Elected and appointed Indian-American officials, as well as allies from Congress and throughout the country mingled with business leaders, think tank analysts and distinguished community members at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 19 at the first Indiaspora Inaugural Ball.

“This is a culmination of the journey of the Indian-Americans,” said Indiaspora founder M.R. Rangaswami. “This is the first time we’ve come together in force from across the U.S.”

Marking a new chapter for the community, Indiaspora brought together Indian-Americans from across the nation to celebrate President Barack Obama’s inauguration and the strides the community has made over the years.

“The Indian-American tiger has sprung,” remarked Toby Chaudhuri, a D.C.-based politico who helped organize the function.

According to Indiaspora organizers, about 1,200 people attended. Saris, lehengas and evening gowns could be seen throughout the hotel, making for a more bedazzled and ornate ball than most of the black-tie affairs around town. A very energetic Indian dance troupe, Mona Khan Company, performed periodically for the crowd, and Red Baraat, a Brooklyn-based band with Bhangra, jazz and funk influences, headlined the show and got the crowd moving. 

High-profile attendees included Maya Soetoro-Ng, Obama’s sister; Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake; Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va.; Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif., and chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Reps. Ami Bera, D-Calif., and Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii; Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley; Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah; Neera Tanden, president of the Center for American Progress; and Tata Consultancy Services CEO N. Chandrasekaran. 

“This is a community that has arrived,” said Bera, the only Indian-American in the 113th Congress. “The sheer number of people getting involved in politics means we’re getting to a tipping point. In the fourth annual or 10th annual Indiaspora gala, I want to see a roomful of Indian-American congressmen and senators and the celebration of an Indian-American president. That’s going to happen one of these days.”

Soetoro-Ng spoke on behalf of her brother. “They are immensely supportive, so happy for the support of the Indian-American community, and recognize the value and the role of Indian-Americans in propping up this nation,” she said, referring to the Obamas. “Indian-Americans are tremendously important, and we hope will be increasingly visible not only in government, but in all parts of American life. You are people of means, of clout, and of great beauty.”

Soetoro-Ng was perhaps doubly motivated to attend the event; her husband, Konrad Ng, is the director of Smithsonian’s Asian Pacific American program, which is behind the upcoming “Beyond Bollywood” exhibit that outlines the Indian-American story. The exhibit, which has been in the works for several years, is set to be unveiled at the American Museum of Natural History later this year. 

Perhaps the attendee who generated the most buss was Gabbard, the first Hindu-American elected to Congress. She made the headlines when she took her oath of office on a copy of the Bhagavad Gita.

“I’ve drawn great strength, courage, wisdom and inspiration from the Gita through some of the most difficult times in my life,” she said. “I’m just happy that Congress is starting to finally catch up with the diversity that we have had across our country for so long.”

Though Gabbard is often confused for an Indian-American, she is of Caucasian and Samoan descent. However, she is happy to have been embraced by the community. “I’m really feel grateful for being welcomed so warmly by the Indian-American community. I really just feel honored.”

In addition to the draw of colorful outfits and Bollywood-ish glamour, the ball attracted the attention of several mainstream media outlets and non-Indian Americans eager to attend an event that had more meaning than just the inauguration.

Lydia DePillis of The New Republic magazine was ball-hopping and came to the Indiaspora ball to get a better sense of what the event means for the community. “It seemed like it would be fun,” she said. “And it marks an actual event, rather than just another ball.”

For most of the evening, two different balls were unfolding in parallel: the VIPs were located in a small, highly decorated room with tables, a lounge area and various chaats and cocktails, accessible to outsiders with a $1,500 ticket. The donor-types, politicians and other influential figures networked, drummed up support and made connections in the private area. 

A $300 ticket bought access to the main ballroom down the hall, which was packed with community members and filled with music, dancers and a more basic bar (wine and beer only). The VIPs would occasionally visit this room to make a speech or mingle for a moment. This division caused a bit of confusion for some partygoers, who had hoped to have more access to the much-advertised big names in attendance.

Blake and Royce were two VIPS who spent considerable time in the main ballroom, mingling with attendees. Both have spent a many years of their careers building the relationship between India and America and working with the Indian-American community. 

“We’re celebrating the second inauguration and the wonderful friendship between the U.S. and India,” Blake said. 

“The relationship is crucial,” Royce added.

For others, the event was a chance to make rare connections. 

Kesha Ram, an Indian-American who was elected to the Vermont State Legislature as a 21-year-old, and Ash Kalra, a councilmember from San Jose, Calif., were eager meet with others in similar positions.

“It’s really important for all of us to create a network of those that are in this unique position as the first Indian-Americans in our respective positions,” Kalra said. “We want to make sure we’re not that last, and the only way to make that happens is if we get together.”

So, why was 2013 the right time for the first such event? In addition to demographic changes that are leading to a more multicultural America, much talk was made throughout the night of the coming-of-age of the second generation. Indian-Americans who grew up here, were raised by Indian parents but are comfortable negotiating the American world, have started floating up in their career paths, be it politics, academics or business, and their burgeoning power arguably led to the Indiaspora ball. 

“It’s about really transformative change,” Chaudhuri said. “The grandchildren of Midnight’s Children: What’s going to happen when they transform the conversation?”