"Uncles and Aunties for Biden-Harris", a virtual panel with Indian American Seniors was hosted by Miss Kumu Gupta Oct. 28th 7-8pm and started with an introduction of Kumu as Moderator by Mrs. Priya Samant, a Biden supporter and volunteer. The panel came from the idea that Indian American Senior citizens need a seat at the table to talk about their hopes and challenges for themselves and their children and grand children about their life in America, this being a great time, given we have an Indian American in Senator Kamala Harris running for office of Vice President of United States.  

Invited panelists were Mr. & Mrs. Shroff of South Carolina, Mrs. Chainani of Connecticut( due to technical issues on her end could not participate) and Puran Dang of Massachusetts (due to health reasons could not participate), all well into their 70's and above. The range of the panel was meant to represent different models of senior living with the 1st couple living and earning independently even today, Mrs. Chainani in her 80's doing the traditional Indian thing of living with her son and daughter by turn and Mr. Dang an independent community stalwart , with many awards and accolades for his dedicated service to community over the years and being an entrepreneur.

It was so amazing, inspiring and hopeful to hear Mr. & Mrs. Shroff talk about their journey of over 50yrs in US along with travelling & work as well as challenges of learning to live in the US as new comers. Mrs. Shaila Shroff talked about how even back then she did not feel discriminated as a female physicist and today after 'officially retiring' from her day job is now a tax consultant. When asked  what stands out about a Biden Harris administration, were they to win, Mr. Vijay Shroff said there would be no lies and more diversity.

And this one really got to me, when I heard an Indian American say that 100 yrs ago, her dada ji insisted on voting at the age of 92 yrs here in the US.

The 4th model, not represented in the panel, was living in exclusively gated Indian American Senior residences in Florida like Shantiniketan, a first of its kind in the US with branches now in other cities like... This community has Indian meals cooked for the seniors and has a temple on site which they can go to for spiritual activities and prayers. And of course, in Massachusetts, we are lucky to have ICC Founder Mr. Girish Mehta who has done a lot to help Indian American seniors be part of main stream assisted living facilities with option of Indian meals.

So it goes to say, for the younger Indian Americans like myself, life as a senior once we get there can be a lot of fun.c.. especially in America where 60's is the new 30's. 

We wish VP Biden and Senator Harris a sweeping victory in November !

*Kumu Gupta served as President's Challenge Advocate, premier program of President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition  under President Obama and is a Biden For President volunteer.