Potholes In My Lawn

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potholes061.jpgI know you all are extremely busy today launching software companies, studying for doctorates, curing terminal diseases, acquiring hotel chains, preparing court challenges to the government’s terrorism policies, and writing the great desi novel (preferably all at once), but you’ll still want to take a moment out of your schedule at 11:45 AM EST today, when Kris Kolluri, age 38, native of Hyderabad, takes the oath of office as Governor of the State of New Jersey.

The brother’s term will extend through the remainder of December 28th and perhaps into December 29th, making this the longest tenure yet of an Indian-American as chief executive of an American state. The Indian press is aflutter with excitement, expressed in felicitous prose:

Good things come in small packages. No one better than Kris Kolluri, who will be the first Indian American to become the governor of a US state for only a day, seems to know this.

And:

News of his pending 24-hour promotion already went international, according to Kolluri, who said his father was visiting relatives in India and called to say he saw his son on television.

The ominous charge of steering the ship of state has befallen Brother Kolluri as New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine, Senate President Richard Codey, House Speaker Joe Roberts, and Attorney General Stuart Rabner have all scandalously abandoned their post of duty in favor of such frivolities as annual vacations and the Rutgers-Kansas State Texas Bowl college football game being held tonight in Houston. (Our own Abhi will be there picketing the event.)

This mass dereliction of duty leaves Kolluri to juggle the stewardship of the state’s business with his already considerable duties as state Transportation Commissioner, responsible for the management and upkeep of the Garden State’s roads and railways, without whom the classic “What exit?” joke about New Jersey would become a hoary atavism.

Sepia Mutiny extends a hearty “Zindabad!” to Kris Kolluri. Your achievement elevates us all! Enjoy your day at Drumthwacket. How about throwing a party tonight?

21 thoughts on “Potholes In My Lawn”

  2. launching software companies, studying for doctorates, curing terminal diseases, acquiring hotel chains, preparing court challenges to the governmentÂ’s terrorism policies, and writing the great desi novel (preferably all at once

    ) damn it.. where is baking, blogging, dancing, painting, and playing the guitar? 🙂

    that is awesome, thanks for posting.. too bad he’ll be the governor of the armit of america 🙂

  6. I’m with chick pea – torn between how cool it is to be Governor for a day, and between how much being Gov. of NJ sucks 😉

  7. I’m with chick pea – torn between how cool it is to be Governor for a day, and between how much being Gov. of NJ sucks 😉

    😉

    not hating, but that is how i feel…

  11. (armPit)
    Why you gotta hate?

    Fellow haters unite!

    Also, Sid-Uncle, I’m with Chick Pea on this one too:

    launching software companies, studying for doctorates, curing terminal diseases, acquiring hotel chains, preparing court challenges to the governmentÂ’s terrorism policies, and writing the great desi novel (preferably all at once
    damn it.. where is baking, blogging, dancing, painting, and playing the guitar? 🙂

    Or lounging around on your super-long teacher vacation? 😉

  12. “The 38-year-old governor-to-be said he wouldn’t solve the state’s property tax problem in one day but would instead bring his family to the governor’s mansion to snap a few commemorative pictures.”

    i know, i know. i would do the same thing! but i couldn’t resist though!

  13. miss tamasha

    🙂

    let’s have the armpit royal rumble (and yes, our armpits have deodarant!)

    (jealous of your long ass teacher break!)

  19. Camille, stop. I’d kill to be Governor for a day in the NJ. This is the heart of brownland, man–not a bad place, I promise. Take me back to the Dirty J, I say.

  20. Seema, no hate for NJ, but I definitely would hate being Gov. of NJ. Personal preference 🙂

  21. The second biggest news on the east coast (after V Tech incident) is NJ Governor Jon Corzine being in a fatal accident and the serious flood problem around here in decades. I just wanted all to recognize that the currently second in command in the state, Brother Kolluri, is doing a great job on getting everybody back on the road.

    I always thought Kolluri to be one of the best example to for young second gen Desi in this country. A team player, doesn’t like the spotlight, and very passionate at what he does. Once had the pleasure of interviewing him, the guy is humble and very open.