Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 4 CITY VIEWS November 29, 2024 Diwali Celebrated At Stamford Public Library T he Global Organization of People of Indian Origin, GOPIO, Con- necticut chapter, along with Stamford Mayor’s Multicultural Council celebrated Diwali, the Festival of Lights, on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, at the Ferguson Library. The program was coordinated by GOPIO-CT Board Member Sonali Gannu along with Yashaswi Jhangiani and the MC was Mirat Joshi. GOPIO-CT Executive Vice President Mahesh Jhangiani welcomed attend- ees and reiterated GOPIO’s mission of fostering cultural exchange and ideas within the community. Ferguson Library’s Citizenship & Cultural Programs Manager Yelena Klompus and Ana Gallegos, sec- retary of Stamford Mayor’s Multicultural Council also spoke. Several lively and colorful perfor- mances, from dances to Hinduismmyth- busters, a henna booth, and fifteen perfor- mances by local dance schools and Hindu organizations, made it an engaging event. About 75 children performed Indian classical, folk and Bollywood dances. In- dian dishes were served at the event. All speakers highlighted the impor- tance of raising awareness of Indian culture through events like these, includ- ing Gallegos, Carmen Hughes, Shobhna Bhatnagar, Meera Banta and Sonal Patel who represented the Stamford Mayor’s multicultural council team. Also present were GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, GOPIO-CT Immediate Past President Ashok Nichani and Board Members Banta, Totty Narang and Anita Mathur. GOPIO Executive VP Mahesh Jhan- giani concluded the program thanking everyone and announcing the upcoming programs. By a StaffWriter Assemblywoman Rajkumar Kicks Off Campaign For NYC Comptroller A ssemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar kicked off her campaign for New York City Comptroller, November 20, 2024, night, where NewYork’s diversity was on display. A coali- tion of hundreds of supporters from all five Boroughs at The Palace inWoodside, Queens, a press release from Rajkumar’s campaign said. If elected, she would become the first South Asian and first woman of color to be Comptroller. “No one thought I would be standing here today,” Rajkumar is quoted say- ing at the event. “But nothing can stop a determined South Asian woman. For every NewYorker who has been underes- timated and counted out, this campaign is for you.” A coalition of activists from several communities, religious leaders of vari- ous faiths, local business owners, women leaders, were present, among them, mem- bers of NewYork’s Indian, African Ameri- can, Latino, Jewish, other Asian American, Muslim, Dominican, Colombian, Nepali, Bangladeshi, Tibetan, Filipino, Caribbean, Pakistani, and LGBTQ+ communities. Rajkumar’s campaign said it had raised more than any other Comptroller candi- date in the latest filing period. At the kick-off, Rajkumar outlined her vision to wield the powers of Comptrol- ler to address what she described as the “most pressing” issues facing NewYorkers. “She will develop solutions to address the 9,000 people committing the majority of many crimes; crack down on reckless e-bikes; close the gender wage gap; create a bridge to college for high school gradu- ates; improve access to affordable hous- ing; and safeguard $270 billion in pension fund assets for 700,000 current and retired City employees,” the press release said. She highlighted her record of achieve- ments in Albany as the first South Asian woman elected to NewYork State Office, halping pass the historic Diwali School Holiday bill, the SMOKEOUT Act, among other things. A Stanford Law and University of Penn- sylvania educated lawyer, and former City Univerity of NewYork professor, Rajkumar has won landmark cases, and was New York’s first ever Director of Immigration Affairs, managing a $31 million project to provide legal services to immigrants. She concluded her remarks with a ral- lying cry, “Are you ready to make this truly the Greatest City in theWorld? Let’s win this together!”. By a StaffWriter PHOTOS:Rajkumar’s campaign PHOTOS:GOPIO-CT New York Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, addressing supporters at her campaign kick-off for NYC Comptroller, Nov. 20, 2024. Officials of GOPIO-CT and Stamford Mayor’s Multicultural Council at the Ferguson Library Diwali event. Groups of dancers performed at the Ferguson Library in Stampford, Connecticut, hosted by GOPIO-CT and the Mayor’s office. Above and below, people from many communities attended NY Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar’s kick-off event for her campaign for NYC Comptroller, November 20, 2024.