The Indian Panorama

Tag: Indian American Voters Forum

  • Grand Republic Day Celebration on Long Island

    Grand Republic Day Celebration on Long Island

    LONG ISLAND, NY (TIP): The Coalition of Indian Organizations of Long Island celebrated the 69th Republic Day of India on January 31, attended by the Consul General of India in New York, Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty, judges of NY Supreme Court, public officials at the local and state level as well as who’s who of the Indian community on the island.

    The rare event bringing fourteen Indian organizations of Long Island under one umbrella along with the largest gathering of the American dignitaries was the brainchild of Varinder Bhalla, Chairman of the Indian American Voters Forum, and the culmination of inspiration and support by Ambassador Chakravorty. The community responded enthusiastically packing the Clinton G Martin Hall in New Hyde Park to capacity.

    (From L to R): Dr. Ajay Lodha, former President of the American Association of Physicians from India, Emcee & Event Coordinator Ratna Bhalla, Hempstead Town Clerk Sylvia Cabana and Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen presenting a Citation to Ambassador Chakravorty, with Varinder Bhalla.

    The participants were the Association of Indians in America represented by its national President Dr. Urmilesh Arya, and its NY Chapter represented by its President Gobind Munjal; the Arya Samaj of Long Island represented by its Founder Veer Mukhi; Asa Mai Temple represented by Founder Gobind Bathija; Brahmakumaris of Long Island represented by Anjani Persaud; the Federation of Malayalee Associations represented by its Chairman Thomas Oommen; the Gujrati Samaj of New York represented by its President Minesh Patel; Indian American Physicians of Long Island represented by Dr. Rakesh Dua & Dr. Ajay Lodha; the India Association of Long Island represented by its President Gunjan Rastogi; the Indian American Voters Forum represented its Chairman & the event coordinator Varinder Bhalla; International Punjabi Society represented by President Dr. Rajinder Uppal; Rajasthan Association of North America represented by President Dr. Ajey Jain; SPARK Youth Club of New York represented by its Founder Dr. Himanshu Pandya; the World Spiritual Awareness Forum Inc. represented by Rakesh Bhargava and the World Malayalee Association represented by its President Koshy Oommen.

    (From L to R): Ratna Bhalla, State Senator Elaine Phillip honoring Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty with a Proclamation from the Senate of New York, First Lady of the India Consulate Taruna Chakravorty, and Event Chair Varinder Bhalla.

    New York Supreme Court Justices Denise Sher & Ruth Balkin represented the judiciary; NY Senator Elaine Phillips presented a Senate Proclamation to Ambassador Chakravorty; Nassau County was represented by its Legislature Majority Leader Rich Nicolello and Legislator Tom McKevitt. Also in attendance was Nassau County Comptroller Jack Schnirman who was profusely applauded for including a Hindu prayer in his inaugural program earlier in the month.

    Hempstead Township, larger than seven States of America, was represented by its Town Clerk Sylvia Cabana and Supervisor Laura Gillen, the first Democrat in over a century elected to that post. On January 26, Gillen hoisted the Indian tricolor flag atop the Town Hall.

    Gillen also presented a Citation to Ambassador Chakravorty honoring the 68th anniversary of the India Republic Day. Another Republic Day Citation was presented to the Ambassador on behalf of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino.

    Niketa Bhatia, who successfully petitioned the Syosset School District to have the Festival of Diwali designated as an official holiday was honored with a Citation from the Oyster Bay Township.

    The highlight of the cultural segment was a performance by the artists of the Surati for Performing Arts, nationally acclaimed group which has performed at the Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, and the United Nations among others. The Indian kids in the tricolor dresses enthralled the Indian audience and the American dignitaries alike. Manav Khurana, 13, a self-taught dholak player at the age of 8, captivated the audience with his stellar performance.

    The pageantry of the Republic Day event was enhanced by bagpipers of Nassau County Firefighters Band which had earlier played at the Trump Presidential Inaugural in Washington DC and in Europe on the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.

