By Parveen Chopra

New York, April 15 (IANS) A newly launched group, South Asians for Obama (SAFO), kicked off its New York chapter last week and the same day in the same city, Sant Chatwal, hotelier and long-time friend of the Clintons, along with a group of business leaders announced the formation of Indian Americans for Hillary (IAFH). Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, both senators, are front-running Democratic Party candidates for US presidential elections in 2008. 
IIFH announced two big fundraising events for its campaigning efforts which will be attended by Hillary Clinton. At a dinner event on June 24 in New York, they expect one thousand guests, including S.P. Hinduja of the Hinduja group, Lakshmi Mittal, the steel king, and Subhash Chandra of Zee TV. The second event is a Bollywood gala at Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York, featuring India's mega star family -- Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai. 

SAFO's gathering of about 80 at a restaurant in New York, however, showed it to be a grassroots organization of young people and reflected Obama's unique fundraising strategy. Its core group of four are - Udai Tambar, who has been involved with public policy, Raj Gilda, of Lend-a-Hand India non-profit, Parijat Gandhi, new media entrepreneur, and Amshula Jayaram, a pro bono teaching assistant. 

Though SAFO is raising funds - even $10 is acceptable - for Obama's presidential campaign, the four people in their twenties said they are trying to involve the South Asian community in the political process and rallying them behind Obama-their slogan is 'One Lakh for Barack'. They said they can relate to him because his father was an immigrant, he has done grassroots work, focuses on local issues and is not a Washington insider. 

When pointed out his lack of experience at the top levels, Raj Gilda said: "He is smart enough to call on the right people to surround himself with." 

While acknowledging that being a woman she identifies with Hillary, Amshula Jayaram said, "Gender is not an overwhelming factor for me." She also pointed out that Hillary has not made clear what she stands for. Parijat Gandhi added Hillary has not delivered on many of her promises such as universal healthcare. 

Obama's website, on the other hand, lists the issues he stands for -- civil liberties, civil rights, economic growth, education, election reform, energy policy, environment, good government, healthcare, military issues, national security and retirement security -- whic h carry an appeal to South Asians in America. 


Click here to send Gifts to India