Indians in American Administration: Emerging Dimensions
The Beginning
The Indian American community in the United States is over a million and a half strong, but this large number has grown from small beginnings and an expansion of immigration within the last thirty years.
The first Indian immigrant entered the United States in 1790 as a maritime worker, as part of the early commerce connections between India and the U.S. After that, the next noticeable groups of Indians came to the west- coast of the United States, in the state of Washington, entering from Canada. These early twentieth century immigrants were largely agricultural workers. In the early 1920s only about five thousand Indians resided in the Unites States. During that time Indians were denied citizenship and the right to own land in many states. After World War II, the U.S. desire for more professionals, particularly doctors, engineers, and entrepreneurs, facilitated the immigration of Indians. In 1946, the Indian Citizenship Bill, co-sponsored in a bipartisan effort of Congressmen Emmanuel Celler and Clare Booth Luce, legalized the ability of Indian immigrants to seek naturalization and granted India a token quota of one hundred immigrants annually.
When the Immigration Act of 1965 lifted immigrant quotas that had been in place for more than fifty years, the entry of Indians into the United States increased during the late 1960s and 70s. In 1960, estimates showed only five thousand Indians were in the United States, but by 1970, this population had grown to approximately three hundred and fifty thousand. The 1990 U.S. Census records the number of Indian-Americans at 815, 447, and between the 1980 and 1990 Census, the annual growth rate of the community was 8.5 percent.
According to the estimate of the Population Reference Bureau, the Indian American population has grown by 103% in 1980-90, a growth rate second only to the Chinese among Asian American ethnic groups, and by 55% in 1990-97, second only to the Vietnamese. As a result the Indian American population numbered 2.5m in 2000, (as per 2000 census) making it the third largest Asian American ethnic group in the US, after the Chinese and the Filipino Americans, outstripping the Japanese. Certainly, the Indian American community in the United States has experienced a remarkable transformation from its modest beginnings.
The 1990 U.S. Census published some revealing information about the Indian American community. * Indians have attained a high level of education. Eighty-five percent of them have at least graduated from high school, and fifty-eight percent of them have received a bachelor's degree or higher. This is an impressive level of higher education, especially when compared with the twenty percent of the total population who hold a bachelor's degree or higher. High levels of education have enabled Indian Americans to become a productive segment of the population, with 72.3% participating in the work force, and an even higher 84% of men doing so. Of these labor force participants, 43.6% are employed in managerial and professional specialties. Technical, sales, and administrative support occupations constitute another 33.2% of the labor force, and the remaining 23.3% of the population works in other areas, such as operators, fabricators, laborers and precision production. Higher labor participation rates have also led to a higher per capita income of $17,777.00 for this community, as compared with a national per capita income of $14,143.00 The mean earnings of Indian-American households in 1989 was $56,438.6. In contrast, the poverty rate for Indian-Americans is only 9.7 percent, lower than the national average 13 percent. Considering the size of the population and income figures, it is estimated that the annual buying power of Indian-Americans in the United States is around twenty billion dollars. The average Indian-American family has 3.83 people, and 89.2 percent of this population is married-couple families. To extrapolate, this indicates the importance of family-centered life for the Indian-American community, as most Indian families consist of a husband, wife and their two children.
Not only is the Indian American Community strong in its numbers, facts and figures, but more importantly in the successful endeavors it has ventured to undertake over a spectrum. Large Indian-American communities exist in every state in the nation, the five largest in California, Texas, New York, New Jersey and Illinois, with populations of over 60,000. The Washington D. C. metropolitan area has a community of over 50,000 people. Moreover, Asian Indians are the largest of Asian American ethnic groups in New Jersey, the second largest after the Chinese Americans in New York and Maryland, and after Filipinos in Illinois, and the third largest after Vietnamese and Chinese in Texas. The Indian American community has strength and unity, as is illustrated by the over 1,000 Indian-American organizations across the country. These organizations engage in a wide range of activities, from cultural festivals and civic work to political activism. Not simply separate groups, many of them belong to larger, unifying umbrella organizations, such as the National Federation of Indian-American Associations (NFIA), the American Indian Associations (AIA), and the Indian American Forum for Political Education (IAFPE), which enables them to pursue their interests in a more cohesive and effective manner.
