
Indian-American candidates win runoff races in Texas' city councils
Houston, Jun 8 (PTI) Two Indian-American candidates have won their respective city council runoff elections in Texas.
Sanjay Singhal, a retired energy executive and IIT Delhi graduate, secured a decisive victory over fellow Indian-American Nasir Hussain in Sugar Land's District 2.
According to unofficial results from Fort Bend County, Singhal received 2,346 votes against Hussain's 777.
Sukh Kaur, a Sikh-American and education reformer, scored a landslide victory in San Antonio to retain her District 1 council seat.
Kaur, a nonprofit leader who lives in San Antonio with her husband and two children, defeated challenger Patty Gibbons with 65 per cent of the votes.
'This victory belongs to the residents of District 2," Singhal told supporters.
'I am deeply grateful for the community's support and ready to serve with transparency and dedication," said Singhal, who campaigned on transparent governance, infrastructure improvements, and community engagement.
Kaur, the first Sikh woman elected to the San Antonio City Council, focused her campaign on affordable housing, public transit expansion, and inclusive urban development.
'I think we really talked to the community and shared that we want to work," Kaur told the media after the results.
'And one of the things that we said is District 1 is about preserving our history while still moving our district forward," she said.
Both candidates are expected to solidify Indian-American representation in Texas's civic leadership.
McCutcheon secured 6,103 votes, while Ferguson received 5,402, according to unofficial tallies.
McCutcheon, a retired reservoir engineer with decades of public service experience, said she entered the race to help guide Sugar Land's growth with 'strategic vision".
Her priorities include improving crime response, supporting law enforcement, and ensuring quality of life for residents.
The latest round of municipal elections reinforces Texas's status as a growing hub of Indian-American civic engagement and leadership, with expanding representation in key urban centres like Houston and San Antonio.
Swearing-in ceremonies for the new council members and he mayor are expected in the coming weeks. PTI SHK PY PY
First Published:
June 08, 2025, 12:15 IST

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hans India
22 minutes ago
- Hans India
If my voice brought India's issues to forefront, that's my service to nation: Priyanka Chaturvedi
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has strongly defended India's recent global anti-terror outreach mission across Europe, calling it both timely and necessary to expose the global threat posed by Pakistan-backed terrorism. Chaturvedi was part of the high-level All-Party Parliamentary Delegation led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad under 'Operation Sindoor Outreach,' which presented India's firm stance against cross-border terrorism and garnered international support. Reflecting on the trip, Chaturvedi said the delegation had a clear mission: 'That was my responsibility. And if my speeches have influenced people and brought the country's issues to the forefront, I consider it my service to the nation.' She added, 'I hope that in near future, the European nations, because my group toured six countries—will understand that the terrorism we have been enduring for decades is now reaching their homes.' The delegation visited France, Italy, Denmark, the UK, Belgium, and Germany. During the tour, Indian MPs met foreign lawmakers, think tanks, and diaspora groups to raise awareness about radicalization and safe havens for terror groups operating from Pakistan. Chaturvedi highlighted the growing threat of radicalisation abroad, saying: 'The way indoctrination and radicalization are taking place, and everyone's wires are connected to Pakistan, whether it's Al-Qaeda, Jaish-e-Mohammed, or Lashkar-e-Taiba, everyone lives in safe houses there. They are protected.' She emphasised that, 'It was a successful trip where we were able to keep the country's interests safe.' Responding to political criticism that sending delegations abroad was a waste of public money, Chaturvedi hit back: 'Many leaders are saying that sending foreign delegations was a waste of money and time. I hope they will take a debriefing from their own party members who were also part of these delegations, ask them what was discussed, how it was said, and what their role was.' When asked about her passionate speeches and even mimicry of Pakistani political figures like Hina Rabbani Khar or Bilawal Bhutto (referred to as "Minamal Bhutto" in some circles), Chaturvedi firmly rooted her motivation in personal experience. 'After 26/11, the terrorist attack in Mumbai, I was deeply affected and came into politics. I know how many homes are destroyed because of terrorism. How many women struggle to manage households. Terrorism tries to destroy businesses and the country's stability.' The Operation Sindoor Outreach initiative helped India draw sharper international attention to terrorism and its sources like Pakistan, and has provided a unified national narrative on the global stage.


