Varun Nikore

Washington : An Indian American outfit has a dedicated goal: to elect “10 by 10” –– that is, 10 South Asian Americans elected to the U.S. Congress b y the year 2010. Varun Nikore, a political activist, and a core group of individuals in the community have formed the Indian American Leadership Initiative (IALI).

Nikore told News India-Times in an interview that “By participating in the political process through running for office and being appointed to office, we could achieve several results at once, shortening the evolution of our community’s political empowerment.”

Asked how they planned to get more members of the community to be elected, Nikore said, “An example I like to use is that of TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs).”

Nikore had worked as a political appointee in the Clinton-Gore Administration at the Department of Education working on distance education issues. Prior to his work at the Education Department, Nikore has worked for TRW, the United States Air Tour Association, several airline and airport construction firms and World Airways. Currently, he is the director of supplier management at the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA).