They run various businesses, own about 80,000 convenience stores and manage over 20,000 motels -- or Potels as they have come to be known as most of these are run by the Patel community from Gujarat.

Over 100,000 physicians of Indian origin take care of the nation's health. Many head America's top educational institutions, including the prestigious Harvard Business School. Now they are gaining a foothold in government and politics too.

With over a score direct Obama appointees in high places, two governors, a House member, a state attorney general and eight state legislators, Indian Americans have over the years gained power and influence far beyond their numbers. And their power keeps growing.

Among the recent Obama nominees was Arun Majumdar, an Indian Institute of Technology alumnus who began serving as one of four U.S. science envoys Last month.

Earlier in December, Vivek Murthy created history as the youngest US Surgeon General and the first of Indian descent after cooling his heels for more than a year for Senate confirmation as 'America's doctor' in the face of strong opposition by the powerful gun lobby.

But unlike Murthy, Richard Rahul Verma sailed through the Senate to take up his position as Washington's first Indian American envoy in New Delhi ahead of Obama's historic visit to become the first U.S. president to be the guest of honour at India's Republic Day.

With Verma in New Delhi and Nisha Desai Biswal heading the State Department's South Asia bureau, Indian Americans are now watching US interests in both capitals.
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Source: IANS