The Indian American diaspora came together in a powerful show of unity and purpose in Winchester, Massachusetts, hosting an impactful Meet & Greet and Fundraiser in support of Raja Krishnamoorthi, who is seeking to make history as the first United States Senator of Indian origin. The afternoon gathering not only celebrated a compelling immigrant success story but also raised $50,000, underscoring growing national momentum behind Krishnamoorthi’s U.S. Senate campaign.
The event was hosted by Ramesh Viswanath Kapur, along with Vikram Rajadhyashka, Nar Koppula, Shirish Nimgaonkar, Dr. Anahita Dua, Dr. Suhas Desai, Dr. Lakshmi Thalanki, Prabhu Rao, Dr. Megha Joshi, and Priya Samant. Together, they brought to Winchester a diverse coalition of prominent business leaders, healthcare professionals, political advocates, and community organizers from Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Ohio, reflecting a unified Indian American voice rallying behind a candidate whose life journey mirrors the promise of the American dream.
A Campaign Rooted in the Immigrant Experience
Born in India, Congressman Krishnamoorthi immigrated to the United States as a child with his family. He has often spoken candidly about his early years in Buffalo, New York, where his family lived in public housing and relied briefly on food stamps. Those formative experiences, he says, instilled a deep sense of gratitude and responsibility toward a country that offered opportunity regardless of background.
The family later settled in Peoria, Illinois, a community that shaped his values of hard work, resilience, and service. “America gave my family a chance to rebuild our lives,” Krishnamoorthi has said on multiple occasions, a sentiment that resonated strongly with attendees in Winchester—many of whom shared similar immigrant stories.
From Public Accountability to Public Service
A lawyer by training, Krishnamoorthi began his professional career in anticorruption and public accountability, working to protect taxpayer dollars and strengthen ethical governance. He later spent seven years running a small business, gaining firsthand insight into the struggles faced by entrepreneurs, workers, and families navigating economic uncertainty.
That combination of public service and private-sector experience paved the way for his entry into electoral politics. In 2016, he was elected to represent Illinois’ 8th Congressional District, home to one of the most vibrant South Asian (“desi”) communities in the United States. Since then, he has been reelected five times, earning bipartisan respect for his work on consumer protection, national security, economic opportunity, and good governance.
Breaking the ‘Brown Ceiling’
With Senator Dick Durbin announcing he will not seek reelection, Krishnamoorthi has entered the race for the open U.S. Senate seat from Illinois. Supporters see his candidacy as more than a political contest—it represents an opportunity to break what many call the “brown ceiling” in American politics and expand Indian American representation at the highest levels of government.
“This campaign is about more than an election—it’s about representation, gratitude, and giving back to a country that makes opportunity possible,” said host Ramesh Viswanath Kapur. “Raja Krishnamoorthi’s journey resonates deeply with immigrant families across America.”
Broad-Based Support and Generational Engagement
The Winchester fundraiser drew a distinguished group of attendees, including Rajender Dichpally; Pramit Makody, President of the Massachusetts Chapter of Americans for Hindus PAC; Dr. Lakshmi Thalanki, the chapter’s Executive Director; Dr. Anahita Dua, Founder of Healthcare For Action PAC; Sanjay Gokhale; Anand Sharma; Susan Kapur; Ram Gupta; veteran journalist Upendra Mishra; and Narsing Konduru, among many others.
Multiple political action committees and local organizations were represented, highlighting the growing organizational strength and political engagement of the Indian American community. Speakers and attendees alike emphasized unity, collective action, and the importance of supporting leaders who embody shared values of inclusion, integrity, and service.
Adding a notable dimension to the gathering was the presence of college students, young professionals, and first-time political participants, many of whom attended to learn, engage, and draw inspiration from a congressman on the verge of making history. Their participation reflected a generational shift toward deeper civic involvement within the diaspora.
A Defining Moment for the Diaspora
As the afternoon concluded, there was a palpable sense that the Winchester event marked a defining moment—not just for Krishnamoorthi’s campaign, but for the Indian American community’s role in shaping the future of American leadership.
The successful fundraiser, the diversity of voices in attendance, and the strong intergenerational presence all pointed to a diaspora increasingly confident in its political influence and ready to help chart a new chapter in U.S. history. As Congressman Krishnamoorthi advances in his bid for the U.S. Senate, the support demonstrated in Winchester signals a community prepared to stand together—and help make history.
