A total of five Indian-Americans are in the race for the House of Representatives when the country goes for its mid-term polls on November 8, according to the news agency PTI.These Indian-Americans are likely to have a 100% strike rate for the House of Representatives if the pollsters and opinions of political pundits are any indications. The four incumbents are Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna, and Pramila Jayapal. All four are from the Democratic party and are likely to be re-elected.

In addition to this, the fifth Indian-American in the House of Representatives would be an entrepreneur and businessman Shri Thanedar, who is seeking his election from the 13th Congressional District of Michigan, as per PTI reports.

Ami Bera, the senior most of all, is seeking his sixth term in the House of Representatives from the 7th Congressional District of California. Ro Khanna, who represents the 17th Congressional district from California, Krishnamoorthi (8th Congressional District of Illinois), and Jayapal from the 7th Congressional District of Washington State, are seeking their fourth consecutive terms. Chennai-born Jayapal, 57, is the first ever and only Indian-American woman to be elected to the House of Representatives.

According to political experts, as quoted by PTI, all four are comfortably placed against their Republican opponents, and so does Thanedar, who is seeking his maiden entry into the House of Representatives from the heavily African American portion of Detroit. If elected (Thanedar), he would be the fifth Indian-American in the next Congress along with Bera, Khanna, Jayapal, and Krishnamoorthi.

During these mid-term polls, another Indian-American seems to create history in the State of Maryland. Aruna Miller, a former member of the Maryland House of Delegates, is running as Lt Governor of the State on the Democratic ticket. Political pundits say she is all set to win. In that case, she would be the first-ever Indian American to be elected to this position in Maryland, PTI reported.

The Democrats and Republicans have intensified their efforts to reach out to the Indian-Americans, ahead of the mid-term elections due on November 8 this year.

The Washington Post on Friday said that Indian-Americans can play an important role in some of the tightly contested races.

“Ahead of mid-term elections that could be decided by razor-thin margins, Democrats are hoping to capitalise on some of the optimism felt by Indian Americans, a growing and increasingly vital bloc of voters,” the daily wrote.

The relationship between India and the United States has never been stronger, according to analysts, but that may be tested by a potential power shift in the US Capitol.

India, like many key partners of the US, is watching the upcoming mid-term elections closely, as relations between both sides are at a crucial juncture.

The two nations now collaborate on trade, regional security, and response to the COVID-19 pandemic, bilaterally and through forums such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.

Such cooperation means that the relationship has largely received bipartisan support in the US Capitol.

Over the past five years, India has moved closer than before to the US.

President Joe Biden’s administration has pledged financial and technological support to help Delhi’s transition to renewable energy by 2030.

Recently, it also promised to fast-track visa applications for Indian workers.

Visiting Scholar in the Asia Program at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Dr Deep Pal, noted that the White House has been looking at a presidential commission’s report which talks about speeding up the process of getting green cards.

He added that India and the US have set aggressive deadlines in their climate change collaboration.

But the Republicans have openly called for tighter controls on immigration and criticised the Democrats’ climate action plan – raising concerns in Delhi. These plans will “possibly not gain as much traction”, Dr Pal said.

The mid-term elections, which will be held on Nov 8, are the first nationwide referendum on the president’s performance. Historically, the president’s party tends to fare poorly and lose ground during the mid-terms due to voters’ frustrations with current issues.

UNITING AGAINST CHINA
While the prevailing attitude in Washington could shift on issues like climate and immigration with the mid-term elections, China is a key area which India and the US would most likely continue collaborating on, regardless of which party takes the Capitol.

According to the US’ National Defence Strategy 2022, India is at the centre of Washington’s vision to counter China. The same paper states that China is the US’ “most consequential strategic competitor”.

India stands to benefit with the US on this front as well, as the US is crucial for maintaining its influence and security presence in the Indo-Pacific.

Both countries, along with Japan and Australia, are also part of the Quad, an alliance designed to counter China’s assertive actions in the Indo-Pacific.

