By IANS,
Houston (US) : Acknowledging the increasing clout of the Indian American community, Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert attended the Diwali Dinner organised by the Indian American Friendship Council (IAFC).
After New York-New Jersey, California and Chicago, the Houston-Dallas area has one of the largest concentrations of Indian Americans in the US.
Acclaiming the contribution of the Indian Americans, Leppert said in his address Monday that the community continues to be an important factor in the well being and progress of Dallas.
“Your contribution in education, banking, medicine, IT and engineering can’t be ignored, while your entrepreneurship continues to create new jobs. Your investments in real estate have kept Dallas faring far better than the other US cities, even in these market conditions,” an IAFC statement quoted Leppert as saying.
“On the political scene, I hear more and more Indians are contesting for public offices. You have realised that to make your mark and for your voice to be heard, this area can’t be ignored. I invite you to come forward in Dallas area for such contribution and make Dallas the best, vibrant, most desirable and safest city to live,” he said.
Leppert said that next year he would like to take a Dallas trade delegation to India.
On behalf of the community, IAFC general secretary Prasad Thotakura pledged a donation of 1,000 books to needy children of Dallas for a project headed by Laura Leppert, the mayor’s wife.
Laura Leppert thanked the IAFC leadership for supporting her initiatives such as the Children Book Fair and diabetes awareness project. She thanked IAFC for pledging 1,000 books.