BURLINGTON, Mass , May 18 : Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick will join with the Indian American Forum for Political Education’s Massachusetts chapter to celebrate Asian Pacific Heritage Month on Monday, May 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the Burlington Marriott hotel in Burlington.
“Asian Pacific Heritage Month recognizes Massachusetts’ rich history of diversity,” said Gov. Patrick. “As we celebrate our differences, it is important that we turn to each other and recognize that these differences make a stronger, and more vibrant Commonwealth.”
The Forum will also recognize the contributions of the Indian American Community to the Commonwealth. Exceptional leaders in diverse fields – education, medicine, technology and others – will be honored by the Forum.
The event also will kick off IAFPE-MA’s annual Summer Political Internship program, now in its 12th year. The goal of the IAFPE’s Summer Political Internship program is to develop young Indian American leaders for service in our communities, the United States of America and the world at large and to create an engaged Indian American community that is aware of its rights and sensitive to its responsibilities. The program provides local college students with a unique opportunity to learn first-hand about the political process and what it takes to get involved.
The interns will spend between six and 10 weeks working in the office of a congressman or senator at the state or federal level, at a non-government agency or for political parties. Past interns have worked at the Office of the Attorney General, White House, Congress, State House, Indian Embassy and in various governmental agencies such as the Department of Energy. A limited number of interns will be given a stipend. Stipends will be awarded to those interns who demonstrate exemplary performance in their internships.
“The Indian American community can and should do more politically,” said IAFPE-MA President Ramesh Advani. “Making a difference means being seen and heard and participating in decisions involving all of us and our children – immigration, health care, education and so many others. There are business and social issues that require creative thought and Indian Americans have the talent to help contribute to the solutions. But talent alone is not enough, and we hope that the IAFPE Summer Political Internship program will spur a lifelong interest and involvement in politics for many of its participants.”