Indian-Americans today held the first-ever inaugural ball to celebrate US President Barack Obama’s second term in office, signalling the coming of age of the three million-plus influential community that voted overwhelmingly for him.
“Indian-Americans are tremendously important and we hope they would be increasingly visible not only in the government, but also in all parts of American life,” Maya Kassandra Soetoro-Ng, the second half-sister of Obama, said, adding that the President was very proud of the Indian-Americans.
“It is certainly a reflection of how important India is and how important Indian-Americans are to the fabric of the nation. I would just like to celebrate all of the contribution artistic, political and so much more of the community,” Maya said at the first-ever Indian-American inaugural ball.
51-year-old Obama, a Democrat, was re-elected as America’s 45th President in November last year.
The event was organised by Indiaspora — a recently formed organisation which aims to be a catalyst to transform the success of Indian-Americans into meaningful impact in India and on the global stage.
“It is time we come to recognise fully the contribution of the Indian-American community here,” Maya said, reflecting the views of Obama who has the distinction of appointing the largest number of Indian—Americans in any presidential administration ever.
“It is very exciting to serve in an Administration that has so many great Indian-Americans serving,” said Raj Shah, Administrator of USIAD, the highest ranking Indian-American in the Obama Administration.
A whopping 84 per cent Indian-Americans voted for Obama in November’s US presidential elections, according to a survey of Asian-Americans.
“I think it is wonderful for the Indian-American community. It is coming of age, politically for them. This is not just a ball. This is a massive gala,” said Congressman Joe Crowley, Co-Chair of the Congressional India Caucus, referring to the hundreds of Indian-Americans who had gathered at the inaugural ball of the community.