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Arvind Venkat calls for greater Indian American civic participation
Noting that he continues to be a practicing physician while serving as a state representative, Venkat highlighted the importance of giving back to the country.
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Tue, 23, Jun 2026
- 00:36 EDT
- 36
Arvind Venkat / X
Indian American Pennsylvania State Rep. Arvind Venkat spotlighted the need for Indian Americans to remain visible and engaged with the community during his address at America's 250th anniversary celebrations hosted by The Asian Indian Americans of Central Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
The 250th anniversary of the United States, also known as the Semiquincentennial, will be celebrated on July 4, 2026, marking 250 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and prompting community celebrations across the country.
During the event, Venkat talked about how "Indian Americans are giving back in every way to Pennsylvania and to the United States," whether it's in health care, science, the arts, politics, engineering, or business, "we in the Indian American community are shining."
Noting that he continues to be a practicing physician while serving as a state representative, Venkat highlighted the importance of giving back to the country.
He said, "Now I have the privilege of giving back to the community where my wife grew up and where we live and raise our family in western Pennsylvania as a state legislator."
Noting that the desire to give back is a part of Indian culture, he highlighted his Indian roots and shared his family's immigrant journey. He said, "My parents came here as physicians in order to build a better life for themselves and their family. I remember growing up, they thought that they would go back to India and give back to their community where they had grown up."
He continued, "But as is often the case in our country, the United States, the country grew on them and they wanted to build a better future for themselves, myself, and my younger brother and our families."
Also Read: IA impact backs Arvind Venkat re-election
Venkat spotlighted the need for community engagement. He said, "When I decided to run for office it's because I felt very strongly that our voice as Indian Americans and in the area that I represent with a rising Indian American population needed to be inside the political process."
He urged Indian Americans to "remain visible" and to remain engaged with the community. He continued, "Take this celebratory moment and move forward as a community so that we continue to encourage the next generation of Indian Americans to continue to want to be part of this unfolding story here in Pennsylvania and our nation."
The lawmaker, who is the first Indian American in the Pennsylvania State House, is vying for a third term in office after previously winning in 2022 and again in 2024.
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