USA (Commonwealth Union)_ Harbir K Bhatia, the Indian American CEO of the Silicon Valley Central Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the significant contribution of Indians to America’s technology sector, emphasizing that Indians are renowned for their innovation. Bhatia also noted that the prowess of Indians in this domain is so remarkable that the United States has imposed a cap on visas, indicating a need to restrict their influx to prevent them from occupying all available jobs.
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Furthermore, Bhatia underscored India’s pivotal role as a leader of innovation in Silicon Valley, citing data indicating that 40% of CEOs or founders in the region hail from South Asia or India. During a discourse on the relationship between Silicon Valley and India, a speaker emphasized the substantial presence of Indian immigrants and Indian Americans in driving innovation and entrepreneurship. Various factors were identified as contributing to their success.
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The prominence of Indians in top leadership positions within American tech giants like Google, YouTube, Microsoft, and Intel serves as a testament to their influence. Furthermore, Indians have demonstrated excellence across diverse industries such as hospitality, entertainment, and healthcare in the United States. Bhatia attributed this success to the cultural values ingrained within Indian communities, including a strong work ethic, a focus on achievement, and an entrepreneurial spirit nurtured from an early age. These values propel Indians to excel academically and professionally, particularly in fields like engineering and medicine. Bhatia also emphasized the inclusive work environment in the US, where individuals are encouraged to express their identities freely without fear of discrimination based on factors such as race, caste, religion, or culture.
Additionally, Bhatia highlighted Indians’ skill at finding solutions, supported by the concept of ‘jugaad,’ or resourceful problem-solving. According to her, this inborn ability to innovate, deeply ingrained in Indian culture, transcends technological limitations. She stated, “As I said, jugaad karna. If there’s a problem, put a desi on it, you’ll find a solution. That’s innovation. You don’t need tech, it’s just in our blood”. Regarding the imposition of caps on Indian visas by the US, Bhatia reiterated the crucial role of Indians in driving the success of the US tech industry. Further, she elucidated the economic rationale behind this phenomenon, citing the cost-effective “three-to-one model,” where one American employee costs equivalent to three employees in India, as crucial for the industry’s prosperity.
Recent years have witnessed a noticeable trend within the South Asian community, especially among Indians, as individuals transition into various sectors following the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift in career choices has been propelled by the pandemic’s transformative impact, prompting individuals to explore new opportunities and ventures. Bhatia further elucidated that demographic factors also influence the influx of South Asians into different sectors. Accordingly, areas with established South Asian communities, such as Fremont and Sunnyvale, often attract individuals seeking opportunities within familiar social networks and communities.
