Dignitaries at the conference inauguration include Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner of Brisbane, and India’s Consul General Neetu M. Bhagotia. They will be welcomed at the event by GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, President Prakash Shah, Executive Vice President Umesh Chandra who also serves as the Convener of the Convention, and Vice President Kewal Kanda.

Dignitaries and Senior GOPIO officials are to be present at the convention, from l. to r. Premier David Crisafulli, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, Consul General Neetu M. Bhagotia, Dr. Thomas Abraham, Prakash?Shah, Umnesh Chandra and Kewal Kanda

The awardees in the professional categories are Queensland University Chancellor Peter Varghese who earlier served as Australian High Commissioner to India and Malaysia in Public Service; Springfield City Group (Brisbane, Australia) Founder and Chairman Maha Sinnathamby for Achievement in Entrepreneurship; Sabinsa Corp. (East Windsor, New Jersey, USA) Global CEO  Shaheen Majeed for Achievement in Business; Prof. Prasad KDV Yarlagadda, Dean (Academic) of School of Engineering, University of Southern Queensland (Brisbane, Australia) for Engineering and Applied Sciences; Rohit Vyas, International Broadcast Journalist and Documentary Filmmaker (New Jersey, USA) for Media Achievement

GOPIO’s Professional Achievement Awardees 2025, from l. to r.: Peter Varghese, Maha Sinnathamby, Shaheen Majeed, Prof. Prasad Yarlagadda, and Rohi Vyas

Three individuals are also recognized for their service to the Diaspora community. They are Mrs. Archana Singh, Former Honorary Consul of India (Brisbane, Australia); Prof. Rajasekhar Vangapaty, Advisor to Fashion Institute of Technology (New York, USA) who serves as GOPIO-Manhattan Executive Vice President and as an official of India Home and several other charitable organizations in the USA and India; and Mr. Harmohan Singh Walia (Sydney, Australia);  Founder of GOPIO-Sydney Northwest, served as President and in other capacities, former International Coordinator for GOOPIO Oceania Region.

GOPIO Community Service Awardees, from l. to r.: Archana Singh, Prof. Raj Vangapaty, and Harmohan Singh Walia

The Convention theme is “The Indian Diaspora’s Role in Shaping Future Technologies.” The convention will start with a welcome reception/dinner inauguration on Friday, March 28^th. There are eight conference sessions on Saturday,y March 29th. Discussion topics are Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT); Nanotechnology, Advanced Materials, and Electronic/Photonic Devices; Pharmaceutical, Food Supplements, and Biomedical Innovations; and Energy Generation and Storage Devices.

A second track of conference sessions will cover NRIs and PIOs Working Closer to Achieve Common Goals; Diaspora Women and their Growing Contributions in Various Sectors; and Diaspora Youth & Young Achievers: The role they can play in the Diaspora Movement. The last session will be a plenary session “GOPIO Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Worldwide Networking of the Diaspora Businesses and SMEs in India.’

There will be entertainment after the welcome dinner on Friday and again after the Award Ceremony on Saturday evening.

Founded in 1989, GOPIO is a non-partisan, not-for-profit, secular organization with Individual Life Members and chapter delegates from over 100 chapters in 36 countries. GOPIO’s volunteers are committed to enhancing cooperation and communication between NRIs/PIOs and the local communities, building networks, bonds, friendships, alliances, and the camaraderie of citizens and colleagues alike. GOPIO volunteers believe that when they help network the global Indian community, they facilitate making tomorrow a better world for the Indian Diaspora, the countries they live in, and India.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDEES FOR 2024

Public Service – Peter Varghese, Chancellor Queensland University and former Australian Ambassador to Malaysia and India, Brisbane, Australia

Mr. Peter Varghese has served as Chancellor of The University of Queensland since 2016. A distinguished public servant, he has served as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, High Commissioner to India and Malaysia, and Director-General of the Office of National Assessments, Australia’s peak intelligence agency. He is also the author of the 2018 India Economic Strategy to 2035, commissioned by the then Australian Prime Minister. Mr. Varghese received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters in 2013 from The University of Queensland. He sits on the boards of CARE Australia and North Queensland Airports, chairs Asialink’s advisory council, and sits on the governing board of the Rajaratnam School of International Studies. 

Achievement in Entrepreneurship – Maha Sinnathambi, Founder and Chairman, Springfield City Group, Brisbane, Australia

Mr. Maha Sinnathamby, Chairman, of Springfield City Group is the visionary founder of Greater Springfield, Australia’s fastest emerging new city.  In 2010 he was recognized as the World’s Best Master Community Planner by the International Real Estate Federation. An iconic entrepreneur, he was declared one of Queensland, Australia’s 50 greatest thinkers of all time, by Newscorp in 2014. Maha, supported by three levels of Government and private capital, has invested nearly 12 billion dollars in Greater Springfield’s infrastructure and construction. His city-building project grows by $600 million annually, while contributing social and economic value to the Queensland and Australian economies.

