November 08, 2008
Obama's Indian: The Many Faces of Sonal Shah
Vijay Prashad in CounterPunch:
In 2004, I ran into Shah at the South Asian Awareness Network conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan. At an earlier panel I questioned her links to the Hindu Right, and so asked people to be wary about her organization, Indicorps. She was furious, and we had a bitter exchange in the Green Room. But at no point did she deny her active connections to the Hindu Right. Her brother, Anand, wrote to me not long after, concerned that Indicorps, which he runs full-time from India, would be tainted by our tussle. “I was curious about Sonal’s own personal relationship with the VHPA,” I wrote back, “That sparked some concern for me. Of course we are free to have our multiple associations, and there is no expectation that all our affiliations necessarily influence each other. That necessity is granted, although it is my understanding that the VHPA is a very disciplined organization that demands a lot from its members – notably congruence in all the work that they do. Which is why I raised the question.”
And so I raise the question again.
More here. [Thanks to Manas Shaikh.]
Posted by Abbas Raza at 05:06 AM | Permalink
Comments
Joseph Biden,Rahm Emmanuel,Sonal Shah....
"Change" is here !
Posted by: nbz | Nov 8, 2008 6:03:21 AM
The question that I think needs to be raised is what can Sonal Shah contribute in the pursuit of change and what has her accomplishments, interactions and actions shown? Rather than questioning loose associations in the way that the McCain campaign weakly attempted to do, let's look at the content of her character. If that's the question you're asking, then we can have a fascinating conversation. Sonal has inspired countless individuals to work towards careers and pursuits of enlightened leadership, has committed herself to finding solutions to difficult political, social and economic challenges, to treating every single person regardless of status, age or position with respect and dignity. The organization that the Shah family has created has inspired a new generation of Indians of the Diaspora to dream bigger for what is possible, to re-examine questions of activism and hopefulness, and to make decisions with the greatest good in mind. She continues to mentor, advise and support regardless of association. We should be asking more questions about her actions and celebrating her potential contribution to a nation on the brink of change.
Posted by: inspired by sonal | Nov 9, 2008 6:34:05 PM
I know Sonal, Roopal, and Anand Shah personally, and hold all three of them in the highest regard. They are morally upright, highly principled people, with a steadfast commitment to India. They have dedicated their lives to inspiring Indian youth to believe in India, and in turn, themselves. This, to me, is the ultimate form of service - one that is non-denominational, apolitical, and areligious. I am disappointed in the waves of unfounded accusations that have erupted all over the internet. We should be proud that President-elect Obama chose Sonal Shah as a member of his transition team.
Let’s be honest - what’s the real issue here? As Indian-Americans, why are we always intent on tearing ourselves up from within? We should be rejoicing that we have the honour and the privilege of being represented by Sonal Shah, not bickering over petty, baseless claims about her background. When will we, the Indian-American community, come together and speak as one, on behalf of, not against one another?
Posted by: Prerna | Nov 9, 2008 9:35:15 PM
I don't think you should take Vijay Prashad's word for the whole truth. You might like to check out the Wikipedia page for Indicorps (http://tinyurl.com/6p5kl6), the organization the Shah siblings founded, as well as the site for the organization itself (http://tinyurl.com/6rczrp). I worked with Indicorps to benefit Muslim populations in the slum areas of Delhi in 2005-6, and can attest to Sonal Shah's character.
Posted by: Kohl S Gill | Nov 9, 2008 9:59:12 PM
Vijay Prashad is a leftist douche, who if he actually did his research instead of making baseless claims and trying to stir up controversy in attempt to seem more hip and liberal, may actually come across the truth. Sonal and the Shah family are wonderful people who have dedicated their lives to improving quality of life in India and helping empower its people. Prashad's idiocy is comparable to that of Elizabeth Dole's when she tried to paint Kay Hagan as "Godless." Get your facts straight, Mr. Prashad.
