Many of the Indian-Americans in Florida who voted for the US President Barack Obama in the last two presidential elections say they are switching sides this time and are supporting Republican candidate Donald Trump.
But there appears to be a gender divide, as women appear to be solidly behind Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton (69), because of her life-long work for children and women.
"She (Clinton) has a lot of experience. She has worked for children and women all her life. There is such a huge gap between her experience and what Trump (70) represent," Indrani Sindhuvalli, professor of Biology at the Florida State College in Jacksonville told PTI in an interview.
"He (Trump) is so negative and so inexperienced. I can't support him," said Sindhuvalli, who voted for Obama in the last two presidential elections.
"Have you listened to what he has said about women? I would not be voting for him. (Hillary Clinton) is my choice for presidency," Rani Ignatius, 61, who lives near Orlando said.
But Rani and several other Indian-American women are having a problem at home convincing their husband to vote for Clinton.
"This is time that we hand over the leadership of the country to a non-politician. Even though he is not very articulate as a politician should be, his policies are in the best interest of the United States," Iggy Ignatius, 61, who is the founder and chairman of Orlando-based Shantiniketan, a home for Indian American senior citizens, said.
Similarly, Dr Pawan Rattan, a life-long registered Democrat from Tampa, finds himself in the Trump camp.
"His policies makes a lot of sense and is in the best interest of the US and the world," Dr Rattan said.
"This is a man who appears to be genuine in his commitment," he said, adding that he is making a one-time exception to vote for Trump because of his commitment to fight terrorism, and policies on health care and immigration.
However, Dr Rattan acknowledged that he faces a tough opposition from his daughter on his support to Trump.
"She wants me to support Clinton," he said.
Indian-American Satya Shaw, a certified public accountant, is an independent and had voted for Obama in the last two presidential elections.
"I voted for change. But there is no change. Tax rates have increased. Health care bills have jumped," Shaw, who comes from Orissa and lives near Tampa, said.
Impressed by Trump's policies Shaw said: "He will repeal and replace Obamacare on day one. Our income tax would come down.
Having created a national niche for herself even before
being sworn in Pramila Jayapal (51) is the first Indian American woman in the US House of Representatives. Her 78-year-old mother, who especially came in from India, watched the proceedings from the gallery.
"Today is not about me. It's about we. It is about the movement of hundreds of thousands of people in Washington's seventh Congressional District, a diverse coalition of people from all walks of life, who want to ensure that we continue to provide opportunity for all," she said.
"In Congress, I pledge to draw on my experiences as a woman of colour, as an immigrant, and as a Washingtonian to speak out against injustice, even when it is not popular, to push for creative solutions to people's everyday problems, and to find common ground where it can be found," said Jayapal, who is one of only twenty-three Members of Congress born in another country apart from Krishnamoorthi.
Less than a mile away, Indian Americans from across the country gathered later in the night to celebrate the historic occasion at a gala organised by Indiaspora.
"This is a historic moment. Today we are celebrating from success to significance," said M R Rangaswami, eminent investor, philanthropist and entrepreneur.
"Today, we are actually one per cent of the Congress. We have come a long way but we have a long way to go," Rangaswami said.
"The best of the (Indian American) community is yet to come," said eminent Indian American Ashley Telis at a pre-gala news conference, adding that more is in store from the next generation of Indian Americans.
"Indian Americans running for office and winning for Congress is really historic," said political activist Neera Tanden.
Having created a national niche for herself even before
being sworn in Pramila Jayapal (51) is the first Indian American woman in the US House of Representatives. Her 78-year-old mother, who especially came in from India, watched the proceedings from the gallery.
"Today is not about me. It's about we. It is about the movement of hundreds of thousands of people in Washington's seventh Congressional District, a diverse coalition of people from all walks of life, who want to ensure that we continue to provide opportunity for all," she said.
"In Congress, I pledge to draw on my experiences as a woman of colour, as an immigrant, and as a Washingtonian to speak out against injustice, even when it is not popular, to push for creative solutions to people's everyday problems, and to find common ground where it can be found," said Jayapal, who is one of only twenty-three Members of Congress born in another country apart from Krishnamoorthi.
Less than a mile away, Indian Americans from across the country gathered later in the night to celebrate the historic occasion at a gala organised by Indiaspora.
"This is a historic moment. Today we are celebrating from success to significance," said M R Rangaswami, eminent investor, philanthropist and entrepreneur.
"Today, we are actually one per cent of the Congress. We have come a long way but we have a long way to go," Rangaswami said.
"The best of the (Indian American) community is yet to come," said eminent Indian American Ashley Telis at a pre-gala news conference, adding that more is in store from the next generation of Indian Americans.
"Indian Americans running for office and winning for Congress is really historic," said political activist Neera Tanden.
