Upendra J Chivukula is the first Asian Indian American elected to the New Jersey State Assembly and the fourth Indian American elected to the state office.
The former engineer at AT&T Bell Labs has worked with Congressman Frank Pallone from the beginning of the formation of the India Caucus and Caucus on Indian Americans. The India Caucus has more than 130 members today and is one of the most powerful caucuses.
Excerpts from an interview with Soumik Sen:
How difficult was it for an Indian to get elected to the State Assembly?
Very. Especially in a state like New Jersey, and in a constituency like the Franklin Township, where Indians account for a little over 5 per cent of the population.
Amongst other things, I was told that I wouldn
