An Exclusive Interview with Rahul Kumar Kamboj Makes History as the First Indian Elected to City Parliament
Rahul Kumar Kamboj created history on March 18, 2021, when he became the first Indian-origin member of the Frankfurt City Parliament in Germany. As a member of the city parliament, Rahul is concerned with increasing integration between Indian and German communities, pushing for free German language courses, better healthcare facilities, and affordable housing. He intends to encourage the next generation of people to join politics and contribute to a better-inclusive society. Rahul Kumar Kamboj’s election is indicative of an important move towards political representation and Indian diaspora integration in Germany.
Interview Questions
As the first Asian in Frankfurt, what was your journey like, and what challenges did you face?
My Father did the toughest work. He came to Germany in 1979—almost 50 years ago. In Germany, the biggest challenge for the first generation was the lack of direction. They did not know which path to take, as nobody was available here to show them the way. Should they go for politics, business, or something different? There was no clear-cut answer. Nobody had the internet at that time to get information or help. We were the trailblazers, making things up as we went along. Whatever the situation was, we for the most part operated within the scope of socialism—myself included.
Ever since I was a child, I have had an intense connection and attachment to social collectives, Satsang’s, mandirs, and gurudwaras. Being a part of those collectives cemented my attachment to society, and eventually, I started organizing events—beginning with 50 individuals, followed by 100 and eventually 150 to 200 participants. In 2016, the Free Democratic Party (FDP) gave me a ticket to run as a councilor from Kelsterbach, a small town. I accepted, and by God’s grace, I won—without any ads or promotions. That win made me understand that if I stayed on the same track, I could spend my whole life at a local level. I wanted to set my sights higher, to make a wider impact.
So, in 2020, I stepped down from my councilor role and contested the parliamentary election in Frankfurt International City. Again, by God’s grace, I won. That was the start of a new journey. I realized that what I now had in my hands was a kind of power, or rather, an opportunity—a chance to make a difference or lose it. I decided to utilize this moment for the welfare of mankind. My fundamental mission in life—just as it was 20 years ago—has always been to serve. And I still strive to follow that mission, both in Germany and in India.
Rahul Kumar Kamboj – Parliament Member of City Frankfurt
India is growing and evolving—what do you think needs to change to help the country move in the right direction?
I was born in India and came to Germany when I was only nine months old, and I’ve been here ever since. And even so, I speak Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi, English, German, and Spanish. My own personal feeling is that the greatest priority at the moment is to empower the youth of India. They are energetic, ideas-filled, and can make a difference. If we consider the larger picture, we can confidently assert that India is now the hub of an increasing number of startups and budding businesses. It’s not only people above 60 who are making it today—it’s the younger population that is making a difference. Those who have the capacity to create businesses can also become brilliant politicians, diplomats, and leaders who think in terms of much more than their immediate circle, their state, or their constituency. This kind of expansive, inclusive thinking is what we require today. I firmly believe that young people need to be given the chance and the right forums to progress.
Over the last two years, I have been working actively to establish closer ties between Germany and India. I’ve been in touch with four Indian states—Haryana, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Chhattisgarh—and we’ve already signed a number of Letters of Intent (LOIs) and Memorandums of Intent (MOIs) with them. The aim is to establish a bridge that enables people from both countries—particularly business professionals—to interact freely and meaningfully.
This bridge must be a bridge of friendship, not bureaucracy. It must not start with requests for formalities or papers. As we welcome someone into our home with hospitality and warmth, we must welcome people with respect and openness. Between the state of Hessen in Germany or between any state in India, we need to establish a circle of friendship. That is what we really need today, and that is what we are striving towards.
Given Germany’s technological excellence, do you believe there’s room for greater expansion in the Indian market?
It is very vital that we understand and value each other’s strengths. If we run the race by ourselves, one person only might win—but real progress happens through teamwork. That’s why we should combine German technology and quality with Indian culture, talent, and adaptability. India’s multi-skilled potential plus Germany’s precision and innovation can make something remarkable. If we combine the distinctive characteristics of both countries, we get super quality—and this is the age of super quality.
What changes should our generation bring in behavior?
Our conduct is influenced by the values inherited by us from our forefathers. Be it the days of the Ramayana, Mahabharata, or even three generations back, the same fundamental principles hold good—modesty, respect, and dignity. The values continue to reside firmly in India, and upon us lies the duty to maintain and propagate them. They are a very positive part of human nature. Although these values might be decaying in portions of Western civilization, they form a crucial part of our heritage, and we must take care to see that they flourish.
What message would you like to convey to the youth of Germany?
Time is changing, and life is a process—we can’t stay put in one idea. Nowadays, it’s vital that Germany and the youth realize who is before them and discover their identity. German society by and large has been cautious; people don’t easily trust an individual or community until they come to know them. This non-availability of first trust proves to be challenging. But the process of establishing trust need not be so complicated. Hesitation and fear must not be so compelling that they override the potential for good change and new awareness.
What is the difference between India and Germany in terms of digital?
When it comes to digital payments, Germany lags significantly behind India. In India, you can roam all day without using cash by simply using digital payments. Data protection is very strict in Germany. Although people are worried, we do not advocate for the denial of rights. Avoid letting fear to become a weakness.
German language
All the people who grew up in Germany and are from the younger generation should learn and realize that everything new and foreign doesn’t necessarily have to be negative energy. It’s just new. We should invest our energy in positive things and in something new. Sometimes there are fears but most of the time they remain when we take the step to get to know them. So, this fear shouldn’t stop us from getting to know something but should make us take a step forward to convince us of fear or positivity.
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