The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIISDS) organized an event, Feb. 22, to discuss the current policies, incidents, and decisions affecting Indians in India and the United States. The event was attended by Silicon Valley eminent entrepreneurs, community leaders, politicians, social workers, doctors, and engineers.

The event started with the panel discussion on the topic ‘Indo American Political Involvement.’ The panelist includes Raj Salwan (Councilmember city of Fremont), Rishi Kumar (Councilmember city of Saratoga and running inmate for U.S. Congress District 18), Ritesh Tandon (Running inmate for U.S. Congress District 17) and, Nisha Sharma (running inmate for U.S. Congress District 11). Raj Salwan emphasized the importance of Indian American to participate in local politics and get their issues highlighted through political involvement. Rishi, being in the background of an activist, feels that Indian Americans can raise their issues and get them resolved by participating in community related programs. Ritesh stressed that Indo American need to unite and raise their voice as one community with America first policy. Nisha pointed out that there is a vacuum in women leadership at the top, and it is the right time for them to come forward.

The event was inaugurated by Dr. Romesh Japra, a long time community leader from Fremont, Calif. In his address, he spoke of creating a grand Hindu American coalition and get their issues raised at the highest level. Dr. Jasubhai Patel, a patron of FIIDS, emphasized the need to work on strategic policy matters.

In the following session, Misinformation Campaigns & Need for Public Awareness, speakers Deepak Karanjkar, Rabbi Serena Eisenberg, David Marshak, and Sree Iyer presented their point of views regarding the abrogation of Article 370 from the Indian Constitution, amendments to Citizen (Amendment) Act (CAA), and ongoing campaign of misinformation thereafter. Deepak being the political commentator on issues related to India firmly said that the current government in India resolved the seventy years old Kashmir issue by abrogating Article 370, while previous governments were only able to manage it. Rabbi shared her experience as Jewish leader for implementing the SAFE (Safety Awareness Friendship Empowerment) program to uplift the Jewish community in America. Pakistani Organizations worldwide always do a good job in spreading the wrong propaganda, fells David, and suggest that we should start counter the false negative at all the levels.

The Keynote speaker of the evening Sree Iyer, a well-known political commentator, author, and founder of PGurus, discussed the vicious Campaign against CAA and the Role of Indians Americans. He mentioned that we still have seven million Hindus living in the rural areas of Sindh and Punjab in Pakistan. They are facing humiliation on a daily basis by the majority community in Pakistan. Sree generously agreed to auction the copies of his book ‘WHO PAINTED MY MONEY WHITE’ at the event, and all the proceedings have been donated to FIIDS.

FIIDS is a 501(C)(3) Tax Exempt Organization, and engage in Policy Studies, Analysis, and Awareness Related to India and Indian Diaspora. For further information, visit www.fiids-us.org , contact info@fiids-usa.org.