GOPIO International has elected to reach out Indian Diaspora Community through its chapters. New Jersey has a large Indian Diaspora Community and there is only one chapter, GOPIO Central Jersey based in Edison serving the New Jersey Indian community.

According to GOPIO Vice President Ram Gadhavi, GOPIO has plans to expand in other areas of New Jersey. With that objective, GOPIO officially launched inaugurated a second chapter GOPIO-North Jersey on Sunday, May 22nd at the Fairbridge Hotel, East Hanover, New Jersey.

Chapter President Dhiraj Solanki welcomed guests and said that the chapter will reach out Indian Diaspora (NRI/PIO) community and involve youth and young professionals in the chapter activities.

The chief guest was India’s Deputy Consul General in New York Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohapara who welcomed the formation of new chapter and promised to work closely with the new chapter on issues of Indian community in North Jersey.

“The consulate has improved the response and turnaround time for visa, passport and OCI cards services, because of feedback from GOPIO Chapters and GOPIO International,” said Dr. Mohapatra.

“When GOPIO brings any matter to us, we look at it and work on it right away,” said Dr. Mohapatra. “With a population 1.8 million NRIs/PIOs in the Northeast Region, the consulate can provide better service only with the help of organizait6ons such as GOPIO,” Dr. Mohapatra added.

New Jersey Assemblyman from district 33 Raj Mukherji praised GOPIO for the services provided to 380k Indian Diaspora community residing in New Jersey. Mukherji called upon the community to be proactive in the political process.

Former Deputy Speaker of New Jersey State Assembly Upendra Chivukula who is currently the Commissioner on the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities said that when GOPIO recognizes a person, Govt. of India notices it and the recipients are likely candidates for receiving Pravasi Bharatiya Samman. Chivukula congratulated the organizers for opening a chapter in North Jersey.

GOPIO-Founder President Dr. Thomas Abraham said that unlike other India association, GOPIO chapters will be involved in civic affairs and service to the local communities. GOPIO motto is “Think Globally and Act Locally.”

Community leader and TV Asia Chairman H.R. Shah, GOPIO Vice President Ram Gadhavi and GOPIO International Coordinator for North America Dr. Rajeev Mehta and GOPIO Coordinator for TriState New York area Lal Motwani were also present at the inauguration ceremony. GOPIO Silicon Valley President Ashok Bhatt, GOPIOCentral Jersey President Dinesh Mittal and GOPIO-CT President Shelly Nichani showed their support by attending the inauguration ceremony. GOPIO-North Jersey Vice President Rajul Shah served as the MC while the chapter Secretary Ahi Adukia gave the vote of thanks.

For more information on GOPIO-North Jersey Chapter, contact its president Dhiraj Solanki at  973-714-5249, dnsolanki@hotmail.com or Vice President Rajul shah at 908-327-0605, rajulpshah@aol.com.