US Congressman Shri Thanedar (D-Michigan), a member of the House Oversight Committee on Homeland Security and the first Indian American elected to US Congress from Michigan, lauded the achievements of South Asian Herald Founder & Editor-in-Chief, T. Vishnudatta Jayaraman, during the publication’s Grand Launch on March 6, 2025, at the Intelligent Office, in Tysons Corner, Virginia.
“I see your integrity, I see your dreams, and I wish you all very best. I’m so happy to be here celebrating with you. I’m an entrepreneur. I’m a serial entrepreneur,” Rep. Thanedar remarked adding, “So, I see the entrepreneurial venture by Vishnu, and I’m just here to wish him all the best. He is amazing. I have been working with him.”
Highlighting his commitment to the event, Rep. Thanedar shared that he had voted on two House bills on the morning of March 6th but made an exception to his usual routine to attend the celebration. “Usually, I get the hell out of Washington, DC, as soon as I’m done voting. But today, I made an exception because I wanted to be here and be part of this great celebration,” he said.
Reflecting on his early passion for journalism, Rep. Thanedar recalled that during his teenage years – in 1969 – when he would secretly submit handwritten articles to a newspaper editor, unsure if they would be accepted. “So, I would write my article and just leave it on the editor’s desk and just look for the next day if it will get published. And after a long try, it finally got published. Then I got very brave and kept writing more and more articles,” he shared.
In a lighthearted moment, he revealed that after gaining recognition, he began submitting articles under his sister’s name to present opposing viewpoints, which occasionally got her into trouble – eliciting laughter from the audience.
Rep. Thanedar also shared his journey to the U.S., recalling his struggles in securing a student visa for his PhD program in chemistry. He recounted how his visa was denied four times by a counselor named Miss Virginia at the American Embassy in Mumbai. Eventually, out of frustration, he resubmitted the same documents – and this time, his visa was approved. When he asked why Miss Virginia had changed her mind, he was told, “Oh, she’s gone to America for a vacation.”
Now serving as a U.S. Congressman overseeing Homeland Security, he marveled at his journey: “So I’m just amazed at this great country of ours, and I’m just excited to be able to serve my community,” he added.
Former White House Director of National Drug Control Policy, Dr. Rahul Gupta, echoed Jayaraman’s emphasis on the importance of sponsors and supporters in upholding journalism’s integrity and mission. He recognized figures like Dr. Sudhir Sekhsaria and other federal, state, and local leaders in attendance for their commitment to supporting South Asian Herald.
“I do want to say, if you listen to Vishnu, any one of those things could be taglines, like news not views, inform not influence. But I will say one thing you have to look at who Vishnu is at the base, because this is all about personal integrity that leads to professional integrity…” stated Dr. Gupta praising Jayaraman’s leadership. “I think he brings to the job not only the efforts of putting journalism first, honest, true, genuine news, without bias, with depth, but also a level of integrity that goes to his personal level of who he is.”
Director of the DC Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs, Ben de Guzman, attended on behalf of Mayor Muriel Bowser to celebrate Jayaraman and South Asian Herald. As the longest-serving Asian American cabinet member in Mayor Bowser’s administration, De Guzman emphasized the importance of documenting and shaping history through journalism.
“We are all here tonight to celebrate South Asian Herald, and to make sure that we continue to make news, to document news, and to be part of the history that’s unfurling before us,” he said.
He also presented a mayoral citation to Jayaraman, underscoring the values that Mayor Bowser’s office shares with South Asian Herald and the broader South Asian community. He said he looked forward to celebrating the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May with the community members.
At the event, Outreach Representative Jaclyn Marmole on behalf of US Senator Mark Warner; Fairfax County official and community leader, Madhusudan on behalf of US Senator Tim Kaine; Deputy Director of Outreach, Fatima Malik, on behalf of Congressman Gerry Connolly; Executive Assistant Courtney Conroe on behalf of the Chair-at-large of Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, Phyllis Randall also presented citations commending South Asian Herald.
The evening also featured cultural performances, including a Carnatic vocal recital by Lalitha Rampalli and a Bharatanatyam dance by Laxmi Anshika Yadav from Natya Margam School.
Chair of the Virginia Asian Advisory Board, Srilekha Palle, and Commissioner of the Maryland Governor’s Commission on South Asian American Affairs, Aman Shergill served as emcees for the event.
The Grand Launch brought together community leaders, diplomats, policymakers, and business professionals, reinforcing the vital role of South Asian Herald in amplifying diverse voices and stories.
Related posts:
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South Asian Herald Launch Recognized for Excellence; Secretary of Maryland Higher Education Lauds Founder T. Vishnudatta Jayaraman
Srilekha Palle Applauds South Asian Herald for Giving a Voice to the Voiceless, Urges Community Support
Loudoun County Delegate JJ Singh Lauds South Asian Herald’s Vision and Impact at Grand Launch
