This American election, a small number of Indian Americans will vote. Their vote will not swing the elections. Their presence is not concentrated in the swing states.
People of Indian origin-whether born in India, the United States, or somewhere else-make up about 1 percent of the American population. They are small in size, but as the authors of a new book, Sanjoy Chakravorty, Devesh Kapur and Nirvikar Singh write in their new book, The Other One Percent: Indians in America, this community has been called (along with several other Asian-American communities) a "model minority" that has been unusually successful in pursuing the American Dream through careers in high-skill occupations and entrepreneurship.
How did a population from one of the poorest countries halfway around the world, with distinct linguistic and religious characteristics, emerge as arguably the richest and most economically successful group in America?
Who are the Indian Americans and how does the current political discourse on immigration, anti-Muslim rhetoric, gender, taxes affect them? What explains the recent outreach by the Republican nominee, Donald Trump to groups of Indian Americans, and finally have the political views of the Indian Americans being mischaracterised back home?
Naga Aithal
84 years | Scientist
One of them will be elected for sure. But none is the favorite one. As for Hillary Clinton, she is perceived as a liar and not trustworthy. The "e-mail affair" has added more problems. Her using the private account for conducting official business as Secretary of State created more problems. And she erased all of them further aggravated the situation. If she is honest she would admit her mistake for using the private account for official purpose, which she did of course, much later! But why did she erase them if there is nothing to hide? That bothers all. And repeatedly lied about existing official communication in the erased emails. She bungled up the Benghazi situation as the Secretary of State and this made many very angry.
As for Trump, he is just a nasty and very selfish person. He does not have the stature of a statesman. He is just a selfish businessman. He incited young white Americans that as an outsider of Washington politics, he will bring changes and "restore public confidence" in Government. People got carried away by his rhetoric. As the campaign went on the real Trump is exposed. The guy adores Putin, an adversary of USA. There are indications that he had some dealings with Russia which merits full enquiry by the Justice Department. He is just an empty pot. His views on women and religious minority speak for themselves.
The results of this election is very scary. If Trump wins, it is a disaster for USA. He may have some legal problems with the Justice Department. He completely lacks in administrative skill at the government level.
If on the other hand, Hillary wins, she too will have problem of hanging over and liable for prosecution. She may have some experience in government administration, but people don't trust her. Also Trump supporters may incite some kind of 'revolution' which may turn violent thus posing the country a very dangerous situation.
So, as I told you this election poses the country a sad situation. God should save America! Again this is my very personal opinion. Here in this country, there are provision for early voting by mail and as an elderly person I have already sent my ballot.
I would like to inform you that from California a person with some Indian heritage, Kamala Harris is contesting as a Democrat for a senatorial seat. Chances are very high that she could win.
Rani Emandi
46 years | Attorney
Donald Trump exhibits negative qualities as a human being demonstrating his racist, sexist, and abhorrent views for mankind. It would be absolutely disheartening to have such an individual representing one of the greatest countries in the world. Our world is only getting smaller and there must be absolute respect for each and every individual from any country.
Sangeeta Malik
Financial Planner
I support Hillary Clinton as she is the most qualified presidential candidate and Donald Trump is a self centered egoist. Donald boasts about his sexual assaults on women and hates immigrants. He doesn't have a clear vision about American policies.
I came to US in 2001. I am a citizen of America and love its culture of embracing immigrants whole hertedly. America is a land of opportunity and we need to give back by being a integral part of elections and choosing the most qualified president.
Jay Bhaskaran
52 years | Business Executive
When I came to this country as a student in 1996, America had vibrant economy with Bill Clinton as the President. Such direction was again given by Barack Obama but he inherited one of the worst recession created by George Bush. Obama was able to put the economy back in position.
I am hoping that Clinton will be able to continue the momentum.
Tahil Sharma
24 years | Human Rights Activist
As a millennial Hindu and Sikh, my awakening began after the Oak Creek Gurudwara attack when I realised that no community is exempt from injustice; not here or anywhere in the world.
Even though it affected my own community, it was an epiphany that reminded me that I cannot merely seek justice for my own community that has suffered. Countless voices have been silenced and many others have been marginalised and discriminated against, taking away from the beauty of their existence and being. And it is time for each of us to reclaim our identities for the sake of humanity and its equity. Nothing else with suffice.
