The South Asian Impact Foundation (Impact) and the North American Association of Indian Students (NAAIS) announced the launch of NaVOTEri, a new initiative aimed at encouraging civic engagement among South Asian American youth.
Launched on National Voter Registration Day, the initiative is set to reach over 15,000 young people across the United States, during the Navratri festival season.
Navratri an annual Hindu festival observed in honor of the goddess is typically celebrated by performing garba, a traditional dance. As part of the NaVOTEri campaign, the organizers aim to host garba events on college campuses during which attendees will be encouraged to register to vote and commit to voting.
“Young South Asian Americans are a growing force in our electorate,” said Chintan Patel, executive director of the South Asian Impact Foundation. “With NaVOTEri, we’re making sure they understand the power of their vote and how it can shape the future of their communities. By sponsoring these cultural celebrations, we’re making it easy and fun for South Asian youth to pledge to vote.”
NAAIS executive director Sudhanshu Kaushik emphasized the critical role that student clubs and cultural events play in engaging young voters. “We believe that every cultural event presents a powerful opportunity for students to make an immediate impact on their communities, starting with voting,” Kaushik said.
“Since the launch, we’ve seen incredible enthusiasm from college clubs eager to integrate civic responsibility into their member experiences,” he added.
In addition to event sponsorships, the initiative includes the launch of a voter resources hub at www.desisvote.org, where users can check their registration status, make a voting plan, and access promotional materials to encourage voter engagement.
Impact, a national nonprofit, focuses on fostering civic engagement within the South Asian American community to create a more inclusive democracy and advocate for policies benefiting historically marginalized groups.
NAAIS, on the other hand, is dedicated to promoting the social and civic representation of students and young professionals of Indian origin across the United States, mobilizing them to become active participants in their communities.
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