Interview by Emily Hessney Lynch.

Published January 10, 2020.

Where are you from? How did you end up in Rochester?

I was born in Calcutta, India and raised in Rochester. My mom adopted me. I like to say that my Rochester birth was ate Gate 8 of the Rochester International Airport. My mom was a single mom and never married, so when I arrived, it was her and her colleagues and church family that greeted me.

I’ve lived in Washington D.C., Albany, and New York City, but every single time I live in one of those cities, the magnetic pull of Rochester is so strong. This is where I want to be. I think it was good to get away and see the world, and bring ideas back to Rochester. For awhile, I engaged in a lot of conversations within the RYP community about how to keep people here after college. But now, I’ve changed my mind. It’s okay to go to Boston or Atlanta or North Carolina, see what you like, figure out the great attributes of those communities, and bring them back to Rochester. When you’re ready for us, we’re ready for you. This is a great place to raise a family, purchase a house, and have a high quality of life. We need ambassadors. I’m proud to be an ambassador for young people looking to move back to Rochester.

What are some hidden gems you've discovered around Rochester?

We could give the west coast a run for their money with our coffee scene. I’m at Fuego every day. For those of us who run on caffeine, that’s a huge factor. I love going to Ugly Duck.

I’m always surprised by the Rochester connections to national things. For example, Staach creates all the furniture for Shake Shack globally! There’s a whole new set of local companies today having a global impact.

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra is an incredible orchestra of professional, world-class musicians right in our backyard. Dellarious is also a gem of Rochester, someone who just does art for art’s sake. When he made those Greta Thurnburg posters and put them up in the middle of the night, he brought current events right to Rochester, and her presence was here. 

We’re also always in search of the best Asian food. Szechuan Opera on Park has the best soup dumplings in all of Rochester.

What are some of your favorite local nonprofits to support?

I work in the nonprofit realm doing fundraising consulting for nonprofits. My passion is youth development; I am an Eagle Scout and was an active part of scouting in Rochester. Rochester’s scouting program has always been inclusive. I’m looking forward to chairing this year’s Friends of Scouting campaign.

What's the best place to get a garbage plate?

I’m a Stevie T’s guy. It’s a little dirty, and I only go late at night. The late night crowd is interesting. I like their vibe. It’s gritty Rochester. I don’t wanna have a clean garbage plate. 

What are some of your personal coping mechanisms for cold/gray weather? 

I don’t really feel down in the winter because we have so many things to do, whether it’s going to a concert or eating out at a restaurant. I love Radio Social, the Little, and the RPO. My fiancee Diane and I met in the winter, and we love indoor activities. It’s just a different season—not a mourning period.

What's one memory you have of a perfectly Rochester moment? 

I was working at City Hall, and it was the first big snowstorm of the season. The City plow truck was coming to plow my street. I went out to say hi and thank you to the plow driver, and the plow got stuck in front of my driveway. I ended up having to walk to work at City Hall in the snow! That’s typical Rochester.

What makes Rochester unique? 

Our neighborhoods. We have generations that have lived in neighborhoods, and each neighborhood is culturally distinct. It’s not about better or worse, they just have their own flavors, their own heritage, their own pride. We have so many. That makes us really unique.

What are some small ways we can all give back in the community? 

Just do something. Do what is feasible for you. For me, I have the privilege of serving on some boards. I also volunteer once/month at a food pantry. That’s the direct service that I can do. I get so much out of it, so much more than I give. Don’t be afraid to ask to get involved. Everyone is looking for help. Find something that you’re passionate about, not just the best “brand name.” If you’re really passionate about community gardening, do that, don’t just go to a big not-for-profit that you think is a resume builder. 

Do not overextend yourself. Choose wisely. Commit to doing something really well, rather than many things poorly. You see a lot of traditional business folk who are on four boards and write a check but don’t get much out of it.

What made you decide to run for office? 

Frustration with our educational system. The belief that we could do more for families and young people, and vulnerable populations, specifically in Upstate NY. I believe that every kid in NY needs full access to healthcare. Our aging population, specifically in Upstate NY, needs safer places to live, and communities of dignity. I learned that from my own mom. She was socially isolated when she had Alzheimer’s. There are so many people like that who don’t have a loved one nearby to take care of them. We, as Upstate leaders, need to do better to protect the most vulnerable populations of Rochester.

What does a New York State Senator do? 

There are 63 state senators in NY. The State Senate is one of the houses of the state legislature based in Albany. They focus on everything from education to public safety to economic development. At the end of the day, serving as a state senator is a public service opportunity to be an advocate for the people of Rochester and Monroe County. We have unique needs and unique organizations that need resources, and it’s competitive. Right now, Rochester doesn’t have a seat at the table, and we won’t unless we push to be heard. We’ll miss out on opportunities that people could benefit from. We are champions for Rochester. We are going to make sure that our vulnerable populations have a voice that’s uniquely upstate. 

What advice would you give to someone who wants to get more involved in local politics or run for office someday? 

Do it. Don’t hold back because you think someone else thinks something of you. If you have an idea and you’re passionate about it, run for the office that allows you to be able to do it. Public service is about an engaged citizenry, and our country is only as strong as we allow people to participate. Government is not a career, it’s an act of service. I believe I have a role to play with our educational system in the city of Rochester. That’s my act of service. People should not be intimidated. We’re a small enough community—reach out. Call me! I love to talk to people about it. Find out the best fit for you. 

Make sure you take the commitment seriously. You are representing other people. We need the best representatives in our community, regardless of party. Don’t let the national political dialogue frustrate you. The majority of impact that we experience in our day to day lives happens on the state and local level.