Seven state lawmakers join India’s 73rd Republic Day celebrations

Community organizations outline goal to increase representation of Indian Americans in all states

Seven Indian American lawmakers from Northeastern states joined a virtual event organized by the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) to celebrate India’s 73rd Republic Day on Jan 26.

“Indian Diaspora in the United States is very strong, and has contributed immensely to the India-US relations and to Mother India,” said Randhir Kumar Jaiswal, Indian Consul General in New York.

“The Indian Diaspora is playing a very important role in the cooperation between India and the United States in all areas, especially in the healthcare sector,” he said thanking the Diaspora for their contributions.

Read: Indian community in US celebrates 73rd Republic Day of India (January 27, 2022)

Referring to several elected Indian American leaders who attended the event, Jaiswal said, “Your presence and greetings mean a lot to us and to the Indian Diaspora and to the Indo-US relationship.”

Neil Makhija, Executive President of Indian American Impact spoke about how they work towards helping NRIs get elected to state and national offices, according to a GOPIO press release.

“Our goal is to increasing the representation of Indian Americans in all states,” he said. “Across the country, a record number of Indian-Americans have been elected to the state and national offices. I am thrilled to be where we are today.”

New Jersey State Senator Vin Gopal recalled his visit to India with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy building relationships with several Indian states and New Jersey, which now has the fastest growing Indian American community in the United States.

Vermont State Senator Kesha Ram, one of the youngest ever to be elected to State Assembly at the age of 21, noted, “I am the first ever woman of color top be elected to the state Assembly in Vermont.”

“Continuing to break through the barriers, we can work together to elect more NRIs,” she said.

Ohio State Senator Niraj Antani noted he is the second Indian American ever elected to a statewide office and he is the only Republican of Indian origin to be elected.

Sharing his early days and inspiration to enter politics, he said, “My parents worked hard to live the American dream. There is a need for us to be at the decision-making table. Everyone is able to realize the dream. We stand on your shoulders, to carry on the Indian values.”

New Jersey State Rep. Raj Mukerji pointed to how the Indian American caucuses are growing across the nation and in several states. In New Jersey, the Indian American representation in state offices has grown from 1 to 7 this year.

New York State Representative Jenifer Rajkumar said, “Indian identity is central to my election to the state assembly in New York. I stand on your shoulders as GOPIO has played a great role in helping me get elected to the State Assembly.”

Referring to the record three Indian Americans elected in the state, she said, “We made history and I want to thank the community leaders who have made this possible.”

New Hampshire State Rep. Latha Mangipudi, who has been elected again to the state House, shared with the audience about her own life, challenges in becoming a female, non-White elected official from a state which is majority White.

“It was a very slow and gradual journey after I had come to the US to pursue higher studies in the 1980s,” said the “first generation brown colored woman” Indian American inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s message of non-violence.

Connecticut State Representative Harry Arora said, “We know how powerful it is to have set up of laws and rules of laws. The power of a country comes from a beautifully written constitution which was adopted on that day and the fact that we have lived with that beautifully so many years with that constitution in India, which works.”

GOPIO Chairman, Dr. Thomas Abraham pointed out that India has sent a large number of its brightest to America, who have made substantial contributions in building up the economy of America.

“We are also not behind in the political process,” he said noting, “the biggest achievement came when one of us, an African/Indian American woman Senator Kamala Harris was sworn in as the Vice President of the USA.”

The last General Election also saw a larger number of Indian Americans being elected to state legislatures.

Read: US lawmakers join Indians in celebrating 73rd Republic Day (January 27, 2022)

Dr. Jaya Daptardar emceed the event. American national anthem was sung by Mathy Pillai, while the Indian national anthem was sung by Jyothi Gupta and team from Long Island.

Popular artists from New Jersey and Connecticut, including Pallavi Belwariar, Kedar Godbole, Srinivas Gunupuru, and Trupti Shah presented patriotic songs.