GOPIO OC chapter engages Indian diaspora community in Southern California First 2026 event focuses on financial management and estate planning
Irvine, CA: GOPIO OC (Orange County) chapter in Southern California held a house-full, community-beneficial, and highly-engaging event on March 22, 2026 at Tandoor Restaurant in Orange, CA. In keeping with GOPIO’s mission of promoting the well-being of its PIO community, GOPIO OC hosted its first 2026 initiative to raise awareness of some essential Life Management strategies and an update of GOPIO programs worldwide. Three sessions included Financial Management by Mr. Mahesh Jain, Estate Planning by attorney Ms. Anju Multani, and GOPIO International Update by its Global Ambassador Ms. Nami Kaur.
The event opened with a traditional Ganesh Vandana performed by Mr. Siddharth Pathak. Amrit Bhandari, chairman and founder of the OC chapter, briefed the group on history and the new mission.
Hark Vasa, President of GOPIO OC chapter, introduced the committee members and the speakers: Mr. Mahesh Jain, Mrs. Anju Multati and Ms. Nami Kaur. He outlined the major events planned for 2026. Southern California, a large metropolitan area, has four GOPIO chapters. Presidents of all the four chapters were present at the event. The OC chapter has planned for all four local GOPIO chapters to get together and host one large event during the year. Hark encouraged the audience to become members of any of the GOPIO chapters and participate in serving the Indian community.
Mr. Mahesh Jain and his wife, Vaishali Jain delivered their presentation in a relevant and interesting dialogue format. Jain, a registered investment advisor and founder of Kuber Investments, has mastered a system where clients safely receive double-digit returns while preserving capital. With a small, calculated risk the clients have been receiving much higher returns while still preserving capital.
In today’s volatile environment preserving the capital has become extremely difficult. He explained in detail how he has been able to achieve this while many have struggled with the volatility of the market’s ups and downs. He followed up with questions and answers. The audience was supercharged and excited to hear about the investment strategy he presented.
Mrs. Anju Multani, an attorney with 30+ years of experience, founder of the South Asian Bar Association serving Southern California, shared the basic elements of Estate Planning. While Mahesh Jain provided a strategy to earn higher returns from the investment, Anju Multani presented how to preserve it and pass it on to the next generation as desired. She explained all aspects of will, probate, and various kinds of trusts. Because Indians are often highly successful and leave substantial assets to their families upon death, Anju explained how critical and important it is to have a legally valid Will and Trust. She educated the audience well, and followed up with questions and answers. The audience appreciated receiving this knowledge, and were glad to have attended the event.
GOPIO International presentation by Ms. J. Nami Kaur, Global Ambassador & Chair, GOPIO Foundation, highlighted general updates and new initiatives.. She briefed the audience on how GOPIO advocates for the Diaspora and promotes cultural, educational, and economic collaborations. She invited attendees to get involved in serving their fellow Indian community via GOPIO programs. She shared the various levels of engagement within GOPIO by starting as members at their local chapter.
Nami talked about diaspora philanthropy via GOPIO Foundation and economic collaboration via the GCCI – GOPIO Chamber of Commerce & Industry. With passion, Nami Kaur shared the various new leadership initiatives and programs that GOPIO International Team has introduced since 2025. These include Monthly Webinars, a website reboot, social media activation, Diaspora Museum dialogue, monthly newsletters, and more. She announced and reminded the audience about the upcoming GOPIO International Convention in Mumbai, India on December 18-20., 2026. She ended her presentation with the famous line, “What can you do for GOPIO?” and “Make India Diaspora Awesome” (MIDA)!
No Indian event is complete without entertainment. Surekha Modi, GOPIO OC Secretary introduced the cultural and entertainment segment. Performances included a Bollywood dance by Chhaya, a local dancer & artist; a Kathak dance by Sauviri, a student of Dhoom Dance academy; and a Bollywood song by Priya Kumar, a local stage artist. The event ended with a vote of thanks by Geeta Bhatt, VP GOPIO OC, followed by photos, lunch and networking.
To become a member of the GOPIO-OC chapter please contact its Memberships Chair Siddharth Pathak (714) 865-0267 and/or Treasurer Rupa Shethne (949) 903-1215. For any general information contact any of the committee members: Amrit Bhandari, J. Nami Kaur, Hark Vasa, Geeta Bhatt, Rupa Shethna-Shrimankar, Vijay Shetha, Surekha Modi, Hasmukh Modi and Prakash Pancholi.
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