Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 9 CITY VIEWS October 3, 2025 T he highly-anticipated Durga Puja celebrations were observed at the residence of Dr. Santosh Mukherjee and Ambalika Mukherjee in Edison, NJ, with guests, including Edison Mayor Sam Joshi, many other dignitaries, and well wishers gathering from near and far. Following the tradition of Raja Goswami puja and Barir puja, the celebrations began with the sound of dhak and shankha dhwani, followed by Puja rituals and concluding with the anjali and prasad distribution. One of the highlights was the traditional barir ranna, or home cooking, which included delicacies “lovingly prepared and shared among all present,” hosts said in a press note. The evening was illuminated in Chandannagar-style light- ing. There were cultural performances, and devotional songs pervaded the atmosphere. Speaking at the event, organizers thanked attendees. “Alor Benu Durga Puja is not just a festival, it is a family tradition and a symbol of togetherness. We are blessed to celebrate it with so much love and participation,” they said. The Puja concluded with sindoor khela and bisarjan, mark- ing the farewell of Ma Durga with the promise of her return next year. Alor Benu Durga Puja Celebrated At Residence Of Dr. Santosh Mukherjee In Edison, NJ Candidate For Congress Dr. Tina Shah Criticizes Opponent For Endorsing New Vaccine Pronouncements From White House I ntensive care physician Dr. Tina Shah, specialist in pulmonary and critical care, who is running for Congress in New Jersey’s 7th District, joined the group 314 Action, as well as Hawaii Gov- ernor Dr. Josh Green, and other medical leaders at a virtual press conference last week to express alarm about Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Ken- nedy Jr.’s vaccine agenda. Dr. Shah said her opponent, incumbent Republican Tom Kean Jr. was “enabling the chaos”, a press release from her cam- paign ( drtinashahforcongress.com) said. “Congressman Tom Kean Jr. just voted to gut Medicaid, even though one in five New Jerseyans rely on it. I can’t tell you how many times, as a doctor working in a hospital, I’ve enrolled patients in Medic- aid,” said Dr. Shah. “Without Medicaid, their medical care would have completely bankrupted them, or they would have not been able to access care at all.” RFK Jr.’s actions, she contended, have put all Americans at risk. Shah criticized the firing of CDC leaders who refused to alter the vaccine schedules, and for taking actions based on ideology rather than science. Shah accused the current administra- tion of “straight negligence” for under- mining the trust in vaccines and science. “America is in critical condition. Vac- cines are a crowning jewel in the history of modern medicine,” said Dr. Shah. A triple board-certified physician, Dr. Shah has served both the public and private sectors. She served under three presidential administrations, developing innovative strategies to expand access to healthcare to veterans and leading the first federal plan to combat the burnout that drove doctors and nurses out of the field. In New Jersey, she successfully fought for legislation that stopped insurance companies from denying care, the press release said. She has also led efforts to cut red tape for doctors and nurses, freeing them to focus on patients and outcomes instead of paperwork. By a StaffWriter PHOTO:Screenshotfromvideo Dr. Tina Shah, candidate for the US Congress from NJ’s 7th District, on a virtual call to discuss current vaccine policies.