Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 8 CITY VIEWS October 17, 2025 Megha Majumdar’s Kolkata-Based Novel Among US 2025 National Book Award Finalists K olkata-born Megha Majumdar’s second novel, “A Guardian and a Thief’ set to be out October 14, 2025, is on the prestigious list of Finalists for the US National Book Award. Her first novel, “A Burning” was longlisted for Fiction in 2020. Majumdar is among 25 Finalists to con- tend for the National Book Awards in the categories of Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, and Young People’s Literature. The book tells the story of two fami- lies in Kolkata: one searching for a stolen purse containing their immigration docu- ments, and the other driven to thievery by desperation. TheWashington Post’s Ron Charles called Majumdar’s debut, “A Burning,” the must-read novel of summer 2020, when she first made the National Book Award list. And now her compelling saga based in Kolkata, has made it to the top Ameri- can national award shortlist. Winners of the National Book Awards receive $10,000, a bronze medal, and statue; Finalists receive $1,000 and a bronze medal. Information on the Nationalbook.org site, gives further details of events sched- uled for the 2025 Finalists andWinners as follows: The 2025 Finalists will read from their work at the National Book Awards Final- ist Reading on the evening of Tuesday, November 18 at NYU Skirball, an annual, in-person, ticketed event that is open to the public and livestreamed for readers everywhere, a press release on national- book.org said. Those interested in the Finalists Read- ings can procure the in-person tickets and register for the livestream at NYU Skir- ball’s website. On the morning of the same day, Tues- day, November 18, the Finalists in Young People’s Literature connect with middle and high school students for Teens Read the 2025 National Book Awards. TheWinners in all the categories will be announced live onWednesday, November 19 at the invitation-only 76th National Book Awards Ceremony & Benefit Din- ner at Cipriani Wall Street in NewYork City. The National Book Foundation will livestream the Ceremony for readers everywhere. Those interested can register to watch on the Foundation’s website at nationalbook.org/awards. By a StaffWriter PHOTO: INSTAGRAM @MEGHA.MAJ Author Megha Majumdar holds up her latest book. Indian American Veterinarians Hold Annual Meeting In Philadelphia T he Northeast Chapter of the Ameri- can Association of Veterinarians of Indian Origin (AAVIO) held its annual regional meeting October 12, 2025, at Indian Grill, Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania, drawing veterinarians from across the East Coast—from New Jersey to Virginia—for a full day of education, collaboration, and profes- sional networking. Despite the challenging weather conditions caused by a hurricane system, members traveled long distances to attend the in-person event, reflecting their deep commitment to learning and commu- nity service. The day began with an engaging keynote address by Kim Hutchinson of Merck Animal Health, who provided valuable insights into current trends and future directions within the veterinary market. He emphasized the importance of leadership, innovation, and the evolving role of veterinarians in public health, particularly in an era where collabo- ration and adaptability are critical. Dr. Nikhil Joshi followed with two highly in- formative presentations introducing Bravecto Quantum, a groundbreaking injectable flea and tick preventive designed for long-term efficacy and convenience. His talk highlighted how this advancement not only benefits pets and their owners but also enhances compli- ance and supports the operational efficiency of veterinary practices. A highlight of the meeting was the pre- sentation by Dr. Ravi Murarka, President of AAVIO, who shared his recent field experience from the Mission Rabies “Rabies Mukt Bharat” campaign in Thane District, Maharashtra, India. Conducted in partnership with the Worldwide Veterinary Service and supported by Merck Animal Health, the initiative suc- cessfully vaccinated over 14,000 stray dogs with the help of volunteers from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and India. Dr. Murarka emphasized India’s national goal of eliminating rabies by 2030 and un- derscored the critical importance of global collaboration in achieving this life-saving mission. Adding to the scientific depth of the event, Dr. Sangeeta Bafna spoke on the growing demand for natural and chemical- free veterinary products, focusing on how these solutions can be effectively integrated into modern clinical practice while meeting clients’ expectations for holistic care. Her talk resonated strongly with practitioners seeking to balance evidence-based medi- cine with client-driven preferences. The session on cybersecurity by Mr. Shrikant Mankar, an IT expert, was par- ticularly timely and relevant. He provided practical strategies for protecting veteri- nary practices against data breaches and hacking attempts, stressing the importance of preventive safeguards, regular software updates, and staff awareness to mitigate risks in an increasingly digitalized environ- ment. Ms. Juli Maddren of Merck Animal Health concluded the event with updates on Para Reports, ongoing Bravecto promo- tions, and Quantum support programs designed to strengthen veterinary practices and enhance client communication. Looking ahead, AAVIO announced that its next major gathering will take place during VMX 2026 in Orlando, Florida, in January 2026. Plans are also underway for additional regional continuing education events and professional development ses- sions throughout the coming year. The American Association of Veterinar- ians of Indian Origin (AAVIO) serves as a professional, educational, and cultural network connecting veterinarians of Indian heritage across the United States. The orga- nization promotes continuing education, professional collaboration, community outreach, and global service, while foster- ing goodwill and advancing the veterinary profession worldwide. From Press Release PHOTOS:Organizers Some of the attendees and organizers at the American Association of Veteranians of Indian Origin meeting in Pennsylvania. Dr. Ravi Murarka addressing fellow veteranians at the AAVIO meeting.