Re: First Indian-American governer in US (Louisiana)?
http://www.littleindia.com/december2004/JindalGoestoWashington.htm
Re: First Indian-American governer in US (Louisiana)?
All desis should be ashamed of this Jindal guy just for having this ridiculous name Piyush. Piyush in India is a sweet lassi-like drink.
Re: First Indian-American governer in US (Louisiana)?
I think you mistaking Piyush with Payas or Payasam(in South India) which is a kheer like drink.
Re: First Indian-American governer in US (Louisiana)?
Submit your resume if interested in reforming Louisiana
http://www.louisianatransition.com/apply_online.aspx
Piyush means Nectar
Re: First Indian-American governer in US (Louisiana)?
The exciting thing about this news is Bobby Jindal unlike Arnold Schwarzenegger is born in the US. Thus he will most likely run for President in 2016 or 2020. There is a good chance of him being a 2 term governor and by 2015 he will have his options open and if Hillary and Obama were in the White house till 2016 the Republicans will also want to match the Democrats by opening the field for non-white or female candidates and Jindal could be the young (45 in 2016) successful governor from the South seeking to bring the Republicans back in the White house after 8 years of Democrats.
I fully agree. In an ideal world with the white house going to the democrats for 2 terms and republican Bobby Jindal not screwing up in two terms either, this is a very likely scenario. He will make a run in about 8 years.
Bobby is a very ambitious man who is also very smart. I think he will play his cards right. I do not agree with his conservative views but I will cheer because a person on my color was elected to public office. We need more representation.
Re: First Indian-American governer in US (Louisiana)?
didnot Pakistani lobby worked very hard to defeat him in rerun last time? He was eventually defeated by that white democrat Aunty.
Re: First Indian-American governer in US (Louisiana)?
maybe hes not so pro-Indian now, seems like it from his statements anyway
Re: First Indian-American governer in US (Louisiana)?
maybe hes not so pro-Indian now, seems like it from his statements anyway
He visited India prior to George Bush's visit.
Re: First Indian-American governer in US (Louisiana)?
[quote="fair_balance"]
didnot Pakistani lobby worked very hard to defeat him in rerun last time? He was eventually defeated by that white democrat Aunty.
[/QUOTEs]
Did they do this time too?
Where is the Indian dream?
Bobby Jindal's victory in Louisiana is being celebrated in India as an 'Indian success' story, although he stands for realizing an American dream, is essentially a part of the Latin Christian American social milieu and has proved himself worthy to be an instrument for America success. His family had moved to the US in pursuit of better chances of growth. A grown-up Bobby hardly kept any connection with his village or relatives in India, never helped them or joined in their joys or sorrows. He visited India on the eve of his victory, to create a warm atmosphere for President Bush's upcoming visit and lobby for the Indo-US nuke deal, although he knew majority of Indian Parliamentarians are against it.
His complete American personae became his strength to win in an American election making US citizens of Indian origin go ecstatic. It's a victory of Indian perseverance, brilliance, adaptability and loyalty to the nation they're born in. 'We are not like those who bomb and maul the country which provided shelter to them' said one NRI.
Even a Bill Clinton quote did the second round exhibiting hopes that this trend may result in seeing an Indian becoming a US President. A bit too far-fetched for a nation undecided about choosing a woman or a Black as their head of state after a four hundred year journey on democratic path, nevertheless it underlines the enthusiasm and hopes that a Jindal victory has sky-lined. I support Bobby's victory whole-heartedly, and it doesn't matter a bit to me whether he is a Christian or a Muslim or Hindu. He is a person of Indian origin, one of us, who made it big through his sweat and brilliance, and not through a 'family' connection, that itself should suffice to be proud of him. It has a lesson for us also - a lesson on how a Punjab da Munda - that boy from Punjab can become head of an American state but here we can't hope a Krishnamurthy to become Haryana's CM or a Gogoi to become Chief Minister in South India or Punjab. The only exception is through dynastic politics, the way an Italian became head of the Nehru family.
And here is an emailed comment from a staunch Hindu activist Vrndavan Parker of the Vedic Empire from US –'I want to congratulate Bobby Jindal on his victory. Despite his conversion to Christianity, as a teenager, this is obviously a historic moment for Indian-Americans. As a Southern American it may also be a landmark moment confirming that race is not as significant as it was once believed to be. It is hoped that his campaign's success will be followed with a positive and successful term as Governor of Louisiana. May more Indian-Americans stand up and succeed in making America as best as it can be'.
