Long Island village to get first Indian American mayor

NEW YORK: Harvinder Anand, who originally hails from Punjab, will be sworn in as the first Indian American mayor of Laurel Hollow village in Long Island, New York state on Sunday.

Anand, a graduate of Punjab University in Chandigarh, migrated to the US 25 years ago and was elected unopposed in the mayoral election June 19.

"I'm honoured and humbled," said Anand, who has been living in Laurel Hollow for the past 10 years.

Just three per cent of the Long Island village's population of 1,930 is Indian, according to the 2000 US Census.

"I want to serve my village to the best of my capabilities and do what's right for the residents," Anand, 46, was quoted as saying by News Day newspaper. He said he had no ambitions to seek higher office.

"I am content with giving back to a community that has given my family so much. I do this purely with the spirit of community service," said Anand.

As an active member of the Nassau County Police Reserves, he has served on the advisory board of Nassau county law enforcement explorers. Anand has also been involved in community service ever since he moved to Laurel Hollow.

A chemical engineer, Anand also attended Hofstra University in Long Island for his MBA. He is president of Royce International, a multinational that makes industrial chemicals for textile, aerospace, electrical, automotive and construction industries.