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Join Indian American Obama Alums this Sunday


Sunday October 18th 7-8pm ET/ 4-5pm PT

Under the Obama-Biden administration, a record number of Indian Americans served as political appointees. Several Obama-Biden alumni join us to discuss how a Biden-Harris administration would promote Indian Americans and foster an environment that recognizes the community's contributions to policies that help all Americans.

Speakers:

- Manpreet Singh Anand, Regional Director for Asia-Pacific programs at National Democratic Institute, and former Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. Manpreet will talk about the diplomatic role of the U.S. on the world stage.

- Nisha Biswal, President of the U.S.-India Business Council, and former Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, U.S. Department of State. Nisha will talk about U.S.-India relations and what we can expect from a Biden-Harris administration.

- Mushtaq Gunja, Chief of Staff and Vice President at American Council on Education, and former Chief of Staff, Office of the Undersecretary, U.S. Department of Education. Mushtaq will speak on how a Biden-Harris administration will directly serve our communities.

- Suhas Subramanyam, Delegate, Virginia House of Delegates, and former White House Policy Advisor & Special Assistant for Technology Policy. Suhas will talk about creating jobs, the economy and helping small businesses.

- Neha Dewan, National Director, South Asians for Biden (moderator)

RSVP

Help Desis in Battleground States VOTE


With only a few weeks left in the election, do you want the assurance of knowing you did everything you could to help determine the outcome of this election? Do you want to make sure our community turns out to vote?

Talk directly to Desi voters in battleground states to ensure they have the information they need to VOTE.

Sign up below to phone bank with a candidate or elected official. We are partnering with South Asians for Biden and AAPIs for Biden on a weekly basis for this phone banking.

Note: When you RSVP, please put an "IN" in front of your First Name to indicate that you are volunteering with Indians for Biden, so that we can recognize you for your efforts.

As an example, First Name "IN Kamala" and Last Name "Harris". 

After you RSVP, you will be sent a Zoom link to register. When you enter your virtual room to call voters, you will be given directions from a coordinator on how to dial voters, information about voting in that state, and a sample script you can follow.

THIS WEEKEND'S PHONE BANKING SCHEDULE
FRIDAYS: Call Pennsylvania voters from 6-8 pm ET
RSVP
THIS SATURDAY: South Asian Women for Biden Phone Bank 1 pm ET
RSVP
SATURDAYS: Call North Carolina voters from 3-5 pm ET
RSVP
SATURDAYS: Call Wisconsin voters from 5-7 pm ET
 
RSVP
SUNDAYS: Call Nevada voters from 2-4 pm ET
RSVP
SUNDAYS: Call Michigan voters from 4-6 pm ET
RSVP
WEEKDAYS: AAPIs for Biden Phonebanks
 
AAPIS for Biden National Weekly Phonebank, Wednesdays, 7-9 pm ET
RSVP
AAPIs for Biden Virginia Weekly Phonebank, Thursdays, 6:30 - 9 pm ET
RSVP

Sikh Americans for Biden - Texas Phonebank

Tuesdays 6 pm CT
RSVP

Sikh Americans for Biden - Pennsylvania Phone Bank

Thursdays 6:45 pm ET
RSVP

Muslim Voter Outreach - Texas Text Bank

Saturday, October 3rd from 11 am -1 pm Central
RSVP
POLICY
Each week we examine a point in VP Biden's agenda for Indian Americans.

Biden is Better for India


Vice President Joe Biden with Mr. Ratan Tata

While VP Biden has made it clear that he will continue to deepen trade relations between the U.S and India and hold China accountable for increasing territorial aggression along the India-China border, Trump has continuously been erratic in his dealing with India and its neighbors. Trump’s brash rhetoric towards China has closed more diplomatic doors than it has opened, reducing the ability of the administration to meaningfully deter Chinese aggression in the region. Couple this with Trump’s “America First" approach which has caused the U.S to pull out of important international agreements such as the Paris Climate Agreement and the Iran Nuclear Deal. All in all, it is safe to say that the Trump administration is not only badly placed to deter Chinese aggression towards India but, even if the occasion were to arise, Trump’s record does not indicate meaningful involvement or help for India. Though Trump has sent a carrier to the Bay of Bengal, this is largely a symbolic gesture and, in light of his record in abandoning U.S allies, from the Kurds to the U.N nations, it is unlikely that his administration would stand by India should something fall awry. 

