HIMANI SANAGARAM
SCHAUMBURG: A front ranking Indian American community activist Sunil Shah is now a Candidate for Mayor of Schaumburg. He with his many supporters held a successful fundraiser on September 29 at the Fairfield Inn Marriott and Suites in Schaumburg.
The meet-and-greet and fundraising reception was held in the evening and 100 plus people showed up. “I am confident of winning,” Shah said. Shah promised to bring down property taxes and improve the quality of life. He is very well known, and has an endearing and charismatic personality and knows well the Indian Diaspora in Chicagoland.
Articulating his vision, Sunil Shah said his candidacy represents a new voice with a new vision that seeks to enlarge and expand the business climate in Schaumburg. He sees a growing disparity with regard to workers’ compensation, highest medical insurance premiums and crushing property tax burden. He said there is a steady exodus of Illinois and Cook County residents due to the burdensome property taxes. He said he would work with the legislators to stem that tide.
“The taxes have plateaued for some years now because they want to increase revenue. Now they want to levy property taxes, Shah explained.
Some of Shah’s friends and admirers in the community had their reactions. Rita Singh a front tanking community activist and Founder of Women’s Empowerment said, “Chances are very good for him to win. He has a very calm, patient and helpful nature. He has been serving the community for last 25 years. He supports everyone – doesn’t see anyone’s race, or color – so the common man can relate and connect with him. He has a leadership quality also as he has been running FIA for the last 10 years,” Singh added.
“It’s an easy race, said FIA President Neil Khot. In the race are existing trustee, Tom Dailly and Pakistani American Nafees Rehman, who works as deputy director of accounting revenue in secretary of state Jesse White’s office. “We have to get the Indian people to vote. Many Indian people never vote. If they vote then he can win,’ Khot said. “We collected at least $30,000-40,000 in the fundraiser that day,” he added.
Shah is very active in the Indian community and he never says “no” to attend any event and donates a lot. “It’s time to pay him back,” Hitesh Gandhi, first executive vice president of FIA said. “His insight is great and he does not want to hurt any person,” he said referring to his mélange of qualities. There are 50 percent less people who vote in a non-election year and we want them to come out and cast their vote in favor of Sunil Shah.”
Dr. Bharat Barai, prominent community stalwart in his remarks commended Sunil Shah for taking a giant leap of faith in running for this office. Dr. Barai outlined that the current demographics augur well for Sunil Shah to come out victorious in his Mayoral bid as there are significant number of Indian and Asian Americans residing in Schaumburg.
Dr Kamal Patel has been a big time supporter and he in his brief address lauded Sunil Shah for his broad vision and pointed out that he has always lent his support for the right cause whether it is from any community – Sikh, Hindu, Muslim or Christian. He has endeared himself with community at large breaking race, religion, caste, creed and language barriers.
Swapnil Shah – son of Sunil Shah – serving as an emcee thanked the community and business leaders for their presence and support. Swapnil chronicled the humble beginnings of his father and how he rooted himself to the noble ideals of helping others and uplifting people in need with his altruistic way of life. In spite of the limited resources in the family, Sunil Shah rose to higher ranks in life working hard and striving for excellence.
Sunil Shah’s younger son Sahaj outlined his plans to enlist the assistance of youth to conduct a door to door campaign to for Sunil Shah’s candidacy and shore up support among the youth.
Among others who spoke, endorsed and pledged support to Sunil Shah were Drs Asha & Anil Oroskar, Dr. Srinivas Reddy, IAMA President, Dr Deepakkant Vyas, Ketu Amin, Ketan Shah, Neil Khot, Dr. Anuja Gupta, Mrs Santosh Kumar, Dr. Harjinder Khaira, Keerthi Kumar Ravoori, Rita Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Hitesh Gandhi and many others.
The evening reception was hosted by John Trivedi and delicious food provided by Sai Saffron.
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