Tonight is going to be a long night. To be honest, I have been sleep-deprived for many nights now because I am hooked on CNN and MSNBC for constant election coverage. Since I became a US citizen in 1991, I have taken my civic duty very seriously and voted in every US election. But I am surely echoing the sentiments of many when I say that today was certainly a historic day. In all the years I have been settled here, I have never witnessed such high emotions over the elections. Indeed the most expensive campaign in US history!
As is the story of most immigrants, we also tend to keep in touch with reactions and developments back home. Folks in India have been captivated by the US elections along with the rest of the world. Almost every Indian middle class family back home has a relative based in US and is very upto speed with the events here. Basically, Indian love politics as is reflected in the numerous editorials in India's leading newspapers who along with the rest of the world are watching in fascination the election campaign of a black candidate and two mavericks!
The Indian-Americans who are currently in their native India for business or whatever reason have also sent in their votes from abroad via absentee ballots.
Whereas those Indians who have lived in US at some point and seen the impact of political volunteerism are trying to encourage the Indian youth to engage in the political process as done by Obama i.e national youth vote mobilization.
Other Indians back home are anxiously watching the events due to business implications because many US companies have presence in India.
Obama is a big hit in India especially the university campuses where the students are very on top of international events and don't just find Obama charismatic but are very focused on his policies and world view.
Now here is an interesting thing, despite Obama's lack of enthusiasm for outsourcing work to India's Silicone valley or the city of Bangalore, some of the Information Technology professionals in the Indian city of Bangalore are canvassing relatives and friends in the US to vote for Obama and have managed to collect a sizeable amount in Indian rupees to send to Obama's election fund. Apparently they believe Obama will build better and more strategic ties with India as President.
With respect to the Indian-American, currently there are approximately 2.7 million fellow Indian-Americans in the US out of a total U.S. population of approximately 300 million-one of the fastest growing ethnic populations and also one of the most highly educated among America's ethnic groups. Having achieved tremendous economic success, the Indian professionals are exercising increasing influence in the US political arena as was evident in the Democratic Convention. Apparently, 60% of the Indian-Americans are registered Democrats because Indians tend to inherently feel more inclined towards the Democratic party because of its image of being more open to diversity and for its position on issues like immigration, civil rights, foreign policy, and education.
Of course, President Bush's pro-India policies have swung many educated Indians to vote Republican. A prominent Indian Republican is Bobby Jindal the first Indian- American Governor of Louisiana. Bottom-line, India and US currently have an excellent relationship which neither Obama or McCain want to rock. As after all India is world's largest democracy and a growing economic power whose cooperation is essential to promote and maintain stability in the Asian region.
The Indian-American Democrats have provided overwhelming support to Barack Obama. They also support Biden as a choice for Vice-President because Biden the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations was a strong advocate of the US-India Nuclear deal. Hillary Clinton who raised about 5 million during the primary had a natural advantage in terms of Indian support since her constituency in New York has the strongest Indian-American base coupled with the fact that she has strong ties with India. All that has changed now and most of Hillary supporters are actively behind Obama who had to start from a scratch to win over the Indians in US.
And now it's time for me to check the results of the polls and watch history being made... After all it is only one more long night!
NEWS FLASH: with tears in my eyes, I write this
PRESIDENT OBAMA CLAIMS HISTORIC VICTORY-the American people have certainly spoken!!!
I don't think I will be sleeping at all tonight- GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
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7 comments:
I too take my right to vote very seriously. The women suffragettes suffered much to get me this right, I am darned well going to use it. We watched Obama's acceptance speech, what an extraordinary day! I am not always proud to be an American, but today I was definitely feeling patriotic. I too am very excited and probably going to have a hard time sleeping.
Isn't it amazing!!!
Now there is a demographic I didn't hear or read anything about until now. You should be on CNN.
But it does point out something the pundits were saying last night about what the GOP needs to learn for the future.
The country is changing and trying to pin your hopes on a message the appeals only to the white rural vote isn't going to cut it.
If the GOP is as diverse in 10 more years as the Dems the races will then again be different.
You are correct Cyclingred, Indian Americans, like other minorities, feel more comfortable under the umbrella of the Democratic Party because the Democratic Party has always presented itself as being more tolerant of diverse views and this is something the Republicans have to work on...
So very well said! I am on cloud nine!
Great post, Raksha Maasi! 60% of Indian-Americans are registered Democrats? Wow, I didn't know that...I thought the percent would be lower.
Another up and coming Indian American politician (that too a Democrat) is Ashwin Madia.
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