Our global presence and an increasing index of influence are through instruments of proving worthy to the adopted flag and anthem. It means earning a space through entrepreneurship in such a fashion that natives, the original inhabitants put more trust in our kith and kin than their own. Bobby did all this and more.
Surprisingly the caste and parochialism- ridden Indians have proved more liberal to non-Hindus than any other country on this planet. The entire Europe and the US is deeply engaged in an irreparable anti-Muslim attitude - just after 9/11. Here, even after centuries of Islamic barbarities and a Jihad witnessed daily, the Muslims are considered our blood and flesh. The quintessential element of our Indian-ness is defined by love and compassion and not by hate and assault and segregation on religious lines.
Nobody likes extremities amongst the Indian community. It was an ennobling experience to see Sarsanghchalak, the RSS chief sending Eid greeting cards to Muslims and our family receiving some of the most beautifully worded Navratra and Dussehra greetings from Muslim friends. On Durga Ashtami day I attended a lecture by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan at India Islamic Centre and it was a treat to listen to him speaking against violence and killings by Muslims the world over in the name of Islam and Jihad. To me, he looked like any Hindu saint explaining essentials of a harmonious living. In his Vijaya Dashmi day message, RSS Chief Sudarshan spoke about how terrorism is affecting Hindus, Muslims and Christians. He said, ' Not that only Hindus are being targeted. On 11th October a bomb exploded at Ajmer Sharif after Roja Iftar, killing two and injuring 20. Before that, the Samjhauta Express and the mosques in Malegaon, Hyderabad and Aurangabad were targeted, and those who were killed and injured were Muslims only. And recently on 17th October the traders who received parcels as presents were also Muslims. Outwardly, they appeared to be CD-players but inside them were 36 detonators that had the capacity to cause immense damage within a radius of 200 metres. This only proves that terrorists, whether Hindus, Muslims or Christian or those who claim to be followers of Sikh Gurus, are bereft of any religious values.'
This attribute to reach out in a friendly, congenial manner has always been present in the Hindu society. Our mark world over, from Angkorwat to Suvranbhumi region and Maya to Mesapotamia, bears testimony to it. It was only after the advent of intolerant and hateful preachers and compelling proselytisers from Islam and Christianity that for the first time in Hindu history re-conversions through the Shudhi movement were begun by Swami Dayananda, founder of Arya Samaj.
Like him, many Hindus from Gandhi to Hedgewar have felt that the positive and ennobler attributes shouldn't be allowed to become vehicles of cowardice and a pusillanimous compromise. That exactly is the raison d'etre of the growing strength and popularity of Hindu movements worldwide. The resistance to evil requires the power of a united front of all believers in civility and co-existence based on respect for a different view point. It goes beyond boundaries of ways of worship indeed. The escapist will not find the right address ever; only the patriotic people having an unflinching faith in their beliefs yet appreciating the neighbour's choice can be a solution to intolerant attitudes.
Today, the state's political instruments are failing the nation achieve that and the leaders in governance believe in segregated and divisive policies to achieve success. It needs to be repeatedly reminded that India gained global respect after Pokaran II, showed spine and refused to bow before sanctions, created indigenous super computers and proved invincible knowledge based prowess. It was, though more in financial and material segment. The true grit lies in controlling the political field as that powers every other engine of a nation's identity and life. Money and military strength plays an important role but doesn't decide the destiny of a people and their land. The political instruments are still colonised in a Macaulayist- Marxist mode.Castiesm and narrow regionalism kill the dynamism of an otherwise highly mobile people. The steps we take to shake off this yoke of a foreign origin slavish mind set and to make redundant blind adherence to vote-bank rituals, will alone decide the future course of an Indian dream.
While being happy seeing Bobby Jindal working so completely to realize an American dream, see homeward and feel how ecstatic the Italians must have felt seeing their daughter reigning supreme in an ancient land of a great civilisation making decisions affecting a billion citizens with many of their leaders prostrating before her for material gains and political space. She is a Roman Catholic of an Italian origin, yet ruling over majority Hindus and gets support from her party and media with a big chunk of Hindu editors, workers, ministers and voters. To understand the importance of it fully, it's like an Indian Hindu lady, sporting a big bindi, born in Bhopal who never had a graduation degree, becoming chief of the ruling Republicans in Washington through dynastic route in such a manner that NYT would write-she is the super President and not the one who has been nominated by her to occupy White House!!
That's what India has done and look what she has done to Indians. Does she represent an Indian dream?
