Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 6 CITY VIEWS January 23, 2026 I n a vibrant display of literary talent and rapid- fire reporting, many aspiring journalists from across the United States, Canada, and India successfully competed in the 2026 NewsWrit- ing Contest held this Saturday, January 17, 2026. The event, a high-stakes collaboration between the Indo-American Press Club (IAPC) and the Global Indian Council (GIC), challenged these international participants to transform raw tragedy into meaning- ful storytelling under the pressure of a ticking clock. The competition pushed participants to their limits with a demanding “breaking news” scenario: “a catastrophic NewYear’s Eve fire at a Swiss night- club. Tasked with reporting on an incident involving 40 fatalities and over 100 injuries, the writers had to balance factual reporting with an analysis of the hu- man impact and safety implications. The prompt specifically required contestants to explore: a)The immediate human consequences of the disaster, b)The critical importance of fire safety measures in public venues, and c)Future prevention strategies, with a unique focus on the youth perspective. The event was inaugurated by a prestigious panel of leaders, including Mrs Patricia Umasankar (IAPCVice President), Dr Matthew Joys (IAPCVice Chairman), Mr PC Mathew (GIC Global President), Mr Sudhir Nambiar (GIC General Secretary), Ms Tara Shajan (GIC Global Treasur- er), and Mr Shan Justus (IAPC General Secretary). Organisers emphasised that the contest was not merely a test of speed but a platform to celebrate the power of the written word. As a Digital-First Approach, the contest utilised a modern, proctored environment where the participants joined via a live session. To maintain journalistic integrity, organisers enforced a strict “camera-on” policy and utilised a secure online platform that prevented ex- ternal assistance. For those opting for a more traditional feel, the contest also accommodated handwritten submissions via high-resolution photo uploads. Every participant has been awarded a Digital Certificate of Participation to mark their com- mitment to journalistic excellence. The tension now shifts to the evaluation phase, as a profes- sional judging panel begins the rigorous process of reviewing the submissions. Winners will be announced by the end of next week. Selected articles will be published on the official Indo-American Press Club website and other media partners, giving these young writers an international audience for their work. As the session concluded, organisers invited all participants to continue pursuing their passion for the media. For those who rose to today’s challenge, the jour- ney from student to storyteller has only just begun. PHOTO: Indo-American Press Club Aspiring Journalists Tackle High-Stakes Reporting Challenge In International Writing Competition Press Release by Shan Justus, General Secretary, IAPC Organizers and participating journalists. Dear Friends January 18,2026 I am writing to you on behalf of, Indian American Forum Inc and the whole Community. We are extremely sad to hear the news of Dr Mahendra Singh Airen who passed away in Long Island on January 10,2026. Dr Airen was a renowned Psychiatrist, married to Dr Dolly Airen, active members of IALI, AAPI and in Several organizations and well known in the community. Their children are Monita and her husband Anil, Manish and his wife Niru, and most adoring Grandchildren Priya, Preeti, Neena and Aashi. Airen family is well known in the Tri-state area for their contributions. and, charitable support, We express our condolences to their families. Please keep them in your prayers. Our prayers, condolences and sym- pathies are for the family. Indu Jaiswal Chairperson Founding Member Bobby Kumar Kalotee Board of Trustees Azad Anand, MD Urmilesh Arya MD Parveen Chopra, PhD Mr. Animesh Goenka Dr Nirmal Kumar Dr D Nori Bhupendra R. Patel, MD Mr. Surinder Rametra Mr. Mohinder Singh Taneja Chairperson Indu Jaiswal, RDN Treasurer Mr. Vijay Goswamy Executive Members Mrs. Jaya Bahadkar Mr Deepak Bansal Ms Wioletta Dusza Indu Gajwani Mr Vimal Goyal Mrs. Anu Gulati Mrs. Jyoti Gupta Mrs. Jessica Kalra Esq. Mrs. Nilima Madan Mrs. Roopam Maini Dr Anila Midha Dr Meena Jaiswal Mrs. Beena Kothari Ms. Sunita Ramaiah Mrs. Nirmala Rametra Mr. Anuj Rihal Mrs. Bina Sabapathy Dr Kunjbala Shah Mrs Anju Sharma Mrs. Chanbir Kaur Sethi Mrs. Inesha Joneja Singh Mrs. Shammi Singh Mrs. Rohini Singh Dr Bhavani Srinivasan Mr Sunny Thakkar I ndian stand-up comedian, chess streamer, and cultural phenomenon Samay Raina is bringing his globally celebrated stand-up special, Still Alive, to the United States, with a landmark performance at The Theater in NewYork City’s iconic Madison Square Garden. The tour, which has already sold over 300,000 tickets worldwide, will be the first and only time its performed by Raina in North America, mark- ing a major milestone in his international comedy journey. “The audience in USA and Canada saw me at the worst time of my life, now they get to see me in the best” says come- dian Samay Raina . The NewYork performance at Madison Square Garden places Raina among a rare group of South Asian comedi- ans to headline one of the most iconic entertainment venues in the world. Samay has previously sold- out successful Europe, Australia and India tours and is now bringing the best show of his career to the USA and Canada, produced by The Comedy Fac- tory & Millennial Events. Last year alone, Samay Raina’s North American tour sold over 50,000 tickets across 32 cities in under six weeks, a clear testament to his un- matched connection with audiences here,” says Hiral Jamindar, Director - Millen- nial Events. “This year, with his popularity accelerating at an extraordinary pace, we’re think- ing bigger, including iconic venues, larger capacities, and a scale that reflects his cultural impact. Samay isn’t just touring anymore; he’s building a global comedy movement. Samay Raina first rose to prominence after winning Comicstaan and has since built a massive global following through sold-out international tours, viral stand-up clips, and his pioneering blend of comedy and live chess streaming. His ability to seamlessly connect with Gen Z and millennial audi- ences has positioned him as a defining voice of his generation. The U.S. leg of Still Alive con- tinues Raina’s streak of sold-out shows worldwide and signals a new chapter in his expanding global footprint. Samay Raina Takes Over New York: Indian Comedy’s Fastest-Rising Storm Hits Madison Square Garden This February! From Press Release PHOTO:Provided Samay Raina