Representative Image / AI Generated

This Independence Day, I find myself thinking about a simple but meaningful question: What has America given to me?

My name is Jeevan Zutshi. I came to the United States as a young immigrant soon after finishing my engineering degree in India. At that time, the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 had opened the doors for professionals like engineers, doctors, and scientists from India. I was fortunate to be one of the beneficiaries of that change.

When I arrived, I did not come with anything more than maximum allowed $8. I had a starting Engineering job back home with very less pay and big hopes for the future. America gave me an opportunity that I could not have imagined otherwise. I was able to find a good job in California, and for the first time, I felt a sense of financial stability. Not only could I support myself, but I was also able to help those who needed it back in India. That meant a lot to me, and it gave me a sense of responsibility and purpose.

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One of the things I value most about America is that it allowed me to build a life with dignity and without fear. Personally, I never faced discrimination, and I felt that if I worked hard, I could move forward. That belief stayed with me and shaped how I approached life here.

Over time, my journey became about more than just my own success. I began to feel a strong need to give back to the community that had given me so much. In 1986, I started getting involved in civic life. I helped bring together members of the Kashmiri community by forming a chapter of the Kashmiri Overseas Association. It was important to create a space where people could stay connected to their roots while building their lives in America.

 

Showcasing Kashmir as an integral part of India since 1993 in California

 

Later, I became involved with larger Indian American organizations, including the Federation of Indo-American Associations. These experiences helped me understand the power of community and collective effort. But I also noticed something important was missing. There were many groups serving their own communities, but very few were working closely with mainstream America or addressing issues that affect all Americans together.

That realization led me to start the Indo-American Community Federation (IACF) in 1993. The goal was simple: to build bridges. We wanted to bring together people from different backgrounds—public officials, community leaders, and nonprofit organizations—to work on shared challenges. Our Unity Dinner became one of the ways to make this happen. It created a space where people could meet, talk, and find common ground.

Through this work, I learned that America is not just about individual success. It is also about participation, responsibility, and contribution. The country gives you opportunities, but it also expects you to be part of the solution.

America has given me many things—opportunity, stability, and a sense of belonging. But more importantly, it has taught me values that I carry with me every day. It has taught me the importance of community service, the value of diversity, and the strength that comes from unity. It has shown me that people from different backgrounds can come together and work toward common goals.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States, our organization will mark the occasion on July 12 with a roundtable conference and cultural program. For me, this is not just a celebration of history, but a reflection of what America stands for—bringing people together, sharing ideas, and building a better future.

Looking back, I can say that America has given me more than I ever expected. It gave me a chance to grow, to contribute, and to make a difference. My journey is just one among many, but it is a reminder of what is possible when opportunity meets hard work and when individuals choose to give back.

That, to me, is the true meaning of the American experience. 

 

The writer is an author, filmmaker and founder of the Indo-American Community Federation.

 

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of New India Abroad.)

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