iNDICA NEWS BUREAU
As the end of the 2020 election is just a nail’s bite away, the whole world is looking up at the US, which is sitting a crux of history that could well change the path of the country for good.
At this important juncture, it is hard to ignore the influence of Indian Americans, who have made the loudest of noises than any community.
In fact, this election has brought to light over 1,100 prominent members of the Asian-American community, including Indian-American elected officials, artists, business and community leaders.
Being some of the most prominent names in the country, they have endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris.
“Never before has the AAPI community banded together with such unity and excitement in a presidential election,” said Democratic National Committee (DNC) AAPI Caucus Chair Bel Leong-Hong, who organized the list.
“We are made up of almost 20 different ethnic groups, yet are united in our resounding support for Biden and Harris to lead our country and world out of the mess (President Donald) Trump has created.”
Leong-Hong said the people in the list come from all walks of life with different languages, culture and heritage, but share the same hopes and dreams for a better future.
The list of more than 1,100 supporters includes prominent members of the Democratic Party, including the DNC and the AAPIs for Biden Coalition, which is made up of more than 14 affinity groups, including South Asians for Biden.
Among the prominent Indian-origin endorsers are Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi and Ami Bera, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, Former Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia in US Department of State Nisha Desai Biswal, Chair of Maryland Democratic Party AAPI Leadership Council Devang Shah, Chair of Democratic Asian Americans of Virginia (DAAV) Praveen Meyyan, Assembly member Ash Kalra of California State Assembly.
Candidate for US House of Representatives Sri Kulkarni, Former CEO of Democratic National Committee Seema Nanda, Chair of Howard County, Maryland Democratic Party AAPI Caucus Dhaval Shah, Vice-Chair of Fairfax County, Virginia Democratic Committee Manisha Singh, Chair of Monmouth County, New Jersey Democrats South Asian Caucus Ritesh Shah are also in the list.
It also includes former Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor in the Office of the US Surgeon General Parag Mehta and community leaders India Heritage Group Founder Parag Parikh, President of Global Organization of People of Indian Origin Jay Bhandari and Co-founder and Board Chair, Desis for Progress Nisha Ramachandran.
Dennis Cheng, a senior advisor for the Biden campaign, was quoted by The New York Times as saying, “We’re extremely proud of our micro-targeted messaging and individualized outreach to the AAPI community, so that we not only feel represented in the campaign, but also empowered and inspired to be a part of it.”
