Eminent Indian-Americans from across the US have been gearing to celebrate the commencement of Donald Trump's presidency of the US with a ball, along with other Asian American community members, on January 19.
The only presidential inaugural ball of its kind is going to felicitate Indian-Americans who have been nominated by Trump for key positions in his administration.
Among them South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley is the most prominent one, who has been nominated to the position of US Ambassador to the United Nations, which is a Cabinet level post.
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'Asian Pacific American Presidential Inaugural Gala 2017', has been organised by Trump-Pence Asian Pacific American Advisory Committee (APAAC) and the National Committee of Asian American Republicans. It has several top Indian-Americans on its leadership team, that has included Puneet Ahuwalia from Virginia, K V Kumar from California, Shalabh Kumar from Illinois, and Harry Walia from Florida.
Puneet Ahluwalia, Finance Chairman of the gala, told PTI, "The Asian Pacific American Gala is defining statement of our nation's diverse strength and huge intellectual capital among the Asian American Communities. Indian-Americans should be leading the presidential inaugural celebration as we have the most to benefit from strong US-India relations” . He added, "We are leading in numerous fields and it is time we lead in mainstream political activities,"
The presidential inaugural gala is going to take place in the historic ball room of Mayflower hotel on the eve of Trump's swearing-in on January 20.
Vivek Lall, leading US corporate figure working with many governments globally said, "The Asian-American Gala, as part of President Trump's Inaugural, symbolises the success achieved by Indian and Asian Americans".
In a statement, APAAC and the National Committee of Asian American Republicans said that the inaugural ball will include celebration with prominent dignitaries and presidential appointees.
70 years old Trump, Vice president-elect Mike Pence, House Speaker Paul Ryan, Senator Marco Rubio, incoming White House Chief of Staff, Reince Priebus are invited to the event.
The event would include performances from Asian Pacific American communities proudly sharing their rich cultures, a media release said.
Eddie Baza Calvo, Governor of Guam and APAAC co-chair said that, "This will be an excellent event that features our national Asian Pacific American leaders who have worked so hard to elect and represent Trump” .
By Prakriti Neogi
