On Thursday, April 3, 2025, the Central Jersey chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-CJ) held its Executive Board Induction and Networking Event at Jhopri Restaurant in Plainsboro, New Jersey. The gathering brought together lifetime members, community guests, and local business professionals. Among the dignitaries was West Windsor Township Mayor Hemant Marathe, who served as the Guest of Honor.

The evening began with a rendition of the U.S. national anthem by Sia Dixit, followed by a collective singing of the Indian national anthem by all attendees. Sapna Mehta extended a warm welcome to everyone, setting the tone for the evening. A brief video tracing the history of GOPIO was screened, followed by a detailed presentation by Sudha Kankanala, who highlighted the chapter’s various initiatives and accomplishments over the past four years.

Outgoing President Kunal Mehta expressed heartfelt gratitude to the members for their continued support, especially during the difficult pandemic years. He recounted the milestones achieved during his term and thanked the community for their trust and collaboration. Incoming President Nishith Mehta then took the stage, outlining his vision for the future. He emphasized expanding GOPIO-CJ’s efforts to assist newly immigrated Indian families unfamiliar with local systems and culture.

President Nishith Mehta also introduced the newly appointed executive team: Vijay Garg as Executive Vice-President, Suresh Reddy as Vice-President, Sapna Mehta as Secretary, Satish Vambukar as Public Relations Officer, and Dr. Tushar Patel as Senior Advisor.

Mayor Hemant Marathe congratulated the new board, commending GOPIO-CJ for its ongoing dedication to community service. He expressed full support for the organization’s future endeavors and appreciated its role in uniting and supporting the Indian American community.

Senior Advisor Dr. Tushar Patel welcomed new lifetime members of GOPIO-CJ, who were honored with lapel pins, personally presented by Mayor Marathe.

The evening concluded with a vote of thanks by Secretary Sapna Mehta. Guests then enjoyed a meal and engaged in networking over a spread of appetizers and dinner, courtesy of Jhopri Restaurant.

Established in 2008, GOPIO-CJ is a non-partisan, secular organization dedicated to civic and community engagement. It serves as a bridge for People of Indian Origin, encouraging cultural exchange, advocacy, and youth involvement across Central Jersey.

Former Prime Ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh, along with agriculture scientist MS Swaminathan, are set to receive India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This recognition acknowledges their significant contributions to the nation.

PM Modi highlighted Narasimha Rao’s distinguished service to India in various capacities, emphasizing his visionary leadership that propelled economic advancement and laid a strong foundation for the country’s prosperity. Rao’s tenure as Prime Minister ushered in transformative measures, opening India to global markets and fostering economic development. His contributions extended to foreign policy, language, and education sectors, leaving a multifaceted legacy.

Charan Singh’s Bharat Ratna is a tribute to his unwavering dedication to the welfare of farmers and his role in nation-building. Throughout his career as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Union Minister, and Member of Legislative Assembly, Charan Singh prioritized the rights and well-being of farmers, standing firm against challenges such as the Emergency. His commitment to democracy and advocacy for farmers’ rights continue to inspire.

MS Swaminathan’s monumental contributions to agriculture and farmers’ welfare have earned him this prestigious honor. Recognized for his pivotal role in achieving agricultural self-reliance during challenging times, Swaminathan’s efforts in modernizing Indian agriculture have been commendable. His work as an innovator and mentor, promoting learning and research, has significantly impacted Indian agriculture, ensuring food security and prosperity.

PM Modi expressed immense joy at conferring the Bharat Ratna upon Dr. Swaminathan, underscoring his visionary leadership in transforming Indian agriculture and securing the nation’s food security. Modi also cherished his close association with Swaminathan, valuing his insights and contributions to the nation’s development.

Singh’s motivation lies in a strong sense of service, emphasizing the responsibility to give back. Her priorities for 2024 include public safety and health. With previous roles as Deputy Mayor and Township Committeewoman, Singh’s nomination to Mayor was made by outgoing Mayor Devra Keenan and committee-woman Patricia Taylor Todd. As an executive officer at STAND Central NJ, a grassroots non-profit, she engaged in educating and empowering voters for participation in the democratic process.

Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman praised Singh’s commitment to public service, acknowledging her advocacy for social justice, economic opportunity, and human rights. In her new position, Singh will preside over Township Committee meetings, appoint subcommittees with consent, issue proclamations for holidays and events, and exercise ceremonial powers.

Indian-American New Jersey State Senator Vin Gopal commended Singh in a congratulatory video, recognizing her as a role model for South Asian girls. Deputy Mayor Vincent P Barragan expressed pride in serving with such a diverse team.

Neena Singh, first Sikh and Indian-American woman Mayor in Montgomery Township

Sworn in by Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman

Historic moment for diversity and representation

Commitment to public service and social justice

Montgomery Township’s trailblazing leadership

Bank of America introduced the Community Affordable Loan Solution to enhance homeownership in Black and Hispanic-Latino Communities. The program, providing home loans without a down payment, emphasizes credit factors like timely payments and income eligibility. The bank clarified that the scheme is open to individuals of any race or ethnicity, requiring completion of a homebuyer certification course before applying.

Despite initial attention for controversial remarks, Ramaswamy’s popularity among Republicans has declined since September. National polls indicate increased unpopularity among all Americans, with less than 10% support in state polls. Promoting right-wing conspiracy theories, he vows to withdraw from the GOP primary ballot in Colorado, influenced by the state Supreme Court’s decision to remove Donald Trump due to the Capitol attack.

The Swarveda Mahamandir is not just a physical structure; it embodies the spiritual teachings outlined in ‘Swarved,’ a profound treatise authored by Sadguru Sadafal Deo, the founder of VYS. The temple represents an advanced meditation technique known as Vihangam Yoga.

Sant Vigyandeo, the successor of Sadguru Acharya Swatantra Dev, shared that Prime Minister Modi had previously visited the temple’s under-construction site. The temple seamlessly blends ancient philosophy, spirituality, and modern architecture.

Vigyandeo highlighted the preparation for the 25,000 Kundiya Yajna starting on December 17 and revealed that the temple in Varanasi will become the main center of VYS. With seven floors capable of accommodating 10,000 meditation practitioners simultaneously, the temple is designed as a global meditation center.

The architectural brilliance of the temple is evident in its 125 petal lotus domes, striking a balance between modern technology and ancient wisdom. The walls of the temple are adorned with the 3,137 verses of Sadguru’s Swarved, engraved on Makrana marble.

In the first phase of the project, the statue of Sadguru was installed on the first floor of the temple after nearly 20 years of work. Vigyandeo revealed that the second phase will feature a 135 ft tall Statue of Spirituality near the temple.

Swarved, meaning knowledge of the self-soul and the supreme soul, lies at the heart of Vihangam Yog, an ancient science. Vigyandeo explained that Sadguru wrote the chapters of Swarved while in jail during the freedom struggle in 1920. Following his release, Sadguru not only authored the spiritual treatise but also founded VYS, spreading its influence across 150 districts in India and numerous countries.

The upcoming two-day event is expected to draw over three lakh participants to the 25,000 Kundiya Yajna. In addition to the expansive Yagyashala covering a 2 million square feet area, a tent city has been established to accommodate participants from around the world.

Mrinalini S. Wadhwa, a senior at Columbia University majoring in history and mathematics, has a rich academic background and co-founded a program providing English curriculum for low-income Indian students. At Oxford, she aims to pursue an M.Phil. in modern European history.

Suhaas Bhat, a senior at Harvard University, combines Social Studies and Physics. He co-founded a peer-facilitated group psychotherapy organization on campus and contributed to Fossil Fuel Divest Harvard. His Oxford pursuits include M.Sc. in mathematical modeling, scientific computing, and international health.

Nayantara K. Arora, a senior at the University of Oregon, focuses on neuroscience, global health, and chemistry. As a Stamps scholar and Phi Beta Kappa Public Service scholar, she conducts research in Tunisia and on the vasculature’s link to Alzheimer’s disease. At Oxford, she plans to pursue M.Sc. in modeling for global health and international health.

