‘An opportunity to gain life-changing experiences’
(Excerpts from Kataria’s speech at the event)

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), left, with Neil Kataria, from WLP class of 1998. Kataria had interned with Rep. Eva Clayton (D-NC). (Photo: Mohammed Jaffer/Snaps India)

When asked to say a few words about my experiences as a former intern from the 1998 class of the Washington Leadership Program, I realized it was both simple and complex.

Simple because hands down, it was one of the most amazing and memorable experiences of my life! And complex because it was life changing and hard to explain to a roomful of people in a couple of minutes....

My day to day responsibilities included answering incoming mail, phone calls and delivering packets of information to other offices.... where I would often get lost in the underground tunnels.... as most former interns can relate to....

Overall, I was able to gain a strong, first-hand understanding of government and politics.... and what it takes to get things done in Congress. Now this is where it gets little more complex.

Outside of my working hours on Capitol Hill, I was surrounded by 15 talented and motivated Indian-American students (interns) from all over the U.S. Even though we came from different fields (be it medicine, engineering, business or public health), I quickly learned that we all shared the common belief that there is a definite need for increased political participation and awareness from the Indian-American community.... it was time for the second generation to step up to the plate and lead this effort....

I also continue to gain 15 new friends every year from the Washington Leadership Program who are all doing incredible things around the world. I can e-mail or call them anytime, let them know I am hosting or planning an event and I know I have their full support.

As we are celebrating 10th anniversary of the Center.... personally, it is extremely exciting and motivating to see both first and second generation Indian Americans working together to build a powerful network of political activism and to support the Center’s activities and the Washington Leadership Program for years to come.

On a final note.... speaking on behalf of all of the alumni, I would like to say that we are all extremely grateful to Mr. Gopal Raju for having the vision to found the Indian American Center for Political Awareness in 1992 and support it as strongly as he has over the years.... and to allow all of us an opportunity to gain these life-changing experiences.

IACPA interns in the ball room at Mandarin Oriental New York on Nov. 13 for an ‘Evening with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’ to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Indian American Center for Political Awareness (IACPA). Seated left to right, Christopher Dumm, executive director of IACPA, with Washington Leadership Program (WLP) interns Bindi Bhagat (WLP Class of 2003), Anita Banerji (WLP Class of 1996), Priyanka Nair (WLP Class of 1998), guest Lynn Venugopalan, and Anant Shah (WLP Class of 1999), back to camera. Samir Arora (WLP Class of 2002) is standing rear left.

From left, Prakash Parekh, Indian American Center for Political Awareness (IACPA) public relations and legal adviser; Anant Shah (WLP Class of 1999); Veena Merchant, IACPA director and editor-in-chief News India-Times; Gopal Raju, IACPA chairman; Samir Arora (WLP Class of 2002); Bindi Bhagat (WLP Class of 2003); Naresh Tanna (WLP Class of 2002); Neil Kataria (WLP Class of 1998 and IACPA director) and Anita Banerji (WLP Class of 1996). (Photos: Arvind Padmanabhan)