Posted by: KSP | Nov 10, 2008 12:35:52 AM
Having personally known Sonal for the last 6 years, and her family for the last 10+ years – I was not at all surprised to learn that she had been appointed the esteemed honor to be a member of President-elect Obama’s transition team. She has always sought to not only serve the community, whether on a large scale through her service under the Clinton administration or on a grassroots level in India through Indicorps, but also empower others to do the same. She shares Obama’s value of grassroots community involvement, and she has always encouraged me to engage and work with the local community with Indians and non-Indians alike. This most recently culminated in my involvement in the Obama election – where, like many others, I phonebanked and canvassed for the campaign. She inspired a level of civic involvement that I had never had before, by helping to convert my passion into action. In this way, she is truly a changemaker – as she sheds light on people’s talents and cultivates community action, by being a leader and guide. Her rational compassion allows her to serve with her intellect and heart, whether in some far off village in Africa or India, or helping a friend during a difficult period in her life.
If you knew Sonal, you would know that she cares deeply about bringing South Asians together through service – from all regions and religions. You would know that she is steadfast and committed to serving higher ideals beyond her own needs. You would know that although she’s held such lofty positions at Google.org and Goldman Sachs, that she is incredibly down to earth and transparent. And you would know that she truly loves America – and is dedicated to the type of change that not only Barack Obama envisions, but that we all yearn for.
Posted by: Sima | Nov 10, 2008 12:42:27 AM
Isn't it interesting that Vijay Prashad writes on his own blog but doesn't allow comments on his commentary. I mean I just think that he's playing the card of "understanding" that this is not guilt by association yet in his article he's raising the question of is it.
Give us some hard truth that she is a fundamentalist extremist in disguise, and has acted on that agenda of hers that you obviously are inquiring so innocently about, or you really sir are just singing the same tune that Mcain and Palin tried with Rev. Wright.
Why does this brown-on-brown shit always happen. I swear we got one person who's in the most optimistic and change oriented administration and all indians can do is say "why not me" and "she is not good" and "oh she's evil" to define her success.
Raise up fool. No one cares any more about smear or attacking people, we believe in change and the people of spoken. If you care about India so much do something about it, don't just write.
Joe
Posted by: joetheplumber | Nov 10, 2008 1:42:03 AM
An open challenge to Sonal’s critic (I believe ther is only one, really): Can you find someone who actually knows her and has spent time with her to corroborate your caricature of her as an intolerant right-wing extremist?? I would wager my life on the fact that you cannot even come close. Her real character is such a far departure from your claims it is laughable. She has inspired not just me but an entire generation of youth, who are now galvanized across communities in India and the world over into community service. She has inspired us to look beyond race, or class or religion, and engage not just with those we agree with, but also those we disagree with. For a more complete response please read: www.rishsanghvi.blogspot.com
Posted by: Rish | Nov 10, 2008 2:37:24 AM
Wow. Is it just me who thinks a memo went out to the loyal members of VHPA?
Vijay Prashad's accusations against Sonal Shah are not "loose associations in the way that the McCain campaign weakly attempted to do." They come from a serious academic who is not in a contest with Shah of any kind. Prashad has built his case well and he needs to be taken seriously.
Unfortunately, too many Hindus in the US have VHP sympathies and they are understandably proud of Shah's ascent (whose father has a long history with the VHP). Rather than some of them coming out of the woodworks and attesting to Shah's character, the readers of 3QD might be better served by fact-based responses to Prashad's allegations. According to Prashad,
Either this is true or this is false. If true (as the VHP site indicates), Shah has some explaining to do. If she is found to have any VHP sympathies, she need to be unceremoniously dumped.
Posted by: Namit | Nov 10, 2008 2:50:22 AM
Namit is completely correct. If Sonal Shah was a member of the VHPA, she has some explaining to do. Why haven't any of the people defending her here mentioned this at all?
Simply vilifying Vijay Prasad as a "leftist douche" and other things won't cut it.
