BY SONAM MIRPURI
IRVINE, CA - As a result of the current political climate citizens are bringing diversity to the forefront by voting and electing individuals of color and putting them in positions of power. Farrah N. Khan is one of the individuals who has been elected into power. Khan is the newest and first South Asian woman to be elected council member for the City of Irvine.
IRVINE, CA - As a result of the current political climate citizens are bringing diversity to the forefront by voting and electing individuals of color and putting them in positions of power. Farrah N. Khan is one of the individuals who has been elected into power. Khan is the newest and first South Asian woman to be elected council member for the City of Irvine.
A celebration and fundraiser event was held for Khan’s successful election, organized and hosted by well-known community members: Aarti Kaushal of The Metamorfosys League; as well as Harish Murthy and Ramya Harishankar who run The Ektaa Center and Arpana Dance Company. Co-hosts for the fundraising portion were Naz Hamid, Dale Cheema, and Avinder Chawla.
Murthy and Harishankar welcomed guests into their home where the fundraiser took place on Dec 16. No detail was spared to make the afternoon affair a success and to celebrate Khan, who came in the coveted first place spot out of 12 candidates vying for two seats. Khan ran a clean and passionate campaign on the platform of transparency and diverse representation in local government, refusing to take any developer or special interest money.
With her campaign strategies, she placed first by a margin of more than 2000 votes ahead of the second-place council member. Around 60 guests feasted on a South Indian vegetarian brunch.
In their speeches, both Kaushal and Murthy mentioned the character and integrity of Khan who was able to successfully run a positive and clean political campaign, traits that were noteworthy in her securing winning votes towards the end of the voting period.
“We are all behind you,” said Murthy.
Other prominent leaders such as former Irvine Mayor Sukhee Kang were in attendance and congratulated her, while all co-hosts and many attendees took turns to honor her as well.
All called on Khan to help bridge various communities in Irvine toward a common cause of unity and diverse representation for issues affecting all its residents - such as immigration, over-development, infrastructure, affordable housing, and homelessness.
Kaushal presented Khan with a rose garland and a flower pot as well. When given the opportunity, Khan thanked all friends, old and new, who had gathered. Additionally, she encouraged all residents to continue their civic engagement from this point forward.
Khan restated Kaushal’s observation that she has already hit the ground sprinting, and said, “There is so much work to do, but together we are stronger and can accomplish anything.”
Khan also announced some of her appointees for Irvine’s commissions and committees, including Dale Cheema for Finance Commission; Harish Murthy for Senior Citizens Committee;Steve Huang for Planning Commission;and Senait Forthal for Green Ribbon Commission. Kaushal stated that The Metamorfosys League would be offering many more such socially conscious and educational events to engage prominent South Asian leaders in politics, education, business, entertainment, and celebrities with residents for common civic causes.
During the previous week, on the evening of Dec 11, Council Member Khan was sworn in at Irvine City Hall by the first ever South Asian Judge to be appointed to the Appellate Court of California, Judge Halim Dhanidina.
She was sworn in in front of hundreds of attendees who gave her a rousing standing ovation upon completion of her official ceremony. Present with her at that time were her mother, husband, four sons, and sister. Many in attendance were forced to stand due to the lack of seats available. Khan has also made history in that she is the very first South Asian woman leader to ever be elected to public office in Orange County, and one of the only ones in California.
Murthy and Harishankar welcomed guests into their home where the fundraiser took place on Dec 16. No detail was spared to make the afternoon affair a success and to celebrate Khan, who came in the coveted first place spot out of 12 candidates vying for two seats. Khan ran a clean and passionate campaign on the platform of transparency and diverse representation in local government, refusing to take any developer or special interest money.
With her campaign strategies, she placed first by a margin of more than 2000 votes ahead of the second-place council member. Around 60 guests feasted on a South Indian vegetarian brunch.
In their speeches, both Kaushal and Murthy mentioned the character and integrity of Khan who was able to successfully run a positive and clean political campaign, traits that were noteworthy in her securing winning votes towards the end of the voting period.
“We are all behind you,” said Murthy.
Other prominent leaders such as former Irvine Mayor Sukhee Kang were in attendance and congratulated her, while all co-hosts and many attendees took turns to honor her as well.
All called on Khan to help bridge various communities in Irvine toward a common cause of unity and diverse representation for issues affecting all its residents - such as immigration, over-development, infrastructure, affordable housing, and homelessness.
Kaushal presented Khan with a rose garland and a flower pot as well. When given the opportunity, Khan thanked all friends, old and new, who had gathered. Additionally, she encouraged all residents to continue their civic engagement from this point forward.
Khan restated Kaushal’s observation that she has already hit the ground sprinting, and said, “There is so much work to do, but together we are stronger and can accomplish anything.”
Khan also announced some of her appointees for Irvine’s commissions and committees, including Dale Cheema for Finance Commission; Harish Murthy for Senior Citizens Committee;Steve Huang for Planning Commission;and Senait Forthal for Green Ribbon Commission. Kaushal stated that The Metamorfosys League would be offering many more such socially conscious and educational events to engage prominent South Asian leaders in politics, education, business, entertainment, and celebrities with residents for common civic causes.
During the previous week, on the evening of Dec 11, Council Member Khan was sworn in at Irvine City Hall by the first ever South Asian Judge to be appointed to the Appellate Court of California, Judge Halim Dhanidina.
She was sworn in in front of hundreds of attendees who gave her a rousing standing ovation upon completion of her official ceremony. Present with her at that time were her mother, husband, four sons, and sister. Many in attendance were forced to stand due to the lack of seats available. Khan has also made history in that she is the very first South Asian woman leader to ever be elected to public office in Orange County, and one of the only ones in California.
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