Miami, Florida: November 07, 2003, : The Association of Indians in America (AIA) is proud to announce the re-election of its NEC (National Executive Committee) Member and Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula on November 4, 2003, from New Jersey district 17 for a second term with a large margin despite the lack of support from some of our own people.

Also, was elected AIA North New Jersey Chapter President Mr. Ravi Mehrotra to the Town Council of Glen Ridge Township.

Upendra Chivukula was reelected to New Jersey State Legislature with a 60 Ð 40 percent victory over his Republican rivals.

Upendra Chivukula is the first Asian Indian American elected to NJ State Assembly and he is the fourth Indian American elected to the state-level office. Upendra Chivukula is a longtime resident of Franklin Township.

In the state legislature during his first term of office he served with distinction as

• Vice-chairman, Commerce and Economic Development Committe
• Member, Telecommunications and Utilities Committee
• Member, Environment and Solid Waste Committee;
• Member, World Languages Instruction Committee;
• Member, Board of Election Canvassers
• Member, NJ Science and Technology Commission;
• Member, NJ Commerce and Business Growth Commission;
• Member, CSG/Eastern States Conference on Energy and Environment

Likewise, he has served with great admiration of his constituents in several locally elected positions such as

• Franklin Township 5th Ward Councilman and a former Franklin Township Mayor.
• Governor Florio appointed him to be a Public Member, New Jersey State Board of Social Work Examiners, a regulatory body.
• Member of Delegation to Democratic National Convention in 1996 and 2000.

Upendra has long record of civic activities ranging from AIA to Lions Club to Asian American Political Coalition.

Mr. Ravi Mehrotra got elected for the first time to the Glen Ridge Town Council for a three year term. Ravi also served the Board of Education of Glen Ridge. Again, Ravi also has a long list of his accomplishments in the arena of Community Service. He is a life member of The Association of Indians in America (AIA) and has served it as a member of its National Executive Committee (NEC) and is currently the Chapter President of North New Jersey AIA. His polite manners and sharp analysis of situation is envy of his friends and colleagues.

Asked how AIA is maintaining such a high profile of participation in the political process, Dr. Piyush C. Agrawal, National President of AIA responded "First of all, AIA is a civic-oriented social organization to serve the community at large and is not a political organization. Nevertheless, AIA believes and encourages its members to fully participate in the discharge of their civic responsibilities. To assist its membership in this venture, AIA formally initiated "The Vision 2000" that created five Centers; namely, the Center for Public Policy; the Center for Responsible Citizenship; the Center for Developmental Leadership; the Center for Unity and Diversity; and the Center for South Asian Studies. Under the aegis of its Center for Developmental Leadership, AIA offers its experience to help young and aspiring individuals to fulfill their civic responsibilities. And, we are very happy that our efforts are paying off. We have some other individuals who are on their way to success."