The Indian American Forum for Political Education – Massachusetts Chapter hosted its award ceremony for political interns and an informational session for obtaining OCI and PIO cards on October 31, 2009 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Burlington, MA. 

The event attended by ore than 75 people, had the opportunity to meet and hear Steve Pagliuca, who is running for the US Senate seat. Pagliuca, managing director at Bain Capital and co-owner of the Boston Celtics, talked about his vision for the Commonwealth. Over the years, Pagliuca has bee involved in various social causes including Massachusetts Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children and Shamrock Foundation. He investment group has an office in Mumbai and has visited India a number of times. A graduate of Duke and Harvard Business School, Pagliuca talked about universal health care, counter terrorist policies and partnerships in the area of life sciences.

Elected to the nominating committee were Gope Gidwani, Neelam Wali and Janine Saldhana. Satya Mitra, president of IAFPE, described the FORUM as Fantastic Opportunity  Under Mankind and emphasized the principles of the 4 Cs – Connect, Communicate, Commit and Contribute, along with service to others, for all of us to succeed.

Consul P. K. Bajaj. Consulate General of India, New York, served as the Chief Guest. “US-India relations are very good and growing thanks to the Indian community,” said Bajaj. He spoke on various topics including PIO and OCI cards. PIO and OCI cards were introduced in 2000 and 2006, respectively. PIO cards allow for visa free travel to India for 15 years and a maximum continuous stay of 180 days without registration. OCI cards are visa stickers in the passport, provide life long multiple entry visas and no limit on stay. However, when the passport expires, the person needs to carry the new passport along with the old passport with the ‘visa sticker’.

The event honored six summer political interns, each of whom received a certificate and a check of $1,000. The six interns were:

PROTIVA DUTTA
Protiva hails from Worcester, MA and is the daughter of Rabindra and Chandana Dutta. She is a freshman at the College of the Holy Cross, where she is majoring in Biology & Premed.

Protiva Interned at Congressman James McGovern’s Worcester office under the supervision of  District Director Joe O’Brien. She did an outstanding job of revising a grassroots website set up for those planning to start a political campaign for the first time. She also had the opportunity to be with President Bill Clinton at a fundraiser for the congressman.

SACHIN PATEL
Sachin hails from Holden, MA and is the son of Dr. Kirit and Hasumati Patel. He is a junior at University of Connecticut, Storrs, where he is majoring in Economics and Biology.

Sachin Interned at The Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce
Sachin helped on a wide range of activities including maintaining and updating a new website, updating and sending out a weekly email blast, and writing summaries and positions of the Chamber on various public policy issues concerning businesses and economic development. He worked closely with his supervisor Sharyn Williams.

PRANAV SACHDEV
Pranav hails from Weston, MA, and is the son of Anupam and
Dr. Aruna Sachdev. He is a Junior at Trinity College, in Connecticut and is  majoring in Political Science and Economics.

Pranav Interned at State Senator Michael Knapik’s office.
In addition to his constituent work, Pranav conducted extensive research on the potential social and economic consequences of casinos in Massachusetts. He made an one-on-one 20-minute presentation to the senator.
    
VIKRAM SAINI
Vikram hails from Needham, MA, and is the son of is the son of Ajay and Dr. Mina Saini. He is a sophmore at Bucknell University and his career interests are Economics, Law, and Politics.

Vikram interned at State Senator Richard Tisei’s (TISAY) office. In addition to answering phone calls from constituents, reporters and other state officials, Vikram researched bills, attended hearings and met with constituents and supporters of various legislations. He also researched bills and prepared summaries for the Senator.

SAMAN SALIM
Saman hails from Canton, MA, and is the daughter of daughter of Tanvir and Sufia Salim. She is a Junior at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where she is majoring in Political Science and Public Policy.

Saman interned at Representative Jay Kaufman’s office. In addition to working with constituents, Saman also wrote summaries of bills and prepared  briefs for the Senator. Saman  did an outstanding job and was a finalist of the Arthur Lambert Scholarship.

Saman also conducted an internship project.  She organized an event at the State House for the Indian Muslim Council (IMC) to gain exposure so that it could help more people. At the event, IMC had an opportunity to talk about their goals in the State House, and it was a successful meeting with a good turnout. This meeting encouraged other chapters of the IMC in other states to do the same and try to set up meetings in their own State Houses.

Dr. Melvyn Menezes welcomed the guests while Dr. Purnima Sangal gave the vote of thanks.

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