To mark US Independence Day on July 4th, and India’s Independence Day on August 15th, the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) held an event on July 28, 2024, in Milpitas, California. This gathering, the first of its kind by FIIDS, brought together elected and community leaders from the Bay Area to celebrate the resiliency of democracies.
Consul General of India in San Francisco, Dr. Srikar Reddy, Mayor of Milpitas, Carmen Montano, Assemblymembers Evan Low and Alex Lee, Santa Clara Supervisor, Otto Lee, Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert, Supervisor Elisa Marquez, Mayor of Santa Clara, Lisa Gillmor, and Mayor of Fremont, Lily Mei, and council members and commissioners from Fremont, Milpitas, Santa Clara, San Ramon, and Sunnyvale participated in the event.
Mayor Montano welcomed everyone to Milpitas and expressed happiness in hosting the event.
Dr. Reddy emphasized the strong and enduring partnership between India and the United States, highlighting that their shared democratic values make this relationship pivotal for the century, according to a statement from FIIDS.
Dr. Reddy applauded “FIIDS for this timely celebration of democracies when the US and Indian democracies go into an election in the same year in 20 years, and thanked FIIDS for bridging the information gap about the differences between the two democracies,” the statement said.
Assemblymember Lee appreciated FIIDS working on advocating Indian diaspora-related policy issues. Supervisor Haubert “Praised the Indian Community for bringing its culture and values to American soil and mentioned that the US and India will shape the global economy in the future.”
Mayor Lily Mei acknowledged the involvement of the Indian Diaspora in US elections and called for greater representation in decision-making processes. Supervisor Marquez praised FIIDS for its policy advocacy efforts and stressed the need for diverse participation in civic leadership.
Supervisor Lee noted partnership between the largest and oldest democracies, acknowledging the importance of community participation to further the shared interests.
During the event, Mayors Gillmore, Lily Mei, and Montano gave proclamations appreciating the work of FIIDS.
FIIDS Director for Political Liaison, Yogi Chugh, hosted a panel discussion with Chairman of the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs, Joe Johal, Commissioner on the Presidential Advisory Committee on Pacific Islanders, Ajay Bhutoria, and FIIDS Chief of Policy and Strategy, Khanderao Kand.
