We stayed in public housing. Being an immigrant student in a recession is not easy. But the government came through for us. It lifted us by our bootstraps. My family owes a debt of gratitude and I intend to repay it any way I can.'

If Krishnamoorthi needed any validation of his aspirations, it came from Obama in a recent 'one on one' meeting with the President at the Oval office of the White House.

'He gave me some personal advice -- you have got to campaign in all parts of the state, you have to address the substance of the office; it is not just a popularity contest. And you have to campaign honorably. I promised him I will,' Krishnamoorthi said.

'In the best traditions of Barack Obama, we are trying to run this campaign at a grassroots level but also in a way that is intelligent and cost effective,' Krishnamoorthi said in the interview. 'As I am talking to you I am standing between two cornfields( in rural Illinois).'

One of Krishnamoorthi's treasured photographs is of then Illinois state senator Barack Obama relishing an Indian lunch at his boyhood home in Peoria, Illinois. 'Despite all the trappings (of the presidential office) he is still the same Barack Obama he was as an Illinois state senator. Very down to earth and affable.'

The visit did not fully sink in till Krishnamoorthi left the premises and he realised he did not walk out with any souvenir. 'I did get bottled water, but it did not have the White House seal. I think there was a bowl of apples in front of me. Given the fact that whatever Obama touches turns into gold, I should have stuffed them in my pocket and sold them on eBay to finance my campaign.'

Krishnamoorthi has so far raised more than $400,000 for his campaign, ahead of the other candidates. He said he was confident that like Obama, and Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois state treasurer and his former boss, voters will look beyond his name and ethnicity. And to inquisitive Illinois voters seeking the meaning of his family name, Krishnamoorthi's reply, tongue firmly in cheek, is: 'It translates as Illinois State Comptroller'.

(Ashok Easwaran can be contacted at ashok3185@yahoo.com)