Indian American slams Obama over policy issues

After an impressive speech by Indian American Ranjit Ricky Gill, yet another Indian-origin leader launched a scathing attack on President Barack Obama over a range of policy issues during the ongoing Republican convention in Tampa.

Civil engineer Yash Wadhwa, speaking at the convention, alleged that under the present administration, the US of "his dream" had become a tent city with people waiting in line for government handouts.

"Ronald Reagan used to say that America is a shining city on a hill. Under President Obama, we are becoming a tent city with people waiting in line for government handouts, and I don't like it," Wadhwa said in a live interview during the convention on Wednesday night.

Wadhwa, a businessman for over past two decades, is director of Operations, Strand Associates Inc. and a candidate for Wisconsin State Assembly. He is among the business people being highlighted at the convention.

"I came to this country as a student with few dollars in my pocket and a dream in my heart. I knew America was a country which provided opportunities for any person from anywhere in the world and live the American dream. Guess what, I have lived the American dream," Wadhwa said.

Terming America the "best country" on the earth which he was always "proud of", Wadhwa said he was deeply inspired by former President Ronald Reagan, who "inspired" him to take up US citizenship and join the Republican Party.

Wadhwa is the fourth Indian American who has taken up the stage at the ongoing Republican national convention.

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley addressed the convention in prime time on Tuesday, while Republican Congressional candidate from California, Ranjit "Ricky" Gill took up the stage in the afternoon.

Both of them highlighted the success story of immigrants and the American dream.

Another Indian American Ishwar Singh became the first Sikh in the history of Republican convention to offer prayer at the meeting on Wednesday night.

The number would have touched five if Bobby Jindal, the Indian American Governor from Louisiana, delivered his scheduled address last night along with Senator John McCain.

Jindal decided to skip the convention to focus on tackling hurricane Isaac that hit his state Tuesday.