In their occupations, Indian-Americans have attained a high degree of professionalism. They are most prevalent in the fields of science and technology. Indian-Americans are also very involved in academia. Over five thousand Indian-American faculty members are teaching at various universities around the nation. Indian-Americans have also become successful entrepreneurs, and many of the hotels and motels in the United States are owned by Indian Americans. These entrepreneurs have established an organization, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, (AAHOA) to further their business goals through contact and cooperation with others. AAHOA has over four thousand members, and together these people own over fifty percent of the economy in the lodging sector, with approximately 640,000 rooms. In all, they own around 12,500 hotels, with a total market value of their properties estimated at $31b.11. Furthermore, 30,000 Indian-American medical doctors are practicing in the United States today. The first Indian to graduate from a medical school in the United States was a woman, Anandibai Joshee, who graduated from the Women's Medical College, Pennsylvania on March 11, 1886. These physicians have organized themselves through the American Association of Physicians from India (AAPI), a powerful grouping that enables them to better promote their interests, and have opened up a full time legislative office in Washington, D. C. on December 13. 1995. AAPI is particularly concerned with the future of Indian-American physicians and Indian medical health management organizations, where they may face subtle discrimination. AAPI's effort is reportedly the first of any Indian-American organization to set up a legislative office in Washington, D.C.
Second generation Indian-Americans born in the United States have demonstrated a strong commitment to pursuing higher education. Of the 16,873 U.S. born Indian-Americans between the ages of eighteen and twenty-four, 14,776 have graduated at least from high school. Furthermore, 10,965 of them have received a college education. With approximately sixty-five percent of this age group having attained some college education, clearly young Indian-Americans in the United States, following the example set by their parents, are interested in bettering themselves and securing a comfortable position for themselves in the community. Moreover, this new generation of Indian-Americans is pursuing more diverse professional interests. While Indian-Americans have traditionally felt most comfortable entering fields of science and technology these young people are now more aggressively pursuing careers in the social sciences and liberal arts, as well as the traditional sciences. As Indian-Americans branch out into different occupational fields, this diversity will only enhance the strength of the community.
In addition to being a great professional force in many realms, Indian-Americans have also become a strong voting force in the United States. According to the 1990 U.S. Census, of the 593,423 foreign-born Indian-Americans, 34.3% of them have been naturalized. Along with the other 212,021 United States born Indian-Americans who are already U.S. citizens, the Indian-American community comprises a formidable voting force. Certainly, these numbers have increased a great deal in the past six years, as more Indian-American have chosen to undergo the naturalization process, and their voting power is growing . Moreover, by the end of 2010, it will be around three million Indian-Americans in the United States, making them an even more formidable voting force .
More voting power has also led Indian-Americans to become increasingly involved in the political system of the United States. Indian-Americans have traditionally exercised the most political influence through their campaign contributions, and are actively involved in fundraising efforts for political candidates on the federal, state and local levels. In recent years, they have begun taking a more direct role in politics, as well as continuing to help through their financial contributions. Perhaps the highest profile effort to play a direct role in politics is by Kumar Barve, a US born Indian American, a Delegate for several terms in the Maryland assembly. Several Indian-Americans have held the position of mayor. Examples are Bala K. Srinivas in Hollywood Park, Texas, John Abraham in Teaneck, New Jersey, and Arun Jhaveri in Burien, Washington. Like these leaders, more and more Indian-Americans have the courage, ambition and resources to pursue election for public office. Indian-Americans have also been appointed to various levels of government by the Clinton Bush - Obama Administrations. Their appointment and participation in the American Administration also gradually and remarkably increased under these Presidencies. Indian-Americans are working at all levels of the political spectrum, and their efforts, particularly in grassroots movements, are growing.
