Kalpen Modi to help Obama connect with Asian Americans

Lalit K Jha

Washington, Apr 8 (PTI) US President Barack Obama has
appointed popular Indian-American actor, Kalpen Suresh Modi,
known by his stage name Kal Penn, with the task of connecting
his administration with the Asian American and Pacific
Islander communities and arts and entertainment groups.

A White House official told PTI that Penn is the only
such appointee for the Asian American and Pacific Islander
Communities. His designation would be Associate Director in
the White House office of Public Liaison.

"They're basically the front door of the White House.
They take out all of the red tape that falls between the
general public and the White House," Penn, 31, told
Huffingtonpost.Com in an interview posted on its website.

To take up this position, Penn said he will be leaving
the popular television show 'House'.

Kal Penn was one of the leading Indian Americans to have
campaigned aggressively for Barack Obama during presidential
election. Highly popular among the younger Indian Americans,
Kal was highly instrumental in getting their support for
Obama.

"There's not a lot of financial reward in these jobs.
But, obviously, the opportunity to serve in a capacity like
this is an incredible honour," he said. PTI LKJ
PMR