Trustee Dr. Thomas Abraham. • Adjusting to college: “College brings freedom with account- ability… you must be intentional about who you become, not just what you study,” said Cornell sophomore Nitish Gannu. • Building mentorships: “Show up consistently, ask thoughtful questions, and build genuine relation- ships long before you need a recommen- dation,” noted UConn senior Jay Rathod. • Advanced degrees and career value: “A master’s degree is worth pursuing when it deepens expertise, opens doors, or accelerates growth beyond industry alone,” shared Google professional Ved- ant Gannu. • Exploration and change: “I thought I had it figured out early, but new experiences helped me find what truly fits me,” reflected UMD freshman Amika Chavan. • Balancing academics and life: “Say yes early, try different clubs, and learn to prioritize so everything supports each other,” said Purdue junior Aryan Wadhwa. • Maximizing university resources: NYU Stern junior Brian Thomas advised students to proactively engage with “career centers, alumni networks, intern- ships, and professors—not just in senior year.” • Employer expectations: ICEDQ.AI CEO Sandesh Gawande emphasized that “curiosity, adaptability, communication, and continuous learn- ing matter more than technical knowl- edge alone.” T he Asian American Hotel Own- ers Association, AAHOA, which is predominantly made up of Indian Americans, welcomed President Donald Trump’s decision to delay the scheduled increase in tariffs on uphol- stered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and bathroom vanities for an additional year. The tariff hikes, originally set to take effect on January 1, 2026, were postponed as the Administration continues negotia- tions with trade partners to address trade reciprocity and national security concerns related to wood products, a January 2, 2026 press release from AAHOA said. The existing 25% tariff will remain in place during this period. “Furniture, cabinetry, and related fix- tures represent significant capital invest- ments for hotels, particularly for small business owners undertaking property improvement plans, brand-mandated renovations, and new development,” AAHOA said. “This decision provides breathing room for America’s hotel owners and small busi- nesses,” said AAHOA Chairman Kamalesh (KP) Patel. “We thank President Trump for recognizing the real-world impact these tariffs have on entrepreneurs who are reinvesting in their properties, employing millions of workers, and supporting local economies. This pause is not just pru- dent—it’s pivotal.” AAHOA is the largest hotel owners asso- ciation in the nation, with Member-owned properties representing a significant part of the U.S. economy. AAHOA estimates that it’s 20,000 members own 60% of the hotels in the United States and are respon- sible for 1.4% of the nation’s GDP. More than 1 million employees work at AAHOA member-owned hotels, earning $51.3 bil- lion annually, and member-owned hotels support 4.2 million U.S. jobs across all sectors of the hospitality industry. PHOTO:CourtesyGOPIO-CT GOPIO-CT Officials with speakers and Student Participants at the youth and young professionals event held December 24, 2025. By a StaffWriter By a StaffWriter