India Round-Up : A Fillip to Indians Living in U.S.

In this edition of India round-up, we will talk about Indians living outside India. Since I lived in U.S. for almost 4 years on 4 different occasions, I can be considered one among those. We are walking a tight rope when we talk about the importance of serving the homeland or foreign land. For me, the best possible situation is when we don’t go against the interest of homeland while serving the foreign nations to the best of our abilities. I feel very fortunate for this mission of the past 19 months where I gave my best to the foreign nation, and I thank the platform provided by my organization which made this period happen. I always work towards the bigger picture even while working in my little job. It has been as such since 10 years and I can’t limit myself to the role of the job. Somehow it blew out of proportion back then and there is no way to contain it rather than dealing with what it is. The point is it is playing out the same in the American field as well after the elevation from India. Doing this good work in a higher plane after stepping up the ladder will definitely have spiraling effect while percolating the benefits over a wider range and greater depths. Hence it is of some importance that Indians work in these existing configuration setups, step-up the ladder and play their part in the foreign lands for the good of all. This individual, foreign well-being will complement the well-being of home nation as the good work is contagious and gets back in multiplier abundance of what you give externally. 

While I am living in U.S., I am living among Indians 99.9% of the times. I stay with Indians, work with Indians mostly and interact with Indians. This is my very small world within this huge country. The point is Indians living outside India make this work possible, without them I couldn’t have served the U.S. in any way. The Indians living in U.S. are one of the key reasons for this tenure.  To tell about this affinity, Indians in Texas are little under 2% but there are locations which seem like the place is mini-India and along with the strength of remaining 98%, they make a huge imprint on this nation. For instance, the team which drives me at work hails from this state and I very much like the ecosystem which breeds these individuals. I can tell with certainty that Indians spread across U.S. contribute significantly to America in the present times and their motivation, hard work and commitment continue to run the wheels of this nation. At a macro level, who would have imagined Kamala Harris to become the Vice President of U.S. Similar to the Britain, U.S. can also have a great working person of Indian origin as its President. A gifted Indian with great work ethic reaching the top will be a huge boost to the answers to myriad challenges which the most powerful nation of the world is facing. Thanks to this nation, a vast section of Indians in U.S. does extremely well and if they step up and take the reins of the horse when it is most required, it will make the U.S. a much better place.

 

In an appreciative statement by U.S. congressman, it was said “Indian-Americans who constitute about 1% of the U.S. population pay about 6% of the taxes. One out of every five doctors in my community are from India. They represent some of the best citizens we have in America, we should make sure that we streamline the immigration process for those who come here to obey the law and pay their taxes and be the most creative and productive in society.” These Indians of high caliber immigrating to U.S. are a reason for continued success of U.S. and for persons like me. Their finesse, adaptability and standards set them apart to be among the wealthiest groups in U.S. The idea that is U.S. can be shaped better when there is a larger representation from India. Despite the increase in traffic from India, there is still huge room to improve on this minimalistic 1% population from India. U.S. can accept ordinary Indian citizens as well beyond the extra-ordinary and there are crores of us. We can move this 1% to 10% and above, bringing our uniqueness to the table for the important next century and beyond. The relation and partnership with India in shaping U.S. will be a defining factor to move ahead by going back.

 

To list out the important contributions by this 1% of extraordinary individuals:

 

• Education and Professional Excellence: Indian Americans are well-known for their achievements in education and the professional world. They have a high representation in fields like medicine, engineering, technology, and academia. Many Indian Americans hold advanced degrees and have made valuable contributions to research and innovation. 

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• Entrepreneurship and Business: Indian Americans have a strong entrepreneurial spirit and have established successful businesses across various industries. They have founded and run many startups, and their innovations have helped drive economic growth and create jobs. 

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• Cultural Diversity: Indian Americans bring a rich and diverse cultural heritage to the United States. Their traditions, festivals, music, dance, and cuisine have enriched American society and added to the country's cultural tapestry.

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• Philanthropy and Community Involvement: Indian Americans are actively involved in philanthropic efforts, both within their own communities and in broader American society. They contribute to various charitable causes, support education initiatives, and provide assistance during natural disasters and crises.

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• Healthcare and Medical Research: Many Indian American healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and researchers, play a crucial role in the U.S. healthcare system. Their contributions have been particularly prominent, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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• Technology and Innovation: Indian Americans have been at the forefront of technological advancements, contributing to the growth of the information technology and software industries. They have founded and led major tech companies, and their innovations have had a global impact.

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• Political Representation: Indian Americans have increasingly become involved in American politics, with several elected officials and policymakers at the federal, state, and local levels. Their involvement helps ensure diverse perspectives and representation in government.

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• Civic Engagement and Advocacy: Indian Americans are actively engaged in civic and advocacy organizations, working to address various social, political, and economic issues. They advocate for important causes and contribute to the democratic process.

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• Academic Excellence: Indian American students often excel academically and achieve high levels of success in various educational institutions. They have been recognized with numerous academic honors and scholarships.

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• Cultural Fusion: Indian Americans have played a role in fostering cultural exchange and understanding between India and the United States. Their ability to bridge both worlds contributes to greater global cultural awareness. 

 

It's important to note that the contributions and achievements of Indian Americans are as diverse as the community itself, and they have enriched the United States in numerous ways, making them an integral part of American society.

 

In addition, here are some prominent examples of Indian Americans who have made significant contributions in various fields while living in the United States:

 

• Kamala Harris: Kamala Harris made history by becoming the first female, first Black, and first Indian American Vice President of the United States. Her political career has been marked by numerous achievements, including serving as Attorney General of California and a U.S. Senator. 

• Sundar Pichai: Sundar Pichai is the CEO of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company. He played a crucial role in the development of Google Chrome and later became the CEO of Google before taking on his current role. 

• Indra Nooyi: Indra Nooyi is the former CEO of PepsiCo, one of the world's largest food and beverage companies. She is known for her leadership in business and her commitment to sustainability. 

• Satya Nadella: Satya Nadella is the CEO of Microsoft. He has played a pivotal role in Microsoft's transformation into a cloud computing and technology services giant. 

• Nikki Haley: Nikki Haley served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and as the Governor of South Carolina. She is known for her diplomatic and political career. 

• Dr. Sanjay Gupta: Dr. Sanjay Gupta is a prominent neurosurgeon, medical correspondent, and CNN Chief Medical Correspondent. He has been a leading voice in health and medical reporting. 

• Padmasree Warrior: Padmasree Warrior is a technology executive who has held leadership positions at companies like Cisco Systems and NIO. She is known for her contributions to the tech industry. 

• Raghuram Rajan: Raghuram Rajan, a noted economist, and former Chief Economist and Vice President of the World Bank, is renowned for his expertise in international finance and monetary policy. 

• Dr. Vivek Murthy: Dr. Vivek Murthy is a former U.S. Surgeon General and has been a prominent advocate for public health and healthcare reform. 

 

These individuals represent just a small fraction of the many accomplished Indian Americans who have made significant contributions to American society and culture. Their success stories highlight the diverse range of achievements within the Indian American community in the United States. If you see, most of the people on the list came to prominence in the last decade or recent past. It is with the hope that people like me will also have our name on the above list after the years spent in the current wave.