Posted by: Abbas Raza | Nov 10, 2008 4:28:04 AM
As an Indicorps Fellow I worked with Sonal, as well as her siblings Roopal and Anand.
During my Fellowship year, my colleagues and I worked to empower some of the poorest communities in the world, regardless of religion or caste. I personally spent a year in my native city, Kanpur, UP, teaching young men from slums how to start businesses, financial management skills, teamwork and community building through sports, and also worked with the local leaders to bring vocational training and sanitation infrastructure to the communities. My colleagues' projects were in the fields of communal harmony, empowering women, mentoring children, sanitation and so on. The communities we worked in included Hindus, Muslims, Dalits, remote Tribals and so on. The cadre of Indicorps Fellows has included members of various faiths, including Muslims, Hindus, Christians, non-believers, and so on.
My experience in Indicorps was a stepping stone for my subsequent work in a grass roots movement for a new political culture and improved governance in India -- Lok Satta (www.loksattamovement.org and www.loksatta.org). We at Lok Satta strive to provide dignity, opportunity and justice to ALL Indians.
My Indicorps colleagues have gone on to serve society (both in India and in the US), to study at premier institutes for graduate/professional education, and to be outstanding professionals in various fields.
In response to:
"[Vijaya Prashad] asked people to be wary about [Sonal Shah's] organization, Indicorps."
I think it is critical that people know what Indicorps and its fellows do, and who we are.
Posted by: Ankur | Nov 10, 2008 11:21:28 AM
The assumption that someone speaking in favor of Sonal must be a "loyal member of the VHPA" is a bit specious, no? Couldn't it be that Sonal has inspired a community of intelligent and dedicated individuals of various walks of life? None of the comments extol the virtues of the Hindu Right - how is it possible that they MUST be coming from the VHPA?
Sonal's involvement with the VHPA was inspired by the tragic earthquake that affected the Kutch region and her work was dedicated to relief efforts in all communities - Hindu as well as Muslim. To claim that if she has any sympathies to an organization, regardless of the quality or nature of that interaction, she needs to be "unceremoniously dumped" indicates a penchant for division and drama rather than an eye for change.
Posted by: inspired by sonal | Nov 10, 2008 12:26:53 PM
I was a volunteer with Indicorps some time ago for a year, and had the opportunity to work with rural youth in a village a few hours away from Udaipur in Rajasthan. The youth program focused on getting students from various economic and social backgrounds to participate in activities together. The program involved organizing a secondary school that taught varied subjects (Geography, General Knowledge, Hindi, English, Health/Sanitation (etc). Among the many other activities the youth program worked on were the creation of a football team that had tournaments and matches against other villages, the organization of community plays and events, girls empowerment workshops, health awareness workshops and field trips to the Udaipur.
My experience with Indicorps is nothing but positive. It gave me the opportunity to leave the America I was brought up in, and to experience India in a way that was not like a family visit or a touristy trip. I have both the Shahs and Indicorps to thank for this experience. That being said, since my time with Indicorps, I have never been pushed to support/believe ANY ideology by the Shahs or anyone associated with them. They did however wholeheartedly support the value of service, simple living and a united India.
I want to congratulate Sonal on her recent appointment to Obama's Transition Team. I find it unfortunate that there are multiple unfounded attacks on her. It seems that the internet not only has the potential of spreading awareness, it also provides people with the opportunity to have their own personal McCarthy era option switch. Especially in the public sphere accusations can be enough. I hope people are analytical to see beyond the juicy gossip of the day and question the sources of what they read.
Posted by: Alvir | Nov 10, 2008 12:56:33 PM
inspired by sonal:
I can understand that Sonal Shah has done good work and is an inspirational figure to lots of people (including non-VHPA sympathizers). However, what has surfaced here is the fact of her being a National Coordinator for VHPA. I did not claim that she has VHP sympathies. I said "Shah has some explaining to do. If she is found to have any VHP sympathies, she needs to be unceremoniously dumped." I'll stand by that comment.
