The Place for Jersey City News
Log In / Register
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
Jersey City Times
  • News
  • Diversions
    • Performing Arts
    • Visual Arts
    • Other Fun Stuff
  • In Our Midst
  • Food And Drink
  • Education
  • Neighborhoods
    • Downtown
      • News
      • Guide
    • Heights
      • News
      • Guide
    • Journal Square
      • News
      • Guide
    • Bergen Lafayette
      • News
      • Guide
    • Greenville
      • News
      • Guide
    • Westside
      • News
      • Guide
  • Opinion
  • Columns
    • Eye Level
    • Mamarama
  • Event Calendar
  • Support our Mission
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

Posts

Andrea Crowley-Hughes

Jersey City’s Indian-American Community Celebrates Harris

February 3, 2021/in header, Latest News, News /by Andrea Crowley-Hughes

The election and inauguration of Vice President Kamala Devi Harris, the first woman, South Asian American and Black vice president, sent ripples of pride through Jersey City’s Indian American community.

Jersey City was home to 31,578 Indian Americans in 2017, representing a 16.5% increase from 2010, according to United States census data.

The daughters of Jersey City resident Shehnaaz Jagasia watch the inauguration of Vice President Kamala Harris while enjoying dosa, sambar and coconut chutney

Harris, born to parents who emigrated from India and Jamaica, became the second Black woman and the first South Asian American to serve in the U.S. Senate in 2016. She ended her own presidential campaign in December 2019 before former vice president Joe Biden chose her as his 2020 running mate. Biden and Harris were elected in November and sworn into office on Jan. 20.

Although supporters of former president Donald Trump stormed the Capitol just 14 days earlier, the inauguration took place safely with thousands of National Guard troops providing protection.

On inauguration day, Shehnaaz Jagasia, founder of Shenaaz Dance Academy, watched intently with her young daughter in their Jersey City living room. In another room, her eight-year-old daughter was watching the inauguration virtually with her third grade class.

The occasion was so special they replayed it on YouTube so they could all watch together.  They shared the experience on Instagram.

“We’ve been reading about Madame Vice President and found out she loves dosas and South Indian food, so we watched together while eating dosas. It felt so good,” she said.

Jagasia and her husband are from Mumbai, India. She has been teaching dance in Jersey City since 2009 and started her own dance school in 2017.

“We are elated she is elected to office,” Jagasia said of Harris. “It’s a moment of pride to have that representation.” Harris sets “a stellar example” for her young girls, she said.

Downtown Jersey City resident Mamta Singh, who has run the nonprofit JCFamilies since 2010, was so excited by Harris’ inauguration that she called her relatives in northern India to share her enthusiasm. Their joy, too, was palpable.

“My family from home feels as if one of their family members got elected,” she said.

Singh said she has aspirations to be involved in politics, but “there was always a hesitation because we come from a very different background.” She now feels more optimistic about the future of women in politics.

“A lot of women who were just hiding or not very confident will come out and get active,” Singh said.

Harveer Singh wears an American flag turban.

Harveer Singh, a downtown Jersey City resident and realtor, emceed the India Independence Day Parade in 2019. He described an electric atmosphere the day the presidential race was called for Biden and Harris, complete with music outside City Hall and a woman dancing on top of her car. The diverse crowd reflected what he loves about Jersey City.

Harris’ victory feels personal to Singh as a member of the Sikh religion, which values “equality for men, women and everyone.”

“As a Sikh person who wears a beanie, sometimes you get the brunt of ignorance,” he said. “I’ve gotten that all my life. I think [Harris’ win] gives people courage, women courage, minority women courage.”

Members of Jersey City’s Indian American community told the Jersey City Times they have a deep love for the city.

“Jersey City was my first love because of the diversity,” said Mamta Singh. “It felt like home, and I decided if I ever lived in America, I would live in Jersey City.”

They also shared hopes for the new presidential administration.

I hope the government will do something exceptional for our teachers to applaud their efforts and provide them additional pay and/or benefits,” said Jagasia. “So many of them have had to adapt to the virtual world.”

“The biggest concern is uniting the country,” Harveer Singh said. “I pray and hope that Biden can do something to bring us together.”

News Briefs

An ordinance creating a Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) scheduled for introduction this week has been pulled, pending further discussions.

Ahmad Broadway, age 26, of Jersey City, pleaded guilty to charges related to his involvement in the January 11, 2019 shooting inside the Newport Centre Mall in Jersey City that injured two people. 

The Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force and the Jersey City Fire Department are investigating a two-alarm fire that killed an 84-year-old woman Thursday morning at 270 Clerk Street in Jersey City. 

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has announced the indictment of three people in connection with the July 6, 2020 fatal shooting of 17-year-old Tyeah Garner on Rutgers Avenue in Jersey City. Heavenley Cherry, 19, and Jahquell Carter, 25, both of Jersey City, were charged with Murder and other related crimes. Izmae Tinker-Trent, 19, of Jersey City, was charged with Hindering a Murder Investigation.  

The Jersey City Education Association has started a GoFundMe campaign to support the family of 11-year-old Desire Reid and eight-month old Kenyon Robinson who died in a house fire on Martin Luther King Drive on Wednesday night. Here is the link.

Vaccine-eligible individuals can make an appointment online by visiting hudsoncovidvax.org.

The 2021 tree planting applications are available. If you have an empty tree pit on your block or a street you can fill out the form and the city’s arborists will handle it.  bit.ly/adoptatreespri…

Keep abreast of Jersey City Covid-19 statistics here.

Governor Murphy has launched a “Covid Transparency Website” where New Jerseyans can track state expenditures related to Covid.  Go here.

For info on vaccinations, call Vaccination Call Center and our operators will assist you with scheduling one: 855-568-0545

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Events

Thu 25

Walk-Bye Kids’ Photo Challenge

February 25
Jersey City NJ
United States
Thu 25

Black History Month Group Exhibition

February 25
Jersey City NJ
United States
Thu 25

Still I Rise Exhibition

February 25 @ 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thu 25

Historic Downtown SID Winter’s Farm Market

February 25 @ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Jersey City NJ
United States
Fri 26

Walk-Bye Kids’ Photo Challenge

February 26
Jersey City NJ
United States

View More…

CONTACT US

    ADS/INFO

    For information on advertising opportunities, please contact - ads@jcitytimes.com

    For information on writing opportunities, please contact - info@jcitytimes.com

    Download our media kit here

    ABOUT US

    About Jersey City Times

    Contact Jersey City Times

    Social

    Archive

    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • September 2020
    • August 2020
    • July 2020
    • June 2020
    • May 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • February 2020
    • January 2020
    • December 2019
    • November 2019
    • October 2019
    Copyright © 2020 JCityTimes.com. All Rights Reserved - powered by Enfold WordPress Theme
    Scroll to top
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter

    Support Jersey City Times WITH A MONTHLY CONTRIBUTION

    for the price of a tall coffee at Starbucks!