Dec. 30, 2004
Joseph and Jenny Melookaran assumed their invitation to the White
House was one of hundreds.
The Johnson County couple thought it could be an invitation to
a function for Indian Americans who are deeply involved in politics,
as Joseph Melookaran is.
What they didn't know was that they were one of only about 75
couples and the only Indian American couple in attendance at a
glamorous holiday party. The biggest surprise of all came when
they realized they would be given a few moments to speak with
the president and first lady one-on-one.
"It said a lot about our country that you can be with the
commander in chief and have a one-on-one conversation," Joseph
Melookaran of Overland Park said. "It meant a lot to us that
you can be an ordinary citizen but still have a down to earth
interaction with the top official."
This wasn't the first time Melookaran had visited the White House,
but it was the first time he had the chance to really speak with
the president. There were many things Melookaran wanted to say.
In the excitement of it all, Melookaran said he didn't get the
chance to express all that he had on his mind, but he said it
was a positive experience.
Melookaran immigrated to Johnson County from India more than
20 years ago. His wife, Jenny, came a few years later. Since that
time, Joseph Melookaran, who is the president of JMA Chartered,
has committed himself to getting other Indian Americans involved
in the democratic process. He is the chairman of the Indian American
Republican Council of Kansas, the national co-chairman for the
Indian American Network for Bush-Cheney, and founded the Indian
American Forum for Political Education. He's worked for numerous
political campaigns working to get Indian and Asian Americans
involved in the process.
"We are part of this community, and if we are not involved,
we do not have a voice," Melookaran said. "You have
to get involved in the political process. It's important for every
immigrant."
Melookaran hoped that other immigrants would see the couple's
visit to the White House as proof that it is possible to have
an impact on the political system. This moment -- they describe
it as one of the greatest of their lives -- did just that.
But what really captivated the couple was the decorative decorations
around the White House. There were Christmas trees and lights
covering nearly every space. There was a buffet of any kind of
food you can imagine, they said. A large gingerbread replica of
the White House was displayed.
"It was exciting, and it was grand," Jenny Melookaran
said.
"It was a fabulous, fabulous party," her husband said.
"It was one of the finest aesthetic things I've ever seen."
And even though their return flight was canceled, and they spent
three hours sitting in their plane on the tarmac waiting until
the runways were clear to take off, it was worth the hassle.
"It was just wonderful," Jenny Melookaran said. "Just
absolutely wonderful."
