San Francisco is famous for the diversity of its population. But on a balmy day not long ago, people of varying descent united in their vote for the district attorney of the city. It was a close contest in which Kamala Devi Harris, of mixed Indian and African-American lineage, trounced her opponent Terence Hallinan. It was also a triumph that made Harris the first woman DA of the city and the first of colour in the state of California. Her victory is not as surprising as it looks. "The campaign I put together has been noted as being special and unique," says Harris, 39. "Through it, we were able to forge coalitions with groups that normally remain segregated. I believe my ethnic background gave me the ability to do that."

Survival Instincts KAMALA HARRIS, 39

ACHIEVEMENTS: Elected district attorney of San Francisco, cut across race and community lines to draw in the winning votes; she is the first woman DA in the city and the first of colour in California.

ASPIRATIONS: Raised by a mother whose influence on her was irrefutable, Harris wants to be a strong woman. She wants to give back to the community as she was taught to do.

"When you are exposed to different cultures, there are more similarities than differences. Knowing you can talk about them helps forge a connection."

Harris attributed her victory to her Indian mother as well, who brought up two daughters after separating from her husband-a Jamaican-American-when Harris was five. "I was raised in an environment where women were strong and giving back to the community was important." More importantly, the sisters were raised to be comfortable with their bi-cultural identity. Regular trips to India resulted in Harris imbibing Hindu mythology. Her upbringing ensures the new DA is as comfortable in a Hindu temple as in a Baptist church.

If coalescing demographic groups was the key to Harris' success, the failure to do so was why Bobby Jindal lost the headstart in his bid to become governor of Louisiana. One theory argued that Jindal was too young and that his Indian-origin worked against him. While this argument draws from the experience of other races in the US, Indian immigrants buck the trend. They do not even have the numbers to win on ethnic links-1.7 million Indian-Americans in a population of 277 million. The group has, however, always assimilated seamlessly into American society. For example, Jindal who, despite his campaign drawing huge financial support from the community, was careful to emphasise his all-American self.

Jindal's bid in a way highlights the enormous energy with which the obis are training their sights on political office. In the mid-term elections last year, nearly 30 contestants tried their luck, though only three made it finally. While Swati Dandekar made her debut in the Iowa State Assembly, Kumar Barve and Satveer Chaudhary were re-elected to the Maryland House of Delegates and the Minnesota State Senate respectively.

American accent BOBBY JINDAL, 32

ACHIEVEMENTS: Won the primaries in the race for governor in the white supremacist state of Louisiana-a first for any Indian in America. At 29, he was appointed assistant secretary in President George W. Bush's Department of Health and Human Services, the youngest appointment to a federal post. He best articulates the second-generation Indian-American's adaptation to the unique circumstances.

ASPIRATIONS: Working for the welfare of the people of Louisiana.

"I'm grateful for the chances I've had and for the support I've got from across the country."

Chaudhary is the first Asian-Indian senator in recent history. In 1996, he became the first Asian-American member of the Minnesota legislature and only the fourth Indian elected to a state legislature in the US. The senate's youngest member at 32, Chaudhary has successfully straddled his two identities. "I feel positive about the future of NRIs and their ability to succeed," he says.

While earlier generations leaned towards the Democrats, the obis tend towards the Republicans. The Bush Administration has been trying hard to capture this new constituency, effecting a raft of political and civil appointments: Jindal was with the health department, Karan Bhatia is assistant secretary, transport, Neil Patel is in the office of Vice-President Dick Cheney, Gopal Khanna is with the Peace Corps, Shyam Menon in the Department of Education, Ajay Kuntamukkala is under-secretary, Department of Commerce.

Across the Atlantic, the new face of the successful British-Indian is Parmjit Dhanda. Among the youngest members of the UK Parliament at 34, he represents Gloucester, which has a white majority. When he first contested, the headlines screamed 'We will never accept a foreigner'. "That hurt me. I'm not a foreigner. I'm British," says Dhanda. He went about charming his constituency. But he is the exception-most British-Asian politicians represent ethnic constituencies. They have a long way to go before they can compete at the demographic level that Harris did in San Francisco.

-with Ishara Bhasi