Dear Editor,
‘How many times have we heard leaders exhorting Indian Americans to get involved in the political process in this country, and yet how few have actually done so? In Vernon, Connecticut, the election of Amarjit Singh Buttar to the Board of Education stands as a sterling example of ‘what can be accomplished. His extensive ‘educational qualifications, strong record of public service, and the high respect in which he is held in his community combine to place him securely on the Vernon Board of Education, an historic event, in ‘as much as he thereby becomes the first turbaned Sikh to serve in such a capacity nationwide. Voters in the November 7th lection, when queried about their preferences, responded that they were not judging the candidate on his appearance or ‘accent, but rather on the content of his character and his well-known dedication to democratic ideals and high educational standard.
Amarjit Singh Buttar and his wife Rajinder Kaur, having lived in Connecticut for more than 25 years, have shown & firm commitment to high educational ideals, for their own two sons as well as for the community in general. They firmly believes that democracy works best where people are directly involved in day today public affairs, especially in the arena of education. Transcultural talents, when added to the mix, greatly enhance the democratic process, for education in particular, in the mottoes of the Democratic Party slate in which Mr. Buttar swept to victory, it states, “People before politics,” and “Vernon’s children come first.” It is indeed gratifying to see someone from this background achieve such an elective office, with such full ‘American community support, fulfilling the promise that ‘America offers to all people, regardless of their origins. Darleen R. Dhillon, Berkeley, CA
Article extracted from this publication >> February 28, 1996
