The Indian American Center for Political Awareness (IACPA) and alumni from its Washington Leadership Program (WLP) were invited to talk to the approximately 1,000 people who attended the annual India festival on August 22 at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. IACPA discussed the importance of voting and getting involved in local politics, as well as registered about 30 people to vote.

Harin Contractor, a 2002 WLP participant, spoke at the festival about the importance of politics in daily life. Contractor told the audience. ³(According to the US Census Bureau) the Indian American community is the wealthiest group in the U.S. Despite this fact, the community lacks the clout to influence politics and policy.² Contractor explained ³politics is vital for the community to move forward.²

According to IACPA¹s report, A Portrait of the Indian American Community, only 57% of the Indian American community who is eligible is actually registered to vote ­ this is compared to 67% of the general population. Contractor encouraged festival attendees to register to vote at the IACPA booth where about 30 were registered people to vote.

Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA) also attended the festival and addressed the crowd. He praised the community for being model citizens of the third district; he also said he was working closely with the India Caucus to see that the needs of the community were met. The Congressman praised the work of the young volunteers and urged the community to get involved in this critical, election year.

Adarsh Deepak, one of the event organizers, was pleased to see IACPA coming to the community event to speak with their members about the importance of politics. He also praised Congressman Scott¹s efforts in build bridges with the Indian-American community and hoped to see a WLP intern in Scott¹s office next year.