Our Bureau
St. Paul, MN
High school student volunteers joined the League of Women Voters of Edina (LWVE) and community workers to educate and register voters at the Annual IndiaFest Festival at the Minnesota State Capitol grounds in St. Paul.
Edina High School senior Anoushka Jha and her sister Aditi Jha, a sophomore, regularly participate in voter registration drives at naturalization ceremonies and community events. “I have been volunteering for a while, and am excited to vote when I’m 18,” said Anoushka. “While the nation’s focus is on the presidential election, I believe that local elections are equally important.”
Anoushka and Aditi credit their parents Drs. Vaishali and Gautam Jha, preeminent physicians and distinguished members of the community for their support.
“We talk about politics frequently and often have spirited discussions about current issues,” said Aditi, who wants to be a lawyer and is very interested in public policy. She continued, “My parents support my passion for policy and regularly take time off from their busy schedule to support me.”
“We are happy to join local student-leaders in enlisting citizens to register and vote,” said Gopal Khanna, former National Vice President of the Association of Indians in America (AIA) who is currently chairing AIA’s national initiative on civic responsibility and community service. “Democracy is strong when people are engaged. It’s a privilege and responsibility of every citizen to participate in the electoral process of the country.” He continued, “I am heartened to see high schoolers taking the lead to work with LWVE and volunteering at the voter registration booth. I am inspired by their sense of duty and civic responsibility.”
Anoushka wants to pursue a career in medicine but is equally interested in politics and public policy. “I am concerned about the future of healthcare,” she said. “It constitutes about 17% of GDP and will be about 25% of the nation’s economy by the time I enter the practice. It’s an unsustainable model. My generation of future physicians need to think about policy as well, and be part of defining the future of medicine.”
Her sister chimed in, “As nextGen Americans and children of immigrants we need to continue that legacy of service to our country. The best way to do that is by exercising our right to vote.”
“In addition to voting we have a unique opportunity to participate in the upcoming elections at polling stations,” said Khanna. “Precincts and caucuses in every state need polling judges. People can call their city council and sign up to be an election judge. There is no better way to experience first-hand the workings of our electoral process and to ensure its sanctity. I urge people across the country to sign up at their respective city halls as soon as possible. Time is of the essence.”
“AIA remains committed to helping anyone who wishes to participate in voter registration drives or participate in polling booths”, said Gobind Munjal, National president of AIA. He added, “AIA has a long standing tradition of leading and supporting voter registration drives.” Added Khanna, “As a community our goal needs to be the one that has the highest rate of voter participation in the country. That’s a true hallmark of engaged citizenry.”
Minnesota, a land of 10,000 lakes, is home to over 40,000 people of Indian origin. Minnesota’s growing and thriving Indian-American community has enriched the state in all walks of life from art, music, science, technology, medicine, education, research, academia, entrepreneurship and politics and policy.
Established in 1967, the Association of Indians in America is the oldest national organization of Indian Americans whose motto is: “Indian Heritage and American Commitment.”
