Seattle: It is a story of yet another person of Indian origin raising to a top post in America. Kshama Sawant, a former community college professor who won a citywide election last year was sworn in on Monday as the first socialist City Council member in Seattle's history.
Kshama Sawant of the Socialist Alternative party took her oath. Later she delivered a speech to throngs of supporters in a ceremonial swearing-in at a packed City Hall.
According to local media she said, "I will do my utmost to represent the disenfranchised and the excluded, the poor and the oppressed, by fighting for a $15-an-hour minimum wage, affordable housing, and taxing the super-rich for a massive expansion of public transit and education."
Even in a city like Seattle 41-year-old Sawant's victory surprised many. The incumbent, Richard Conlin, was backed by the city's political establishment. But bolstered by a grass-roots campaign that harped on economic inequality, Sawant toppled the 16-year incumbent.
Indians in Seattle call it their 'Aam Aadmi' Moment.
"Here in Seattle, political pundits are asking about me: Will she compromise? Can she work with others? Of course, I will meet and discuss with representatives of the establishment. But when I do, I will bring the needs and aspirations of working-class people to every table I sit at, no matter who is seated across from me," she told local media.
Seattle City Council staff estimate she's the first socialist to be elected to office in 100 years.
She was born in Pune. Her mother is a retired principal and her father is a civil engineer. He was brutally murdered by a drunk driver, when she was just 13.
She grew up in Mumbai. She did BSc in computer scieces from University of Mumbai in 1994. Her husband Vivek is an engineer with Microsoft.
She became a citizen of USA in 2010.
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