If some of us are reluctant to give her the benefit of the doubt, it's because in some cases, it pays to be a little paranoid. VHP is a fascist organization with an openly hostile stance against religious minorities in India. The way to reduce the "division" and "drama" is for her to come out clean on this past(?) affiliation, rather than her fans trying to brush all allegations under the carpet.
Posted by: Namit | Nov 10, 2008 2:19:08 PM
I was an Indicorps fellow from August 2007 through August 2008. My project was in a small tribal community trying to improve primary education there through teacher training and resource building. The other fellows in my class worked on a range of issues from small business development to health and sanitation to governance and more. Our collective focus was always and unwaveringly on our relationship with India and how we could use our time, skills and passion to do something positive and meaningful for the country of our heritage. Never once did religious fundamentalism, let alone support of such a thing, ever enter the conversation. Indicorps is about inspiring young members of the diaspora to explore their relationship with India through grassroots service work. Fellows come from all religious backgrounds and the partner NGOs that we stay with work in diverse areas from tribal Maharashtra to slum communities in Gujarat to middle-class Bangalore – areas that include Indians from every religious and cultural background imaginable.
President-elect Obama could not have made a better decision than to pick Sonal Shah as a member of his transition team. If the organization that she co-founded is at all representative of her values, which I know it is, then people should be able to see past all of these unfounded accusations and realize that she is a person who possesses supreme intelligence, tolerance and desire to make the world a better place.
I am aware that some people may think I am looking at Indicorps through rose-colored glasses because I was a part of it. I cannot say anything to that other than I assure you that everything I say is based on my direct experience with the organization and its founders. I do not have anything to gain from making Indicorps seem better than it is; my only interest is in representing the truth. People who still have questions should do their research: check out Indicorps’ Wikipedia page as well as their website to see what the organization is really all about.
Posted by: Bhavana | Nov 10, 2008 8:09:12 PM
I am deeply saddened by the false statements and allegations that are being posted regarding Sonal Shah and Indicorps, the non-profit organization which she founded with her two siblings. I was an Indicorps volunteer from 2004-2005, and worked on an environmental sanitation and hygiene education project in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. By providing the opportunity to work on public service projects in India at the grassroots level, Indicorps seeks to create a leadership community of Indians across the world dedicated to change and progress in both India and abroad. It is ironic that an organization largely designed to unite the Indian diaspora is being attacked by those who it reaches out to most- young South Asians who seek a just and humane world. I wish that this misguided energy could be used toward the positive advancement of a voice that has yet to be heard by the rest of the world.
I am happy that Sonal Shah may be the beginning of this voice in her work as a member of Obama’s transition team. I know her to be a woman dedicated to dignity and justice, a forward-thinker and a changemaker, an intelligent Indian-American woman who supports grassroots humanitarianism and lives a simple life. In the year that I was in India and the subsequent years since my fellowship in working with Indicorps I have never heard any right-wing Hindu extremist propaganda, only the propagation of ideas of social justice, community service, peace, and the empowerment of all India’s people.
Posted by: Priya | Nov 10, 2008 11:16:44 PM
As you can see, there are plenty of people who are willing to attest to Sonal’s character, her life’s work and how she has directly and through Indicorps, touched our lives. As an Indicorps fellow, I worked in rural Rajasthan addressing issues causing malnutrition - 47% of India’s under 5 yo are malnourished - now this is something we should be getting up in arms about and work to address! As an Indian Christian living amongst Hindus and Muslims in a small village in Rajasthan, I quickly came to experience firsthand the common humanity which binds us all. This was a truly transformative experience which was in no way influenced by any ideology other than one of committed, conscientious service. The fellowship prompts us to think critically about how we might be able to be agents of positive change, not just during our year, but throughout our lives. In my current work on domestic health projects and as an advocate on various international health issues, I live the lessons learned daily. This is what Sonal Shah’s leadership has resulted in - committed, conscientious individuals who actively seek ways to create a more just world.
