History Repeats with Ricky Gill Seeking Office of Congressman from California
Dr. Jaswant Singh Sachdev, M.D.*
Phoenix, Arizona
It was the year of 1956 when S. Dalip Singh Saund, a native of Punjab, India born to a Sikh family, created history by getting elected as U.S. Congress from the 29th California District, which then comprised Riverside and Imperial counties. He was not only the first Indian, rather the first Asian to be elected to the Congress of United States of America. He then repeated the same feat three times more. An ardent nationalist and a man of letters expounding extreme degree of love for his mother country – India, he did not hesitate in seeking India’s freedom from the clutches of British Empire by his political status here in U.S. It was though his efforts as United States Congressman that helped bring the right of citizenship for all the Asians who until them could neither seek citizenship nor own property.
And now exactly 56 years later, Ricky Gill, a son of other immigrant Sikh parents from the same state of India, i.e. Punjab like Dalip Singh Saund, is now seeking the office of Congressman from the State of California. Born and raised in California, having roots in agriculture like that of Mr. Saund, Ricky is an intellectual as well as a good orator and energetic. This may seem too much of a coincidence? But the history could easily repeat itself and complete the cycle, only if we, his fellow countrymen from India attempt to do our share in lending a helping hand especially when he reaches out to us in our town to meet and greet us.
In between these two co-incidences, we have witnessed a barrage of politically oriented young men and women of Indian descent, including one of our own Rano Singh, taking plunge into the political fabric of America at city, state and federal level. In terms of relative numbers of Indians seeking political offices, our involvement perhaps has been more than any other ethnic Asian group. The meager resources and small number of their vote-eligible countrymen or women does not stop our aspirants from trying to show off their political muscles. Like true statesmen or women, they all exhibited courage, perseverance and do not care for the outcome. Yet, given political acumen, hard work as well as in-born intelligence and extraordinary educational backgrounds, many have indeed succeeded in their objectives, while a few did not. Isn’t it surprising that among all the ethnic Asian groups in this country, i.e. hyphenated-Americans, only Indians had enough privilege to wear the crowns of Governorship not only in one case but two. And ironically, both Bobby Jindal and Nicky Hailey, two very popular and successful Governors of Indian descent also happen to have their genetic roots in Punjabi Indian parents.
The purpose of this write up is two folds. First of all it is imperative for us to realize that showing political activist is essential for future success of our community. We have excelled in our respective professions and have reached pinnacles of success beyond our imaginations. And we have amassed significant wealth as successful businessmen in all spheres. Our per capita income is the highest or close to highest compared to any other ethnic group in America. Yet, until and unless we take further steps and try to penetrate into political territories, like we are now doing, our voices would not reach where they ought to be.
It will be naïve to think that our future survival to stay as a successful community will be easy or smooth without having political muscles. History provides several examples where minorities that did not try to wield political strength, ultimately ended up facing the wrath of majority. Time is ripe now for our second generation, born and raised here to combine their communication skills with their hereditary qualities of hard work, intelligence and perseverance to seek political offices. Ricky Gill for that matter fits the bill. It is for us now to see that it happens.
And second, it is a unique privilege for our community in Phoenix that a group of fellow Indians have been able to arrange for Ricky’s visit here. No candidate will ever swim to the other end, if sufficient funds to support its survival through a lengthy period of election and selection process are not made available. Under such circumstances, it becomes imperative for all of us to help Ricky in raising funds for his campaign. His visit here and meeting with people for that purpose is important. Sending this message to our community by writing few words about his visit and his agenda to seek a political office from California, can help but only if we as Indians open our pockets for a fellow Indian. Ricky understands our issues; be they of hate crime! businesses conflicts, subtle discrimination or otherwise. Helping him will in fact be helping ourselves, no less and no more.
*Author of 1. “Square Pegs, Round Holes” www.SquarePegsRoundHolesBook.com and 2. “Sikhism: Points to Ponder; Perspectives of a Sikh Living Abroad,” as well as a recently published masterpiece about the cross-cultural dilemma of Indian subcontinent diaspora, 3. “One Coin, Two Sides,” For details of the this new book, please go to the LINK http://inkwellproductions.com/one-coin-two-sides.htm
