Sikhi, Seva influence Harbir Kaur Bhatia’s work 

An active Santa Clara community organizer and civic entrepreneur for over two decades, this is Harbir Kaur Bhatia’s second run for Santa Clara City Council from District 1.  Bhatia came to the U.S. as a 7-year-old in the late seventies. She holds a Masters degree in engineering from Santa Clara University and is CEO of Silicon Valley Central Chamber of Commerce. She has held leadership positions in various organizations, including Sister Cities International and Rotary of Santa Clara.  A proud Indian American Sikh, Bhatia says her work is deeply influenced by the teachings of ‘Sikhi’ and the South Asian principles of dharma and seva. 

Responding to questions via email, Bhatia told India Currents that the city needs to build a new pipeline of future leaders and the old guard needs to pave the way for more diverse and unifying voices.
The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

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Why I decided to run for office…

I decided to run for office because our city needs better planning to address both current challenges and future opportunities. This requires improved forecasting and management to ensure we have the necessary resources going forward. Our city is undergoing significant changes and needs a qualified leader with experience, integrity, and proven results. I feel a strong responsibility to serve our residents, prioritizing their needs and ensuring we are not driven by personal gain or allowing the old majority to maintain control. We need a plan for the future that includes a pipeline of future leaders.

My primary role as a councilmember

My primary role is to ensure integrity in our decision-making, putting the needs of residents first, and providing solutions to our current and potential challenges, and future opportunties. Without critical thinkers, economic development, and problem solvers, we will not have the resources to maintain the city. This includes providing essential services such as affordable housing, job opportunities, public safety, infrastructure, and community services for our elders, working families, and youth.

My first order of business on Day 1

On my first day, I will focus on understanding our city’s current financial situation, including challenges and revenue streams. I will also establish a task force and community commissions for my district for residents to actively engage in finding solutions to current problems and to provide inputs for policy decisions.

My top 3 priorities as a councilmember

  • Sustainable Planning: Ensure a high quality of life through effective housing, job creation, infrastructure development, public safety, and essential services.
  • Economic Development: Foster growth that benefits residents today and in the future, particularly leveraging the opportunities presented by the 2026 NFL and FIFA world cup games to showcase our community globally.
  • Community Engagement and Leadership Development: Promote greater participation and two-way communication at the grassroots level, empowering residents to have a meaningful voice in local governance.

Challenges the city faces and how to mitigate them

Santa Clara is facing challenges due to poor planning and decisions made a decade ago that have negatively impacted our financial status, public services, infrastructure, and community safety. We must restore integrity in our governance through enhanced community engagement and direct involvement of residents in decision-making processes. We need to ensure that we highlight the achievements of new councilmembers, which is not currently happening. 

On the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury report, which criticized the city council for being dysfunctional

While the report highlights what appear to be real issues at the superficial layer, it also appears to target those of us advocating for positive change. The entrenched power structures are resistant to reform, obscuring the benefits and facts of recent improvements. We definitely need someone that believes in unity and not in dividing our residents. 

It’s essential to have a council member from District 1 who understands the unique challenges of our area and can bridge the gap with the broader community, advocating for ethical standards and effective communication. By bringing in an independent new council member, the city and residents will see a significant improvement and a more united community. 

I am uniquely qualified for this role because…

Having lived in Northside Santa Clara for over 20 years,  earned my Master’s in Engineering from Santa Clara University, and served in numerous organizations including the City of Santa Clara as a commissioner, I have a deep and personal connection to this community. 

My extensive professional experience combined with leadership roles in various organizations, has prepared me to serve effectively. I bring a diverse background in technology, management, and community organizing, which sets me apart as a candidate. 

Over the past decade, 

  • I have actively engaged with the community as a city commissioner for six years, focusing on initiatives that directly benefit our residents. For instance, I played a key role in securing funding for the Northside Library, ensuring it remained a vital resource for our community.
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, I mobilized over 500 volunteers 
    • to produce more than 50,000 reusable masks
    • Built an assembly site for face shields to support local hospitals  
    • Launched a food pantry to provide food, groceries, and supplies to residents, schools, and frontline workers
  • As president of the Santa Clara Library Foundation and Friends, I launched the committees to effectively strategize, plan and deliver on initiatives. During my time we organized a Bookmobile and internet hotspots
  • I coordinated humanitarian aid missions to address crises,  like Ukraine, demonstrating my commitment to global and local community needs. 
  • Through Sister Cities International and the Chamber of Commerce, I built bridges with other countries through youth exchange, economic development, and education.
  • I revived the Silicon Valley Central Chamber of Commerce to support our small businesses and prepare youth for future leadership roles
  • I advocated for the transition from at-large to district elections, a significant change that has brought us new council members and saved the city millions. 

Above all, my commitment is always to put the community first. My track record of service and recognition from local, state, and international institutions underscores my dedication to building a sustainable future for all residents—seniors, youth, working families, and small businesses alike. I have city experience, proven results that had a positive impact, the ability to mobilize communities to work together behind a common objective, and recognition to confirm my outcomes.