Aishani Aatresh, a senior at Harvard College, majors in complex biosocial systems. Engaged in preventing infectious diseases and global public health, she collaborated with the NYC health system during the pandemic. Her Oxford journey involves completing an M.Phil. in nature, society, and environmental governance.

Ramona L. Doyle, American secretary of the Rhodes Trust, highlighted the diverse achievements of this year’s Rhodes Scholars, emphasizing their contributions across social sciences, humanities, and biological and physical sciences during their upcoming studies at Oxford University in October 2024.

Indian-American Rhodes Scholars announced.

Excellence in global health and sciences.

Oxford postgraduate studies for four scholars.

Diverse achievements across academic fields.

In the social sciences category, Karuna Mantena, a political science professor at Columbia University, secured the prize for her noteworthy research on the theory of imperial rule. Her work asserts that late imperial ideology played a crucial role in the emergence of modern social theory. Mantena’s book, “Alibis of Empire,” along with related papers, stands as a milestone in political theory with broad implications for all social sciences.

Both winners will be honored with a gold medal, a citation, and a $100,000 prize. The announcement was made by the trustees of the Foundation, including Kris Gopalakrishnan, Narayana Murthy, Srinath Batni, K Dinesh, and S D Shibula, during an event in Bengaluru.

Infosys Prize 2023 winners announced under six categories

Bhargav Bhatt recognized for contributions in Mathematical Sciences

Karuna Mantena awarded for impactful research in Social Sciences

Both recipients praised for their significant contributions to scientific research

Prize includes gold medal, citation, and a monetary award of US $100,000

Suhas Subramanyam, re-elected to the Virginia State Senate, previously served two terms in the House of Delegates. A former White House technology policy advisor, he made history as the first Hindu elected to the Virginia House.

Business leader Kannan Srinivasan, an Indian immigrant, won a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates, emphasizing values like inclusivity, women’s rights, gun safety, healthcare, and education.

In Pennsylvania, Democrat Neil Makhija secured a historic position as Montgomery County Commissioner, becoming the first Indian American or Asian American/Pacific Islander to serve in the county’s board of commissioners in its 342-year history.

In New Jersey, Democratic Indian American Vin Gopal won a third term in the State Senate, securing 58% of the vote. He emphasized grassroots efforts and real conversations about the issues facing Monmouth County.

The company enables businesses and governments to offset emissions by acquiring certified carbon credits from Boomitra’s marketplace. A significant portion of the proceeds goes directly to the farmers. Aadith Moorthy, CEO and founder, emphasized the importance of farmer support in Earth restoration, highlighting their role in food production and income generation. Each winner, including Boomitra, will receive over $1 million to expand their climate and environmental initiatives globally.

The Earthshot Prize acknowledged the impact of the third cohort of winners, spanning efforts to protect the environment and aid local communities on six continents.

Boomitra wins Earthshot Prize

Soil restoration and regenerative agriculture

Empowering farmers globally

Emissions reduction and farmer profits

Indian American-founded environmental initiative

Mr. Modi highlighted that Kozhikode’s rich literary tradition and Gwalior’s dedication to preserving and strengthening its musical heritage have significantly enhanced India’s cultural vibrancy on the global stage.

The Prime Minister shared his thoughts in response to Union Minister of Culture G Kishan Reddy’s posts on the matter. He commended the people of Kozhikode and Gwalior for this outstanding accomplishment and emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting India’s diverse cultural traditions.

Mr. Modi expressed that these accolades are a testament to the collective efforts of individuals committed to nurturing and sharing the nation’s unique cultural narratives.

PM Modi’s praise for UNESCO recognition

Kozhikode as ‘City of Literature’

Gwalior as ‘City of Music’

India’s cultural vibrancy on the global stage

Commitment to preserving cultural heritage

Nurturing and sharing unique cultural narratives

Acknowledgment of people’s outstanding achievements

UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network inclusion