Geetha Patil
NEW ENGLAND: The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) New England Chapter organized a virtual welcoming meet to congratulate a newly elected Indian-American US congressional representative Shri. Thanedar from Michigan on December 17, 2022.
Dr. Varun Jeph, Deputy Consul General of India, New York, welcomed Shri. Thanedar and said that he is an entrepreneur-turned-politician. Democrat Shri Thanedar became the first Indian American from the state of Michigan and the fourth elected Indian-American to the US House of Representatives.
He further said that India would like collaborate with USA in key areas of partnership such as education and knowledge exchange, health, trade, philanthropy, and defense and we appreciate your passion and contributions to these areas as well. He proudly said thatMr. Thanedar’s life and his win are inspirational, as they represent an exemplary rags-to-riches story – a lower middleclass student who arrived in the US in the 70s with just USD 20 and now he is a multimillionaire-turned-politician.
Well-known Indian-American community leaders, doctors, IT professionals, professors, businesspersons, and philanthropists from the New England region welcomed Shri. Thanedar and congratulated him for his grand win. They also wished him good luck for all his future endeavors.
Thanedar shared his humble background with all the audiences. After losing his father, Shri Thanedar worked as a janitor to support his studies and family, before working as a scientist at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai. He grew up in Belgaum, Karnataka. He came to the US in hopes of becoming a successful businessperson and now wants to serve the community where he is living.
He modestly says that he has achieved the American dream. However, he notices that the American dream is not accessible to many people, especially in urban areas, in the black and brown communities. Therefore, he is motivated to enter public service to help others to realize their American dream.
“This country has given me so much, and I do not want to continue accumulating wealth. It is time for me to give up my business and enter public service so I can give back,” he added.
Deepak Rathod thanked DCG Dr. Varun Jeph for talking time to welcome and congratulate Shri. Thanedar and Sanjay Gokhale for introducing the newly elected US Congressman, Shri. Thanedar to the audience. He also thanked Shri. Thanedar for taking time to meet with the Indian-American community leaders from New England region and sharing his very inspirational life story with all of us. Abhishek Singh, FIA president moderated the program very meticulously.
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