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GOPIO International holds interaction with former Indian minister in New York
The global Indian diaspora group hosted former minister Meenakshi Lekhi for an interactive luncheon in Manhattan, discussing diaspora engagement, cultural heritage, and India’s growing global influence.
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Staff Reporter - Mon, 10, Nov 2025
- 13:12 EST
- 17
GOPIO officials with former Indian state minister Meenakshi Lekhi / Courtesy: GOPIO International
GOPIO International and its New York-area chapters held a meet-and-greet luncheon with Meenakshi Lekhi, former Indian Minister of State, at Hotel Lexington Plaza in Manhattan on Nov. 5.
The session brought together GOPIO members, chapter officials, community leaders, and media representatives.
The event was hosted by GOPIO Life Member Ashok Bhatt. In his address, GOPIO chairman Thomas Abraham outlined the organization’s mission and recent accomplishments.
Also Read: GOPIO hosts webinar on Indian Diaspora's contributions to global tech
President Prakash Shah spoke about the Indian diaspora’s historical presence across Southeast Asia and the enduring cultural connections visible through ancient Hindu temples.
He added that with over 35 million people of Indian origin worldwide, closer engagement between India and its diaspora serves mutual interests.
GOPIO chairman Abraham presenting First Day Covers cancelled by US Postal Service at the First Convention of People of Indian Origin in 1989 to Meenakshi Lekhi. In the front row from left to right Indian Panorama Publisher Inderjit Saluja, GOPIO life member and GOPIO-Manhattan treasurer Braj Aggarwal, Abraham, Meenakshi Lekhi, GOPIO president Prakash Shah, GOPIO cultural council co-chair Rajul P. Shah and GOPIO secretary Siddharth Jain / Courtesy: GOPIO InternationalThe former Indian State minister highlighted the significant role of the Indian diaspora in strengthening India’s global standing, especially through contributions in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
She also engaged in a question-and-answer session with attendees. To mark the occasion, GOPIO presented her with a collector’s edition of two First Day Covers released by the U.S. Postal Service at the First Global Convention of People of Indian Origin held in New York in 1989.
The event concluded with a discussion on continued collaboration between GOPIO and leaders of the Indian diaspora to advance shared cultural and developmental goals.
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