BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE

Columbus, Georgia was bustling with political activity this mid May - The 2008 Georgia Republican Convention convened here in on May 16 and 17, 2008. At the state convention, delegates selected 30 delegates and 30 alternates to the Republican National Convention.

Atlanta Republican Narender Reddy was elected as an Alternate-Delegate and will attend the Republican National Convention to be held this September 1-4 in Minneapolis-St .Paul.

Reddy was invited to speak at the convention on May 16th. Having spoken at the convention in the past, Reddy urged the GOP leadership to make special efforts to bring ethnic groups like Indian-Americans, who share the party’s values, in to its’ fold. He also presented facts and figures of the successful Indian American community to the convention. His speech also stressed the lack of diverse population at the State convention in spite of the fact that Georgia is churning out to be a melting pot.

Reddy, back in 2004 was the first Indian American to be elected as a delegate to the Republican National Convention held in New York where George W. Bush was nominated for second term. He harbors fond memories of the New York convention relishing Broadway Shows including “Bombay Dreams”. He also enjoyed meeting people from all over the country and attending high profile parties in the nights. Elected as an Alternate-Delegate this year, Reddy looks forward to the Minneapolis experience.

“Preparations are well underway for the party’s 39th nominating convention,” Reddy says. Roughly about 2,380 delegates and 2,227 alternate delegates elected to represent their states and territories, Reddy says, will play a critical role in our nation’s democratic process and secure a place in political history. In addition to delegates, it is anticipated that about 45,000 guests will be attending the convention.

“In 2004, I was the first Indian-American to get elected as Delegate to the National Convention and I’ll be proud to represent our State once again at the National Convention,” concludes Reddy.

We are proud to have an Indian American voice at the convention and send our heartiest congratulations for being elected this year and best wishes for the future.