BY DEVIKA C.MEHTA
CERRITOS, CA – The usual fireside chat sessions at TiECon conventions are both brilliant and thought-provoking, but the one that took place at this year’s TiECon Southwest on Oct 28 was all of that with a dose of entertainment and humor. Navneet Chugh, co-founder of the The Indus Entrepreneurs, involvement in a ‘fireside chat session’
CERRITOS, CA – The usual fireside chat sessions at TiECon conventions are both brilliant and thought-provoking, but the one that took place at this year’s TiECon Southwest on Oct 28 was all of that with a dose of entertainment and humor. Navneet Chugh, co-founder of the The Indus Entrepreneurs, involvement in a ‘fireside chat session’
with Congressman for Illinois’s 8th Congressional district Raja Krishnamoorthi at the Sheraton here left the audience inspired and talking.
Chugh entertained the audience and kept his questions strictly professional with a twist of jocularity and mindfulness. On the other hand, Krishnamoorthi eagerly took part in the conversation, maintaining the perfect chemistry of laughter and seriousness. If some of his answers made the audience shout out with joy, others led them into a world of acknowledgement and insight.
The session commenced with Chugh saying, “A fireside chat without a fire! Well, we started in this room on September 16, 1997, it is so good to be back here. We were the second chapter in the universe of 61 chapters. TiE is doing really good. If you google the best 20 networking organizations in Silicon Valley- we are at the top.” Changing the topic to Krishnamoorthi, Chugh welcomed the Congressman and mentioned, “We are 3.6 million people out of 320 million in US and for a long time we wanted Indian-Americans in Congress. Today, we have four Indian-Americans in the House of Representatives and one is with us.”
Joking around, Chugh then questioned Krishnamoorthi about his early morning activities, to which the Congressman flippantly replied, “As you all know, we are four Indian-Americans in Congress now, whom I affectionately call the ‘Samosa Caucus’. So, every morning, ‘this samosa’ goes to Congressional gym. In fact, I found out that my locker mate was ‘some’ Paul Ryan, who is also the Speaker of the US House of Representatives. After our workouts, we talk about family and the Chicago Cubs, not politics.”
Getting back Chugh added, “What an opening, if we all close our eyes, we can imagine 400 Congressmen in underwear.” The statement left the crowd in splits!
On a more serious note. Chugh moved to racism and political standards against Indian-Americans in the US Congress. Taking the question effortlessly, Krishnamoorthi pointed, “So far, I haven’t felt overt racism, sometimes there can be preconceived notions which we certainly need to dispel, especially in this administration which has unfortunately developed a growing xenophobia against immigration, H1B visas and other issues.”
On the topic of re-election and how an Indian-American can become Speaker of the House, Krishnamoorthi genuinely stated, “I try to do my part, but it is always good to see new perspectives at new levels.”
Krishnamoorthi also shared an interesting story of the Budget 2017 when Chugh asked about the position of Democrats while being in Opposition. “For the Bill, 192 democrats voted no, but there were also some Republicans who decided to vote against the Bill and Paul Ryan could be seen going to every leader and almost sweating bullets. One could almost see him telling every leader that ‘we need you’. The Bill passed by 216-212, which in itself is interesting as 20 Republicans voted against it.”
Satisfied by Krishnamoorthi’s answers, Chugh once again turned frivolous and asked about the Congressman’s salary and regrets about choosing a ‘lesser-paid’ career? “Your poor parents sent you to Princeton, Harvard, but you opt to work at almost one-fourth at what you could have earned. How do you feel about what you are getting out of this thing?”
Smiling Krishnamoorthi answered, “They wanted me to become an engineer. I became one, too but my calling was public service.”
Sharing stories of how working as an intern in President Barack Obama’s campaign in 2000 and 2002 changed his life, he appealed, “Perform a season of service in your life. There is no job satisfaction like helping somebody, who is in desperate need. Please encourage your children to take public service, if it is politics and governance nothing better. Allow your kids to work on campaigns as it changes life. Obama’s victory opened my eyes to the possibility that anybody in America can serve as people here are fundamentally good and they assess you on the basis of your character, ideas and merit.”
Talking about President Trump’s government and the politics of money and power behind campaigns, Krishnamoorthi informed, “My first campaign cost me 4 million dollars, money has become too big of a factor in politics. So the next campaign will be more difficult. I am thankful to people who contributed towards my success. Today, people feel that they have to have a political voice to express. This year many things have changed, now people feel the need for change especially in the Indian-American community, activism is required. Remember, if you don’t have a seat at the table you are the menu.”
He also detailed how Trump got millions of dollars for his campaign. “They have started Super PACs vehicles which are independent and can receive money from corporates as well. For those who don’t know it is a type of independent political action committee which may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, and individuals but is not permitted to contribute directly with parties or candidates.” Krishnamoorthi then spoke about his life in Schaumburg, Illinois, which has a vast majority of Indian-Americans. “Be it a basketball match or any other event, daily we get a sense of what life is like in the 8th congressional district and it is only appropriate to elect an Indian-American there,” he added amusingly.