She could get away doing a favour to Ottavio Quattrocchi and pushing the button to demolish Ram Setu, a bridge so deeply revered by the majority and have no remorse on seeing her colleague questioning the identity of Ram in the land where Ram symbolizes the nation and the all inclusiveness and abysmal plurality of the Ram Bhakta Hindus allowed her to come on top through a family Para- drop.
In the land of Statue de la Liberté Bobby can't even dream to do that to any Indian caught in his state for violating US laws or sanction a plan to defile places related to Jesus or George Washington while aligning with Communists, the fountainhead of anti-American hate. He has to prove, at every step, that he is a better person to honour and protect American sensitivities and dreams than those who are 'Americans of American origin'!
That's the difference between a powerful nation and her awakened, conscious people and a weak society living in self-denial so painfully visible from Kashmir to Kohima.
Re: First Indian-American governer in US (Louisiana)?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/27/AR2007102701088.html
A Dividing Line Springs Up From Jindal’s Milestone
Ethnicity, Conservative Views Debated by Indian Americans
By N.C. Aizenman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, October 28, 2007; Page A06
Ever since U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal was elected governor of Louisiana on Oct. 20, Indian Americans across the country have been debating whether to celebrate or turn up their noses.
Many feel downright giddy at the thought that for the first time, an Indian American will hold the top job in a state, particularly one in which less than two decades ago white supremacist David Duke won the votes of a majority of whites during his failed bid for governor.
But plenty of Indian Americans recoil at Jindal’s socially conservative views, such as the Republican’s support for banning abortion and teaching “intelligent design” in schools.
They are also gnawed by a sense that the Baton Rouge-born son of immigrants distanced himself from his heritage during the campaign. Noting that Jindal, 36, chose the nickname Bobby in place of his given name, Piyush, as a toddler and converted from Hinduism to Christianity in high school, some have accused him of being a “potato”: brown on the outside, white on the inside.
Whatever their views, “absolutely everybody is talking about this,” said Amardeep Singh, an English professor at Lehigh University and a contributor to Sepia Mutiny, one of several blogs serving South Asians that hosted discussions on the topic last week.
“It’s a soul-searching moment because it raises all these questions about identity and the kind of public profile that Indian Americans have to cut in order to succeed in American life,” Singh said.
As for himself, Singh, 33, who was born in New York and raised in Washington’s Maryland suburbs, confessed to deep ambivalence. As someone who tried to fit in during college by taking the nickname Deep but who has since tried to resurrect his given first name, Singh is pained that the first Indian American to win a governorship did so using the name Bobby. But Singh is also certain that Louisiana voters were under no illusions about Jindal’s ancestry.
Since waves of Indian immigrants began arriving in the United States in the late 1960s, the 2.5 million-strong Indian American community has emerged as one of the country’s most educated, successful and assimilated ethnic groups. And to some extent, the conversation over Jindal has cleaved along generational lines, with those who immigrated to the United States as adults strongly supporting him and those who came as children or who were born in the United States feeling conflicted.
For instance, Suresh C. Gupta, a physician who immigrated to Potomac in 1968, is a staunch Democrat, yet he was one of several Indian Americans who organized fundraisers for Jindal during his unsuccessful bid for the governor’s mansion in 2003.
“It doesn’t matter that Bobby is a Republican,” said Gupta, 65. “He is our child, and we need to support this next generation so that they can become leaders of this country and make us proud.”
Gupta’s ethnic solidarity, he added, was born of his struggle to establish himself in a land that was not always welcoming. If the second generation of Indian Americans is less elated by Jindal’s success, Gupta said, it’s only because “they had everything given to them. They have not known what it was like to come here and have to prove yourself every step of the way.”
Gupta, who did not have a fundraiser for Jindal this time but remained in touch with the campaign, was dismissive of complaints that Jindal rarely mentioned his ancestry on the stump. Indeed, in contrast with other candidates who have foreign-born parents, such as Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), Jindal often seemed to eschew discussion of race, asserting during one debate that “the only colors that matter here are red, white and blue.”
Nonetheless, Gupta insisted, “Bobby is one of us, and we will have access to him.”
Maitri Venkat-Ramani, 32, a scientist with an oil company in New Orleans, has little patience for such views. “My mother and I have been arguing about this on a daily basis,” Venkat-Ramani said with a laugh. “I keep telling her, just because [Jindal] looks like you doesn’t mean he is you or that he is going to act like you. So I don’t understand where all this pride is coming from.”