Hans India
23 minutes ago
- Hans India
FairPoint: A walk across the bridge of resolve, PM Modi's strong Chenab message
There are rare moments in a nation's history when a leader's action reverberates far beyond the physical gesture -- it speaks directly to adversaries, uplifts the national spirit, and sets the course for the future. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's walk across the Chenab Bridge -- the world's highest railway bridge -- holding the Tricolour high in his right hand, was one such moment. Quiet but commanding, symbolic yet strategic, it was a bold declaration. In that symbolic stride, the Prime Minister wasn't just showcasing a feat of Indian engineering; he was delivering a bold message to those who have long sought to destabilise India through covert aggression and terror. For over three decades, Pakistan and its terror network have engaged in a relentless proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir and also in other parts of India. From cross-border infiltration to radicalisation, they have aimed to keep Jammu and Kashmir and India in turmoil. And when the Pahalgam terror attack happened, India responded with Operation Sindoor -- with military resolve and diplomatic firmness. Amid this operation, India continued with its developmental triumphs. The walk on the Chenab Bridge was a powerful signal to Pakistan, its allies, and the rest of the world. By walking that bridge with the flag aloft, PM Modi asserted territorial sovereignty and also underlined a shift in India's policy from deterrence to direct action. After the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, carried out by The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba, India has made it clear -- neither the LoC nor Pakistani territory will remain untouched if terror originates from there. The shift started with the 2016 surgical strikes, the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, the revocation of Article 370, and the May 7 Operation Sindoor. These have all marked a shift in India's strategic doctrine -- no longer defensive and reactive but proactive and assertive. Through Operation Sindoor, New Delhi has set a new strategic red line -- if terror is Pakistan's state policy, it will be met with a visible and forceful response. PM Modi's solitary walk was a signal that India will no longer be held hostage by fear nor dictated to by those who trade in violence and chaos. It was also a message to the people of Jammu and Kashmir that New Delhi's commitment to development, stability, and integration is not just a promise -- it is a mission. The walk was also a reminder to every Indian watching that the fight against terror isn't only for the security forces to tackle, but it's also in our commitment to progress. Roads, tunnels, railways, and bridges -- these are India's new weapons of peace, built to empower. The PM's walk on the bridge just reflected this. In that silent, deliberate stride was the assertion that the region will no longer be a theatre for conflict but a beacon of connection and progress. PM Modi's visit to J&K came exactly one month after Operation Sindoor, a meticulously executed mission that neutralised nine high-value terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). In retaliation, Pakistan resorted to heavy shelling at residential areas in Jammu and Kashmir and also indulged in drone raids across the whole of the western border. India then attacked 11 airbases of Pakistan, following which Pakistan raised the white flag and begged for a ceasefire. Operation Sindoor wasn't just a tactical win. It was a strategic signal: that India's patience with terrorism emanating from Pakistan is not infinite and that every infiltration, every ambush, will be met with proportionate force. By choosing to visit J&K after this operation and walk on the Chenab Bridge, which is just 133 km from PoK, PM Modi linked two critical narratives: the hard power of security and the soft power of development. It reflected the seamless continuation of India's twin-track approach in Jammu and Kashmir -- crush the terror infrastructure while simultaneously empowering the region through unprecedented infrastructure and economic development. This stands in stark contrast to Pakistan's approach to Kashmir: one rooted in radicalisation, violence, and diplomatic falsehoods. It is forcing the youth to die for a false narrative and an insane cause, and has kept the occupied part of Kashmir in poverty and underdevelopment. PM Modi's walk across the Chenab Bridge wasn't just physical; it was psychological. It represented an India that is no longer looking over its shoulder but walking ahead with resolve, dignity, and confidence. Holding the flag was a symbol of ownership of territory, of the future, and of the narrative. Leaders are often remembered not just for what they say but for what they do when it matters. With the Tricolour fluttering against the Himalayan winds, PM Modi's walk on the Chenab Bridge was symbolic and historic. For Pakistan, it was a warning that India will protect its territorial integrity and punish aggression with precision. For the people of Jammu and Kashmir, it was reassurance that they are seen, heard, and included. And for the rest of the world, it was a signal that India is prepared to lead not just economically but morally and militarily if required.


Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
Chad announces suspension of visas to US citizens in response to Trump travel ban
Chad 's President Mahamat Idriss Deby has announced that his country will suspend the issuing of visas to U.S. citizens in response to the Trump administration's decision to ban Chadians from visiting the United States. President Donald Trump on Wednesday resurrected a hallmark policy of his first term when he announced the visa ban on 12 countries including Chad, accusing them of having "deficient" screening and vetting, and historically refusing to take back their own citizens who overstay in the United States. The new ban targets Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search ads Learn More Undo There will also be heightened restrictions on visitors from seven others in the new travel policy, which takes effect Monday at 12:01 a.m. In a Facebook post, Chad's president on Thursday said he is directing his government to suspend visas to U.S. citizens "in accordance with the principles of reciprocity." Live Events "Chad has no planes to offer, no billions of dollars to give but Chad has his dignity and pride," Deby said, referring to the $400 million luxury plane offered to his administration as a gift by the ruling family of Qatar. Republic of Congo calls the ban a mistake The new travel policy has triggered varied reactions from Africa, whose countries make up seven of the 12 countries affected by Trump's outright visa ban with some exemptions. In the Republic of Congo, government spokesperson Thierry Moungalla said he believes the country was among those affected because of a "misunderstanding" over an armed attack in the U.S. with the perpetrators "mistaken" to be from the Republic of Congo. "Obviously, Congo is not a terrorist country, is not home to any terrorist, is not known to have a terrorist vocation. So we think that this is a misunderstanding and I believe that in the coming hours, the competent diplomatic services of the government will contact the American authorities here," he said in the capital of Brazzaville. In Sierra Leone, among countries with heightened travel restrictions, Information Minister Chernor Bah said the country is committed to addressing the concerns that prompted the ban. "We will work with U.S. authorities to ensure progress," he added.