    (Press Release)

     

  • County Executive Candidate Laura Curran Interviewed by Indian American Voters Forum

    County Executive Candidate Laura Curran Interviewed by Indian American Voters Forum

    MINEOLA, NY (TIP): Indian American Voters Forum made history when its panel consisting of prominent community leaders interviewed Laura Curran, the Democratic Party nominee for Nassau County Executive, with more such interviews in the pipeline. The purpose of the prescreening session was to determine the candidate’s election platform, experience, and electability, as well as her understanding of the issues and concerns of the Indian community.

    The interview was moderated by Varinder Bhalla, chairman of the Indian American Voters Forum with a panel consisting of Dr. Ajay Lodha, former President of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, Dr. Sunil Mehra, former President of AAPIQLI and India Association of Long Island (IALI), Ratna Bhalla, former Deputy Commissioner of Nassau County, Gunjan Rastogi, Vice President of IALI, Sunil Modi, former President AIA NY Chapter, Beena Kothari, former President IALI, and Vijay Verma, a philanthropist and entrepreneur.

    “In view of recent corruption scandals in Nassau County and Oyster Bay, what specific steps will you take to ensure there is transparency and accountability in your administration; and corruption is rooted out in our government?” asked Dr. Lodha.

    Curran’s response: “Launching a new era of transparency, I will appoint an independent inspector general to oversee all contracts; every county check written to a vendor will be posted online. I plan to hire the best and the brightest to work in our government and all hiring decisions will be made based on what you know and not on who you know.”

    “NIFA was brought in the year 2000, temporarily to oversee the County’s finances and put its fiscal condition in order. Seventeen years later, NIFA is still there with no improvement in the situation. What is your approach to solve the ongoing fiscal problems of Nassau County?”, Dr. Mehra enquired.

    Curran, a former trustee of Baldwin school board, claims she has her plan. “At the governmental level, we will make our best efforts to grow the tax base, attract businesses to Nassau County and develop affordable housing so our young professionals don’t leave. We will also look at the entire budget line by line.”

    “All of us like to bet on a winning horse. What are your chances of winning the primary against George Maragos in September and then winning against Jack Martins in the general election?”, asked Bhalla.

    Curran declared, “I am the official nominee of the Democratic Party and have been endorsed by Congressman Tom Suozzi, Congresswoman Kathleen Rice and former Congressman Steve Israel, as well as Assemblyman Charles Lavine and State Senators Todd Kaminsky and John Brooks. I also have the support of the Working Families Party and several Labor Unions.” As per reports filed with New York State Board of elections, Curran raised nearly three quarters of a million dollars compared to less than $3,500 raised by her opponent George Maragos.

    Responding to Gunjan Rastogi’s question about appointment of Indian Americans in her administration, Curran assured the panel that all high level appointments will be merit based and not political and serious consideration will be given to qualified Indian Americans. She also assured the panel that she would take steps for increased contracting opportunities for minority businesses.

    Curran, a second-term legislator from Baldwin, submitted 27,304 signed petitions, believed to be the most ever submitted by a Democratic county executive candidate. The Democratic nominee also submitted petitions to run on the Working Families and Women’s Equality lines. Her opponent George Maragos, a Republican turned Democrat who is serving his second term as comptroller, submitted 20,241 petitions. The winner of the September primary will face former state Senator and Republican nominee Jack Martins in November.

    Curran patiently answered tough questions on several issues – including high property taxes and hate crimes –  to the satisfaction of the interview panel.

    Indian American Voters Forum is a bipartisan committee of community activists, not beholden to any political party. Founded in 2003, the Forum has conducted debates among candidates running in the local elections, and has also been instrumental in recruiting several congressional leaders to join India Caucus in US Congress.

    For more information about this news release, please contact Varinder K. Bhalla at VarinderBhalla@gmail.com or 516.680.8037.