Page 34 - The Indian EYE 083024

South The Indian Eye

AMERICANNewsline

34 AUGUST 30, 2024

Q&A WITH AMITABH RANJAN

‘I aspire to be the voice of the Indian

community, businesses and companies in the

council of Brazil’s most important city’

India-born businessman becomes the first-ever Person of Indian Origin to contest elections in Brazil

orn in Bihar Sharif, Bihar, In- This year, Brazil is hosting the G-20
dia in 1975 and educated at summit, with India passing on the
BJawaharlal Nehru University presidency to Brazil last year. Many
(JNU), New Delhi, Amitabh Ran- Indian ministers, secretaries and
jan moved to São Paulo in 1999. In high-level delegations have been
the past 25 years, the businessman visiting Brazil this year for different
has made significant contributions meetings. Even Prime Minister Na-
to various sectors, including coor- rendra Modi is likely to visit Brazil
dinating the famous Brazilian serial in November this year for the G-20
“Caminho das Índias” (Passages to summit in Rio de Janeiro.
India) in 2009. He has also served as This growing partnership be-
the Social Action Director of the In- tween India and Brazil will definitely
dian Association of Sao Paulo, which enhance the business relationships
is the only organization of the Indian between our two countries. Just to
community in Brazil. have an idea, India and the US have
Now, Amitabh Ranjan, 49, is bilateral trade of almost US$ 200
contesting the São Paulo Municipal billion per annum. India and a few
Council election as a candidate of Middle-Eastern countries have annu-
the Republican Party of Brazil, to al trade in the range of US$ 100 bil-
which the current Governor of São lion. Whereas India and Brazil trade
Paulo, Tarcisio Freitas, also belongs. is hardly around US$ 15 billion. This
As a candidate for the post of Coun- doesn’t mean that it can’t be raised
cilor, he is the first-ever Person of In- to a higher level. The trade has been
dian Origin (PIO) to contest for an increasing gradually. It’s just a matter
elected office in Brazil. of taking more initiatives at all levels
In a free-wheeling interview with the between the two countries. If all goes
Indian EYE, the India-born politician well and if I win this election, I will
spoke about his life, political campaign definitely try to concentrate my ef-
and India-Brazil relations. Excerpts of forts to help in increasing the bilateral
the interview: trade between India and Brazil be-
cause Sao Paulo is the financial capital
When and why did you decide to contest of not only Brazil but the entire South
the municipal elections in São Paulo? America. Most Indian companies are
I moved to Brazil in 1999. So, it’s Amitabh Ranjan, 49, is Republican candidate in Sao Paulo city elections based here and we would like to see
more than 25 years that I have lived more Indian companies setting up
in Sao Paulo in Brazil. During this operations here and more Brazilian
period, I have seen many changes President Jair Bolsonaro during his decided to go ahead with my plans to firms going to India.
but I personally feel that things could visit to India as chief guest at the Re- make my contribution to the society
have been much better. So, instead of public Day ceremony on January 26 and economy I have been part for al- Is the Indian community politically ac-
just waiting for the change, I decided in 2020. But immediately after the most three decades. tive in Brazil or other South American
to participate directly in the political visit, COVID-19 started to grip the countries?
process to become a part of the Bra- world in March 2020 and saving lives Why is this election important for Bra- Unfortunately, we have a very
zilian system and try to do something became a priority worldwide. So, I zil and especially for the Indian com- small Indian community here in Bra-
different for it to become better. decided to postpone my ideas for munity? zil or even in Latin America. In Bra-
Although I always had it in my some more time. And now as Brazil Brazil and India are part of the zil, it hardly consists of around 1,000
mind to join politics at some stage, is going to have municipal election in BRICS group, G-20, IBSA, G-4 and families. The numbers in other South
I decided to jump into the elections October and everyone is working to have interaction and cooperation at American nations are similar. I am
after accompanying then Brazilian recover in the post-Covid scenario, I many other multi-lateral platforms. Continued on next page... >>

www.TheIndianEYE.com