Moreover, Trump came away from his trip to India not having resolved any meaningful trade issue or deal to ease the many trade and tariff conflicts between the two nations. While Indian officials have signaled that they are ready to sign, the current administration has not yet accommodated, showing a tangible negligence in pursuing meaningful engagement with India. Meanwhile, VP Biden has signaled that he is committed to enhance trade and investment partnerships with India and leave its doors open for talented Indian immigrants, so that America can build a stronger middle class and access new opportunities and markets. Biden believes and has achieved, under the Obama administration, a reduction of barriers to trade and investment which would allow for the prosperity of both nations.

Lastly, Trump has refused to allow the U.S to participate or cooperate with India on its international vaccine development efforts. This sums up his position on India– despite his talk and outward disposition, the Trump administration has not helped the people of India and its 'domestic-only' policy philosophy will ensure that any meaningful cooperation between the nations will not be fruitful. VP Biden, on the other hand, has committed himself to deepening economic, environmental, and political cooperation with the people of India. 

Learn more about VP Biden's agenda for Indian Americans
COMMUNITY EVENT RECAPS

Our Children's Future: A Telugu Community Conversation 


Hosted by the Indians for Biden National Council, this virtual event was on Sunday, October 11th,2020.Guest speakers were from across the Telugu community including Ambassador Vinai Thummalapally, Neelima Gonuguntla, Dayakar Puskoor, Anu Kosaraju, Padmasri Mutyala, Sanjana Palla, Mini Timmaraju, and Prakasarao Velagapudi.
IN THE NEWS

2020 - अमरीका के राष्ट्रपति चुनाव में किसका पलड़ा भारी
Sanjeev Joshipura, National Director of our Indians for Biden National Council, and Sridhar Chityala of Indian Voices for Trump participated in a Hindi debate on BBC Hindi Facebook Live Friday with more than 8 million Facebook followers.

How Will Indian Americans Vote? Results From the 2020 Indian American Attitudes Survey

As the 2020 presidential election in the United States approaches, Indian Americans are unexpectedly in the spotlight thanks to their growing affluence and influence in political circles and Democratic candidate Joe Biden’s selection of Kamala Harris (who is of partial Indian origin) as his running mate.
Read Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Report

Biden is best for US-India relations

"Biden will be best for US-India relations because he views the connection between our two nations as a relationship rather than a series of transactions. A relationship of equality between two great democracies. A relationship that should be the closest in the world. A relationship that faces the wide range of issues important to the people of both nations".
Read the Sunday Guardian Op-Ed

Indian-Americans Overwhelmingly Support Joe Biden, New Poll Shows

A large majority of Indian-Americans plan to cast ballots for the Democratic ticket of former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Senator Kamala Harris, according to a survey released Wednesday, despite elaborate overtures by the Trump White House to win their support.
Read the New York Times Article

Why Indian Americans are not becoming Republicans any time soon

"In November, Indian Americans are supporting Democratic nominee Joe Biden over Trump by a 3 to 1 margin. The top three election issues for Indian American voters in 2020 are the economy, health care and racial discrimination. But the deeper reason so few Indian Americans identify with the Republican Party is its intolerance of minorities, say 27 percent of Indian Americans who do not identify with the party. Further, 19 percent say the party is overly influenced by Christian evangelicalism, while 16 percent are uncomfortable with its positions on gun control and legal immigration, respectively."
Read the Washington Post Article
COMMUNITY EVENTS

Because I Wore a Tilak: Hindu Americans on Bullying, Education Policy and this Election

Join Hindu Americans for Biden TONIGHT October 16th, at 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT, as they offer roadmaps on dealing with anti-Hindu bullying and what the Biden-Harris administration would do in the face of this discrimination.

Our own volunteer Ishana Sahabir will be speaking! More about her below.
Register

Sikh American Perspectives on Civic Power and Civil Service

Join Sikh Americans for Biden this Saturday Oct 17th from 12-2 pm ET, as they highlight various policies under Biden's platform that align with Sikh values––particularly those related to social justice and selfless service.

The event will be taking place in two parts. The first half of the event will be a series of rapid-fire discussions by Sikh American community members on issues that directly impact not only the Sikh American community but also marginalized communities across this nation; during the second half, we will kick off our national Sikh-to-Sikh phone banking!

Register

2020 Victory Florida: Joe and Kamala's Indian American Agenda

Oct 17th, Saturday at 12:30 pm ET
Now more than ever, we need to create spaces to come together and organize our communities. We will be hosting a virtual community meeting to bring Indian-Americans in our area together to hear why and how to elect Joe Biden and Democrats up and down the ticket.

It will take all of us working together to Flip Florida Blue. Bring a friend or two—all are welcome.

