SATYAGRAH SOULS is a monthly political series presented by Silicon Valley’s community leader, Saratoga Councilmember Rishi Kumar, in highlighting the community involvement and success of Indian Americans in the United States.
This series seeks to inspire us in giving back to our local community. We Indian Americans are going through a transitional evolution, as we get entrenched in a new world, embracing new culture, exerting zealous work ethics, supporting the American economy as entrepreneurs, high tech geeks, doctors, lawyers and more. We are definitely imposing the positive intentions and good citizen values upon this fantastic country and making a huge impact.
But can our involvement run a bit deeper with issues near and dear to our hearts, perhaps within our local city, or with the local public school that our children attend? Do we sometimes hear our conscience imploring, “Am I doing enough?” Yes we can get involved just a bit more, push our comfort zone and enhance the learning and impact our involvement. Our involvement can simply start with developing a healthy curiosity in our local community, instead of being ‘busy’ bystanders. Once we get involved, we will quickly discover, how easy it is for us to make progressive change happen and how receptive everyone around is, to leverage our skills for it. There are leaders waiting to be discovered, why not “me”, by taking that first step? The give-back experience can be freeing, energizing – personally rewarding and transformative at the same time. There are many who have made their mark in doing just that. With this monthly series, we want to highlight these SatyAgrah souls who are showing us the path. Here is a SatyaGrah soul, who has found the calling…

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Gary Singh, councilmember of Union City

Gary moved to California more than 30 years ago from India to achieve the American Dream. With a lot of hard work he started his own business in 1996, Bay Star Auto, and he and his wife couldn’t be happier to raise their kids in Union City, California.

Gary graduated from Guru Nanak University in Punjab, India, and majored in economics.

Because of what this city has given his family, he feels strongly about serving. He was on the Planning Commission for eight years, 2006-2014, and helped numerous organizations and businesses work better with City Hall.

Gary is a newly elected City Councilmember in Union City who is fired up for the challenges that this position brings. Gary is a former Union City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors which he held between 2009-2011.

Gary helped lead the effort to bring new businesses to Union Landing Mall.

He is active volunteer with Union City Youth and Family Services (UCYFS) and Alameda County At Risk Youth Program. Provides mentorship, training, and employment opportunities to at risk youth in Union City by volunteering to teach automotive skills, finding them employment, and acting as a mentor.

Active member of the Sikh community, coordinating volunteer work such as serving meals, providing counsel to other Sikh community members and acting as a bridge to City Hall for the community.

An active Board Member of the Union City Friends of Sister Cities, 2010-Present and Rotary International, 2013-2015. He raised over $50,000 for disaster relief in India and Nepal.

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‘Community service is in my blood’

Gary how has the American dream worked out for you?

I was born in India and moved to California in 1984. I moved to Union City in 1993. The achievement of the American Dream for me means I have my own successful business, Bay Star Auto, a beautiful family and home, and the opportunity to serve my community in elected office and through volunteerism.

You have volunteered a lot for your local community. What is your motivation?

My family motivates me to volunteer in my community. My whole family –

father and siblings – has always performed community service. That is how I was raised. You might as well say that community service is in my blood. Also, this community has given my family and myself so much that giving back is an honor.

What made you run for city council?

I ran for City Council because I wanted to serve my community in a meaningful way. I want to help others. Running for this office was the logical next step after my eight years of service on the Union City Planning Commission and two years on the Union City Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. I knew that I could bring a fresh voice and new energy to the City Council. It has also been a dream of mine to play a greater part in my community

What are the positives and negatives of being in office? How has this changed your life?

There are many positives with holding this elected office. Among them is the chance to help people in all walks of life achieve their own American Dream. Also positive is the opportunity to promote real change within the community. The negative aspect is juggling two jobs, which gives me less time to spend with my family. My wife works at Bay Star Auto and takes an extra load off me so I can do more for the community.

How can we, Indian American community engage into our local community?

We can best engage in our local community by getting involved with civic government any way possible. Commissions, school boards, Police Explorers program, etc. are all good places to start serving the community. Also actively volunteer with local non-profits and charitable organizations. I am an active volunteer with Union City Youth and Family Services (UCYFS) and the Alameda County At Risk Youth Program. I provide mentorship, training and employment opportunities to at risk youth in Union City by volunteering to teach automotive skills, finding them employment, and acting as a mentor. I am also an active Board Member of the Union City Friends of Sister Cities, 2010-Present.

How do you see the evolution of Indian Americans in our local community volunteerism and politically?

There isn’t enough involvement by Indian Americans in community services, local politics, and the school district.  Opportunities are always there to get involved at every level. For example, I’m an active member of the Sikh Community. I coordinate volunteer work, provide counsel to other community members, and act as a bridge to City Hall for the community.

Gary thank you! We wish you success with all future endeavors.

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Dear Readers, Do you have a story to share? We invite you to introduce us to folks in your community who are making a difference – we would love to profile them. Are there similar stories you are familiar with locally. The ones who helped address a simple issue in the community to make life a bit better. Perhaps someone you know decided to make a run for school board, was appointed to the planning commission. Provide us your insights on Indian Americans locally and nationally who are making things happen. These perspectives will help construct roadmaps for our community to empower ourselves, to hopefully ignite a desire in all of us to represent our local communities as doers, leaders, establish and entrench ourselves in this glorious country of America and help make it a better place

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ABOUT RISHI: Rishi is an elected city councilmember in Saratoga, CA and politically active in the state of California, as a board member on a few state and national political organizations.  He continues to follow his passion for community service, seeking to provide services to his constituents cheaper, faster and better, in his passion to make a difference. Rishi has diligent service, responsiveness, community outreach and engagement a key focus for his political leadership, be that strong independent voice. As Silicon Valley’s community organizer, Rishi is host of many social, educational, cultural community events, many of which are free and always inclusive usually addressing a need or a cause. Rishi’s day job is as a Silicon Valley hi-tech executive but his zeal for service effervescent. Rishi is also the President of the Bay Area Indian American Democratic Club (www.baiadc.org) whose charter is to further the interests and values of Indian Americans, work towards political empowerment and advance ethical standards in the political system. You can reach him via his website www.RishiKumar.com.