Stamford, CT: The Connecticut Chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-CT) and Hindi USA Stamford Chapter joined together to celebrate Diwali on October 17, 2025, at Westover Magnet School in Stamford, CT. The program started with the lighting of the lamp by Stamford Mayor’s representatives and officials from both organizations. Over fifteen group dance items were presented at the show, which was followed by a dinner. The program was put together by GOPIO-CT Board Member Manish Maheshwari, who also serves as Coordinator of Stamford-Hindi USA.
As a Diwali gift, GOPIO-CT Chapter presented a check of $25,000, contributed by its members, to the 100-year-old Children’s Learning Center (CLC) in Fairfield County in Connecticut at the Diwali Celebration organized by Hindi USA Stamford and GOPIO-CT. The chapter has been supporting many local charities in Connecticut. This year, GOPIO-CT supported Future 5, an organization that provides coaching of high school students from low-income and immigrant families as well as Society for Human and Environmental Development (SHED), which runs schools in Mumbai slums and in the rural areas of Maharashtra.
At the houseful Diwali show, the check was presented by GOPIO-CT President Mahesh Jhangiani, along with GOPIO International Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, to CLC CEO Monica Maccera Filppu. GOPIO-CT had supported CLC earlier too.
Stamford City Mayor Caroline Simmons issued a proclamation to honor Diwali. It was presented by Stamford Mayors’ Multicultural Council Vice President Malinda Polite, along with Board Member Shobhna Bhatnagar. In her proclamation, Mayor Simmons noted the presence of 66,000 people of Indian origin living in Connecticut and 4.8 million in the USA, enriching communities across the nation with deep tradition, professional excellence and cultural vitality. The proclamation also recognized Diwali, India’s largest religion, Hinduism, with one billion followers and India in its 77th year of independence.