Register

Bhangra for Biden...Bhangra for Ballots! "Rock-n-Dhol" GOTV in-person event in Virginia!

Join the Biden-Harris campaign, Sunday Oct 18th 1:00pm ET, as we dance our way to the polls, AAPI style! "Bhangra for Biden, Bhangra for Ballots" is an action-oriented event designed to energize enthusiasm to Get Out The Vote! We'll have inspiring community and elected leaders, and of course a Bhangra performance to behold! We'll also give you the chance to "Rock-n-Dhol" and mix it up with a little Bhangra dancing (socially distanced, of course), and have some fun. Then we'll energize our networks to GOTV! Hope to see you there!

Register
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Meet our Instagram Team


Ishana Sahabir, Instagram and Video Projects Lead

Born in New York City and raised in Upstate New York, Ishana understands the need for outreach within the Indian community and is looking forward to informing fellow Indian-Americans on the impact of the next election.  Prior to Indians For Biden, she worked with Juanita Perez Williams for Mayor, specializing in voter outreach. ​

Ishana recently graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & International Relations. While at Syracuse, she served as Secretary on the South Asian Students Association and was an active member of SU College Democrats. Ishana also spent a semester in Jaipur, India studying social change and sustainable development, where she worked with Aajeevika Bureau, an NGO advocating for migrant workers’ rights. She is currently preparing for law school while interning at the Schenectady County Public Defender’s Office.

 Isha Mehrotra, Instagram and Graphics Lead

Isha currently works at Google NYC as a Software Engineer. In 2019, she graduated from the University of Chicago with a major in Computer Science and a minor in South Asian Languages and Civilizations. She is passionate about promoting gender parity in tech and on campus, she led multiple organizations focused on remedying the gender gap.

Currently, she is very active in the New Jersey chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW), working on technology and comms efforts. In addition to her role as Graphics Lead for Indians for Biden, she also works on the social media and web teams.

Why are you supporting the Biden-Harris ticket? 

Ishana: I am supporting the Biden-Harris ticket, because it is a President’s job to unite the country and work in the best interest of the nation as a whole. Our current administration has divided our country severely and has instilled hate into the minds of many. Previously working with marginalized communities, I understand the need to be viewed as equal and to have a fair chance in the eyes of the law along with their fellow citizens. I strongly believe that Biden-Harris will support the unification of this nation and will work in its best interest irrespective of individual political leanings.

Isha: Because facts matter. Science is real. Black lives matter. I am supporting the Biden-Harris ticket to preserve our democracy. The current administration has shown us that the fundamental principles our country was built on are not safe. It is imperative that we all vote this election to protect the future of our nation.

Why do you think Indian Americans should support Biden? 

Ishana: Indian Americans should support Biden, because he supports his words with actions. Joe Biden has continuously expressed support for the Indian community and its major religions by addressing their holidays. He has supported refugee movements for Hindus & Sikhs in Afghanistan, been vocal about his support for Uighur Muslims, participated in the Obamas’ celebration of the Parsi New Year and his running mate has appointed the first Sikh American Press Secretary.Alo ng with Biden’s acknowledgement of Indian-American religious communities. Biden’s immigration agenda provides more security for Indians seeking jobs and citizenship within the United States.

Isha: Biden understands the issues important to the Indian American community. He recognizes the value of immigrants. He is dedicated to building an America that celebrates diversity and promotes inclusion. Over the last four years, Trump has imposed limits on H1-B worker visas and failed to denounce hate crimes. We need a president that is looking out for us and Joe Biden is the right candidate for us!

Why are you supporting the Indians for Biden National Council? 

Ishana: I am supporting the Indians for Biden National Council because of the plethora of misinformation given to Indian American voters. Indian Americans make up a growing percentage of registered voters and need to make a decision in the best interest of our nation and our community. When I think back to the brutal hate crime which led to the death of Srinivas Kuchibotla in Olathe, Kansas, the hate crime against 13-year-old Dhriti Narayan in Sunnyvale, California and the murder of Parmjit Singh in Tracy, California, I feel it is my duty to reach out to members of my community in support of a President that will unify us. We should not ever be made to feel as if we should hide our ethnicity or religious out of fear for our lives.

Isha: South Asians are the largest growing minority group in the US. Over half a million South Asian Americans live in battleground states. We have the potential to make a real difference this election. As part of the Indians for Biden National Council, it is inspiring to work alongside other South Asians everyday that are committed to fighting for the future of our friends, families, and neighbors.

Join us at Indians for Biden National Council


Do you want to get involved and make a difference in this election?

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