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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline OCTOBER 23, 2026 | The Indian Eye 26

Indian Americans Unite in Support

of Congressman Tom Suozzi

NEERAJ DHAR
UNIONDALE, NY

ore than 500 Indian Amer-
icans, including prominent
Mcommunity leaders repre-
senting a broad cross-section of the
Indian American diaspora, gathered
Tuesday evening, October 13, at the
Long Island Marriott in Uniondale
in a show of support for Congress-
man Tom Suozzi’s re-election cam-
paign.
The gathering brought togeth-
er Punjabi, Gujarati, Telugu, Tamil,
Marathi and other regional com-
munities, along with Hindu, Sikh
and Christian Americans, women’s
organizations, and civic and cultural
leaders.
The evening featured live musi-
cal performances, the American and
Indian national anthems, and re-
marks by community leaders, includ-
ing Naveen Shah, Girish Patel, Dr.
Purna Atluri, Gary Sikka, Satnam
Prahar, Koshy Thomas, Dilip Nath, ana decided by just four votes, and
Dr. Neeta Jain and others. emphasized that every vote matters
Varinder Bhalla, Chairman of and warned against complacency in
the Indian American Voters Forum, the November 3 election.
served as Master of Ceremonies and Speakers praised Suozzi’s long-
drew a historical parallel between standing relationship with the Indi-
Congressman Suozzi and the late an American community, extending
Congressman Stephen J. Solarz, an back more than three decades, and
influential advocate of strong In- his continuing efforts to strengthen
dia-U.S. relations. ties between India and the United
Bhalla recalled that Solarz States.
served nine terms in Congress, vis- Girish Patel, a prominent com-
ited India numerous times, and was munity leader, praised Suozzi’s
affectionately known as the “Con- efforts to unite Indian Americans
gressman from Bombay” for his ex- and amplify their voices. “He is a
traordinary commitment to India strong advocate for our community,
and Indian Americans. Despite his a bridgebuilder, and someone who
distinguished career, Solarz lost his believes that when our community American Punjabi Society, highlight- port and reaffirmed his commitment
1992 Democratic primary. comes together, we can make a real ed Suozzi’s longstanding support for to strengthening India-U.S. relations
“It took us 24 years to find anoth- difference,” Patel said. the Sikh community, recalling his and addressing issues important to
er Congressman who shared Steve As Vice Chair of the Congres- role in helping establish a Sikh gurd- Indian Americans.
Solarz’s passion for India and the In- sional India Caucus, Suozzi has ad- wara in Glen Cove and his willing- The evening concluded with
dian American community,” Bhalla vocated closer diplomatic, economic ness to speak out against discrimina- supporters surrounding Suozzi for
observed, referring to Suozzi’s elec- and cultural relations between the tion targeting Sikh Americans. photographs and personal greet-
tion to Congress in 2016. two democracies. Speakers high- “Tom Suozzi is the kind of Con- ings, reflecting the warmth of his
The remark drew thunderous lighted his congressional engage- gressman who remembers that pol- decades-long relationship with the
applause, prompting Suozzi to rise ment with India, support for Hindu itics is about people, not just poli- community.
from his seat and wave to the enthu- temples and Sikh gurdwaras, assis- cies. He listens, he shows up, and The rally demonstrated the
siastic audience. tance to religious workers facing im- he doesn’t forget where he comes growing political participation of
Bhalla also cited examples of migration challenges, and advocacy from”, said Shaker Nelanuthala. Indian Americans and their ability
congressional elections decided by for physicians and technology pro- Addressing the gathering, to come together across regional,
remarkably narrow margins, includ- fessionals. Suozzi expressed appreciation for religious and linguistic differences
ing a 1984 U.S. House race in Indi- Gary Sikka, President of the the community’s friendship and sup- around shared civic interests.

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