India Abroad - April 10, 2011

Aney Paul runs for Rockland County legislator
GEORGE JOSEPH
Community activist Aney Paul is running as county legisla-
tor in Rockland County, New York, from District 14 with
Democratic support.
The seat was held by Dr V J Pradhan for several years till
his death two years ago. Robert Jackson, who became the
legislator after him, is not running and has endorsed Paul.
Paul’s candidacy was formally announced at Nanuet
Veteran’s Memorial Park after a fundraiser at the Sitar
Palace in Orangeburg.
Paul, who is president of the New City Library for the
second consecutive year, thanked the party for supporting
her. Rockland County Legislature Chairwoman Harriet
Cornell, Clarkstown Supervisor Alex Gromack, New York
State Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski, State Senator
David Carlucci, and Kristen Stavisky, Rockland County
Democratic Party Chair, announced their support.
In 2009, Paul contested the election for Clarkstown
Town Council, polling more than 7,000 votes, coming third
with 23 percent of the votes. District 14, which has about
15,000 voters, is predominantly Democratic.
Paul promises to control taxes, cut wasteful spending,
and improve the quality of life for senior citizens.
“We are going through the worst recession of our times. It
is essential that we take responsibility for our actions and
be more prudent. We need new ideas and new ways to reju-
venate the system benefiting the people,” she said.
She promised to ensure that the officials are responsive to
people’s voices. “As a long term resident in the
county, I have first hand knowledge of the prob-
lems faced by the people. I have many ideas for a
solution to many of these problems. With the sup-
port of the community we can make it happen,” she
said.

Aney Paul, right, with US Representative Eliot Engel
Vijaya Kumar Gujral Award for the Most Efficient and
Sympathetic Nurse for her work at a New Delhi hospital.
Paul has organized several blood donation camps and is
active in charity work for both the mainstream and Indian
communities.
D Raja runs for Allegheny County executive
A CORRESPONDENT
“I am grateful and encouraged by the
continued support of the Republican
leadership and grassroots activists
across the county. Our campaign has
continued to build momentum. I am
looking forward to working together to
bring much needed change to Allegheny
County,” Raja said.
He pointed out to job losses since
1990, even though Carnegie Mellon
University and Pittsburgh University –
two major employers – are located in the
county. After earning their degrees,
young people leave for greener pastures,
he says, adding that his first priority is to
create jobs that will keep them in the
county.
Raja is the founding chair of the
University of Pittsburgh’s computer sci-
ence industry board, which aims to pre-
pare university students for technology
jobs.
He was recognized as Ernst & Young’s
Entrepreneur of the Year in 2008 and as
the Entrepreneur of the Year by the
Carnegie Science Center in 2009. Raja
received the Smart Business Pacesetters
Award for CEO Excellence in 2007. He
also received the Diamond Award for
the Region’s Leading CEOs and
A 1989 graduate of the University of
Pittsburgh, Raja received an MBA with
honors from Carnegie Mellon University in
2001.
Raja lives in Mt Lebanon with his wife
Neeta and daughters Isana and Omisa.

D Raja is the Republican frontrunner
for the post of county executive of
Allegheny County in Pennsylvania, an
area where the quality of life has
dropped in recent years.
Raja promises to change all that,
asserting that with his background in
business – computer-aided design soft-
ware made by his company is used by
researchers worldwide – he is most suit-
ed to be the chief executive officer of the
county.
Raja, the CEO of Computational
Engineering International Inc for 18
years, started CEI in the spare bedroom
of his apartment. Now he aims to take
on the challenging role of county execu-
tive, a full-time position, unlike the less
challenging position of county legislator.
He is currently municipal commissioner
for Mt Lebanon’s Ward 1.
“I know it is a tough job. But it is
almost similar to the work of a company
CEO. Legislative jobs are more suited
for attorneys,” he said. If he wins, he
plans to entrust the management of his
company to colleagues.
He faces County Councilman Chuck
McCullough in the June primary for the
Republican nomination. Patty Weaver, a
Tea Party candidate, withdrew recently.
Observers feel this will benefit Raja.
The county is predominantly Democratic,
but Raja sees a wave favoring the
Republicans this time. He says it is his
belief in the American dream that caused
D Raja with wife Neeta and daughters Isana and Omisa
him to join the Republican Party. He joined
the Republican Committee of Mt. Lebanon,
and then became its chairman.
The Republican Committee of Plum
County and Mt Lebanon have endorsed
Raja. US Senator Pat Toomey, US
Representative Tim Murphy and State
House Majority Leader Mike Turzai have
also endorsed him.

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