Posted by: Christina | Nov 11, 2008 12:11:22 AM
As you can see, there are plenty of people who are willing to attest to Sonal’s character, her life’s work and how she has directly and through Indicorps, touched our lives. As an Indicorps fellow, I worked in rural Rajasthan addressing issues causing malnutrition - 47% of India’s under 5 yo are malnourished - now this is something we should be getting up in arms about and work to address! As an Indian Christian living amongst Hindus and Muslims in a small village in Rajasthan, I quickly came to experience firsthand the common humanity which binds us all. This was a truly transformative experience which was in no way influenced by any ideology other than one of committed, conscientious service. The fellowship prompts us to think critically about how we might be able to be agents of positive change, not just during our year, but throughout our lives. In my current work on domestic health projects and as an advocate on various international health issues, I live the lessons learned daily. This is what Sonal Shah’s leadership has resulted in - committed, conscientious individuals who actively seek ways to create a more just world.
Posted by: Christina | Nov 11, 2008 12:12:23 AM
I was a volunteer with Indicorps and had the privlege to meeet Sonal Shah and work with this organization. I am part of a minority religion (and hence am not a part of any fundamentalist Hindu group) and can attest that the organization that Sonal and her siblings found never pushed any sort of ideological or religious agenda. They were always open to working with all the different types of religions and regions in India. Sonal Shah just came out with her own public statement in which she does indeed publically state " my personal politics have nothing in common with the views espoused by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), or any such organization." Having known Sonal Shah personally, I can say she has inspired in me community service and taking initiative towards making the world a better place. I can also say that she has never pushed upon a religious or fundamentalist view of what that better world should be. I am very excited that someone as amazing, inspiring, tolerant, and progressive as Sonal Shah is on the Transition Board for President-Elect Obama.
Posted by: ketki | Nov 11, 2008 1:16:11 AM
Ironic how Vijay Prashad has a new book coming out soon. Did anyone ever think that this could just be a ploy for some free publicity?
Here's a statement issued by Sonal Shah for all you haters:
http://www.newkerala.com/topstory-fullnews-44256.html
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=HomePage&id=a5c3d2c2-d766-4db0-87bf-de4c552e02a2&&Headline=Sonal+Shah+denies+links+with+VHP%2c+RSS
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Obama-advisor-Sonal-Shah-denies-VHPRSS-link/384249/
Posted by: just a thought | Nov 11, 2008 7:25:38 PM
Sonal Shah's statement is carefully worded to distance herself from the VHP, but note that she does not denounce the VHP. She basically says: I have my views, they have theirs, we have nothing in common. Given what the VHP has unleashed in India, a direct denunciation of this organization is appropriate for anyone who stands for liberal/progressive values, let alone a leader being questioned about her ties to it. A missed opportunity in my view. But that might have offended papa-ji, eh?
At this point, I am inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt. I understand the show of support from those who know her well (though that shouldn't be confused with the truth), but I am disappointed in all those who have resisted questioning her past affiliation. It says that potential VHP affiliations in a leader are irrelevant to you -- a disquieting thought. That's not the kind of liberal, democratic impulse we should be promoting, people. That's not the change we voted for.
Posted by: Namit | Nov 11, 2008 10:10:22 PM
I have never heard of Sonal Shah although I have heard of great works Indicorp has been doing for the past few years now. Sonal Shah and her family deserve kudos by taking the bull by the horn and do something to improve the lot of the society. Sonal should be the pride of the Indian American community for not only her social work but for also being an outstanding professional to reach the height of her career being recognized by the Obama team.
I have heard of Professor Vijay Prasad to be an articulate ideologue of leftists and communist ideology. He has right to bring out his opinion but would also have to face the criticisms as is normal for intellectual discourse. A couple of years ago, he had engaged himself in an intellectual dialogue with Rajiv Malhotra of Infinity Foundation, not exactly a VHPA supporter, and had to recede when confronted with strong points showing hollowness of his self serving statements.
