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Initiative to increase India Caucus members launched
The Caucus, which was launched in 1993, currently has 109 members.
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Consul Genral of India Binaya Pradhan with Congressman Tom Suozzi / Courtesy Photo
The Indian American Voters Forum has recently initiated a campaign with the objective of increasing the membership of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans.
The Caucus, established in 1993, is a bipartisan coalition of American lawmakers dedicated to promoting the interests of the Indian American community and enhancing relations between India and the United States. It was initially established with the support of approximately 100 congressmen, but the number has varied over time and currently stands at 109 members.
To address the issue, Binaya Pradhan, Consul General of India in New York, urged Varinder Bhalla, chairman of the Indian American Voters Forum, to launch a membership drive. Under Bhalla’s leadership a committee dedicated to the cause was formed.
Dr.Nori’s biography, From Mantada to Manhattan,which released earlier by the Chief Justice of India and presented at the White House last month, was presented to the dignitaries. / Its members include— Padma Shri Dr. Sudhir Parikh, Padma Shri Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori, Dr. Thomas Abraham, Dr. Sunil Mehra, Rajeev Bhambri, Ratna Bhalla, Gobind Munjal, Gunjan Rastogi, Sudhir Vaishnav, and Dev Vishwanath.
Representative Tom Suozzi's decision to join the India Caucus and utilize his position to recruit other prominent lawmakers to the caucus was the committee's first victory.
During the ceremony, Consul General Pradhan addressed Suozzi as a "Friend of India" and presented him with a garland. Haridas Kotahwala, chairman of NAVIKA, and CEO Naveen Shah presented the Congressman with an Aum scarf. Suozzi later took the stage to entertain the audience with a famous Frank Sinatra song.
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Over 60 prominent members of the community supported the initiative / Courtesy Photo
In his closing remarks, CG Pradhan outlined numerous benefits for both India and the United States that resulted from the formation of the India Caucus, including a 50-fold increase in bilateral trade and the largest number of Indian students coming to America for higher education.
Ratna and Varinder Bhalla hosted the event, which attracted nearly 60 prominent members of the Indian community from New York and New Jersey, including business leaders, community activists, and the heads of several organizations.
Indian American Forum’s efforts to drive membership
Since its inception in 2008, the Indian American Forum has been committed to increasing the Indian community's participation in politics.
The Forum televised its Indian Independence Day celebrations in 2009 to entice congressional leaders to join the India Caucus. The show, named Riti Bhalla Special after the young host, was instrumental in attracting congressional leaders to the caucus.
Senator Gillibrand announced on Riti Bhalla Special in 2010 that she would be joining the Senate India Caucus, which was founded in 2004 by Senators Hillary Clinton and John Cornyn. Congressman Joe Crowley, the Caucus' co-chair, made three appearances on the Riti Bhalla Special and inducted several congressmen into the India Caucus.
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