India Collection of Books Launched During Diwali Celebration at Stamford Public Library

Indian American GOPIO-CT officials with dignitaries at Stamford Library’s Diwali celebration and launch of the India Collection of Books (left-right) Jayashri Chintalapudi, Meera Banta, Anita Mathur, Prachi Narayan, Indian Consul Vipul Dev, Indian Consul General Randhir Kumar Jaiswal, Mayor David Martin, Dr. Thomas Abraham, Mayor-elect Caroline Simmons, Mahesh Jhangiani, Srinivas Akarapu, Rep. Matt Blumenthal and Prasad Chintalapudi. (photo provided)

India-West Staff Reporter

The Ferguson Library in Stamford, Connecticut, Nov. 14 celebrated India’s Festival of Lights, or Diwali, with the launch of its ‘India Collection of Books’, in an event coordinated by the Connecticut chapter of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin. The India-related books were donated by the India government through its Consulate in New York, according to a press release.

As the chief guest, Indian Consul General Randhir Jaiswal inaugurated the new book collection on Indian art, political leaders, social reformers, travel books and books in Indian languages including Hindi, Telegu and Gujarati, noted the release

The launch event began with an invocation to Lord Ganesha and a universal prayer by GOPIO-CT Indian American secretary Prachi Narayan and Yashasvi Jhangiani, followed by the lighting of the traditional lamp and diyas by dignitaries and GOPIO leaders.

In her welcome address, Library president Alice Knapp lauded the new initiative from GOPIO-CT and thanked the Indian Consulate for donating the books.

GOPIO chairman Thomas Abraham, the main organizer who had initiated the book launch, said: “As the pandemic is still not ever and there is resistance to vaccination by some groups of people, the celebration of knowledge over ignorance [Diwali] has greater meaning to people all over the world.”

Pointing to the fact that 55,000 students have come to the United States from India this year, it opens up immense opportunities for us in this “tech-driven world,” he said.

The library was decorated with Diwali banners and artifacts by GOPIO-CT volunteers. Following the ceremony, Indian American dancers including children performed Indian classical, folk and Bollywood dances.