This story is from the Times of India (April 18, 2012)
CHENNAI: The Vadukkachimathil hamlet in the southern district of Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, better known for its halwa and caste rivalry, is eagerly awaiting the outcome of the New York City council elections. They hardly stand to gain, but a victory for son of the soil, 36-year-old 'Hill' Krishnan alias Thirumalai ., who is contesting for a seat in the 51-member council of New York City, would be something for them to boast about. If Krishnan wins, it would be the first time that a South Asian would be elected to the council.
"I strongly believe the Americans will elect anyone who has the right policies. Race is not a problem here and the best example is American President Barack Obama. I am in the election fray, representing his Democratic party," an enthusiastic Krishnan told The Times of India over the phone from New York.
A doctoral student of Boston University and an adjunct professor at New York University, Krishnan is in the race against two contenders for the Upper East Side seat in the council. About 12% of the five lakh population here are Indians and Krishnan is confident he has more than a winning chance. "This city has the most diverse population. The council comprises all the minorities, including Africans, Americans, Jewish and Spanish Americans. But an Indian has never been elected so far. I want to change that," he said.
Krishnan left for US in 2001 after graduating from the Guindy Engineering College in Chennai to pursue a masters in ergonomics and biomechanics at New York University. With little money to spare, he initially spent nights in the library on campus and used the college gym for showers. It was only when a friend of a friend offered a room in his apartment that he found accommodation. He managed to pay his way through by working part-time on campus. In the same period, he met his wife Debbie, who was also a student at the same university. "Within a year we got married," said Thirumalai, who became Hill, after he found the locals struggling to pronounce his name.
Krishnan had studied in his native village in Tirunelveli up to third standard. Then he moved to Coimbatore and later to Chennai, where he completed his mechanical engineering from Guindy Engineering College. "My mom is a huge inspiration for me. She has been giving me moral support. I was a poor student in high school. It was my mother who motivated me and because of that I secured centum in higher secondary and also got a state rank. She continues to motivate me," said Hill.
His proud mother, K Lakshmi, who resides in Chengalpet, said, "I am always proud of my children, particularly Thirumalai. He has several talents. He dances well, he is good at script-writing and had won many state-level competitions during his college days. I strongly believe he will win the elections."
Krishnan is now teaching in the global affairs department of New York University's School of Continuing and Professional Studies and has completed a PhD dissertation on international relations and science and technology policy. He took "America's addiction to aeroplanes, automatic weapons and automatons" as his thesis for his research. "When I started reading biographies of Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin and Alexander Hamilton, I was inspired in public life. Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru were also inspirations for me," said Hill.
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