Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know Community Op-Ed: Delivering Universal After-School Care For Working Families July 28, 2025 W orking-class families deserve nothing less than a hard-working administration that puts their needs first. And when it comes to child care and after-school programming, this administration has listened to the parents of this city and taken meaningful action to support children and make life more affordable for them. For too long, too many families have been denied ac- cess to affordable child care, including options for young children and after-school programming. Families have struggled due to high costs, forcing them to make hard choices between working to put bread on the table and taking care of their kids, and some have even had to leave the city they love. Parents deserve better, and our admin- istration is delivering for them. We know that learning doesn’t end when the school bell rings at the end of the day. That is why, earlier this year, we announced the goal of achieving universal after- school by creating 20,000 additional K-5 after-school seats for NewYork City Public School students by the start of the 2027 school year. Last week, we took another step in delivering on that promise with our first batch of 5,000 new after-school seats for this upcoming school year. We are investing an additional $21 million this school year alone to bring 5,000 new K-5 after-school seats online at 40 schools that never had after-school programming. Starting this fall, 5,000 children in neighborhoods with the most need will have a safe and nurturing place to go when the school day is over. This means 5,000 students and their parents or guardians who will no longer have to choose between work and taking care of their kids — or worse yet, using an iPad as a babysitter. Instead, children from working-class families will now have a spot in after-school programs where they can learn and thrive. These 5,000 new after-school seats mark the first phase of our promise to commit an additional $331 million for 20,000 new after-school seats over the next three school years and will bring the annual budget for universal after-school to $755 million annually, base- lined by Fiscal Year 2028. Baselined means the money will be in the budget forever, as we increase the number of students in after-school programming to 184,000 across our city. That is 184,000 students who will be able to par- ticipate in sports, robotics, the arts, field trips, and more — discovering their passions and building relationships with their classmates, while their parents know they are in a safe, learning environment. Our after-school expansion will also see us raise the provider rates for the non-profit workforce that takes care of our children every day and who have gone over 10 years without an increase in pay. This means life will become more affordable for not only families, but those taking care of our kids, too. This work builds on our historic investments in young people, including historic funding for Summer Youth Employment and Summer Rising, and increased and baselined funding for 3-K and special education pre-K. Our administration has also driven down the cost of sub- sidized child care by over 90 percent since we first came into office. Thanks to our efforts, a family earning $55,000 a year went from spending $55 a week on childcare in 2022 to just $4.80 a week today. Additionally, we have introduced a historic child care pilot for children 2 years old and younger that puts New York City on the path to universal childcare for low-in- come families if the pilot is successful. NewYork City must be a place where working-class families can afford to live. I know the struggle is real. My mother juggled three jobs just to put food on the table for her six children. Universal after-school and universal child care for low-income families is essential to making sure that every child and every family has the chance to thrive in the greatest city in the world. It takes a city to raise a child, and with universal after-school program- ming we are ensuring NewYork City is the best place to raise a family. By NewYork City Mayor Eric Adams 7 CITY VIEWS August 1, 2025 Thousands Of Devotees Join Ratha Yatra Celebration In New Jersey T he India Cultural Society of New Jersey and Tri-State Odia Devotees of USA celebrated the famous Sri Jagannath Ratha Yatra (Chariot Festival) on Saturday, June 28, 2025, atWayne Hindu Temple. Thousands of devotees participated in the Yatra festival of Chaturdha Murti: Lord Jagannath, Lord Balavadra, Devi Suvadra & Lord Sudarshan for 18 consecutive years, a press release from organizers said. The Ratha Yatra festival marks the annual journey of three deities – Lord Ja- gannathji, brother Balabhadraji and sister Subhadraji – from the temple in a resplen- dent wooden chariot. Mahapuja began with sacred Yagna (prayer) in the afternoon by priest Sastri Anil Joshi & Pandit Pitambar Sarangi. Senior members of Temple Dr. Sarat Dash, Jayesh Patel, Dr. Dhiren Das, Akhil Patel, Kaushik Patel, Prabhas Panigrahi and Arvind Bhatt participated in the Ma- haPuja and Yagna. Many devotees including dignitaries attended the puja, Maha Aarati and the pahandi (ritual journey of the deities) ceremony. Sri Jagannath Bhajan by Dr Bijoy Das and the sound of Kirtan (devo- tional song) presented by devotees filled the temple. Kitchen volunteers prepared Maha Prasad and Chhapan Bhoga to offer their beloved God on this auspicious day. Other important rituals like Chhera Panhara (symbolic cleansing around the chariot) was performed by Dr Dhiren Das and Prabhas Panigrahi, with a broom (gold-handled), sprinkling sandalwood water while Priests chanted shlokas and other dignitaries were offering flowers to the deities. The Yatra was accompanied with a music ensemble that included Mridan- gam, Ghanta, Gini, and Kirtan devotees enjoyed pulling the elaborate chariot to Shri Gundicha Temple where deities will reside for 9 days. The Bahuda Yatra (return Rath Yatra) on which the deities return to the main temple from Gundicha temple (which is believed to be their aunt’s house), was celebrated on Sunday, July 6. This return journey is a significant part of the annual Rath Yatra festival. The term “Bahuda” itself means “return” or “homecoming” in Sanskrit. Live bhajan program, vocal perfor- mances, Indian Classical and Fusion Dance Ensemble were presented by local and professional artists. Several hundred attendees joined atWayne Hindu Temple auditorium and witnessed the splendid cultural show while enjoying authentic snacks and Lassi from the state of Odisha. Bahuda Rath Yatra started at 7pm from Sri Gundicha Temple and deities went back to Ratna Mandap after the Laxmi Darshan ritual. During the Bahuda Yatra, the chariot stopped on the way where the deities are offered Poda Pitha, a traditional sweet. Devotees got to be in the presence of Lord Sri Jagannath, Sri Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra in their golden attire – “Suna Vesa” as the Maha Aarati was con- ducted. The Yatra ended with the serving of Mandir Prasad. By a StaffWriter PHOTOS:Courtesy India Cultural Society/Other ORGANIZERS Deities in golden attire for the Suna Vesa darshan. Priests who conducted the Maha Puja. Ringing of bells during the pujas for the Ratha Yatra.