Introduction:

My name is Erica Bagchi and I live in Westchester, NY for more than 30 years. I came to NY from Nashville, TN. I have always been a Democrat and have supported the Democratic Party.


Background & Experience:

I have studied Computer Science, B. S. from TSU (Tennessee State University) and M. S. from Lehman College CUNY, City University of New York and have been an IT Consultant for more than 10 years. I am a Freelance Photographer. I have clicked and captured record number of Events, Galas, Seminars and Conferences. I have edited and shared them on various social media making albums. Some of my photographs have a touch of special effects. I have captured, edited, uploaded and shared record number of Videos of my entertainment business Asavari’s Classical and Bollywood Performances and some Political events as well. Host of the Cable TV show named ‘AmErica Show’ from Greenburgh Town Hall Studio.

I have been self-employed at Asavari LLC (asavari.org) for 29 years from 1997 till current. My passion and interest have been restoring, promoting, presenting and spreading Indian culture and heritage by singing, dancing and acting. I have staged several historic and classic dramas based on the Indian subcontinent and previously undivided India. Also, I have presented world dramas example, ‘Razia Sultan’ on Persia, ‘Jodha Akbar’ on undivided India under the Mughal rule, ‘Ertugrul Ghazi’ on Turkiye, ‘Shirin Farhad’ on Iran, ‘Cleopatra’ on Egypt and Italy.

Being self-employed for 29 years, I have mastered a lot of Leadership roles. I have handled everything of my company Asavari LLC on my own, example Marketing, Publicity, Networking, Editing, Bookkeeping, Salesmanship, Photography, Videography, Sound Engineering and Makeup Artistry. Most of the time, I have decorated my own stage by creating a beautiful ambiance with suitable decors and fabrics. I have designed Asavari’s website and have been updating it.

I have been an Activist in the Democratic Party for more than 12 years. I am currently a District Leader. I have participated in Protests & Rallies, Canvassing (Text and Phone Banking, Collecting Petition Signatures, Preparing Postcards), Attending Webinars, Seminars, Conferences, Watch Parties & Executive Meetings, Sharing valuable and creative ideas, participating in Questions & Answers. I have been working for the Board of Election for 12 years as an Election Inspector and Chairperson most of the time during Primary, General or any special election. Being mostly the Chairperson, I have performed the Leadership role in managing the entire Election procedure. I have participated in many events and masses at Memorial United Methodist Church, Bethel Baptist Church, Mount Hope A.M.E. Zion Church, St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Recently I have visited Temple Israel Center. I have hosted record number of Political Live Broadcasts (Panel Discussions) on TikTok and have shared them on other social media. My theme is based on local and global Politics. I have also hosted several Zoom to YouTube Political discussions.


Values & Motivation:

I believe in ‘Work is Worship’ and ‘Honesty is the best policy’. Based on these values I have raised my children since ‘Charity begins at home’. My son is doing Mechanical and Aeronautics Engineering at the Cornell University and daughter has got a B. S. degree from Dartmouth College and is currently doing M. S. at University of Massachussets. Both children are also accomplished in performing Indian Classical and Bollywood singing, dancing and acting. My kids have been participating in the Jazz Band and sports like Tennis, Soccer, Track & Field and Basketball. I have volunteered in the Food Pantries and Food Distribution. I am currently involved with Feeding Westchester and Gullotta House. I have also served food and distributed clothing in the Hindu Temples and Sikh Gurdwaras. I have volunteered teaching songs and dances in the Hindu Temples of Westchester.

4. Health is Wealth I have volunteered during the Covid years with these Health & Safety Supplies. Face masks and gloves Hand sanitizers and disinfectants COVID-19 test kits Toilet paper and paper towels Cleaning products like bleach and disinfectant wipes I am a member of the World Health Organization and American Cancer Society. I have volunteered in blood donation camps since my blood group is O negative (O-) being the Universal Donor. I have joined WCHC (Westchester Community Health Center) as a volunteer.


Political Vision:

When in Office, I would like to prioritize three key issues like Healthcare, Education and Affordable Housing. Also, my interest would be Transportation, Immigration, Unemployment, Climate Change, Labor Crisis, Gun Control and Criminal Justice. I will work hard to reduce Inflation and boost up the Economy. I believe in free and fair trade and restoration of manufacturing jobs in USA. I have always raised my voice against Corruption, Inflation, Gun Violence and irrelevant cuts on Medicaid-Medicare-Social Security-Education. I have participated in several events and rallies related to price hikes in Rent, Electricity, Heat and Gas which are the important concern of my Westchester county. Flooding is another issue which happens specially during the Monsoon. I have attended several meetings, webinars and seminars regarding these problems and their solution. I am a member of NAACP and have been participating in their community events. I have learned a lot by attending the Webinars by NAACP, NYCLU, NYSYD, Common Cause, Indivisible, MoveOn, SURJ, Mobilize, RAPP, Sunrise Movement, Score, Live Free, The Workers Circle, Hollywood Democrats, Able Dems, The Six PAC, Futures PAC, Earthjustice and Volunteer NY. Also, I am continuously joining more new organizations. I have also joined NPW, WAAD (Westchester Asian American Democrats) and MRNY (Make the Road New York).


Endorsements & Recognition:

I have Citations and Certificates from NYC Mayor Eric Adams, NY Senator Anna Kaplan, Proclamation from the Town of North Hempsted, NY Assemblyman Nader Sayegh. I have joined the prestigious Clinton Foundation, Onward Together and Eleanor’s Legacy. Being a Social Media Star, Activist and District Leader I have been very well seen online and offline. I have build up a large network locally and globally. In a way, I have got a huge collective endorsement from my fans, followers and well wishers world-wide.


Personal Touch:

I have raised my two children successfully and they are quite accomplished. They are polite, focused, kind and creative. My hobbies are traveling, photography and music. I love to hear music of the world. Being a foody, I like to taste various foods. I have experienced culture, history and heritage of different countries. This has indeed inspired me and developed my personality. Experienced in Public Relations, I have learned to understand human psychology in a better way. Most importantly, I have realized that it takes time to establish trust and credibility which need to be preserved.

I am a Lover of Nature. I have visited many countries and have tried to capture the picturesque beauty of the marvelous landscapes and architectures. I have shared the photographs and video clips on the Social Media. I have always tried to sacrifice for my family and the intimates. I have kept my personal gains, profits and happiness aside and have worked very hard to make people around me happy. I have won many hearts over the years from my community services.

Why am I seeking an Office? If God blesses me with an Office, I will get a chance to make differences in a formal and legal way. An Office will give me an authority to enhance my works and take my positive action to the next level and beyond. I genuinely want to improve the communities and address issues that people care deeply about. However, I will continue to spread love rain or shine and help the needy. I can be the best advocate.


My Strength:

I have taken the negative criticisms sportingly as a tool of strengthening my character to represent a better me. I believe in moving forward with optimism and hope. My strength is that I know my weaknesses. I am diligent, caring, focused, organized, affectionate and understanding.

Character traits: Patience, resilience, empathy, honesty, courage.

Skills and abilities: Leadership, communication, problem-solving, creativity. Talents: Artistic flair, athletic ability, musicality, analytical thinking.

Emotional strengths: Self-awareness, emotional regulation, optimism.

Social strengths: Building relationships, teamwork, conflict resolution. Women’s Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, Freedom of Speech and Women’s Rights