I have worked with VHPA, and have been very appreciative of their work with young people, including my children. They do wonderful works for the society. Do I agree with them on everything? Absolutely not. Would I join hands with them to serve the society? Any time as I would even with Prasad when he comes out of his pen and paper and works directly with people. What is such a big deal if Sonal Shah was a national coordinator of VHPA? Let someone point out what she did as a national coordinator that can be objected.
Could we say the same thing about communists? These are the people responsible for the death of hudreds of millions throughout the world - Russia, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, etc., etc. People like Prasad provide intellectual space to Maoists and anarchists, and even if it is done in intellectually most sophisticated way, it is still not only wrong but even reprehensible.
Posted by: Professor Bal Ram Singh | Nov 13, 2008 8:09:44 AM
http://www.cpa.org.au/amrarch/40vp.html
http://www.geocities.com/charcha_2000/essays/vijay_prashad.html
Coming from Calcutta, heartland of communism in India, guy who says Inqalab Zindabad (Hail revolution), do I need to listen his Maoist version? Pathetic loser Vijay Prashad, shame on you.
Posted by: Abhishek | Nov 13, 2008 8:05:06 PM
Professor Bal Ram Singh:
I can’t imagine describing the VHP as an organization that does "wonderful works for society." I agree that the VHP addresses many cultural needs of many Hindus keen on taking pride in their culture and traditions. If the VHP only focused on things like cultural centers for diaspora kids, I’d be far more tolerant. I may not partake of these, but I accept that many such activities have no obvious moral disadvantages.
However, much of what the VHP represents is highly objectionable to me, if not downright horrifying. It is important that some people, particularly those in influential public positions, are able to draw careful moral distinctions. I am very alarmed that you, the Director of the Center for Indic studies at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, can be so blasé about the VHP.
By way of disclaimer, you say: "Do I agree with [the VHP] on everything? Absolutely not." Presumably, you agree with the VHP on many things. With your indulgence, professor, let me probe a little further and take you to the heart of the VHP’s mission, its core agenda, and mention some of the actions they have orchestrated or supported.
First, some selections from the 40-point Hindu agenda put forward by the VHP, which it wants adopted by all political parties in India.
And so on. These are their social aims. Would you “join hands with them to serve the society”? The VHP was instrumental in the 2002 pogroms in Gujarat that led to the state-supported slaughter of an estimated 2000 Muslims. The VHP is actively involved with the recent killings and torching of Christians in Orissa. The list goes on and on.
What is wrong with being the National Coordinator for the VHP? Well, maybe nothing. It depends on how some very legitimate questions are answered. What was the nature of the involvement? Why choose VHP for charitable donations when many other organizations were active in Gujarat after the earthquake? Given VHP's agenda and track record, did Sonal Shah think they would disburse aid impartially to all who need it? Was she was not aware of what the VHP represents (despite her parents’ active involvement with it)? At the very least, it reflects very poor judgment in a leader. She was 33 years old when she was National Coordinator for the VHPA. That's old enough to know how to think about the world. Given VHP's history, there are many Indians for whom her association with it rings alarm bells. Why is that so hard to understand?
As for Prashad, I have not read much by him and I will let him defend his own views. It is certainly your right to criticize him as you must. There are a lot of ideas that inhabit the space between the American left and Stalinism, and I have a strong distaste for many of them. But let me remind you that attacking him will not diminish the valid points he has raised about Sonal Shah and the VHP.
Posted by: Namit | Nov 13, 2008 11:58:27 PM
hi,
What is the need for Vijay Prasad to bring this an ISSUE, just simply because she was helping the org.
I think He, PURPOSELY doing this , to PUT Somebody DOWN.
INDIANS like VIJAY PRASAD should be SLAPPED on their face with slippers.
Posted by: sangita | Nov 17, 2008 11:16:40 PM
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