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IOC USA launches Karnataka Chapter; appoints Rajiv Gowda as president
Gowda said, "India is the largest democracy in the world and must stand as a beacon for all others who dream of living in a democratic country.”
(Front row L-R) Malini Shah, Yamuna Nagaraj, Rajiv Gowda, Leela Maret, Nivedita Chandrappa and Thomas Matthews. (second row L-R) Mohammad Shahada, Abhishek Harish, Amrick Singh Pehowa, Amer Singh Gulshan, Mohammed Murtuza, George Abraham, Rajeshwara Reddy, Harbachan Singh, Baldev Randhav, Imran Pasha. (Third-row L-R) Mahesh Patel, Manoj Mulki, Sharat Vemuganti, Ram Gadula and John Joseph. / IOC USA
The Indian Overseas Congress USA appointed new officers for their Karnataka Chapter during a recent inaugural dinner ceremony held at the Five Star Banquet Hall, Long Island City, New York.
The new chapter will operate under the leadership of advocate Rajiv Gowda, who has been at the forefront for equality, fairness, and democratic principles, an official statement noted.
Harbachan Singh, secretary general, IOC USA, congratulated Gowda on the momentous occasion, saying, "Your ability to assemble such outstanding team speaks volumes, and I am eager to witness the remarkable achievements that await us, especially with the Lok Sabha elections in the horizon."
"The upcoming elections are particularly important, and we will communicate with each other to ensure we are in sync with the voters of India and support their yearnings for a change in the status quo. We need every voter to participate and support the Indian National Congress so democracy can be saved for everyone today and future generations," he added.
Further addressing the gathering, George Abraham, vice chairman of IOC USA, highlighted India's current political situation and the apparent threat to democracy and free and fair elections.
Introducing the new president of the Karnataka Chapter, he added, "It is my distinct pleasure to have the Karnataka Chapter officially on board to help us in the people's fight to retake our beloved country from those who want to foster and facilitate discrimination, division, and a blatant disregard for freedom in our motherland."
Addressing the ceremony via Zoom, IOC global chairman Sam Pitroda noted that the new chapter marks a particular moment in the agency's collective mission. "The Karnataka Chapter will resonate as a powerful voice, upholding the fundamental principles of democracy, justice, freedom, equality, fraternity, and secularism, regardless of caste, language, or religion," Pitroda added.
With the onset of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in India, Pitroda emphasized the crucial timing of the introduction of the new chapter. "The recent Supreme Court ruling on electoral bonds, farmer unrest, and encroachments on civil liberties serve as stark reminders of the challenges facing Indian democracy. Yet, united as a cohesive force, we possess the power to cause meaningful change. Through our collaboration, we will thwart any further attempts to erode the democratic fabric of India," he added.
Dr. Arathi Krishna, charge secretary of the All-India Congress Committee IOC, also congratulated Gowda in a taped video message, along with IOC USA president Mohinder Singh Gilzian, who is currently in India on an important INC work.
Thanking everyone, Gowda said, "India is the largest democracy in the world and must stand as a beacon for all others who dream of living in a democratic country. As a democracy, we cannot be afraid of those who abuse the power given to them by the people. Instead, when they abuse that power, the people must take it back from them and give it to those that will strive to create a unified India, an India that can truly emerge on the global stage as a rights-respecting democracy."
IOC USA / IOC USA Karnataka Chapter teamMeanwhile, Yamuna Nagaraj and Thomas Matthews were appointed general secretary and treasurer, while Manoj Mulki was named joint secretary, among other key appointments. Abhishek Harish, Nivedita Chandrappa, and Mohammad Sahada were appointed as members of the Executive Committee.
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