• Indian Americans, according to the latest US Census are the highest family income earners, with $120,000 average income for a family of four.
• Indian Americans are the highest educated consistently since the 2010 census. They have the highest percentage of Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees.
• They are brilliant students, researchers, scientists, scholars, teachers, authors, artists. They are everywhere- in business, professions, politics, entertainment, media and in many other fields.

Of late, there has been a growing realization among the Indian American community that the real empowerment for the community can flow only when the community has political power. This new realization has resulted in an increase in the number of Indian Americans going in for politics, and actively participating in political processes.

Whereas, one can see scores of Indian Americans picked up for important positions in Biden administration (there were many in Trump’s administration, too, and in the administrations of many former Presidents) , and many are elected members of the US  House of representatives,   and many in State and City legislatures, one can see clearly an increased  interest among  Indian Americans to run for elections from the numbers who have thrown their hats in the electoral ring in  the 2021 New York City elections .

There are at least 8 Indian Americans in political fray for the 2021 New York City Council elections. Their concerns are primarily the concerns of all immigrant communities, from education to housing, to safety and security to jobs and economic prosperity.

I will introduce here these contestants, and what they stand for.

 

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 23.

There is a total of 7 candidates. 4 of them are Indian American. Among them, there are 2 Sikhs, one Christian and one Hindu.

The other three candidates are: Steve Behar, Linda Lee, Debra Markell

Going by the alphabetical order, the first Indian American I will pick up is Harpreet Singh Toor

HARPREET S TOOR

                             City Council District 23

The three top issues Harpreet has listed are:

• Pandemic relief
• Safe streets
• Health Care

This is how Harpreet introduces himself.

 “Harpreet Singh Toor has been an advocate for working- and middle-class families his entire adult life. Now he’s bringing his unique set of skills, experience, and successful record of improving the quality of life for all who live and work in Queens, to City Council District 23. His number one priority will be on resolving the problems resulting from the Pandemic crises.

“In more than 25 years of community service I have earned a reputation as someone who gets things done. Whether it’s getting the Religious Garb bill signed, co-naming Queens’ streets, or helping constituents navigate schools, hospitals and the PD, I have earned the respect of the people I serve, acting with integrity and full transparency.”

 For more information, please visit

https://www.toorforcitycouncil.com/contact

E-mail: harpreet@toorforcitycouncil.com;  donald@toorforcitycouncil.com

 

JASLIN KAUR

                  City Council District 23

 The three top issues Jaslin has listed are:

• Security for workers/small business
• Reliable public transit
• Housing stability and senior care

This is how Jaslin introduces herself.

“As a lifelong district resident, I would be the first woman and person of color to represent my home. Raised by a taxi driver and union grocery store worker, I was spurred upon public service by the taxi medallion debt crisis. Having dedicated my life to education equity and immigrant justice, I am running to fight for worker and small business relief, world-class public transit, fully funded public schools, and affordable housing for all.

“Backed by key unions and progressive organizations such as CWA D1, PSC-CUNY, The Jewish Vote, Sunrise, Working Families Party, and Democratic Socialists of America, I will build a city that works for all of us.”

For more about Jaslin, visit www.jaslinkaur.nyc

Email: info@jaslinkaur.nyc

KOSHY THOMAS

                              City council District 23

The three top issues Koshy has listed are:

• Stimulate Economy
• Health Care for all
• Promote Peace and Prosperity

This is how Koshy introduces himself.

“Exited to be a candidate for the Democratic party will united various ethnical groups, assimilate them to the community to promote peace property. This will stimulate the economy and also promote tax rebate.

“Worked with almost all associations and groups in the District.”

For more about Koshy: https://electkoshythomas.com

Email: koshy@electkoshythomas.com

SANJEEV JINDAL

                    City Council District 23

The three top issues Sanjeev has listed are:

• Small Business Empowerment
• Improving Public Safety
• Ensuring Access to Healthcare

This is how Sanjeev introduces himself.

I am ready to fight for the people: the individuals, and the communities that make New York special. I will create a better environment for small business, increase public safety, and expand equitable health care. Through empowering individuals with resources, assistance, and knowledge, we can create job stability which will allow people to pursue a career path that motivates and inspires them. Now’s the time to put power back into the hands of the people, and I am committed to exactly that.