Achievement in Business – Shaheen Majeed, Global CEO & Managing Director, Sabinsa Corp., Est Windsor, New Jersey, USA

Mr. Shaheen Majeed, Shaheen has held diverse roles, including sales, supply chain management, manufacturing, regulatory compliance, and global marketing. His innovative global strategies have expanded the company’s reach across multiple continents. For three decades, he has shaped Sabinsa into a global leader in healthcare ingredients. Some achievements include ensuring the company’s adherence to quality manufacturing and regulatory standards, guiding numerous clinical studies, and launching products that are category leaders. He holds 75 US & International patents and has authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications, showcasing his dedication to advancing scientific research and product innovation.

Engineering and Applied Sciences – Prof. Prasad KDV Yarlagadda, Dean (Academic) of School of Engineering, University of Southern Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

Prof. Prasad KDV Yarlagadda worked in industry and university for over 40 years in several countries.  He is currently Dean of Engineering at the University of Southern Queensland.  He is an outstanding researcher with global recognition in the field of Bio-Manufacturing.  His track record of 700 publications, 62 Ph.D successful supervisions,  $20M research funding, and several awards including the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) and Researcher of the Year in 2020 are true reflections of his accomplishments.  In addition to several Presidential roles in various community organizations, he served as Chairperson, of the Science and Technology Council, GOPIO International for a decade.

Media Achievement – Rohit Vyas, International Broadcast Journalist and Documentary Filmmaker, New Jersey, USA

Mr. Rohit Vyas is currently the longest-serving broadcast and print journalist of Indian origin in the United States. His nearly five decades-long career has focused on the Indian Diaspora community worldwide as well as international affairs and global diplomacy. Most recently he was the News Director, Principal News Anchor, and Senior Vice President of TV ASIA (USA).  He is now also an acclaimed documentary filmmaker.

GOPIO COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDEES FOR 2024

Mrs. Archana Singh, Former Honorary Consul of India, Brisbane, Australia

Mrs Archana Singh, former Honorary Consul of India in Queensland (2011-2024) to be conferred with the GOPIO Community Service Award, in 2025. She has served the Indian Diaspora and the Indian High Commission with commitment and passion, winning the trust and confidence of the community and building strong connections with government and non-government stakeholders.

Prof. Rajasekhar Vangapaty, GOPIO-Manhattan Executive VP and official of India Home and several other charitable and service organizations in the USA and India

Prof. Rajasekhar R. Vangapaty, an academic advisor and professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology, SUNY, has over four decades of global higher education experience at various universities and colleges, focusing on domestic and international student success, mentorship, and community empowerment. As Executive Vice President of GOPIO Manhattan, he leads community service programs in the U.S. and India, supporting Indian students in the US and training hundreds of teachers and women in leadership, technology, spoken English, and fashion design skills.

Harmohan Singh Walia, Founder and Former President, GOPIO-Sydney Northwest, and Former Intl. Coordinator for GOPIO Oceania Region

Harmohan Singh Walia is an engineer, politician, radio news-reader, poet, author, community leader, Olympic torch-bearer, and now voluntary community photographer, who brings smiles to people’s faces. Has covered over 5000 community events in the last 15 years with free photography. Served the Indian Diaspora community as Founder and President of GOPIO-Sydney Northwest Chapter and GOPIO International Coordinator for the Oceania Region.

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Reflecting on this innings, Tendulkar shared, “I had discussed with my brother Ajit about the shot, and he told me that the problem was not the shot but the shot selection. In Sydney, it wasn’t pre-decided that I wouldn’t hit a cover drive. Ajit had thrown a challenge at me if I could play without getting out, and I accepted the challenge. While I was leaving all the balls going out, I thought of not hitting the cover drive as it would get me in trouble.” This innings not only showcased Tendulkar’s technical prowess but also his mental fortitude and adaptability. By restraining himself from playing the cover drive, he demonstrated the importance of discipline and the ability to modify one’s natural game for the greater good of the team.

Drawing parallels between his cricketing discipline and Chitale Bandhu’s commitment to excellence, Sachin remarked, “I never believed in taking shortcuts. My father told me that it is okay if you fail, but never take shortcuts. I used to train for hours, and (Ramakant) Achrekar sir used to make me work hard for hours, and at the end of the day, he used to give me a coin; that used to be my medal.“

Tendulkar emphasized the significance of a strong support system, likening his career to a Formula 1 car operated by a dedicated team. “For me, my team included my family, my coaches, my teammates, the groundsmen, and the people who watched me play,” he said. He also highlighted the importance of adhering to good values, stating, “Good values eventually add to your valuation. Chitale Bandhu has upheld strong values, and that is the reason behind their success and the trust they have earned from generations of customers.“

Tendulkar’s insights at the event underscored the enduring principles of discipline, perseverance, and integrity, drawing a compelling connection between his cricketing journey and Chitale Bandhu’s legacy of excellence.