COURTING INDIAN-AMERICAN VOTERS
In the US, the Republicans and the Democrats have something in common as far as India’s concerned.

Both parties have actively reached out to the Indian-American voter base, especially since Donald Trump’s presidency. Indian-Americans form just about 1 per cent of the total US population, but both sides of the chamber have been focusing their attention on this group of voters.

They tend to lean towards the Democrats, but that’s not stopped the GOP from reaching out to them.

The Biden-Harris administration recently hosted an event to celebrate the Hindu festival of Diwali.

Campaigning Republicans also held a Diwali celebration. Among them was the incumbent Texas governor Greg Abbott and former president Donald Trump, who, with an eye on presidential polls in 2024, hosted Indian-Americans at his Mar-a-Lago resort.

Analysts said US-India ties are an important consideration for many Indian American voters, who could make all the difference in swing states.

“The Indian diaspora has also been very strategic in the way they have voted on a number of issues. So, I think the issue of diaspora is front and centre, and I think there are a number of key battleground states where the diaspora has the ability to shift the balance one way or another,” said Professor Harsh Pant, vice-president of Studies and Foreign Policy at Observer Research Foundation.

If the Democrats hold on to the House and Senate, analysts expect the status quo to be maintained.

But if Republicans take back either or both – India may have to tweak its US policy.

That could mean concessions on trade tariffs and looking elsewhere for partners to fight climate change, making the mid-terms not only crucial for the US’ future but also for India’s foreign policy.

Source: CNA/ja(ca)

For American couple Brian and Isha Nager, singing hymns in Sanskrit comes as a soulful exercise. They recently announced the release of their new album, ‘Maduram’ meaning sweetness.

The unique feature of the album remains six-tracks of soulful Sanskrit mantras. The mantras are the new renditions of 15th century Indian and Hindu mystic devotional hymns, and transcendent English lyrics on all streaming platforms.

‘Madhuram’ utilizes the practice of nada yoga, under the direction of Brian and Isha’s teacher and Satguru, and uses sound as a means for evolution, spiritual growth, and a tool to transmit healing and uplifting energy.

Brian Nager, a spiritual teacher and multi-instrumentalist says, “Our focus has been creating offerings that support people’s spiritual search with various practices, discourse, and the healing power of music. “

“For eight years, we have hosted Satsang (spiritual gatherings) virtually twice a week, which served as a a contact point for souls craving connection with the energy we’ve been blessed with by our teacher” he added.

“Our devotion and determination to serve a higher purpose is the basis for our partnership and our intention is to inspire others to practice and apply higher knowledge and teachings in their lives, to awaken their heart and spirit of devotion, and to nurture their practices of compassion & service,” Nager said.

The compositions feature the warm voice of singer-songwriter Isha Nager as she plays the harmonium simultaneously while singing. In addition to playing dholak and guitar, Brian Nager directs, shoots, and edits music videos for ParaNadam in Ojai, California, and Delhi, India.

One of the couple’s most meaningful songs is ‘Payoji Maine’ (I have been bestowed with), a new rendition of the popular bhajan (devotional song) written by Rajasthani mystic and poet-saint Mirabai in the 15th century.

The song came to life with the awe-inspiring Indian instrument — the sarangi – played by Nabeel Khan. About Khan’s instrumental to the album Isha Nager says, “He is a master of his art and a rare gem of a musician doing great work in preserving the tradition of the sarangi — one of the oldest and most popular bowed instruments of India.”

You can find the album on Spotify, YouTube and all streaming platforms.

Lauding the contributions of the Indian American community to New York City, mayor Eric Adams has honored four community organizations and Grammy Award Winner Falu Shah for their work in the New York area.

“Let me tell you my love for this community. Let me tell you why I believe this community is so important to the city,” he said bestowing the honors at a largely attended Diwali celebration at the Gracie Mansion on Oct 25.

