Indian-Americans taking over US: Biden at Nasa meet
Indian-Americans are “taking over the country”, US President Joe Biden said on Thursday, referring to the large number of “incredible” professionals from the community holding key positions in his administration.
In less than 50 days of his presidency, Biden has appointed at least 55 Indian-Americans to key leadership positions in his administration ranging from his speech writer to the Nasa, to almost every wing of the government.
“Indian — of descent — Americans are taking over the country: you Dr Swati Mohan); my Vice President (Kamala Harris); my speech writer, Vinay (Reddy). I tell you what. But thank you. You guys are incredible,” President Biden said during a virtual interaction with scientists at Nasa who were involved in the historic landing of Perseverance rover on Mars on February 18.
Indian-American scientist Swati Mohan leads the guidance, navigation, and control operations of NASA’s Mars 2020 mission.
Nearly half of the 55 IndianAmericas are women and a sizeable number of them are working in the White House.
So far, the Obama-Biden administration (2009-2017) has the distinction of appointing the largest number of Indian-Americans in any administration, the previous Donald Trump administration was not lagging far behind as it appointed the first ever Indian-American with a cabinet rank and inside the National Security Council. The Biden administration has for the first time appointed such a large number of IndianAmericans in the first 50 days of his administration. This past week, Dr. Vivek Murthy testified before a Senate Committee for US Surgeon General and Vanita Gupta is all set to appear for her confirmation hearing for Associate Attorney General Department of Justice. “It is impressive to see how many Indian-Americans were ready to go into public service. There have been so many additions since we launched our Government Leaders list last month on Presidents” Day. I am so proud to see our community is going from strength to strength!,” eminent Indian-American philanthropist and Indiaspora founder M Rangaswami told PTI.
Biden sought to speak with Swati Mohan. She is not a political appointee though. IndianAmerican women appointed by Biden include Uzra Zeya, Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, State Department; Mala Adiga: Policy Director to Dr Jill Biden; Aisha Shah: Partnership Manager, White House Office of Digital Strategy; Sameera Fazili, Deputy Director, US National Economic Council; Sumona Guha: Senior Director for South Asia at the National Security Council, White House; and Sabrina Singh: Deputy Press Secretary, Vice President White House. —
Indian — of descent — Americans are taking over the country: you Dr Swati Mohan; my Vice-President (Kamala Harris); my speech writer, Vinay (Reddy). I tell you what. But thank you. You guys are incredible
Joe Biden
US President