The Indian American community is rapidly emerging as a political force and also helping to promote a better understanding of the policies followed by the Government of India. There was a remarkable moment during the recent Obama-Singh meeting in Washington that was barely captured by the cameras. As the two leaders met for their one-on-one, Singh's principal assistant and note-taker was his private secretary Jaideep Sarkar, a young gun of the Indian Foreign Service. No surprise there. And aiding Obama? Anish Goel, a senior staffer of the National Security Council and a rising star of the US foreign service. Similarly, when the US side engaged New Delhi on Af-Pak issues, the Indians found, much to their surprise, that the Senior Defense Advisor to Richard Holbrooke, the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan was Vikram Singh.
It's a sight that has become increasingly common in Washington - Indian-Americans and Americans of East Indian origin walking the corridors of power that were once an all-American domain, with an occasional black or latino interlude. It's a development neither New Delhi nor Washington want to read too much into - other than the fact that the United States, like India, has the rare ability to absorb foreigners, minorities, and immigrants into the mainstream without much effort, an idea that is both foreign and anathema to countries such as Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and China.
"That's just the way this country is," an Indian-American who now holds a senior position in the Obama administration said, recoiling at the idea of a story on the new tribe of desi pols. "Just as people of European, East Asian and African ancestry made their mark without a splash, so too will people of Indian origin. To see that as anything else will be a disservice to both India and America."
ARNIE TO ALBRIGHT
Indeed, no one makes much of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Austrian origin or Madeleine Albright's Czech lineage or Bill Richardson's Hispanic background. The idea of America as a melting pot has advanced so much that no one even considers the fact that Barack Obama is, strictly speaking, ethnically, half Kenyan. In fact, Albright and Schwarzenegger could never become the US President because they were not born in the United States; Obama, who was born in the US, could, and so can Louisiana-born Bobby Jindal, despite their more "foreign" origins and looks.
But Pakistanis who agitated at what they see as the "Indian influence" in the US, or the Chinese, who are less demonstrative but are equally leery. Last month, ahead of Manmohan Singh's US visit, Pakistani ambassador to Washington Hussain Haqqani produced 26 as the number of Indian-Americans serving in Obama's administration. "Pakistan is wary of the Indo-US relationship, which is robust and multifaceted," Haqqani told a meeting of US lawmakers and staffers. "Facts like these naturally make Pakistan nervous."
Edge Over China
Totally there are 26 Indian-Americans serving in Obama Administration. Twenty six might include support staff, interns etc, but it's a fact that Obama's has more Indian-Americans in senior positions than any US government. While there is some talk of Obama's special regard for Indian-Americans (with overheated tales of his passion for desi cuisine and familiarity with its culture), the fact is there has been an incremental increase in the profile of Indian-Americans in the administration, politics, and public life in successive presidencies from Clinton to Bush to Obama, in keeping with their rising numbers (2.5 million now) and growing success. The Chinese are more numerous (3.2 million), but Indians, with their familiarity with Democratic traditions and better facility with English leading to better assimilation, seem to be doing well in the political sphere.
While young professionals of Indian-origin first began to dot the Hill as interns and staffers to US lawmakers in the 1990s, the otherwise negative noughties have seen them, in large numbers, take giant positive strides into the administration, where many desi uber-whizzes are now making and executing policies while their peer Indian-Americans on the Hill oversee legislative activity. Many Indian-American parents consider it a badge of honour to have kids serving as interns on the Hill or in the White House.
TOP INDIANS IN THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION
RAJIV SHAH - USAID administrator
RICHARD VERMA - Assistant secretary for legislative affairs at the state department
RO KHANNA - Deputy assistant secretary for domestic operations of the US and Foreign
Commercial Service, International Trade Administration
VIVEK KUNDRA - Federal chief information officer
ANEESH CHOPRA - First chief technology officer
ARUN MAJUMDAR - Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy in the
US department of energy
PREET BHARARA - US attorney for Southern District of New York.
