NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
The Hills, Texas, November 4, 2024: Indian American businessman Karthik Naralasetty is making history with his bid for mayor of The Hills, a village in Texas. If elected on November 5, Naralasetty, 35, would be both the youngest and the first person of Indian descent to hold a mayoral role in The Hills.
Narasetty is running against city council member, Kevin Proud.
With a campaign centered on transparency, inclusion, and community well-being, Naralasetty’s slogan—“Transparency is the game, Karthik is the name”—echoes his commitment to open governance. He promises “no closed doors, just open conversations,” aiming to foster an atmosphere of trust and engagement among residents.
Naralasetty, originally from Andhra Pradesh, India, began his campaign on August 19 with a vision of a thriving community that values every resident’s voice. His policy platform includes pledges to protect the character of The Hills, enhance safety measures, reduce property taxes, and support youth innovation through a proposed Future Innovators Program.
His background includes a journey from a small village in India to Rutgers University, where he pursued a degree in computer science before leaving to launch Socialblood, a platform designed to address the blood donation crisis. Socialblood quickly expanded to 21 countries and now reaches millions globally, thanks in part to Facebook’s involvement. Naralasetty later started Pawsh, a company connecting dog owners with groomers, which has also created thousands of livelihoods. Today, he consults with Fortune 500 companies and focuses on using technology to deliver human-centered solutions.
Naralasetty’s personal experiences, including moving to The Hills with his family after a concerning safety incident in California, shape his priorities for the community. Among these are plans to oppose new developments that may disrupt the village’s unique character, enhance security, and improve technology for better engagement between residents and city services.
Karthik’s vision, inspired by his family’s values and his entrepreneurial background, centers on building a safe, inclusive, and innovative community. “Together, we can make The Hills an even better place to live,” he says, pledging to work closely with residents to create a brighter future for the village.4o
