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OAK BROOK, Ill.
Community leaders and dignitaries graced the first business meeting, gala and “spring fling,” to be held annually, of the recently launched Chicago chapter of Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) hosted here at the Chicago Marriott April 18. These included Consul General of India in Chicago Ausaf Sayeed, Reps. (D) Tammy Duckworth and Danny K. Davis, Illinois State Senators Dan Kotowski, Tom Cullerton and Michael Noland, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs, Oak Brook Mayor Dr. Gopal Lalmalani and former Deputy Treasurer of Illinois Raja Krishnamoorthi. Keynote speaker was Padmashree Bala Balachandran, Professor Emeritus at North Western University Kellogg School of Management. Entertainment comprised of Bollywood and classical dances from various Indian states and music. Savi Singh was master of ceremonies was. Principal organizers were GOPIO President Gladson Varghese, Secretary Singh and Treasurer Syed Hussaini. All the dignitaries participated in lighting the ceremonial lamp.
In his presidential address, Varghese introduced GOPIO, inaugurated with Sayeed’s encouragement last fall, as a platform for the business community to network and learn, e.g., about tax incentives for doing business in India.
Asking the Indian community to work closely with the Consulate to solve their problems, Sayeed outlined key steps the new Modi government is taking to promote innovative business in and with India, which is expected to outperform China within a few years. There has been a dramatic change in Indian diplomacy to garner investment for development, with the diaspora now being perceived as a formidable resource, he said.
Starting with Tammy Duckworth, who has vacated her Congressional seat to aim for the U.S. Senate, the politicians present, all Democrats except for Lalmalani, made pitches for their own election or the campaign of a colleague. They praised the achievements of the local Indian diaspora and urged them to become more active participants, seeking direct political representation.
The energetic Balachandran, 78, inspired with his depth of knowledge about business processes and words of wisdom about life in general, spiced with his own quotable quips and practical humor. Affirming that “money and spirituality are not incompatible,” Balachandran advised entrepreneurs against getting into manufacturing but instead to “create value with your intelligence and creativity.” He pointed out that Huber owns no vehicles, Facebook no content, Apple no factories, etc. “Network is your net worth!” After preaching the guiltless virtues of profit-making, he nevertheless concluded that there is “more to life than business, and more to business than bottom line.”
A student of Balachandran and the only Asian mayor in the U.S, Lalmalani, who can boast a landside electoral victory, urged entrepreneurs to start businesses in and with the village Oak Brook and promised his full support.
Aananda Dance Theatre presented Thillana in Kuchipudi, Bharatanjanli Dance School Saraswati Slokam in Mohinattam, Soorya Dance Academy fusion dance, and Men of Dance vibrant Bhangra. Singers Nipa Shah and Chetan Saini kept the audience entertained till late with Bollywood numbers. Cultural events were emceed by Vikrant Singh and Shree Gurusamy.
Awards were presented to a few outstanding individuals and to the GOPIO executive committee by Lalmalani, Davis and Krishnamoorthi. Hussaini, Vice President at Wintrust Bank, which was a grand sponsor of this event, introduced his several team members reaching out to the Desi community.
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