Nikki Haley addressing supporters in Chicago
CHICAGO: The Indian American Friends of Nikki Haley recently organized a banquet dinner program in honor of Nikki Haley at Ashyana Banquets in Downers Grove, a south west suburb of Chicago.
Daughter of Indian immigrants from Punjab, Nikki Haley, born Nimrata Randhawa, is the Republican Party candidate for Governor of South Carolina and looking at the double digit lead that she enjoys over her Democratic opponent, she is set to win.
A national rising star in American politics, she was featured on the front cover of Newsweek as the Face of the New South.
Despite short time of less than three weeks to organize the event, the banquet was attended by more than 200 supporters. There were many prominent members and activists from the Indian community of Chicagoland and Central Illinois.
After Nikki Haley was briefed on the evening’s program, she was introduced to the organizing team and principal donors by the Chairperson Shalli Kumar, a Chicago based engineer, inventor, entrepreneur and CEO of AVG Advanced Technologies which is a mini-conglomerate of electronics companies with worldwide operations.
Included in the introduction via phone were Vikram Aditya Kumar, Future CEO of AVG and his fiancée Miss Pooja Chitgopeker, MD and also Miss India 2007.
The principal donors included Brij Sharma, President and Owner of Power Volt, an electronics manufacturer, as well as Jayshree and Nilam Patel, insurance agents and businesspersons.
After the private reception, Nikki Haley and Shalli Kumar entered the banquet hall where they were given a rousing reception and a standing ovation. Nikki Haley is seen as a taxpayers’ friend.
She credits her success to Indian heritage and serves as a role model for young Indian Americans. Jayshree Patel as the representative of young Indian Americans introduced Nikki Haley to the gathering.
Ms. Haley spoke about her growing up in America and how she entered politics and fought the odds successfully. Through her success and prominence she encourages broader Indian participation in the American political process, particularly for second generation Indian Americans. She passionately spoke of conservative values we bring from India, values of hard work, spend wisely, live within your means, encourage and reward success as against creating a nanny State.
She appealed against piling of debt for our children and grandchildren. She said that we know how to spend our money ten times better than the government. The program began with a prayer of unity and was emceed by Shri Chandak.
The highlight of the program was a panel discussion between Nikki Haley and Shalli Kumar. They covered a wide range of issues of major interest to the Indian American community.
Nikki Haley favored capping government spending. She is also pushing for elimination of small business income tax in South Carolina. She elaborated on job creation and why she is against government healthcare mandates requiring everyone to have health insurance.
She is a big promoter of Term Limits legislation. She favors Indo-US nuclear deal. She said she would support inclusion of India as a permanent member of UN Security Council. She is for legal immigration including the increase of number of H1 visas as recommended by US Chamber of Commerce.
It was obvious that she touched every one’s heart. The participants were immensely impressed with her simplicity and earnestness. It was felt that Nikki Haley could increase the clout of Indian community in the country.
She can and will influence national policy favorable to Indian community and their values. Hailing from Punjab and a significant numbers of guests being Punjabi Indian Americans, it was only befitting that this magnificent evening ended with almost 20 minutes of Bhangra dance with active participation from both Shalli Kumar and Nikki Haley.
India Post News Service
