IAPAC reception signals growing role with reception for elected officials

Date: 02/05/2010

IAPAC reception signals growing role with reception for elected officials

 

By Haider Kazim

 

Houston: The Indo-American Political Action Committee (IAPAC) on Friday honored elected officials at a reception that indicated the organization’s gradual rise as a credible political force in Greater Houston area.

For the second year running, over 40 elected officials attended the reception held on January 29 at India House. The large number of officials and community activists was an acknowledgement of IAPAC’s lead role in the community’s growing participation in the political process. Congressman Al Green expressed this in unequivocal terms at the reception.

“We knew it that IAPAC is the way to City Hall. But IAPAC is also the way to Congress and will be the way to many elected offices in future,” said the US Congressman who regularly addresses Indo-American events and is considered close to the community.

Newly elected Houston Mayor Annise Parker, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, Fort Bend County Commissioner James Paterson and Judge Jim Richards, Stafford Mayor Pro Tem Ken Mathew and Councilman Robin Elackatt were among the elected officials honored at the reception.

Consul General Arora complimented IAPAC for its achievements and presented books on Gandhi-King legacy for IAPAC to give to elected officials.

Founded in 1995, IAPAC has been holding seminars, debates and networking events to increase awareness among community members of the need to participate in the political process and excel as they have done in other professions.

Judge Emmett gave the oath of office to IAPAC’s new board comprised of businessmen and professionals.

Ramesh Anand took over as IAPAC president for 2010 and promised to take the organization to the next level. He announced that IAPAC will hold seminars and breakfast networking events every month and said that the first such seminar would be held on health care followed by on immigration reforms.

He said: “IAPAC’s primary objective is to be the medium of outreach and the point of interface between the groups it is intended to serve within the US and facilitate issues of bi-lateral interest between the United States and India. In 2010, IAPAC will aggressively pursue various outreach initiatives in the form of seminars, town hall meeting, networking events and many more. IAPAC will work closely with various Indo-American and local organizations the Houston and also establish enhanced relationships with similar Indo-American political organizations in other parts of the country while mentoring Indo-Americans in Greater Houston for public offices.”

Gitesh Desai, the outgoing President who actively worked throughout the year, said: “I was committed to working with each and every organization to help them for any political needs. We provided the platform not only to all of them, but also to all individuals in the community.”

He said IAPAC had reached “the next higher level” with the support of all community organizations and members and offered to work with the new president “to increase the political awareness in our community.”

Dinesh Shah, President-elect for 2011, said IAPAC would play an active role 2010 election year called for greater participation by the 120,000-strong community in Greater Houston area.

“Today, we enjoy the highest per-capita income of all minorities and have successfully built cultural, social and religious organizations. We can do a lot better with one voice,” he said. “It is time to work together and to realize our potential is now for our continued growth and future. IAPAC can help achieve these goals, when we all get united and get involved in the process.”

For more than a decade ago, IAPAC, under the leadership of several Indo-Americans, has encouraged political participation. The highlights of the activities in the past 12 years include support for the first Indo-American Neil Dhillon, who ran from Maryland, a fundraiser for Bobby Jindal, and assistance given to Jay Aiyer, Tom Abraham, Sonal Bhuchar, Ken Mathew, Manisha Mehta, Neeta Sane, Ravi K. Sandill and Robin Elackatt in their campaigns. The mainstream political efforts include Houston mayoral debates in 2003 and 2009, City of Sugar Land mayoral debate in 2008, the 2006 Gala, and many receptions with elected officials. IAPAC has also organized receptions for Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson and Senator John Cornyn, Congressman Tom Delay, Congressman Nick Lampson and Congressman Pete Olson. IAPAC is also working with other Indo-American political group in the United States and other political groups of the Jewish and Chinese communities.