Heritage and Destiny Conference

The UCLA History Department
and
The Navin and Pratima Doshi Chair
Present:

Indian-Americans and U.S. Politics:
Heritage and Destiny

A two-day conference exploring the issues, needs, and current approaches of Indian-Americans in American politics.

January 15, 2000 9am to 6:30pm
January 16, 2000 10am to 3pm
UCLA Faculty Center

This two-day conference is being hold under the auspices of the Nevin and Pratima Doshi Chair in Indian History. The purpose of the conference is to identify the political needs and aspirations of Indlan-Americans including first-generation immigrants, the 1.5 generation who were born in India and immigrated with parents before the age of ten, and the second generation who consist of those who were born in this country. While them are specific and distinct issues, needs, and approaches appropriate to each generation, there are also many common Interests spanning these three groups of Indian-Americans.

At present, there seems to be a glaring discrepancy between the community's standing and achievement in education, professional careers, business and industry on one hand, and a lack of political participation and influence on the other. This conference will not only outline. the problem, but will hopefully address itself to measures that could open avenues for increasing participation of Indian-Americons into the mainstream politics of this country.

While efforts will be made to invite Indian-Amaricans from across the country to present their experiences, views, and suggestions, the conference will emphasize participation by Indian-Americans in California representing all three generations, notably from metropolitan Los Angeles and the Bay Area.

Synopsis of Conference Program:
January 15, 2000

Inaugural Session- 9 -10 AM
Welcome: Prof. D.R. SarDesai Conference Director
His Excellency, Mr. Naresh Chandra, Ambassador of India to the U.S. inaugurates the Conference
Inaugural Address: W. Abraham Sofaer, Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution, and former Legal Advisor to the Reagan Administration "Making it in America -Politically."
Dr. Brenda Stevenson, Chair, History Department, UCLA

COFFEE BREAK

Panel I: Indian-Americans and Politics - The Current Scene
10:15-11:45 AM

Chair: Dr. Vikram. Kamdar, Physician & Community Leader
Mr. Kapil Sharma, Attomey-d-Law, Former Legislative Assistant to Congressman Frank Pallone, "Indian-Americans: Current and Future Interests"
Dr. Rakesh Kadian, Physician and Author, Washington, D.C., "Will Indian-Americans benefit from Participation in U.S. Politics? - A Contrarian View"
Dr. Krishna Reddy, President, Indian American Friendship Council, "Politics by Proxy - IndianAmericans and U.S. Congressmen."
Mr. Sunil AgK Founder, Indian-American Political Foundation, "Indian Americans and Campaign Financing!'
Mr. Indra Gandhi Altomey-at-Law, Los Angeles, "'The Politics of Immigration -Relevance to the Indian American Community"
Discussant: Dr. Ram Mohan Roy, Professor of Political Science, CSUN

Panel II US. Politics and Sectoral Interests of Indian-Americans
11: 45 to 1: 00 PM

Chair: Dr C. Kumar Patel, Vice-Chancellor (Research), UCLA, "Politics of Academic Funding and Award,,"
Dr. Viren Mehta, Mehta Partners, New York, "Indian-American Entrepreneurs and U.S. Politics."
Dr. Subroto Kundu, President, Northern Califixnia Physicians group (AAPIO) and Chair, AAPI EMIT Committee, "Indian-Americans and Legislation regarding the Medical Profession"
Dr. Parvin Syal, Physician and Community leader, Los Angeles, "Medical Profession and Campaign Financing".
Mr. Manish Patel, Managing Director IMKS - Mastach, San Francisco & Co-Chair, Network of Indian Professionals of North America, on "Professional Indian Americans: Direction and Participation in U.S. Politics"
Discussant: Dr. Neils C. Se-shacharL Professor, Weber State University, Utah

LUNCHEON 1:00 to 2:15 PM

Luncheon Address: Mr. Bobby Yindal, President, University of Louisiana System, "IndianAmerican Identity For First and Second Generations"
Chair: Prof D.R. SarDesai

Panel III: Direct and Indirect Participation in the Political Process 2:15 to 3:30 PM

Chair. Dr. Snchendu Kar, Public Health, UCLA
Dr. Raj Mathur, President, Irvine Valley College
Ms. Radha Chanderraj, Member, Nevada Gaming Commission, Las Vegas
Mr. David Dhillon, Four times Mayor of El Centro, California
Mr. Amitabha Bose, Legislative Analyst to Congressmen Menendez, Washington, D.C.
CHAI TIM ... 3.30 to 3:45
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: All Panclists...3:45-5:30 PM
Chair. Ambassador R.M. Abhyankar, Consul General of India (San Francisco)

RECEPTION: 5:30-6:30 PM

SUNDAY, January 16, 2000
(Details to be announced at the end of the first day's meeting. Please sign up for Sunday workshop -Sign up sheet available with any volunteer.)
Workshop I 10-12 PM
LUNCH
Workshop II 1-3 PM

The conference is free.

Only the first two hundred fifty persons will receive free lunch cards on a first come, first serve basis.

Directions:
405 Fwy, exit Wilshire East (Westwood), Right on Wilshire, Left on Westwood, Right on Le Contem Left on Hilgard, Left on Westholme

Enter the UCLA Campus
Purchase a $5 permit for Parking Lot #2
The Faculty Center is to the right of the Parking Kiosk
For further information, email sardesai@ucla.edu

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