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The Indian-Americans

(Photos:  Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)  Watch the video too!

“It’s Padma Lakshmi Day in New York!” Proclaims Mayor Bill de Blasio

Padma Lakshmi fans will be delighted to know that the culinary star was recognized by Mayor Bill De Blasio with an official proclamation of ‘Padma Lakshmi Day in New York’ on the occasion of  Diwali celebrations at the beautiful Gracie Mansion in Manhattan.  It was an evening of feasting and felicitations – over 500 people had been invited by the Mayor and First Lady Chirlane McCray. Even though Diwali was almost a month ago, New Yorkers still seem to be celebrating the festival, gorging on samosas and fresh mithai at an endless lineup of public and private events.

A cheerful Indian priest officiated over the invocation and lighting of the lamp with the Mayor and First Lady in a huge festive tent, packed with South Asian guests on the mansion lawns. The mayor’s reception is always a welcoming one because it has space for South Asians from all walks of life – small businesspeople, activists and real talents in diverse fields – and DJ Rekha’s South Asian beats. Indian chefs had provided Indian eats and specialty drinks and henna artists were there to add color to the evening.

Mayor De Blasio also introduced his newly appointed legal counsel, Indian-American Kapil Longani, who had earlier served as senior counsel to Ranking Member Elijah E. Cummings for the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in the U.S. House of Representatives. Longani, who holds legal degrees from the University of Florida, Yale and Oxford, is himself the son of Indian immigrants.

“We have more immigrants today in New York City today than any time in the last 100 years and at the same time we are the safest we’ve ever been and the most prosperous we have ever been – so this is a reminder to our country that our greatness is not in spite of our immigrants but because of our immigrants. That is the American way” said the Mayor.

Noting that people who are wonderful and talented gravitate to New York from all over the world, he said that Padma Lakshmi epitomizes that spirit.  Calling her a proud daughter of India, he mentioned her many accomplishments – host and executive producer of Bravo’s Emmy award-winning Top Chef, actress, model, businesswoman, award-winning author, as well as an ACLU ambassador, and an avid advocate for immigrants’ rights and the reproductive rights of women.  Padma Lakshmi, who is co-founder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America, has also received the 2016 Ellis Island Medal of Honor and Variety’s 2018 Karma Award.

Few people realize that Padma Lakshmi is very much a Queens girl, having grown up in the gritty neighborhood of Elmhurst since the age of four.  “I feel very Indian – I always have. I also feel very American and part of the civic life here in America” she said, adding, “I don’t find these two things mutually exclusive. I can be fully Indian with ease and fully American at the same time. I think that is the beauty of America – you don’t have to give up one to gain the other.”

So what advice did she have for New Yorkers on this special Padma Lakshmi Day? She said, “I think why this nation is great is because of the waves and generations of immigration that have made it strong…I encourage you all to get  involved because this country is made up of us – not them. Us.”

If you missed the party – here’s a full recap!

Join us at Gracie Mansion to celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights! #DiwaliNYC https://t.co/SxQD8GhWh5

— NYC Mayor’s Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) November 21, 2018

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(This article first appeared in CNBCTV18.com in my column India in America)

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