Venkat-Ramani, who came to the United States with her parents at age 16, said she also worries that when Indian Americans cheer for a candidate with whom they otherwise disagree merely because he shares their ethnicity, they are reinforcing the very color consciousness they want the rest of American society to reject.
Her views were echoed by several Indian Americans who work for organizations seeking to encourage more civic engagement by the community.
“I think it’s important that people have a more sophisticated analysis, that rather than just writing a check, they start to hold leaders accountable,” said Deepa Iyer, executive director of South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow.
Some Indian Americans who are active in the Democratic Party said they also worry that Jindal might help the GOP make deeper inroads among Indian Americans, who, in contrast with some minority groups, are not tightly affiliated with a party.
But Kumar P. Barve (D-Montgomery), the majority leader in the Maryland House of Delegates who in 1990 became the first Indian American elected to a state legislature, says that Jindal’s win will help Indian Americans of every political stripe because it will convince more prospective Indian American candidates that they can appeal to mainstream voters.
Part of the reason more Indian Americans are not in elected office, Barve said, is because they do not think it is worth trying to run. Jindal helped chip away at that notion in 2004, when he became the second Indian American elected to the U.S. House. Now that he has won statewide office, Barve said, “this will truly be a case of one boat lifting the tide for everyone.”
Re: First Indian-American governer in US (Louisiana)?
Republican Bobby Jindal, the nation's first Indian-American governor, was sworn in Monday in Louisiana and moved quickly to make good on a campaign promise to clean up the corrupt image of this hurricane-battered state.
Bobby Jindal will go down in America's history as its first Indian-American Governor.
During his inauguration celebrations, many members of Louisiana's Indian-American community could barely conceal their pride.
However, others say this pride is misplaced as the community celebrates a man who not only is a conservative Republican when the Diaspora majority vote goes to Democrats, but is staunchly Catholic and has a political record that is strongly anti-immigrant.
''Bobby Jindal does not see himself as an Indian-American. The Indian-American identity is the least important part of his political personality. His stand on immigration was most disturbing,'' said Muzaffar Chishti, Director, Migration Policy Institute.
''He voted with the most punitive immigration bill that passed in Congress which would criminalize all undocumented immigrants and those who assisted them, and would provide no path to citizenship for those who have lived here a long time. That again puts him squarely in the most conservative wing of the Republican Party,'' he added.
Named Piyush at birth, Jindal adopted the name ''Bobby'' at the age of four from one of the characters in the all-American TV show 'The Brady Bunch'. When he was 14 he converted to Catholicism.
Both his supporters and his detractors agree that his right wing, radical Christian views may have served him well among Louisiana's devout Catholic white voters.
Louisiana is a state where race has always played a role in politics. This is a state where just 16 years ago Republicans nominated a former Ku Klux Klan leader as a candidate for governorship.
Despite having the second largest African-American population in the US after neighboring state of Mississippi, winning the white vote is crucial in any elections.
Indeed, some attribute Jindal's failure in his first run for the governorship four years ago, to his inability to garner sufficient support from white Louisianans, which has perhaps made him extra-cautious about offending them.
''Politics is a funny thing, especially in Louisiana and when race is a culprit. In the last election Jindal lost to Governor Blanco - a white woman from Cajun country because white folks did not want to vote for a brown person,'' said Damon Hewitt, Director, Katrina Related Programs, NAACP.
''They did not think that Bobby was one of ''us'' despite his self-subscribed first name but people were able to look past that in the aftermath of Katrina. I do not think that marks any sort of revolution in race relations in Louisiana. I think it is more about people being upset with the current regime,'' he added.
Whether out of conviction or convenience, Jindal is a strong supporter of the war in Iraq, anti-abortion measures, and even opposed hate crime statutes, which are important to immigrant communities and enjoy considerable bipartisan support.
''There was a big problem especially after 9-11 in the Indian and South Asian community with regard to hate crimes but Mr Jindal has opposed hate crime statues. He suggests that there should just be a criminal penalty for such crimes despite the fact that racism forms the commission of these crimes,'' said Chandra Bhatnagar, a Human Rights Attorney who has worked with victims of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana.
''He is really at the extreme end of the republican spectrum and has taken positions that have consistently been antithetical to the interest of the south Asian community,'' he added.
A thought echoed on the campus of the Louisiana State University. Last month, two Indian students were found murdered on campus just a stone's throw away from the incoming Governor's transition offices. But there was not even a word of condolence from the Governor elect.
