iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
Indian American Impact hosted its 2024 ‘Desis Decide Summit and Gala’ in Washington, D.C. on May 15-16th, with keynote Vice President Kamala Harris. Held in AAPI Heritage Month, the event drew nearly 500 South Asian American community leaders, policy makers, celebrities, activists and organizers.
Distinguished guests to the Summit included former Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta, Domestic Policy Advisor to President Biden Neera Tanden, and U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ami Bera, and Shri Thanedar, an Impact press release said.
Opening plenaries at the two day-Summit showcased talks by leading healthcare experts such as Dr. Meena Seshamani, Director of the Center for Medicare and Dr. Ashwin Vasan, NYC Health Commissioner as well as a panel discussion hosted by ABC News Correspondent Zohreen Shah and the Indian American members of Congress.
Virginia State Senator Ghazala Hashmi presented this year’s Dalip Singh Saund Award to Maryland Lt. Governor Aruna Miller. This award recognizes outstanding public service and dedication to civic engagement and involvement at the state and local levels of government.
Arizona State Senator Priya Sundareshan presented the Dr. Shyamala Gopalan Harris Award to Mini Timmaraju, President and CEO of Reproductive Freedom for All.
Chintan Patel, Executive Director of Indian American Impact, said: “This year’s Summit and Gala showcased the remarkable influence and contributions of the South Asian American community. Our Summit brought together our diverse communities to commit to action, and it’s just the launching point for the work we’ll do this critical election year. Our community’s growing political engagement and leadership are reshaping the American political landscape, and events like this are crucial in fostering that progress.”
The second largest immigrant community and fastest growing in many states, Indian American voters can be the decisive margin of victory in key races across the country.
