The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) recently held its elections, ushering in a new leadership team led by veteran community leader Prakash Shah as president. The swearing-in ceremony took place virtually on January 31, marking a new chapter for the organization that has been active since 1989. Shah, a longtime advocate for the Indian diaspora, has served as GOPIO’s Global Ambassador and was the convener of the 2024 GOPIO Convention in New Jersey.
Other newly appointed leaders include Umesh Chandra from Brisbane, Australia, as Executive Vice President; Kewal Kanda, a prominent community leader from Los Angeles, as Vice President; and J. Nami Kaur, a former IBM executive and social activist from New York, as Global Ambassador. Additionally, Ishwar Ramlutchman has been named International Coordinator for Africa, while Dhiraj Ahuja will oversee South Asia.
The election process was overseen by a four-member committee, including Mridul Pathak, Dinesh Mittal, Manohar Dev, and Prashant Gupta, under the guidance of GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham. While the Vice President was elected through an eBallot system, all other positions were filled unanimously. Given the international representation of GOPIO’s leadership, the oath ceremony was conducted online, beginning with a universal prayer led by Devika Gadhavi from New York.
During the event, Dr. Abraham highlighted GOPIO’s contributions over the past 36 years, emphasizing its role in promoting public service and increasing the involvement of the Indian diaspora in local communities worldwide. Outgoing President Lal Motwani reflected on his tenure and thanked his team for their contributions before passing the baton to the new leadership.
In his acceptance speech, Prakash Shah outlined his vision for GOPIO, focusing on revitalizing inactive chapters and relaunching the GOPIO Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) across different regions. He also announced that the next GOPIO Convention will take place in Brisbane, Australia, from March 28 to 30, 2025, under the leadership of Umesh Chandra.
The newly elected officials expressed their commitment to strengthening GOPIO’s global presence. Several chapter leaders and community representatives commended the new team, expressing optimism for the organization’s future.
Founded in 1989, GOPIO is a non-partisan, non-profit organization with over 100 chapters in 35 countries. It continues to play a crucial role in fostering connections between the Indian diaspora and their local communities, strengthening global ties through networking, advocacy, and collaboration.
