SANTA CLARA, CA: The Bay Area Indian American Democratic Club had its annual membership luncheon meeting on May 6th at Biryani Bowl in Santa Clara CA. The event agenda included a networking hour, lunch social, elected leaders panel, keynote speeches, and recognition of community leaders.
The keynote speeches were by Congressman Ro Khanna who represents California’s Congressional 17th district and also by Assemblymember Ash Kalra who represents the 27th Assembly district in California. Dr Romesh Japra of Fremont received a special recognition award by the club for his four decades of diligent community service and contribution.
The Bay Area Indian American Democratic Club is the very first Indian American club in California to be recognized and listed by the California Democratic Council founded by Rishi Kumar of Saratoga CA in 2013, who is the current club President. The other 10 Board Members of the club include Assemblymember Ash Kalra, Former Vice Mayor Anu Natarajan (Fremont), Yogi Chugh, Deepa Sharma, Dharminder Dewan, Sadhana Narayan, Vandana Thirumale, Mahesh Nihalani, Reshma Karipineni and Mohammed Nadeem.
This Democratic Club represents the political views of the Indian-American Democrats in the nine counties of the San Francisco Bay Area. The club’s intention is to provide the Indian-American community a platform to discuss and voice their opinions, collaborating with the California Democratic Party towards an enriched, engaged community. This club provides support and encouragement for the many who wish to run for office and discover ways to be engaged by Democrats.
The afternoon meeting was kicked-off by club President Rishi Kumar, a Saratoga City councilmember, a two term former Executive Board of the California Democratic Party and currently a California Democrat State Delegate in his 3rd term, board member on various state wide and national API political groups. Rishi expressed his excitement on having 10 Indian American elected leaders in the San Francisco Bay Area that includes Senator Kamala Harris, Congressman Ro Khanna, Assemblymember Ash Kalra,
Mayor Pradeep Gupta (South San Francisco), Mayor Savita Vaidyanathan (Cupertino), Councilmember Abe Gupta (Dublin), Councilmember Arun Goel (Dublin), Councilmember Gary Singh (Union City), Councilmember Raj Salwan (Fremont) (and himself).
In his opening remarks, Rishi stressed upon the importance to register to vote and more importantly to make a choice. “You have to make choices in life, if we don’t we will fall off the fence. And if we make choices, good things do happen.” He implored Indian Americans to turn their green cards into citizenship, to register to vote and instead of staying independents, to pick a party that aligned best with their belief and values.
Congressman Ro Khanna got a very warm welcome from the gathered group of largely Indian Americans as he shared an anecdote about speaking to an immigrant senior couple who came to America in the 1960s. Congressman Khanna expressed “We had parents who would do anything to make sure that we had a chance…[ we had parents who] wanted a better life for their kids, did everything they could so that their kids had a shot at the American dream. That is the contribution our community.” Congressman Khanna reiterated the definition of striving for success and providing a foundation for growing while taking steps to achieve the American dream.
Assemblymember Ash Kalra was his usual effervescent, enthusiastic self as he addressed the gathering. He spoke about how to get out there in the community and be the best public servant possible. He mentioned key messages that many elected leaders and himself stay true to. Assemblyman Kalra said, “The first thing I tell people when they tell me they are running for a position is to know who your people and neighbors are.” Ash spoke about the title of an elected officer and really staying true to your position. He explained “If you really want to represent someone, you have to know where they are coming from if not, you will never truly be a voice for them.”
Congressman Ro Khanna and Assemblymember Ash Kalra were given the club’s Trail Blazer Award.
At this meeting, Rishi moderated a panel discussion topic “What does it take to run for office” given the immense interest with so many Indian Americans to run for office with the success of Ro and Ash. Mayor Pradeep Gupta (South San Francisco), Mayor Savita Vaidyanathan (Cupertino), Councilmember Arun Goel (Dublin) and Councilmember Raj Salwan (Fremont) were part of this panel.
All the elected leaders on the panel spoke about how they saw the needs of the community and even though there are long hours, immense amount of work, and minimal pay, they all felt the need to give back to the community. Rishi’s questions to the panel were intended to bring out the personal stories and experiences that these elected leaders had gained through their political careers while sharing insight with the attendees, meant to inspire them on the path of public service.
All the panelists were conferred the “Rising Star Award” by the club. The video of this panel discussion can be found at facebook.com/baiadc. Assemblymember Kansen Chu representing the 25th Assembly District was also present, along with wife Daisy Chu and spoke at this meeting.
The key moment for this club was recognizing Dr. Romesh Japra who was conferred the Trailblazer award by the club for 40 years of diligent community service, for putting the community before self. Dr Japra thanked everyone by declaring, “A dream of having multiple Indian-American politicians in this area has finally come true after 37 years.” Dr Japra received this award from Assemblymember Kansen Chu who was effusive in his words about Dr Japra’s continued community service.
The next club meeting is scheduled for July 14th and information can be obtained by subscribing to the club mailing list by visiting groups.google.com/group/baiadc or by visiting baiadc.org. Membership is open to any California registered Democrat.
Anusha Kondiparti
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