Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 6 NATIONAL AFFAIRS January 30, 2026 N eil Khot, a community activist and business owner running for the US Congress from the 8th Dis- trict, recently released a wideranging ad to gain visibility in a crowded race. The District 8 seat is being vacated by long time, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi who is making a bid for the US Senate seat from Illinois. Since he declared his run a few months ago, Khot has presented himself as “not a career politician,” and hopes that message will resonate with constituents. At least 8 Democratic candidates are running in the March 17, 2026, primaries for this District 8 seat, among them, an- other Indian American Sanjyot Dunung, and other South Asian-origin hopefuls. A first-generation American, Khot’s campaign web- site says, “Neil is running for Congress because he’s fed up with watching the people who built this country get squeezed by high costs and ignored by politicians in Washington. He’s not looking for a title; he’s looking to take his experience as a fighter for this community to Congress and finally deliver the results our community deserves.” The Federal Election Commission website shows Khot has total receipts of $750,792 of which his individual con- tributions equal more than half at $374,845. His ‘operat- ing expenditures total $247,459, and his cash on hand as of September 30, 2025, were at $495, 606. Khot has a big challenge ahead of him going into the primaries. His life experience shows he picks himself up from his bootstraps and could rise to that challenge. On Jan. 14, 2026, he announced the launch of a six- figure paid media campaign anchored by broadcast tele- vision advertising across the Chicago media market, with additional placements on cable, streaming, and digital video platforms. The campaign’s first television ad is now airing and can be viewed online on YouTube. The ad introduces Khot as a first-generation immigrant, small business owner, and community advocate “who has spent his life giving back to the community that gave him everything.” The spot highlights Khot’s personal connection to the issues facing families in the district, including caring for seniors, the rising cost of living, and ensuring communities are treated with dignity and respect. “This campaign is about making sure voters know who I am and what I’ll fight for,” Khot says. “I’ve seen first- hand how hard it is for seniors to navigate our healthcare system, how working families are being squeezed by rising costs, and how immigrant communities are being targeted instead of supported. I’m running to be a voice for people who feel likeWashington isn’t listening.” In mid-December, Santita Jackson, the daughter of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, endorsed Khot. Born in Belgaum, India, into a lower-middle-class family, Khot lost his father at a young age and was raised by a single, widowed mother “whose unwavering courage became the foundation of his life.” He arrived in the US in December 1997 with $300 in his pocket, the campaign website says. “He knows what it means to start from the bottom and chase a dream with nothing but grit. Through hard work, he built successful socially responsible businesses that created hundreds of jobs across Illinois,” his campaign website says. His mother’s health care needs as she became a senior familiarized him with the complexities of the Medicare system and high cost of care. “For Neil, giving back isn’t a campaign slogan – it’s a way of life,” his campaign says. Plus, it emphasizes his op- position to use of security federal forces in cities and ICE members on the streets. He accuses Republicans in the House of Representatives of surrendering their powers to the President, and he hopes to become a bulwark against that. PHOTO:NEIL KHOT Community Activist, Business Owner Neil Khot Releases First Ad In His Bid For Congress From Illinois’ 8th District By a StaffWriter O n January 19, 2026, in Burlington, Massachu- setts, the Foundation of Indian Americans (FIA) – New England, along with all it’s partner orga- nizations held a free community health camp at the Center of Creative Arts in Burlington, Massachusetts, to commemorate MLK Day, honoring the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through community service. More than 300 members of the community were served with medical, dental and vision checks at no cost, thanks to several healthcare professionals of Indian ori- gin, including: Dr. Anahita Dua, Director of the Vascular Laboratory and Associate Leader of Advanced Vascular Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital; Ravindra Ze- nde of Jatan Foundation for Inclusion (Social worker with focus on vision care); Dr Shivkumar, Senior Psychiatrist and Dementia Specialist; Dr Sapna Agarwal, Primary Care Physician. Others involved included Dr. Nirav Patel, USCIS-Desig- nated Civil Surgeon; Dr. Bijal Patel, Cardiologist; Dr. Sarju Ganatra, Cardio-Onco-Metabolic Medicine Physician; Dr. RamYadav, Dentist; Dr Shezan Fouzdar; Dr. Radha Bansal; Dr. Sweschha Bhatt; Shalu Yadav, Physical Thera- pist; Punithavathy, Clinical Dietitian; and Pooja Arora, Attorney specializing in Estate Planning, Wills & Trusts. The event was emceed by Jyoti Singh ( FIA-Director) with brief description of Dr. Martin Luther king Jr. and his legacy for the pursuit of equality and social harmony. Sahana Purohit, a social worker, was the chief guest of the event. Sanjay Gokhale, Vice President of FIA – New England, welcomed all the Physicians and other volunteer health- care workers, and explained the motivation and agenda for the medical camp. Abhishek Singh, president of FIA – New England said, “We are inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior’s dream of equality and social harmony, and wanted to honor his memory by organizing free community health- care camp with free vision checks and dispensing of read- ing glasses at no cost”. Many prominent community leaders attended this healthcare camp, including Nilesh and Deepa Agar- wal and Dipak Garg of the India Association of Greater Boston; Devendra Patil, Owner of The Treasury/Rassa/ Bombay Launch Restaurant Chain; Rakesh and Aditi Soni, Prominent entrepreneur and Saheli Executive; Hetal and Java Joshi, founders of the Academy of Creative Art; Manisha Jain, executive director of Ekal Vidyalaya; Mohan Nannapannei, founder & president of Team Aid; Vikas Deshpande of HSS; Dr. Monie and Arun Malhotra; Dr. Ranjani and Anil Saigal, Founders of Lokvani; Rakesh and Deepti Kavsari and Anand Sharma, FIA-NE execu- tives; and Sonal Limbachia. Young volunteers included Mitesh Soni, Mahesh Chilka, Rasik Mehta, Tisha Singh, Saisa Sharma, Pragna Kavsari, Abhuday Singh and Ranuday Singh. Amol Penshanwar and Shova Sharma thanked all the partners, including Jatan foundation, Restoring Vision, Academy of Creative Arts, The Treasury, Lynn &Woburn Urgent Care & Happy Life Adult Day Care, as well as all the participating healthcare professionals, supporters and volunteers for making the camp a success. Foundation Of Indian Americans-New England Hosts Health Camp On MLK Day By a StaffWriter PHOTOS: PHOTOS:FIA-NEW ENGLAND FIA-New England organizers and participants in the Health Camp hosted on January 19, 2026. Scenes from the Health Camp hosted by FIA-New England on January 19, 2026, to observe MLK Day.