Saund vs. Cochran Director Talk

You are invited to learn the incredible true story of how Dalip Singh Saund, a California farmer and local judge of Indian descent, ran for Congress and won – 69 years ago. Please join BAFTA and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Mridu Chandra for a short presentation and discussion about her current film in development SAUND vs COCHRAN.

Mridu will present the story of how Saund, Imperial Valley farmer and Westmorland judge, campaigned against successful business woman, WWII aviatrix, and Indio rancher Jackie Cochran Odlum to become America’s first Asian, Indian, and Sikh American congressperson in history. This competition sparked local debates and nationwide conversations about political representation and engaged a remarkable 80% voter turnout in 1956.

Saund represented California’s 29th district (which at that time included Riverside and Imperial counties) for three terms from 1957-1963. He championed civil rights, veterans affairs, and the indigenous residents of Agua Caliente. Mridu will discuss the eye-opening research she has unearthed over the past three years on this unstudied chapter of American history and will engage audiences in a discussion about her 20-year career as an independent scholar and filmmaker.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Civil Rights Institute Inland Southern California, 3933 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, United States