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."