“India Association of Long Island; South Asians for Strong America; South Asians for Empowerment; India Day Parade”.

For more information: www.sanjeevkjindal.com

Email: sanjeevjindalfornyc@gmail.com

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 25

There is a total of 8 candidates. The only Indian American Shekar Krishnan is pitted against 7 candidates, including South Asian and Asian, among others.

The other 7 candidates are: Xi Chen, Liliana Melo, Manuel Perez, Alfonso Quiroz, William Salgado, Carolyn Tran

SHEKAR KRISHNAN

                        City Council District 25

The three top issues Shekar has mentioned are:

• Dignified, permanent housing for all
• Defend immigrant New Yorkers
• Invest in community-based safety

This is how Shekar introduces himself.

“Our city is facing a crisis of affordability, racial justice, and public health. We need a fighter representing us who will be fearless in standing up to powerful interests when our community’s needs are at stake. I am a civil rights lawyer fighting for housing justice and preventing displacement. I’m also a longtime activist in my community of Elmhurst and Jackson Heights, the son of immigrants from India, and the father of two small children. Together, we can rebuild our city, so it works for everyone.

For more information: www.voteshekar.com

Email: contact@voteshekar.com

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 26

There is a total of 15 candidates. One is a Sikh American of Indian origin. Amit Singh Bagga is pitted against 14 candidates, including South Asian and Asian, among other.

The other 14 candidates are: Jonathan Bailey, Lorenzo Brea, Julia Forman, Glennis Gonez, Dennis-Keehan Smith, Badrun Khan, Heajin Kim, Jesse Laymon, Sultan Maruf, Brent O’Leary, Steven Raga, Emily Sharpe, Julie Won, Ebony Young.

AMIT BAGGA

                     City Council District 26

The top three issues Amit has listed are:

• Racial justice through economic justice
• Deeply & permanently affordable housing
• Immigrant, health, & environmental justice

This is how Amit introduces himself.

We need bold, progressive vision and real experience to deliver justice for NYC. Over 14 years, I’ve reunited hundreds of immigrant families, implemented paid sick leave & protections for freelancers & low-wage workers, fought predatory lending, and secured our political & economic future through NYC’s first-ever census campaign. My plan treats employment with dignity for all, housing, healthcare, & a thriving environment as human rights, and replaces our police state with a peace state.

For more information: www.amitforcouncil.com

Twitter: @amitsinghbagga

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 28

There is a total of 3 candidates. One is a Sikh American of Indian origin. The two others are Adrienne Adams (the sitting Council Member) and Ruben Wills.

JAPNEET SINGH

                             City Council District 28

The three top issues Japneet has listed are:

• Government Transparency
• Education & Social Services
• Infrastructure

Here is how Japneet introduces himself.

“This campaign’s primary goal is to unite the communities that live in Southern Queens. For far too long, due to the lack of leadership that truly understands our community, we have been divided. It is time, we come together in order to advocate for better schools and infrastructure as well as social services that will help to revitalize our community.

“Japneet Singh has been an active member of the community for years. He is one of the youngest members of Community Board 10 and also served as the Student Body President of Queens College from 2016-2018. He has played a vital role in numerous initiatives and with your support, hopes to continue his work on the City Council level.”

Email: japneetsinghfornewyork@gmail.com

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 32

There is a total of 6 candidates. One is a Sikh American of Indian origin. Felicia Singh is pitted against 5 others who include Kaled Alamarie, Bella Matias, Michael Scala, Shaleigh Severino, Helal Sheikh.

FELICIA SINGH

                         City Council District 32

The three top issues Felicia has listed are:

Fully Fund Public Schools

Climate & Environmental Resilience

Safe & Equitable Transportation

This is how Felicia introduces herself.

“I’m an educator and daughter of working-class immigrants. As a lifelong resident of Ozone Park, graduate of NYC Public schools, and teacher, I’ve experienced systems that do not work for the working-class and that pushed me to run for office. My life’s work is serving and empowering those around me – identifying the structural barriers preventing communities like mine from thriving and bringing people and resources together to create lasting change. As your council member, trust that I’ll fight for you and your family in City Hall.”

For more information: www.felicia2021.com

Email: info@felicia2021.com

The June 22 primaries will test the acumen of the Indian American contestants for New York City Council which needs the long-awaited presence of the Indian American community.

(Author is the chief editor of The Indian Panorama)