By P. Sarojini
WASHINGTON DC (CWBN)_The Indian-American Neera Tanden was appointed as the director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that manages the administration’s budget, financial plans and federal agencies. US President-elect Joe Bien announced the news on Monday. This makes her the first Indian-American candidate to enter the federal cabinet in a Democratic administration. Hence, Tanden becomes the first woman of color and South Asian to head the OMB.
President-elect Biden while naming the new appointments said that the new team will work on economic relief while the government takes measures to control the spread of the virus. He said, “As we get to work to control the virus, this is the team that will deliver immediate economic relief for the American people during this economic crisis and help us build our economy back better than ever”.
The president expressed confidence on the talent of the new team and stated that this team will build a stronger economy. He said, “This team looks like America and brings seriousness of purpose, the highest degree of competency, and unwavering belief in the promise of America. They will be ready on day one to get to work for all Americans.”
Shekar Narasimhan, a top fundraiser for Biden and a close counselor to the campaign and the transition team spoke about Neera Tanden and her talent and hard work throughout her career. He said, “Big job and a real important first in the Cabinet. She has a great story (single mother, knows what it is to be poor) but went to Harvard and is the most well-versed person in progressive economics I have ever met”. He confessed that he had known Tanden for a long time and had always admired her hard work. He said, “I am (a) huge Neera fan!”
Neera Tanden was born in 1970 in Massachusetts. Her parents were native Indians and had a divorce when Neera was five. Tanden’s mother was a single parent who raised her and her brother. Tanden had also shared her childhood hardships due to poverty. She studied law at Yale and also worked as senior consultant for health reform in the US Department of Health and Human Services developing policies and provisions of the Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obama’s signature law which is currently known as Obamacare.Â
MR Rangaswami, the founder of Indiaspora, an advocacy group for the community, expressed happiness over Tanden’s success and he mentioned that Tanden is a well-deserved candidate for this position. He said, “On the heels of Kamala Harris set to become the next Vice-President, it is great to see another well qualified Indian American woman be nominated for a Cabinet level position”. He added that Tanden had dedicated all her life in the service of public. He said, “It is gratifying to see someone who has dedicated herself to public service be recognized for this important role to manage the budget of the country.”
Edited by Elishya Perera