Taking an IJ question on immigration and visa status, he,“Unfortunately under the Trump administration the situation has turned bad, especially for Indians. There is uncertainty about visa policies and immigration status. Hence, it is time we become vocal in our opinions and choose politics rather than just criticizing it.”
Chugh entertained the audience and kept his questions strictly professional with a twist of jocularity and mindfulness. On the other hand, Krishnamoorthi eagerly took part in the conversation, maintaining the perfect chemistry of laughter and seriousness. If some of his answers made the audience shout out with joy, others led them into a world of acknowledgement and insight.
The session commenced with Chugh saying, “A fireside chat without a fire! Well, we started in this room on September 16, 1997, it is so good to be back here. We were the second chapter in the universe of 61 chapters. TiE is doing really good. If you google the best 20 networking organizations in Silicon Valley- we are at the top.” Changing the topic to Krishnamoorthi, Chugh welcomed the Congressman and mentioned, “We are 3.6 million people out of 320 million in US and for a long time we wanted Indian-Americans in Congress. Today, we have four Indian-Americans in the House of Representatives and one is with us.”
Joking around, Chugh then questioned Krishnamoorthi about his early morning activities, to which the Congressman flippantly replied, “As you all know, we are four Indian-Americans in Congress now, whom I affectionately call the ‘Samosa Caucus’. So, every morning, ‘this samosa’ goes to Congressional gym. In fact, I found out that my locker mate was ‘some’ Paul Ryan, who is also the Speaker of the US House of Representatives. After our workouts, we talk about family and the Chicago Cubs, not politics.”
Getting back Chugh added, “What an opening, if we all close our eyes, we can imagine 400 Congressmen in underwear.” The statement left the crowd in splits!
On a more serious note. Chugh moved to racism and political standards against Indian-Americans in the US Congress. Taking the question effortlessly, Krishnamoorthi pointed, “So far, I haven’t felt overt racism, sometimes there can be preconceived notions which we certainly need to dispel, especially in this administration which has unfortunately developed a growing xenophobia against immigration, H1B visas and other issues.”
On the topic of re-election and how an Indian-American can become Speaker of the House, Krishnamoorthi genuinely stated, “I try to do my part, but it is always good to see new perspectives at new levels.”
Krishnamoorthi also shared an interesting story of the Budget 2017 when Chugh asked about the position of Democrats while being in Opposition. “For the Bill, 192 democrats voted no, but there were also some Republicans who decided to vote against the Bill and Paul Ryan could be seen going to every leader and almost sweating bullets. One could almost see him telling every leader that ‘we need you’. The Bill passed by 216-212, which in itself is interesting as 20 Republicans voted against it.”
Satisfied by Krishnamoorthi’s answers, Chugh once again turned frivolous and asked about the Congressman’s salary and regrets about choosing a ‘lesser-paid’ career? “Your poor parents sent you to Princeton, Harvard, but you opt to work at almost one-fourth at what you could have earned. How do you feel about what you are getting out of this thing?”
Smiling Krishnamoorthi answered, “They wanted me to become an engineer. I became one, too but my calling was public service.”
Sharing stories of how working as an intern in President Barack Obama’s campaign in 2000 and 2002 changed his life, he appealed, “Perform a season of service in your life. There is no job satisfaction like helping somebody, who is in desperate need. Please encourage your children to take public service, if it is politics and governance nothing better. Allow your kids to work on campaigns as it changes life. Obama’s victory opened my eyes to the possibility that anybody in America can serve as people here are fundamentally good and they assess you on the basis of your character, ideas and merit.”
Talking about President Trump’s government and the politics of money and power behind campaigns, Krishnamoorthi informed, “My first campaign cost me 4 million dollars, money has become too big of a factor in politics. So the next campaign will be more difficult. I am thankful to people who contributed towards my success. Today, people feel that they have to have a political voice to express. This year many things have changed, now people feel the need for change especially in the Indian-American community, activism is required. Remember, if you don’t have a seat at the table you are the menu.”
He also detailed how Trump got millions of dollars for his campaign. “They have started Super PACs vehicles which are independent and can receive money from corporates as well. For those who don’t know it is a type of independent political action committee which may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, and individuals but is not permitted to contribute directly with parties or candidates.” Krishnamoorthi then spoke about his life in Schaumburg, Illinois, which has a vast majority of Indian-Americans. “Be it a basketball match or any other event, daily we get a sense of what life is like in the 8th congressional district and it is only appropriate to elect an Indian-American there,” he added amusingly.
Taking an IJ question on immigration and visa status, he,“Unfortunately under the Trump administration the situation has turned bad, especially for Indians. There is uncertainty about visa policies and immigration status. Hence, it is time we become vocal in our opinions and choose politics rather than just criticizing it.”
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