Ajay Bhutoria, Ram Villivalam and Sujan Patel. / New India Abroad

Prominent Indian Americans have expressed their enthusiasm for Kamala Harris as the Democratic National Convention kicks off on Aug. 19.

Ajay Bhutoria, an Indian American community leader, expressed that Indian Americans are very enthusiastic about Vice-President Harris. He claimed that nearly 90 percent Indian Americans are excited to vote for her.

“There is a South Asian women for Kamala Harris event. There is a South Asian men for Kamala Harris event. And the base is very excited. We are going to see a large number of delegates as well as Indian Americans coming here in the next four days,” he said.

Bhutoria informed that President Joe Biden will speak on Aug. 19, with the party planning to pay tribute to him. On Aug. 20, President Obama will deliver a speech to inspire everyone. On Aug. 21, Governor Walz and several other leaders, including President  Bill Clinton, will speak. Finally, on the night of Aug. 22, Kamala Harris, the first Indian American, the first Asian American, and the first Black American woman, will take the stage to accept the nomination.

“There will be almost 50 to 60 thousand people here at the convention center and people from all walks of life, from delegates, community leaders, leaders of the party, and all are coming here so that they can help elect our next president, President Kamala Harris, and Governor Tim Walz as our next vice president, and defeat Donald Trump,” Bhutoria said.

“They (delegates) want somebody who brings joy, somebody who does the economic development for a small middle class and for everybody who fights for the lowering down the cost, who fights for bringing leadership into the international stage,” he added. 
 

Illinois State Senator Ram Villivalam stated that Kamala Harris has a genuine connection to the South Asian American and Asian American communities. He highlighted that Harris's values, principles, and traditions reflect a deep alignment with these communities.

“There's so much excitement while we also have on the other side a lot of frustration and I would say fear because of the dangerous policies that Donald Trump enacted during his first term in office,” Villivalam said.

Sujan Patel, the executive director of the South Asian Chambers of Commerce (SACC), expressed enthusiasm about engaging the youth and seeing an Asian American in the Presidential Office. She acknowledged the room for growth, praising Kamala Harris for her knowledge, eloquence, and understanding of key issues. Patel noted that while the initial expectation was for Joe Biden to be president, Harris's energy and capabilities offers promise for the future of America.

When asked about the changes he anticipates from Kamala Harris's administration, Patel highlighted the need for increased support for small businesses. She emphasized the importance of reforming policies to ensure that small and mid-sized companies are not burdened by excessive taxes while large corporations receive substantial benefits. 

Patel noted that small businesses, struggling to recover from the impacts of COVID-19, face significant challenges due to rising costs and unequal tax burdens. She hopes Harris's administration will address these issues to support the survival and growth of small businesses.

Big wins for Asian American community in Chicago

Villivalam highlighted several advancements at the state level, noting that Illinois is the first state to pass the TEACH Act, which mandates the inclusion of Asian American history, including South Asian American contributions, in school curricula. 

He also mentioned increased funding for the South Asian American Chamber of Commerce and the Asian American Chamber of Commerce, which are hosting the Taste of India event. Additionally, efforts are underway to address language, digital, and transportation barriers for the Asian American community and beyond.

On the political front, Villivalam pointed to significant growth in representation, with three South Asian Americans in the Illinois General Assembly and a total of nine Asian American state legislators. He also highlighted representation at the county level and in Congress with figures such as Senator Tammy Duckworth and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. Villivalam emphasized that this representation is crucial for achieving meaningful results.