USA: The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) will recognize five individuals for professional and business achievement and three individuals for community service. at its Convention 2025 celebrating its 36th Anniversary from March 28th to 30th at Brisbane Marriott in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. They will be honored at the Finale Awards Banquet of the convention on March 29th.
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 28th. 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.
Bengaluru, 21 December 2024: Sense International India, the only national organization supporting individuals with deaf-blindness and multiple disabilities, successfully hosted the Karnataka State Stakeholder Meet on Inclusion, Equity, and Accessibility at Hotel Paraag, Vasanth Nagar, Bengaluru. The event brought together adults with deaf-blindness and multiple disabilities (PwDb and MD), their families, support persons, government officials, corporate representatives, and civil society organizations. Distinguished Guests: Shri Das Suryavamshi, Karnataka State Disabilities Commissioner, and Mr. Vijay Kumar Siddappa Bhavikatti, Director of the Directorate of Census Operations, Karnataka.Dr. Rajni, Deputy Director, Directorate of health and family welfare, PS Vastrad IAS R State Nodal Officer SVEEP Karnataka, Election department, Shri Aswani Kumar P.M., Deputy Director and Smt. Dhanya T. V., Assistant Director(T), Census department, Mr. Harish Assistant Director social welfare department, Tahira Banu, State Program Coordinator SSA, Mr. Ramesh, Disability department The meet highlighted the critical need for inclusion and accessibility for persons with deaf-blindness, a unique disability involving both vision and hearing impairments. Despite the immense challenges faced by individuals with deaf-blindness, Sense India’s network of 60 partner organizations across 23 states has transformed over 80,000 lives through early intervention, individualized education, and livelihood support.