Hitesh Patel was born in Zambia, Africa in1962. In 1976, his family moved to England where he finished school and college in London. It was in England, where he realized that Asian Indians were very successful in what they do. They had tremendous business expertise and through hard work and sacrifice, they lived successful lives. However, they did not play a role nor did they have a say in the political arena. There was no engagement.

Since moving to the U.S. in 1985, he is now a successful hotel developer and operator. Again, like in the U.K., he realized that the same existed in the U.S. where Asian Indians were just as hard working and successful, but little engagement in the political arena.

He also realized that both the Republican Party and the Democratic Party leaders lacked knowledge not just of India and Kashmir, but also, of the region as a whole:

"There is too much misinformation, misrepresentation and confusion within the halls of Congress and the Senate"

As a staunch supporter of Governor Bush, in the 2000 elections, he ran the ?Indians for Bush 2000? campaign. The platform where he strongly advocated were 3 points on new and improved U.S. ties with India that Governor Bush was so much running on.

That India needed to be viewed as a strategic partner in the Indian sub-continent. The Clinton administration viewed China as a strategic partner. India would be a much more stronger and dominant power in a Bush administration.

Increase bi-lateral trade such as commerce, technology and military.

Share common goals in terms of national security. Terrorism was to be the main focal point where the two nations will have to work together. India needs the U.S. and world support to fight terrorism in Kashmir.

From this, Mr. Patel realized that though Asian Indians are the most successful minority group in the U.S., they have little or no voice in government or within both political parties.

Hence, the birth of NAIRA.

Together with Nosh Tarachand, they both formulated a vision where NAIRA will engage within the Republican Party leadership to advocate on issues relating not just to Asian Indians, but also fight to relax immigration laws and help keep big government out of the lives of hard working individuals and small businesses.