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GLO-INDIA Hosts Inaugural Icons of Impact Gala in New Jersey
The gala honored a distinguished group of leaders for their contributions across business, health care, science, technology, agriculture, public policy and community service.
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Staff Reporter - Wed, 03, Jun 2026
- 05:10 EDT
- 26
H.S. Panaser, president of GLO-INDIA lighting the lamp / Courtesy photo
The Global Indian Diaspora Alliance (GLO-INDIA) hosted its inaugural "Icons of Impact" Gala on May 29 in New Jersey.
The event brought together business leaders, innovators, policymakers, community advocates and members of the Indian diaspora to celebrate excellence, leadership and service.
Rajlaxmi Kadam, consul of trade at the Consulate General of India in New York, was the chief guest of the event.
The evening began with a traditional ceremonial lamp-lighting led by Dr. Rajeev Mehta, chairman of GLO-INDIA; H.S. Panaser, president of GLO-INDIA; Dinesh Mittal, co-chairman of GLO-INDIA; and Consul Kadam.
The ceremony symbolized wisdom, unity and the shared aspirations of the global Indian community, according to the organizers.
The program was emceed by Ajooni Kaur of Sanofi and Alicia Kaur of Columbia University.
Welcoming remarks were delivered by Dr. Mehta, Panaser and Kadam, who highlighted the growing influence of the Indian diaspora and emphasized the importance of leadership, innovation, public service and global collaboration.
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The gala honored a distinguished group of leaders for their contributions across business, health care, science, technology, agriculture, public policy and community service.
Honorees included Roop Singh, CEO of Version 1 Ireland; Dr. Navneet Puri, former Pfizer board director; Dr. Pardeep Gupta, pharmaceutical sciences professor; Dr. Badri Narayanan Gopalakrishnan, economist and strategy leader; and Prof. Om Parkash Dhankher, agricultural biotechnology expert.
Among other honorees were Puneet Ahluwalia, founding partner of New World Strategies; Dr. Sparshil Patel; Dr. Sunil Parikh; Dr. Sumul N. Raval; Srujal Parikh; and Ajit Mannon of Johnson & Johnson.
The event recognized elected officials as Icons of Public Service and Legislative Leadership.
Special messages and congratulations were received from New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Rep. Mikie Sherrill.
Proclamations and citations were presented by Sen. Linda Greenstein, Sen. Vin Gopal, Sen. Patrick Diegnan, Assemblyman Sterley Stanley, Assemblyman Balvir Singh, Mayor Samip Joshi, Mayor Neena Singh and Mayor Hemant Marathe. Commissioner Shanti Narra was also in attendance.
The "Icons of Impact" Gala highlighted the achievements of Indian-origin leaders worldwide and reinforced GLO-INDIA's mission to connect, empower and amplify the voices of the global Indian community through leadership, advocacy, networking and cultural engagement.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
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