“When I looked at during the 70s when we saw such a large wave of those who came from India, moved to Queens, wanted to believe in American dream,” Adams recalled.

“You worked hard and opened small businesses, and you sent your children to school to learn different skills so they can be deputy mayors and doctors and leaders of agencies and help our city move forward. You fortify the strength of our city,” he said.

“And when you do an analysis, you notice your presence in law enforcement, healthcare, small businesses, your faith,” Adams noted..

“You’re one of the largest economic groups in this country, one of the largest educated groups in this country, one of the largest small business owners in this country. You believe in the American dream and you live it out every day,” he said.

The honorees were Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) and its chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, Federation of Indian Associations of NY, NJ, CT (FIA) Chairman Ankur Vaidya, Indiaspora Founder M.R. Rangaswamy, Tulsi Mandir of Richmond Hill Queens represented by its priest Lakra Maharaj, Romeo Hitlall of the Indo-Caribbean community and Grammy Award Winner Falu Shah.

Over 1100 people attended the festive celebration with Indian food, dances of India and people dancing to the tune of Bollywood music.

Others present with Mayor Adams were his senior team members of Indian origin including Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi, Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala, Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan and Deputy Commissioner Dilip Chauhan (Trade and Investment)

Hundreds of Indian Americans worshipped the Sun God on Sunday evening and Monday night at several places in the country, ranging from the Potomac river in a suburb of this city and Query Lake front in Fremont, to a makeshift pond in Connecticut and Donaldson Park in New Jersey.

In New Jersey, India’s Consul General in New York Randhir Jaiswal and his spouse Dr Abha Jaiswal joined the “Morning Arag” or the worship of the rising sun at Donaldson Park, Highland, along with nearly a thousand Indian Americans from the New York and New Jersey area.

Organised by the Bihar and Jharkhand Association of North America and Bihar Foundation, one of the largest Chhath celebrations in the US saw the participation of families of top corporate leaders.

In his brief remarks, Jaiswal highlighted the significance of the diaspora community in celebrating Indian festivals thousands of miles away from the country of their origin.

Pushpa Mishra from New Jersey celebrated Chhath with friends and family. A first time “Vrati” or faster, she celebrated the festival with her spouse, Nirmal Mishra, a Director at Centroid Systems.

Among those who joined the celebrations in New Jersey were Manish Varma, Global VP at GlaxoSmithKline, Amit Choudhry, COO of Wipro, Vikas Varma, Dr Director at Johnson & Johnson.

“All families came together to prepare Chhath Prasad and celebrate the puja at the ghaat, extremely well organised by BAJANA and their never tiring executive committee and their volunteers,” said Alok Kumar, chairman Bihar Foundation.

Braving the biting cold, a large number of Indian American gathered on the banks of the Potomac River, in a Virginia suburb of Washington DC, to participate in what is now considered as one of the oldest Chhath celebrations in the country.

It was a community effort led by software engineer Kripa Shankar Singh, who along with his wife Manisha started the celebrations in a small way in 2006. On the same bank, the annual celebrations now attract several hundred people not only from those who trace their origin to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, where Chhath is celebrated, but also from neighbouring Nepal as well.

To keep the participants warm in the wee hours of Monday, community leaders lit a bonfire and served hot Samosa and tea. “It’s matter of pride that the manner in which the community has come together to celebrate the sacred Chhath festival,” said Sunil Singh, an eminent Indian American from Virginia.

In Connecticut, Chhath was performed in a makeshift pool, as celebrants enthralled the audience with the traditional “Chhath songs” at the indoor auditorium there. Devotees were seen carrying the offerings in baskets wrapped in yellow cloth over their heads.

More than a 1,000 Indian Americans joined the Chhath celebrations in Quarry Lake, Fremont California. Participants came dressed in colourful Indian dresses, including saree, even as organisers played traditional Chhath songs. “Just felt like being in India,” said Reena Gupta.