Thomas Abraham
Thomas Abraham | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 11, 1948 |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Years active | Over 40 years |
| Known for | Founder and leader of Global Organization for People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) |
Thomas Abraham is an Indian entrepreneur who founded and has continuously led the Global Organization for People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) since its establishment. He played a pivotal role in organizing the inaugural Global Convention of People of Indian Origin in New York, where GOPIO was officially created. Formerly, Dr. Abraham held the position of executive trustee at the GOPIO Foundation. Additionally, he serves as president of Innovative Research and Products, Inc., based in Stamford, CT, a company specializing in market research focused on cutting-edge materials, nanotechnology, electronic components, and energy storage solutions.
Accomplishments
Born on September 11, 1948, Dr. Abraham has been an influential leader within the Non-Resident Indian/People of Indian Origin (NRI/PIO) community for more than forty years. He introduced the term PIO at the First Convention of People of Indian Origin held in New York in 1989. Over his career, Dr. Abraham has established several key organizations serving the NRI/PIO population:
1. Federation of Indian Association (FIA) of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – founded in 1977 (served as President until 1981)
2. National Federation of Indian-American Associations (NFIA) – established in 1980 (President from 1980 to 1986; Chairman from 1986 to 1992)
3. Global Organization for People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) – initiated in 1989 (Convener and President from 1989 to 2004; Chairman from 2004 to 2009)
4. Indian American Kerala Cultural and Civic Center – created in 1993 (Chairman between 1997 and 2004)
5. Jagdish Bhagwati Chair for Indian Political Economy at Columbia University (endowed with $4 million) – co-chairman from 1992 to 2000
6. National Indian American Association for Senior Citizens (NIAASC) – founded in 1998
7. South Asian Council for Social Services (SACSS) – launched in 2000
8. The Indus Nanotechnology Association (TINA) – started in October 2007
In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Abraham was awarded the Bhratvanshi Gaurav Award by Anthar Rashtriya Sahayog Nyas and received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman from the President of India in January 2008. Later that year, Malaviya National Institute of Technology honored him with their Distinguished Alumni Award in November. Furthermore, he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Public Service by Indian Abroad in 2011, acknowledging his four decades of dedication to the global Indian diaspora.
Personal
Dr. Abraham lives in Stamford, CT alongside his wife, Dr. Susy Abraham, a retired geriatrician who formerly practiced at Sarah Neuman Rehabilitation and Health Center as well as the Hebrew Home for the Aged in New York. They have two children: Nitya, who is an associate professor specializing in urology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health Center, and Jay, who works as a design engineer developing next-generation aircraft engines at Pratt & Whitney located in East Hartford, Connecticut.