GOPIO to honour diaspora achievers at 36th Anniversary Convention in Brisbane

Brisbane, March 25 (Australia India News Newsdesk)

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) will celebrate its 36th anniversary with Convention 2025, set to take place from March 28 to 30 at the Brisbane Marriott in Queensland. The event will recognize five distinguished individuals for professional and business achievements and three for outstanding community service. The honorees will be celebrated at the Finale Awards Banquet on March 29. Dignitaries attending the convention's inauguration include Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, and India's Consul General Neetu M. Bhagotia. They will be welcomed by GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, president Prakash Shah, executive vice president and Convention Convener Umesh Chandra, and vice president Kewal Kanda.

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Vangapaty

VarghesePeter

Honorees for professional and business achievements

Public Service: Peter Varghese, Chancellor of the University of Queensland and former Australian High Commissioner to India and Malaysia.

Entrepreneurship: Maha Sinnathamby, Founder and Chairman of Springfield City Group.

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Business: Shaheen Majeed, Global CEO of Sabinsa Corp.

Engineering & Applied Sciences: Prof. Prasad KDV Yarlagadda, Dean (Academic), School of Engineering, University of Southern Queensland.

Media Achievement: Rohit Vyas, international broadcast journalist and documentary filmmaker.

WaliaHarmohan Yarlaggada

Honorees for community service

Archana Singh, Former Honorary Consul of India in Queensland, recognized for her years of service to the Indian Diaspora.

Prof. Rajasekhar Vangapaty, Advisor at the Fashion Institute of Technology, SUNY, and leader in community service initiatives in the U.S. and India.

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Harmohan Singh Walia, Founder of GOPIO-Sydney Northwest and a dedicated community photographer who has documented over 5,000 events.

Convention highlights

With the theme “The Indian Diaspora’s Role in Shaping Future Technologies,” the convention will begin with a welcome reception on March 28, followed by eight conference sessions on March 29. Topics will cover Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Computing, IoT, Nanotechnology, and Biomedical Innovations. Another track will focus on the role of NRIs and PIOs in diaspora networking, women's contributions, and youth engagement. The final plenary session will explore GOPIO Chamber of Commerce and the Global Networking of Diaspora Businesses and SMEs in India. The event will conclude with entertainment after both the welcome dinner and the awards ceremony.

Founded in 1989, GOPIO is a non-partisan, non-profit global organization dedicated to enhancing cooperation and communication among NRIs and PIOs worldwide, strengthening diaspora ties with their host nations and India.