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The two people of Indian origin who were appointed White House fellows for 2002-3 are proven leaders in their respective fields.
Lieutenant Colonel Balan R Ayyar and Dr Rajeev Venkayya were among the 13 persons appointed White House fellows for 2002-3. The fellowships, the most prestigious programme for leadership and public service in the US, were handed out by President George W Bush on June 28.
Lt Colonel Ayyar, 36, is commander of the 4th Airlift Squadron at McChord Air Force Base in Washington State, while Dr Venkayya, 35, is founder of the High-Risk Asthma Clinic and co-director of the medical intensive care unit at the San Francisco General Hospital, California.
Each fellow will work full time for a year beginning September 1, 2002, as special assistant to a Cabinet member or senior presidential adviser. They will also participate in an education programme designed to improve their leadership qualities.
Denise Gitsham, a spokesperson for the President's Commission on White House Fellowships, told rediff.com that the next batch of fellows would be named shortly. After the course, the fellows are expected to return to their communities and apply what they have learnt, she added.
Between 11 and 19 fellows are selected every year for the course, based on their professional record, evidence of leadership potential, and a proven commitment to public service.
The 13 were selected from among 30 national finalists, culled in turn from 105 regional winners. Another Indian American, businessman Farah Pandith, was among the national finalists.
Born in Buffalo and brought up in Dayton, Ohio, Dr Venkayya said he was "happy and excited" at his selection. "It is a tremendous honour to be selected from such a pool of capable and experienced applicants," he said. "My selection is a tribute to my parents and their upbringing of me as a first generation Indian American in the US. They have a tremendous influence on me."
His father Vipperla Venkayya is a retired senior scientist with the US Air Force, while his mother Janaki is an independent businesswoman.
On becoming a national finalist, Lt Col Ayyar told rediff.com, "My accomplishment are very much a reflection of the wonderful team in the air force and the team that I command. What really makes you competitive is the company you keep and I have been fortunate to have wonderful people around me."
The New York-born officer's father Subramanya is a senior principal scientist with Boeing, and mother Bhavani is a certified public accountant.
A resident of Sumner, Washington, Lt Col Ayyar is the first Indian American graduate from the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He holds a master's degree in public administration from Auburn University, in military art and science from the Air Command and Staff College, and in aerodynamics from the Joint Flying Instructor School, India. He graduated in international relations.
The nation's first exchange pilot instructor to the Indian Air Force, Lt Col Ayyar was an outstanding graduate from the Squadron Officer School and received a "number one" rating for over 10 years, which led to early promotions.
Dr Venkayya, 35, is an assistant professor of medicine, division of pulmonary and critical care medicine at the University of California. His master's degree is from the Northeastern Ohio University's College of Medicine, and bachelor's from the University of Akron. He was the chief medical resident for the department of internal medicine, University of Michigan. He also serves on the board of the American Lung Association, San Francisco chapter.
The objective of the White House fellows programme, established by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964, is to develop future leaders by giving them firsthand experience with the federal government at a high level.
The programme's alumni include Secretary of State Colin Powell, Secretary of Labour Elaine Chao, The Wall Street Journal editor Paul Gigot, former chairman and CEO of CNN Tom Johnson, Senator Samuel D Brownback, General (retd) Wesley K Clark, Tenneco's former chairman and CEO Dana Mead and Admiral (retd) Dennis Blair.
This year's White House fellows include two physicians, two businessmen, one policeman, one lawyer, five officers representing each branch of the military, and two individuals from the non-profit sector.
As part of the programme, the fellows will work with Cabinet secretaries and White House staff to develop policy, help draft and review legislation, research public policy initiatives, respond to congressional inquiries, write speeches and conduct policy briefings.
Earlier Report: 2 Indians bring more diversity to White House programme
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