While the Indian community in the USA has established itself economically and culturally, it seems to have largely avoided participatory politics. Despite commendable achievements of the Indian diaspora in education, the professions, business and industry, there has been a woeful lack of political achievement among Indians. This seems particularly so compared with other Asian immigrant communities like the Chinese-American community. Fortunately, things are looking up. More and more Indian-Americans are now willing to get involved in the hustle and bustle of electoral politics, and seem eager to make their presence felt on the political and civic scene.

There is excitement among the Indian diaspora about their growing political voice. We share this enthusiasm as we introduce Mr. Ramesh Advani to our readers. Mr. Advani is in the running for a seat on Norfolk town’s Board of Selectmen. This is a three year term on a three member Board that serves as the senior civic leadership of Norfolk.

The Town of Norfolk is a semirural suburban community located on an upper valley of the Charles River. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, Norfolk has 10,460 residents in 2,818 households.

Mr. Advani, has lived in Norfolk for 20 years, having served on the town’s charter commitee. He helped raise money for a new Elementary School, and recommended the creation of a Department of Finance to coordinate and integrate Financial management of the town. An active member of the Norfolk Charter Committee from 1992 to1994 Mr. Advani participated in the committee's mission to examine the inner-workings of the town and recommend improvements.

The Board of Selectmen is responsible for coordinating the activities of all town agencies, and for keeping under review the present and future needs of the town. As the Executive Officers of the Town, the Selectmen are vested with all the municipal authority where they supervise the administration of all the affairs of the town, except those matters which according to General Statutes or this Charter are delegated to other agencies or boards. They also adopt town administrative policies, review and set fiscal guidelines for the annual operating budget and the six-year capital improvements program, and make recommendations to the Town Meeting on the same.

Asked about his commitment to the town and his motivation to stand for office, Mr. Advani said, “For the several years that we have been here, we have been involved in various projects. Our first involvement was with the schools. My wife Rita was in the school committee. I always was interested in getting involved in the workings of our town and as part of the Charter committee, I had the most valuable learning experience. I got involved with every committee, every board and learnt how the Town worked. It was a fascinating and also rewarding experience, as we were instrumental in bringing about some dramatic changes in the wokings of our town. We recommended the creation of the post of a town administrator, realizing how important a it was to have a professional municipal leader for our growing community.”

“After that I got involved with education reform. Aspects which are important to any growing town, we strove for creation of Parent Teacher Advisory committees, worked to enhance student teacher ratios, funding for special programs and for educators among other things. I also became very involved in pushing for regional transportation in our town, to benefit, the disabled, the Senior citizens and those with no access to transportation of their own.”

With the economy being what it is and the various cut backs in town spending budgets, how did he see himself helping in vital fiscal decisions in the town? As a selectman, would he be directly involved in reviewing and setting fiscal guidelines for the annual operating budget?

“Actually that is the principal platform that I am running on. I am confident that with my financial background I can provide sound fiscal leadership to the town. These are hard times, local aid has been cut back, and many tough decisions have to be made. 89% of the Town’s revenue is from residential taxes and my responsibilities will be to manage it the best I can. That is where my background in financial management will come of use."

An electrical engineer by training, Mr. Advani has a master's degree in business and 25 years experience in creating and managing budgets for multi-million dollar corporations. Having worked in Fortune 500 manufacturing and medical diagnostics companies, he is now Senior Finance Manager & Controller at the world’s largest mutual fund company. During the course of our conversation, Mr. Advani bemoans the fact that Indian Americans are reluctant to take active part in mainstream politics. He said, however, that he was heartened by the interest the new generation is taking in the day to day running of the country and the bold political initiatives by youngsters is a welcome sign of enlightenment and education. How about support from the Indian-American community? “The support has been amazing, they are reaching out and encouraging me! I think it is great that this community is coming ahead to support a fellow Indian-American to run for public office.”

”I’d be nowhere without their support” he says emphatically. “My wife Rita is very supportive, despite the fact that this is a tremendous time commitment. She supports me fully; so do my sons Ashwin and Sameer."

Those interested in contributing to Mr. Advani’s campaign or in more information, email advanicampaign@hotmail.com

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