GOPIO OC (Orange County) Chapter Re-launched in Southern California - Raised awareness of GOPIO mission and achievements

Irvine, CA – Nov 27 , 2025 – GOPIO International, the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (www.gopio.net), welcomed the re-launch of its new chapter GOPIO-OC (Orange County) California, to a house full of 55 guests, on Nov 16, 2025 at the India Gate Restaurant, Tustin, CA.

Hosted by its former president, now Chairman Amrit Bhandari, current president Hark Vasa, and GOPIO Orange County Executive Committee, there was much pent-up excitement and celebration as in the opening of a new chapter. GOPIO OC, with its brand-new Executive Committee welcomed the guests in an initial meet and greet hour with tea and refreshments, prior to the formal information exchange session, followed by lunch and continued networking.

The key objectives of this gathering were to:

1. Raise awareness of what GOPIO is, its mission, and goals

2. Introduce the newly invigorated Executive Team, and

3. Invite guests to become members to further GOPIO’s work

Attending as speakers were top three of GOPIO International Executive Team, namely: - - - Mr. Prakash Shah, President , along with his wife Rajul Shah Mr. Kewal Kanda, Vice President and local community leader, and Ms. J Nami Kaur, Global Ambassador.

The event opened with a Welcome address by Amrit Bhandari, Chairman of GOPIO-OC, introducing the above dignitaries and setting the tone of the meeting. He was the original initiator of this chapter, encouraged by previous Southern California GOPIO leaders as the late Inder Singh and Dilip Bhutani. Next, Co-host Hark Vasa, President of GOPIO-OC introduced his newly formed executive committee members, detailing their track record and experience serving the community in Southern California. Vasa inspired and expressed his commitment, along with his GOPIO-OC team, to further the goals and mission of GOPIO for the wellbeing of the Indian Diaspora.

Led by J. Nami Kaur, the GOPIO International part of the meeting followed next. Nami started as a junior volunteer with GOPIO when it was founded in 1989, and currently serves as its Global Ambassador, as well as the Chair of the GOPIO Foundation. She shared with the audience how GOPIO started, its mission, history, major achievements, and her vision for the next few years. Nami introduced the GOPIO International president Prakash Shah, who addressed the audience as the keynote speaker.

GOPIO, was founded in New York in 1989 at the First Global Convention, by its slate of founders, including the current Chairman of GOPIO International. Dr. Thomas Abraham. Its initial mission was to address the human rights violations and discrimination faced by Indians, not only in the USA but across the world. GOPIO is considered an NGO by the United Nations. GOPIO has about 55+ active chapters in 40+ countries. The mission then expanded to working with the governments across the world and India to implement policies benefiting the Indian Diaspora. With its numerous chapters across the world, a huge pool of members, business owners, and entrepreneurs, it has now become a major opportunity for networking. GOPIO is helping solve issues faced by Indians, creating opportunities to contribute to the economy of India and prosperity of the entrepreneurs. As India marches towards the world's major economy, GOPIO provides a bridge between Indians across the world, for their personal uplifting, as well as benefitting both their country of domicile and motherland. The mission of GOPIO is not limited to any one issue facing the Indian Diaspora. It looks to respond to issues and ideas emanating from its members for initiatives and solutions. Examples include the most recent H-1B $100,000 fee issue in the US, where GOPIO officials met with the US Government leaders to resolve this matter.

In closing, Amrit Bhandari thanked the dignitaries for taking time and initiative to come to California and making the Indian Diaspora community aware of how GOPIO is helping them. He mentioned and bestowed the title of Honorary Chair of GOPIO-OC to J. Nami Kaur for energizing the newly formed committee, and sharing her vision for GOPIO. He thanked the newly formed executive committee for their enthusiasm and commitment to the GOPIO cause. Final vote of thanks went to the audience for their time to attend, and encouraged them to become members of GOPIO-OC to serve the mission of GOPIO.

To become a member of the GOPIO-OC please contact Siddharth Pathak (714) 865-0267. For any general information contact any of the committee members: Amrit Bhandari, J. Nami Kaur, Hark Vasa, Geeta Bhatt, Rupa Shethna-Shrimankar, Vijay Shetha, Surekha Modi and Prakash Pancholi.

GOPIO International (www.gopio.net), was founded at the Global Convention of People of Indian Origin in New York in 1989. It has emerged as a global, non-partisan, not-for-profit and secular organization engaged in promoting the wellbeing of People of Indian Origin, enhancing cooperation and communication between Indians living in different countries. The initial focus of GOPIO was addressing human rights violations of people of Indian origin. Although this situation has improved in the last two decades, there are still some human rights violations for PIOs living in some parts of the world.

GOPIO has expanded its mission and set its priorities to pool global resources, both financial and professional, for the benefit of PIOs, the countries they come from, and India. The First Global Convention of PIOs in New York in August 1989 provided an opportunity for sharing the experience of international Indian communities on a common forum and to foster harmony with a feeling of brotherhood and fellowship amongst the PIOs. With over 3000 participants, the convention identified and discussed problems facing people of Indian origin. It also provided a necessary forum at the national and international level to voice the PIO concerns. A book on Migration of Indians around the World was published and 26 resolutions pertaining to the various issues and interests of the PIO community were adopted.

Specific objectives of GOPIO include the following:

1. To promote the interests and aspirations of the Indian communities around the world and of specific groups residing in various countries of their adoption.

2. To promote common cultural heritage and therefore create a binding relationship.

3. To mobilize financial, intellectual and professional resources of Indians abroad for their mutual development and advancement.

4. To encourage interaction between communities of Indians abroad on a global level to deliberate and decide on common issues and problems facing them including education and technology.

5. To further the interaction between PIOs and other communities at the global level in promoting world peace, progress and ecological harmony.

GOPIO is well recognized as a unique Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) and has mobilized the People of Indian Origin (PIO) and Non-Resident Indian (NRI) community on a global scale.