NEAL KATYAL - Principal deputy solicitor general
RAJESH DE - Deputy assistant attorney general, US Department of Justice
SONAL SHAH - Deputy Assistant to the President, Director, Office of SICP, Domestic Policy Council
FARAH PANDITH - US special representative to Muslim communities
ANJU BHARGAVA - Member, faith-based advisory council
RAJEN ANAND - Executive Director, Policy, USDA Center for Nutrition and Promotion
Subash Iyer Special Assistant Karen Mills, Administrator of US Small Business Association.
Nick Rathod Director to the Office of Inter-Governmental Affairs
Arti Rai Member of the Agency Review Team on Science, Technology, Space, Arts and Humanities.
Anjan Mukherjee One of several leads on the Economics and International Trade Agency Review Team
Parag Mehta Dy.Director of Inter-governmental Affairs and Public Liaison for several Minority Groups.
Rachana Bhowmik Member of Obma's Legislative Council handling Civil Liberties and National Security Issues.
Subhasri Ramanathan Member of State National Security, Defence, Intelligence and Arms Control Agency Review Teams along with Rachana, Natasha and Puneet.
Natasha Bilimoria Executive Director of Friends of Global Fight against AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis
Puneet Talwar Senior Staff of Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Preeta Bansal General Counsel and Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Subra Suresh Director, National Science Foundation.
Rashad Hussain Washington's Special Envoy to the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC)
GRASSROOTS POLITICIANS TO WATCH
RAJ GOYLE - Democrat, Kansas
KAMALA HARRIS - District attorney, San Francisco
THOSE TO WATCH FROM BUSINESS AND MEDIA
INDRA NOOYI - CEO, PepsiCo
FAREED ZAKARIA - Editor of Newsweek International and host, CNN's GPS
Conclusion
The transition team of the newly elected US President has roped in a number of Indian-Americans, mostly specialists and leading academicians, to assist the Democrats in assuming the responsibilities of the administration. As we have discussed the participation of Indians in the Obama-Biden administration is more than any other previous administrations. In fact, at least half dozen Indian-Americans are running for Congress, 2010 elections also to the US House of Representatives. The fact that most aspirants are in the 27-40 age group augurs well for the Indian-American political future. Then there are others running for offices ranging from Governor (Nikki Haley Randhawa in South Carolina) to Attorney General (Kamala Harris in California) to State Comptroller (Raja Krishnamoorthi, Illinois). Anyone could turn out to be a future desi Obama. There are Indian-Americans who are widely tipped as lateral entrants at a future date - among them Fareed Zakaria, who has been spoken of as a putative Secretary of State, and Indra Nooyi, whose experience as CEO of Pepsi marks out her as a future appointee in the Department of Commerce. So, to the question of a person of Indian-origin sitting behind the "Resolute Desk" in the Oval Office of the White House it would appear the answer is not if, but when. And when it happens, the Obama success in the US will be seen as the turning point in the political history of the country.
References
1. United States Census, 1990
2. United States Census, 2000
3. Times of India
4. HindustanTimes
5. The Hindu
6. Snipp, C Mathews, American Indians: The First of its Land, National Committee for Research Publication, Washington, 1990.
7. DeMallie, Raymond, Hand Book of North American Indians, US Department of Commerce, Washington,2001.
8. Cunningham, Andrew, Cyclopedia of American government, D Appleton & Co. New York, 1998.
9. www.newsamericanmedia.org
Indians in American Administration: Emerging Dimensions
By: S.BALAMURUGAN Looking for a Javea Villa Holiday Advantageous Essays Regarding Recommendations On How To Learn About Budget Air Travel Prices Three Main Benefits Of Opting For The Myrtle Beach Condo Rentals How To Travel In And Around Lilongwe Help Guide Concerning Packages And Comfortable Trips While Booking Airlines For Las Vegas Traveller Information Relative To Concession & Amiable Staff For Planes For Las Vegas Traveller Information Related To Concession Combined With Discounts While Booking Airlines For Las V Villas In France Helpful Compositions On Tips On How To Learn About Economical Air Travel Tickets Villas In Florida Travelling with Mulberry bags - a safety insurance to enjoy your holiday all over the world Villas In Canaris Islands Villas In Egypt