Anjan Chimaladinne
50 years | Consultant
I have been actively participating in every single election (local, state, and federal) in Virginia since then. I graduated from Sorensen Institute of Political Leadership, University of Virginia and ran for Local Office in Virginia in 2011 and 2015. I attended DNC as an elected National Delegate for Hillary Clinton and currently serve as a Board Member in Virginia Governor's IT Advisory Council and Member in Hillary for America Finance Team.
During my race for Local office here in VA, I felt that both the incumbents and the candidates knew the issues very well and also had a clear vision on what (and how too) needs to be done to help with those issues. Based on what I hear from Trump and read about Trump, I am of the opinion that he is not fit to run even for a local office - I am absolutely sure that many, many millions concur with me.
On the other hand, Secretary Clinton has an extensive experience and dedicated her entire life to public service. She has a clear vision and a plan on how to execute that. She also has an excellent running mate, from my home state of Virginia, who has experience at every level of the government. In my opinion, on November 8 common sense would prevail - for folks who care for their families, communities, cities, states, the country they love the most, and the entire world, the choice is crystal clear - that's to cast the vote for the Clinton-Kaine ticket and the save the planet from a catastrophe.
Srinivasa K Rao
57 years | Scientist/Entrepreneur
I support Hillary Clinton, as she and her team only can give stability to the country when compared with Donald Trump and his team.
Since 1986 I know many immigrants in USA as Friends and colleagues. I think, immigrants harbour a bigger dream, than American dream. That dream is to see their country of origin become like US on progressive and positive lines.
The present politics are making this 'bigger dream of immigrants' a reality in near future, move in in a negative direction. This is due to the contesting candidate's carving for enblock minority/immigrant vote. I believe this will continue because there is no quarantine for brining bad, divisive, religious and feudalistic thoughts in to the country.
Sunita Viswanath
48 years | Human Rights Activist
I am Hindu, and have been working hard to build a platform for social justice-minded Hindus to speak up and act for justice for all communities who are denied justice. My organisation, Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus has been working on issues including environmental justice, the rights of women and people of all sexual orientations and genders, the civil rights of Muslims in America and the world, and the eradication of caste and caste oppression in the world.
This election has been deeply depressing -- because of the explicit and extreme misogyny, Islamophobia, xenophobia and racism of Donald Trump, but also because so many Americans seem to resonate with these views. Only 7% of Indian Americans are planning to vote for Trump, but they have been very vocal. These Indian Americans do not represent the progressive values I stand for as a feminist and a Hindu.
Raghu Murtugudde
56 years | Professor
I came in 1984 for higher studies and realised soon that my brain is left-leaning and that people are somewhat hard wired in their political leanings. I stayed for earning dollars to pay off a lot of debts and to support parents and siblings who were quite poor but also ended up switching fields to satisfy my own intellectual needs.
America, like any country, has an undercurrent of prejudices that explode into full blown xenophobia under the right conditions when someone provides it a voice. The fundamentals are too strong for this to be any serious downward spiral but the GOP has been ignoring the identity crisis for a while and now it has its reckoning.
This is the painful movement towards the global human integration and the whole world is experiencing some version of this progress towards a more equal (gender and economic) planet. Only question is how long this may take and what role each country will play. US has led in many ways but now has its ugly underbelly exposed.
Anjali Kaul Zutshi
Non-Profit Executive
Ideologies did not get in the way of doing the right thing. Coming here at a time when Americans had opened up to diversity - cultural, religious, ethnic, etc., I felt welcomed as an immigrant. I had the opportunity to make my place in my adopted home - my "karma-bhoomi", and the freedom to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness".
People respected differences even if they did not completely understand them, and those that didn't were, for the most part, marginalised and could not bring their hate and discontent into the mainstream.
The current election has turned all that on its head. The options we have in 2016 are not ideal, but the choice is obvious. Its a choice between a track record in public service, experience in diplomacy, and support for freedom and equality for all, over a track record of self versus the country, misogyny, race-baiting, and a blatant disregard for the truth.
Venkatesh Raghavendra
49 years | Philanthropic Development
I came to the United States as a social entrepreneur. My political awakening and awareness happened thanks to my work which brings me in touch with all kinds of people - Democrats and Republicans included. Over the years I have also been able to see the political awakening of the diaspora community itself and its evolution in the political space.
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