Vice President Kamala Harris addressed a crowd of Indian Americans this week, emphasizing the importance of South Asians running for office in the United States.

Despite Indian Americans becoming the most populous ‘Asian-alone’ group in the country, with 4.4 million people identifying as ‘Indian-alone’ on the 2020 U.S. Census, there are only five Indian American members of Congress out of 535. Harris made these remarks at the Indian American Impact’s annual summit ‘Desis Decide’ in Washington, D.C., calling for a change in the representation of Indian Americans in politics.

She encouraged the community to participate in the electoral process and highlighted the upcoming election as crucial to their lives. With 68% of Indian Americans leaning towards the Democratic Party, they are considered one of the most progressive Asian American groups. However, there is a growing sense of skepticism towards the Biden administration among Indian American voters, with President Biden’s approval rating at 43% and Vice President Harris’ at 56%.

The progressive organization Hindus for Human Rights staged a walkout during Harris’ speech at the summit to protest the administration’s handling of Israel’s war in Gaza. This issue has resonated with young South Asian voters who are reevaluating their political affiliations.

Despite the challenges, Harris emphasized the importance of participating in elections to bring about change. She assured Indian Americans that progress is on the horizon and urged them to continue striving for a more inclusive and representative government.

Harris highlighted her own journey as a testament to the promise of America and encouraged the community to persevere in their pursuit of political engagement.

A petition for a direct flight from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to India is gaining traction in North Texas, with thousands of people signing in support. The petition, started by Venkat Mulukutla, aims to address the arduous journey required to travel from Texas to India, which typically involves multiple layovers and long travel days.

The Asian Indian population in Texas has seen a significant increase in recent years, making it the second most populated state in the nation. The opening of the Major League Cricket stadium in Grand Prairie last year, which has hosted sold-out crowds, is a testament to the growing community. Venkat believes thaat many would benefit from direct flights home, especially given the long travel days and layovers currently required.

Despite being the flag carrier of India with the largest international network, Air India does not currently operate direct flights out of DFW Airport. While the airline offers direct flights from other major U.S. cities, including New York, Newark, Chicago, and San Francisco, there is no direct route from DFW to India. This has prompted Venkat to start the petition, calling for Air India to add a direct flight from Dallas to Hyderabad.

The petition has garnered support from thousands of individuals, highlighting the demand for a direct flight from DFW to India. Many believe that such a route would be beneficial for the growing Indian population in North Texas, as well as for older travelers and those facing language barriers.

Speculation has grown online that Air India plans to expand its operations into DFW sometime this year, although the company has not confirmed this. Despite the specific focus of the petition on the Dallas-Hyderabad route, Venkat emphasizes that having Air India operate out of DFW at all would be a significant step forward.

The petition continues to gain momentum, with more signatures showing Air India the level of interest and support for a direct flight from North Texas to India. As the Indian population in the region continues to grow, the demand for convenient and direct travel options is becoming increasingly apparent.