Dr.V.J Pradhan has been reelected to Rockland Legislative District 14 for the second consecutive time. Born on August 3, 1947 in Bombay, India, got his US citizenship in 1978. Pradhan's political rise is attributed to growing Indian American population in Rockland which increased by nearly 70 percent.

According to 2000 censes there are approximately 5,800 people of Indian origin living in Rockland. As that ethnic group has increased in numbers, so too have Indian-Americans become more common place in local government. Pradhan who actually wanted to established himself as a stage actor has seen dramatic change in his life. From an actor to a democrat, the inspiration to move forward towards his life journey came from the words of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. they struck a chord with him.

Pradhan, who now lives in West Nyack, said he wanted to be part of King's vision of a nation where anyone, regardless of his background, would be able to climb as high as his dreams and hard work would allow him. He is involved in many community programme and has membership to other professional bodies. He has been honored as Person of the Year in 1993, 1994, 1998 and has also received many Citations for Community Work from leaders including Former US President Bill Clinton.