''The Governor's office did not release even a statement. It was the basic we expected from the Governor's office,'' said Phani Mylavarapu, Former President, Indian Student Assoc, Louisiana State University.
Whether he acknowledges them or not, for America's over two million strong Indian-American community that already has broken through glass ceilings in business and academia, Bobby Jindal's election, irrespective of his politics is a giant step in the Diaspora's attempts to now assert itself on America's political stage.
Re: First Indian-American governer in US (Louisiana)?
My impression of bobby jindal is that he doesn't like his roots. He converted from his birth religion, has never involved in any Indian relationship. He only went to India because it was a paid assignment and it will add to his 'diplomatic" credentials in seeking future office.
I don't know why Indians jump up and down abt him. He is simply smarter than the others in Louisiana, which is not saying much!
A person of Indian origin becoming prez of US? What are guys smoking? Gov'ship of Louisiana actually disqualifies anybody for any future ofc.
Yes it is a huge miracle that he won in that state but he has to really work miracles for that backward state if he is to grow further
Re: First Indian-American governer in US (Louisiana)?
I don't know why Indians jump up and down abt him. He is simply smarter than the others in Louisiana, which is not saying much!
you only told na....sometimes/many times indians go gung ho patriotic or filled with pride of their country!. such silly news are big news for them. Like it has become here. P.S: I too am an indian and forever will be!
Re: First Indian-American governer in US (Louisiana)?
My impression of bobby jindal is that he doesn't like his roots. He converted from his birth religion, has never involved in any Indian relationship. He only went to India because it was a paid assignment and it will add to his 'diplomatic" credentials in seeking future office.
I don't know why Indians jump up and down abt him. He is simply smarter than the others in Louisiana, which is not saying much!
A person of Indian origin becoming prez of US? What are guys smoking? Gov'ship of Louisiana actually disqualifies anybody for any future ofc.
Yes it is a huge miracle that he won in that state but he has to really work miracles for that backward state if he is to grow further
bobby is a smart guy. he converted because of his ambitions. This is louisiana we are talking about. one of the most backward state in USA. he could have never won if he didnt change his religion. i am talking about a state who called him arab american earlier.
he keep his distance from indian community but his parents still are very much involved in everything they do. i have met his parents few times too.
he did right things on right time and now he is the biggest hope for louisiana.
Re: First Indian-American governer in US (Louisiana)?
bobby is a smart guy. he converted because of his ambitions. This is louisiana we are talking about. one of the most backward state in USA. he could have never won if he didnt change his religion. i am talking about a state who called him arab american earlier. he keep his distance from indian community but his parents still are very much involved in everything they do. i have met his parents few times too.
he did right things on right time and now he is the biggest hope for louisiana.
so the fact that he's so extreme right, conservative in terms of gun control, abortion, and some of the biggie issues is him just trying to get votes? he's like Mit Romney then, do and say anything to get into office. Mit Romney is basically a democrat but he's trying his hardest to show himself as a republican....flip-floppers
Re: First Indian-American governer in US (Louisiana)?
^ ^ dont they all do it to get votes...
i dont know personally though if jindal is doing that for political reasons . i was talking about his non-involvement with Indian community here in louisiana. He is not extreme right though, he is a highly educated person and his main issue in this election was ethic and economic reform.
people in louisiana are more concerened about the downward going economy after hurricane katrina and security issues. crime is rampant here. blanco (ex governer) lost few projects to other states which could have brought lots of jobs in louisiana.
people are looking up to him to fix what was broken in previous governers term.
Re: First Indian-American governer in US (Louisiana)?
My impression of bobby jindal is that he doesn't like his roots. He converted from his birth religion, has never involved in any Indian relationship. He only went to India because it was a paid assignment and it will add to his 'diplomatic" credentials in seeking future office.
I don't know why Indians jump up and down abt him. He is simply smarter than the others in Louisiana, which is not saying much!
A person of Indian origin becoming prez of US? What are guys smoking? Gov'ship of Louisiana actually disqualifies anybody for any future ofc.
Yes it is a huge miracle that he won in that state but he has to really work miracles for that backward state if he is to grow further
For the first time i agree to Tariq i saw a TV report on him yesterday which stated that he is Not-so-popular with the indian community in Louisiana and has done noting for them in recent past.
Re: First Indian-American governer in US (Louisiana)?
He’s the perfect coconut(white( actually more like red neck) on the inside, brown on the outside)!!