Shrikrishna Chitale said that the 75-year-old tradition of pride and taste has been sustained by the customers. Looking back, the contribution made by everyone in the family to grow the business is great. When Raghunathrao did business in Mumbai, it was the war days. When the army needed butter in large quantities, he used to travel from Jalgaon to Mumbai and get butter. He recalled that during the Panshet flood in Pune in 1961, Rajabhau Chitale closed his factory and made arrangements for the employees of the shop to stay. He expressed the feeling that the new generation has taken forward the sapling planted by the previous generation and brought it to its peak.

The customer has always been our brand ambassador. It is because of the principles of trust, quality, and the quality provided by Annapurna of the Chitale family that our products have reached many parts of the US and the world, and we intend to start plants in many places abroad in the future, said Sanjay Chitale on this occasion.

Kedar Chitale said that we will start a loyalty program soon. Actor Sankarshan Karhade moderated the program, and Indranil Chitale expressed his vote of thanks.

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MUMBAI: Toei Animation has announced that the legendary anime series One Piece will be embarking on a hiatus following today’s release of Episode 1122. The series will return in April 2025 with fresh episodes from the Egghead arc. During the hiatus, fans can look forward to new content, including One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga, a special re-envisioned edition of the iconic arc streaming on Crunchyroll.

This special 21-episode cutdown will showcase the Fish-Man Island Arc with a fresh look and feel, bringing a contemporary visual style and new animation sequences, including opening and ending themes. The new opening theme, “We Go!” by Kitadani Hiroshi, will include a special guest collaboration to be announced soon, while the ending theme, “Sailing” (TV version) by BE: FIRST, adds an exciting new touch. Designed to capture the essence of this fan-favorite storyline in a concise format, One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga is set to captivate One Piece fans, worldwide, all over again!

Additionally, on October 20, a special 25th Anniversary Episode will premiere, honoring One Piece’s enduring legacy with a 30-minute ensemble depicting the reunion of the Straw Hat crew from the perspective of the non-pirate characters. Set in the Sabaody Archipelago after the Summit War, the story follows its protagonist, a young girl and admirer of Nami, as she sets off on a small adventure. Fans can look forward to the episode being available on Crunchyroll, too. 

One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga Official Synopsis:

The Straw Hats reunite at Sabaody! The promised day has arrived. The Straw Hats have made it back to the Sabaody Archipelago after two arduous years of separation. In the very same place where they once lost to Pacifista, the Straw Hats have proven themselves to be stronger and ready to begin their journey to the New World. With the Thousand Sunny now equipped to travel underwater, the next stop is the Fish-Man Island. “One Piece Log: Fish-Man Island Saga” is a special edited version of the original arc from “One Piece”, in an abridged 21-episode story with an enhanced contemporary visual look. 

One Piece, based on the manga by Eiichiro Oda, follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirates to find the ultimate treasure, The One Piece, and become the Pirate King. This long-running series continues to captivate fans around the world with its unique blend of action, humor, and heartfelt storytelling.

For more information and to get ready for the festivities, visit our official One Piece show page on Crunchyroll and the official English X (formerly known as Twitter) home for One Piece.

Crediting Photo assets: © Eiichiro Oda / Shueisha, Toei Animation

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PUNE: The 17th foundation day of Symbiosis Open Education Society(SOES) and 8th Anniversary of  Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU) were celebrated with a special program at SSPU’s Kiwale Campus. Chief Guest Mr. Rahul Mahival (I.A.S) Metropolitan Commissioner and CEO of Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), Dr. S.B Mujumdar, Founder  President Symbiosis, and Dr. Swati Mujumdar Principal Director Symbiosis Open Education Society were present on the occasion. On this occasion, staff members who have excelled in their work were felicitated with various awards across different categories. 

Dr. S.B Mujumdar Founder and President Symbiosis said that the National Education Policy if followed in word and spirit will change the scenario in higher education. The focus of NEP is on a multidisciplinary campus, a mix of Indian knowledge and modern education but more importantly it has emphasized skills. Once we understand the importance of skills, skill-based universities will be the future universities of the country and every youth coming out of the universities will be employable. 

He added that apart from skills another aspect of importance is girl empowerment, especially in rural areas. There is a realization in the industry that appropriate manpower is not possible without women’s empowerment and support for girls from rural areas. The twin focus of skill-based education and focus on women empowerment should be encouraged. 

Rahul Mahiwal, Metropolitan Commissioner and CEO of Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) said that we should be able to channel the positive energy of our youth for their self-development and Nation-building. For this to happen we should be able to create opportunities for our youth through skill education. A teamwork of government, industry, and skill universities will help create special strength in skills. He said that  It is a matter of pride that Symbiosis Skills and Professional University has taken the initiative for skill-based education.

