India Abroad - March 31, 2017

By George Joseph

ngineer and business-
man Hirsh Vardhan
Singh has announced his
candidacy for New
Jersey governor. He joins
the fray as one of five
candidates in the Republican pri-
mary scheduled for June 6. The
lead contender in the GOP con-
test, according to the most
recent polls, is Lt. Gov. Kim
Guadagno.

Singh, 31, an engineering graduate from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, grew up in Atlantic County, New Jersey.

With attacks on Indian-
Americans in the news lately, he
is giving top priority to the
increase in hate crimes. He said
any attack on immigrants
because of their appearance or
the way they pray is unaccept-
able. “The increase in hate
crimes and incidents throughout
the country need to stop. These
issues are because of negative
press against all immigrants,” he
said. “When I am governor I
would like to address this issue
head-on, both at the state level
and nationally.”
He said the Republican Party
embodies the values he was
raised with and represents
where he stands as a politician.
He announced his candidacy at
the historic Kennedy Plaza on
the Atlantic City boardwalk,
promising an agenda of cutting
property taxes and fixing the
school funding formula. He also
proposes fixing the broken trans-
portation infrastructure, regulat-
ing and taxing cannabis in the
same manner as alcohol, to bring
in more revenue.

He supports the legalization of cannabis. “It is legal in Washington, D.C., Colorado, and Washington state,” he said.

“Currently people use it and the money goes to the black market.

Instead we can legalize it and get revenue from it.” He said law enforcement should instead focus on how to protect the people, rather than prosecute people for cannabis. People should decide which way they want to live and government has no reason to control them without reason,” he said.

He would also like to see New
Jersey become a national leader
in technological innovation. In
addition, he wants healthcare
practitioners to have the right to
recoup economic damages from
frivolous lawsuits -- and would
like to introduce a
statute of limita-
tion on claims to
prevent abuses.

“The values
that appeal to me
personally that
are personified
better by the
Republican Party
are: lower
taxes, fewer regu-
lations, business
growth, right to bear arms, reli-
gious liberties, equal treatment
for all people, freedom of
speech, and freedom of the
press,” he said.

He plans to focus most sharply on the state’s issues, addressing its problems from an engineer’s perspective. “I am an engineer and a problem-solver and as such, would be most effective in solving problems as the chief executive” of New Jersey.

Singh’s career has been in the aerospace and defense industry and he has managed programs providing aviation safety and security in the national airspace system, national missile defense program and supporting military intelligence.

Only registered party members may vote in primary elections. This year only two states, Virginia and New Jersey, will elect a governor.

Elsewhere, Rep. Prasad Srinivasan (R-Connecticut) has announced his intention to run for the post of Connecticut governor next year.

Making Bid for N.J. Governor

By George Joseph

he Indian American com-
munity under the banner
of the Federation of Indian
Andy Bhatia, president of FIA,
noted that Mohapatra interacted
with the people as one of them
instead of keeping aloof as a sen-
ior bureaucrat.

FIA chairman Ramesh Patel
thanked Mohapatra for his dedi-
cation in addressing the many
problems faced by the communi-
ty as regards to the consular serv-
ices, among others.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who was
one of the hosts of the event
with Dr. Kavita Gupta, noted
that Mohapatra won the hearts
of all those who interacted with
him. H.R. Shah, chairman of TV
Asia, wished Mohapatra wpi;d
return to the U.S. as consul gen-
eral or ambassador.
Philippose Philip, secretary of
the Federation of Kerala
Associations in North America
(Fokana) said the community
needs more officials like
Mohapatra, who is willing to help
people rather than create prob-
lems. Rajeev Bhambri, COO of
India Abroad wished Mohapatra
success in future endeavors.
Albert Jasani and Shobana
Patel of Royal Albert’s Palace and
Dr. Raj Bhayani, were among the
co-hosts.
Community Bids Farewell to Departing Diplomat
Hirsh Vardhan Singh announces candidacy in Republican primary

Vows to bring
an engineer’s
perspective to
solving state’s
problems

FIA presented a plaque in appreciation his work as deputy consul general of India in New York at an event held at
Royal Albert’s Palace in Edison, NJ, March 21. Photo shows FIA executive vice president Srujal Parekh, left, president
Andy Bhatia, second from left, and other community leaders, including Dr. Sudhir M. Parikh of Parikh Worldwide Media,
fourth from left, and H.R. Shah of TV Asia, fifth from right.