Senator welcomes Meira Kumar as Speaker of Lok Sabha

I / Washington June 11, 2009, 12:30 IST

A powerful Republican Senator from Texas today welcomed the election of Meira Kumar as the first woman Speaker of Lok Sabha and hoped under her leadership elected representatives from both the countries would work to strengthen Indo-US relationship.

"I congratulate Kumar on her election as the first female Speaker of the Lok Sabha," Senator John Cornyn, co-chair of the US Senate India Caucus, said in a statement.

"This achievement is undoubtedly the result of her dedication to public service and commitment to the people of India, as well as her commendable efforts to improve human rights and advance democratic ideals," he said.

"As co-chair of the US Senate India Caucus, which serves as a forum for US Senators and Indian leaders to discuss issues of mutual interest, I look forward to working with Speaker Kumar to further strengthen the US-India relationship in the years ahead," Cornyn said.

Election of Meira Kumar has also been welcomed by the Indian American community. "Now not only the US the strongest democracy in the world but also the most populous democracy in the world has woman Speaker. Our heartiest congratulations to Meira Kumar to become madam Speaker," said Ashok Mago, chairman of US-India Forum.

However, Mago said, it is ironic that instead of celebrating this first for all the women in India next lines reads: "The 64-year-old Congress leader from Bihar, a Dalit, was elected unanimously through voice vote".  "It is sad that here the emphasis is on her being Dalit and not her accomplishments," he said.

"When will we quit all these labels of cast, ethnicity and religion? Kumar's accomplishments speaks for itself to be elected as Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Those who think otherwise should think twice before making those assumptions. We all should be judged by what we are, not by who we are," Mago noted.