After a week of intensive orientation, the 15 interns of this year’s Washington Leadership Program (WLP) started work in their Congressional offices on June 21. The pre-internship orientation familiarized the participants with Congress, government, politics, and the Indian-American community. Since its inception in 1995, the WLP internship program has become one of the most prestigious, effective and comprehensive programs in the nation’s capitol. Now in its 11th class, the WLP has so far positioned over 150 students as interns with influential lawmakers. Over 150 people applied for the program this year, and while only 15 could be selected, the quality of all the applications was truly outstanding. The primary purpose of the orientation week was to help the interns observe the workings of Washington’s political process as well as give them insights into how Congress functions.

Dino Teppara, center, legislative assistant to India Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) talking to interns.

Varun Nikore, president, Indian American Leadership Initiative, left, discussing Indian Americans in elections with WLP interns. Seen in the photo are, from left, Nikore, Atiya Khan, Neela Pal, Sumon Dantiki, Shveta Kumra, Jason Rathod and Shekar Krishnan.