Dr. Swati Mujumdar, Principal Director SOES said that Symbiosis Skills and Professional University is the first skill University in Maharashtra. Our mission is to provide all skills that are relevant to the industry so that the students become industry-ready or self-employed. We must create a large skilled workforce for the local industry to grow and contribute to the Nation’s development. More than 25 percent of our students have started their own companies and this is the success of the skills university. 

Symbiosis Open Education Society today has more than 25000 students across Symbiosis Professional Skills and Professional University, Symbiosis Distance Learning, and Symbiosis Junior College .

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This illumination was formally inaugurated in the presence of Vikram Kumar, IAS, Pune Municipal Commissioner. Other dignitaries like Fatehchand Ranka; President and Mahendra Pitaliya; Secretary of Federation of Trade Association of Pune, Rajesh Shewani; President and Milind Shalgar; Secretary of United Retail Trade and Garment Association, Yogendra Ashtekar; President of Pune Saraf Association, and others were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Vikram Kumar said, “Laxmi Road is an important shopping centre in Pune city. Customers not just from Pune, but also from different parts of the district come here for shopping. This tradition has been going on since 1922. On completion of 101 years of Laxmi Road, all the businessmen have come together and decorated this place with attractive electric lighting. The celebration of 101 years and the festival of Diwali; both make these lightings an even more special attraction.”

Fatehchand Ranka; President of the Federation of Trade Association of Pune said, “Laxmi Road was called the ‘East-West Road’ during the British era. Big and famous shops of cloth merchants and jewelers in Pune are on Laxmi Road. Besides Pune, people from all across Maharashtra come to Laxmi Road for shopping. We couldn’t celebrate the centenary year of Laxmi Road due to Covid-19. But to mark 101 years, we have decorated a radius of 3 km including Laxmi Road, Kumthekar Road, and Bajirao Road with attractive electric lighting. I urge Punekars to come and witness these alluring lightings and enjoy their Diwali shopping.”

“Because there are several jewelry shops on Laxmi Road, a walking plaza is not a good option. Even today, customers carry a large amount of cash when they come for shopping. That’s why people wouldn’t take a risk to come here if a walking plaza is made,” added Fatehchand Ranka.

He further expressed that the Pune Municipal Corporation should make arrangements for ‘Pay and Park’ here. Along with this, the street hawkers should also be provided with other conveniences, as the customers can use the footpaths to avoid the traffic jams. In addition, he also made demands to allow people to reach Laxmi Road from the Deccan area, as they used to until 1992-93 to avoid traffic congestion

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On July 12th, the day began at 5:30 am with the Prabhat Pheri – morning procession. Didi Krishna led the devotees, singing kirtans through the streets.

Satsangs, talks, and sevas were held during day, evening, and night sessions. Didi Krishna said, “The separation is there but in his radiant form he is closer than ever before.”

This was followed by a satsang at the Sacred Samadhi where devotees from across the globe had gathered. At 09:01 am, the time of Dada’s passing on, silence was observed.

On July 13th, Didi Krishna gave a stirring talk on Dada. In her message she said, “Dada was an embodiment of every teaching of his Guru, Sadhu Vaswani. Yet, he remained humble. If we wish to translate his teachings into reality, we must imbibe his virtue of humility”. Devotees present were moved to tears by her words. Said an attendee, Sonia, “Dada is ever-present. He listens to the tiniest whisper of our hearts. His ever-living presence, unconditional love, and timeless teachings draw us to the Mission.” Devotees then partook from the guru langar – fellowship meals.

Programs in homage and tribute to Dada Vaswani were also organized by the Mission’s schools and colleges. It included plays, musicals, and speeches on the life of Dada Vaswani.

Service activities included the distribution of ration kits to the poor and needy, the distribution of books and stationery to children, the distribution of fruits to the ailing patients in the hospitals, and cows were fed.

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This year, vocalists Nishad Bakre and Vidhushi Manjiri Asnare Kelkar will perform during the Sangeet Sandhya program mentioned above. Nishad is a disciple of Pt Ulhas Kalshalkar and has also taken his lessons in music from Pandit Dinkar Kaikini, Dr. Arun Dravid, Pandit Madhukar Joshi, and Dr. Ra, Deshpande and thus has learned the style of Gwalior, Agra, and Jaipur Gharana. Vidushi Manjiri Asnare Kelkar is an acclaimed Vocalist from the Jaipur Gharana and took her initial lessons in music from the Pandit. C. T. Mhaiskar.

Bharat Kamat and Suyog Kundalkar will accompany both the artists on Tabla and Harmonium respectively. Anand Deshmukh will play the anchor for the event.

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