NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Edison, NJ, January 5, 2022: On New Year’s Day, Sampi “Sam” Joshi, 32, became the youngest and first Indian-American to be sworn in Mayor of Edison Township in New Jersey.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at the J.P. Stevens High School, Joshi’s alma mater.
“The demographics of Edison reflect greater America and because of this, we are uniquely positioned to be a catalyst of unity in our society – but it is up to us to bring that change,” he said during the event.
“We need to focus on how we can bring each other’s communities together, what we can learn from one another, and what we appreciate about each other. We can’t allow ourselves to get bogged down by parochial interests, or to see progress in one area as an affront to something else that also needs to be addressed. We have to see the bigger picture and move forward collectively.”
Joshi’s parents immigrated from India 34 years ago and settled in Edison, where they opened a convenience store and worked to buy a home and raise a family where their children would have countless opportunities.
“Now just a few decades later we’re here in this room, on this day, making history,” he said.
“I first entered the halls of government at the age of 14, learning up close from people who were on the frontline of service. I saw that local government can make a difference in people’s lives and can deliver progress faster and more urgently than any other level of government,” he said.
With that experience in mind, I can promise to you now, we will set a new standard of excellence in local government, and I will do my best each and every day to run a modern, efficient, honest government that residents can be proud of.”
1 comment
Good to know, but does Sam has any sympathy or soft corner for India? Or is he totally American? Has he ever visited india?