[i]Desis[/i] running for US office

[Saddle Bronc 124]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/us_ele...008/7684090.stm

Ashwin Madia (left) is up against it in Minnesota

South Asians seek US political power

By Brajesh Upadhyay

BBC News, Washington

Not long after Bobby Jindal became the youngest current governor in the United States, another young Indian American is locked in one of the toughest congressional contests in the country.

Democrat Ashwin Madia, a 30-year-old Iraq veteran and currently a civil lawyer specialising in intellectual property, has taken on an established Republican leader for a seat in Minnesota held by the Republicans since 1960.

If he wins, Mr Madia will still be only the third Indian American to enter the US Congress - but the surge may have just begun.

Confident, well-groomed and well-heeled, more and more second generation South Asians are quitting the beaten track of medicine, computers and business to embrace politics as a career in the US.

Unlike the earlier generation, they want a seat at the political table.

'Culture'

Twenty-seven-year old Sai Reddy, an India-American real estate agent from Atlanta, got hooked on politics after listening to President Bill Clinton in 2000.

His elder brother ran for secretary of state in 2006 in Georgia, and now he himself devotes lot of time to state politics.

"Those of us born and raised here realise what's at stake for our community, our culture and preserving our futures in this country," says Mr Reddy.

His views are echoed by Michael Thakur, a lawyer in Ohio, who takes time off from work to volunteer for Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama's campaign across several states.

"Slowly but surely, a lot of young South Asian Americans are entering politics and running for elective office in the country," he says. So does he intend to do the same?

"Maybe soon. I have a steady job at a law firm but I realise it's important to be involved in public service," says Mr Thakur.

Both Democratic and Republican campaigns now have a sizeable South Asian presence and in the Obama campaign Indian Americans like Hari Sevugan and Preeta Bansal are among the top advisers.

Hillary Clinton had Neera Tandon, another Indian American, as one of her close aides.

The rise in voter numbers, too, has compelled political parties and candidates to respond to the growing clout of South Asian immigrants.

Mr Obama went to the extent of calling himself a Desi who can cook great dal!

"I realise it's important to be involved in public service"--Lawyer Michael Thakur

Role model

In fact, there are many who believe that Mr Obama's phenomenal success will entice more immigrants to the political arena.

Ramesh Kapoor, a prominent Democrat fundraiser, is one of them.

"Because Obama is from the minority community, a lot of people were charged up thinking, 'if this person can be the presidential nominee, we too can aspire for such heights'," says Mr Kapoor.

There are also some who are looking at it as an opportunity they could just dream of back home.

Mr Pasha relishes the chance to take part in local politics

Athar Pasha left Karachi 40 years ago and landed in Texas. He says in Pakistan he never saw a free and fair election and it was always the army generals who called the shots.

"So, after becoming a US citizen me and my family embraced this opportunity as Allah's gift and now we participate actively in local politics," says Mr Pasha, an Obama supporter.

He says his 21-year-old son is a lot more active and he wouldn't be surprised if he makes it into big-time politics.

But at the same time there's also a growing realisation that despite all their financial muscle, South Asians haven't had a cabinet-level appointment to date.

Thirty-seven-year-old Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, who came close to being nominated for vice-president and is considered a rising star within the Republican party, is the only Indian American name recognised at the national level.

Groups like the Indian American Leadership Initiative are working hard to bridge this gap and had a big event at the Democratic National Convention in Denver to boost support for Ashwin Madia.

There are many who say South Asians may be following the same path of first gaining economic stability and then getting involved in the civic process like other immigrants in American history.

What's unique, maybe, is the sudden pace it has acquired.

Bobby Jindal has raised the bar for South Asians in US politics

[almaty 19]

desis, ftw!!!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

desis, ftw!!!

You should know that term by now, Dean

[IAMX 3,055]

Like the great Keith Ellison being the first Muslim into the House, this trend this certainly is not good news for your any of the typical "I'm afraid of anything different than me" xenophobes here.

Edited October 23, 2008 by SRVT

[almaty 19]

desis, ftw!!!

You should know that term by now, Dean

i do ..thanks to you and arijit

[SpiritAlight 1]

Second thread with that word.

Desi.

As far as the rest of that article, although I like hearing that kind of news, when will people look beyond race/colour?

People are people....

What a silly question.

Please ignore.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

As far as the rest of that article, although I like hearing that kind of news, when will people look beyond race/colour?

People are people....

What a silly question.

Please ignore.

[mawilson 2,133]

Desis are taking over US Congress....run for your life!

[almaty 19]

Second thread with that word.

Desi.

As far as the rest of that article, although I like hearing that kind of news, when will people look beyond race/colour?

People are people....

What a silly question.

Please ignore.

why do you hate desi?

[SpiritAlight 1]

Second thread with that word.

Desi.

As far as the rest of that article, although I like hearing that kind of news, when will people look beyond race/colour?

People are people....

What a silly question.

Please ignore.

why do you hate desi?

Honestly, really, truly...whats iz iiit?

[bhajishah 4]

Well there you go sri!!

[Imua 0]

'Desi' is a very useful term - you could also say 'South Asian' I guess but then some people get confused and lump Southeast Asian countries together with Indian, Nepali etc. It's good to remind people that not all 'Indian' people are Indian. If you call some Nepalis 'Indian' then watch out....

[Imua 0]

Second thread with that word.

Desi.

As far as the rest of that article, although I like hearing that kind of news, when will people look beyond race/colour?

People are people....

What a silly question.

Please ignore.

why do you hate desi?

Honestly, really, truly...whats iz iiit?

from wikipedia:

Desi (or Deshi; pronounced [ˈd̪eːsi] or [ˈd̪eːʃi], Hindi: देसी, Urdu: دیسی, Punjabi: ਦੇਸੀ, دیسی) is a word originally from Sanskrit literally meaning "from the country" or "of the country". In North America and Great Britain, desi is used colloquially to mean South Asian immigrants and their descendants. It is mainly used by those of South Asian origins themselves, rarely by the majority population, and carries a subtext of inclusiveness and unity. It allows South Asians to refer to their broader immigrant community, rather than requiring a specific, nationalistic label such as "Indian" or "Pakistani". As such, its connotations are positive, alluding to the shared values, bonds and experiences of descendants of the entire region.

This self-referential colloquialism was created in the United Kingdom during the early 1960s to late 1980s and, in the UK is sometimes pronounced "Dezi."

[franklie 0]

I believe Desi Arnaz was the original Desi.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

I believe Desi Arnaz was the original Desi.

Original term, as showed up in 1960's UK is derived from "swadesi", a movement integrally part of India's freedom-struggle from Britain.

Arnaz' moniker is simply a shortening of the Spanish (and his given) name "Desiderio".

Edited October 27, 2008 by CherryXS