Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 4 CITY VIEWS February 20, 2026 F ormer prosecutor Saritha Komat- ireddy is the favorite of NewYork Republicans to run against incum- bent Attorney General Letitia James November 3. In unanimously endorsing Komatired- dy, who had announced her candidacy in December 2025, the NewYork Republi- can State Committee avoided a primary, not just in the AG race but also other top races. The announcement came as part of the NYState GOP’s Feb. 11, 2026, press re- lease that Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman had accepted his nomination for Governor in his race against incum- bent Democrat Kathy Hochul. Blakeman recognized his running mates Joseph Hernandez for State Comp- troller, Saritha Komatireddy for Attorney General, and Todd Hood for Lieutenant Governor when he accepted his nomina- tion. “He (Blakeman) praised Hernandez’s business background and personal story as a Cuban immigrant, Komatireddy’s experience as a federal prosecutor and na- tional security leader, and Hood’s 22-year career in law enforcement and leadership within the NewYork State Sheriffs’ As- sociation.,” the Feb. 11 press release from the NY Republican State Committee said. “Together, we will bring fiscal respon- sibility, accountability, and public safety back to NewYork,” Blakeman added. Komatireddy describes herself on her campaign website sarithafornewyork.com as “a respected former prosecutor, nation- al security expert, and public servant with a career devoted to upholding the rule of law and protecting Americans.” After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Komat- ireddy got her law degree from Harvard, and “has spent over a decade prosecuting leaders in Al Qaeda, ISIS, and the Mexican drug cartels,” her biography says. She has also dealt with high profile cybercrime and money laundering, foreign corrup- tion cases as a federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of NewYork. “Her cases have impacted individuals and communities across NewYork State, from NewYork City and Long Island to Buffalo and Rochester,” the biography claims. Komatireddy also served as Chief of Staff of the Drug Enforcement Administra- tion, a 10,000-person global law enforce- ment agency. She has been recognized with multiple Attorney General’s Awards and national law enforcement honors through her career. A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, Komatireddy began her legal career as a clerk for then-Judge Brett Kavanaugh on the U.S. Court of Ap- peals for the D.C. Circuit (now a Supreme Court Justice). She later served as Counsel to the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Today, she is a Partner at Holtzman Vogel and teaches at Columbia Law School. New York Republicans Unanimously Endorse Indian American For Attorney General By a StaffWriter PHOTO:@SARITHAFORNEWYORK Saritha Komatireddy. More Than 12,000 People In Maryland Welcome Buddhist Monks In Event Hosted By Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller M aryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller welcomed nearly two dozen Buddhist monks to the Maryland State House, February 12, 2026, the final destination on their “Walk for Peace.” The monks, along with dozens of volunteers and their canine companion, Aloka, have walked more than 2,300 miles from FortWorth, Texas, toWashington D.C. This marks the first time the monks have visited an offi- cial residence of a First Family along their entire journey, a press release fromMiller’s office said. “I am profoundly honored that this extraordinary delegation of venerable monks chose to include Annapo- lis as a sacred stop on their remarkable journey,” Lt. Gov. Miller said in her statement. “To witness our community respond with such an outpouring of love, unity, and compassion fills my heart beyond measure,” she added. “From FortWorth, Texas, across ten states and through our nation’s capital, it is both fitting and deeply symbolic that theWalk for Peace concludes here in Annapolis — the nation’s first peacetime capital. This is a moment that will be etched in our history and in our hearts. We will never forget the grace, the purpose, and the profound spirit of peace that has brought us together today.” Upwards of 12,000 people flocked to Annapolis to welcome the monks on their approach to the capitol from the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, a press release fromMiller’s office said. Following brief remarks, Lt. Governor Miller escorted the monks inside the State House to be introduced to the House and Senate Cham- bers, where they were presented with resolutions in rec- ognition of their journey, and for a collaborative conver- sation with other local elected officials and the Council for Interfaith Outreach, chaired by the Lt. Governor. GovernorWes Moore and First Lady Dawn Moore also welcomed the monks to Government House for a private lunch. Before their meal, the monks were presented with Maryland State Flags pins to commemorate their visit and thank them for their commitment to com- passion and peace. “It was an honor to welcome these spiritual leaders to Maryland, the final destination of their powerful ‘Walk for Peace,’” said Governor Moore. “To walk 2,300 miles is a physical feat and a profound act of faith in motion. It was a privilege to welcome them to the People’s House as they conclude their journey.” “After a powerful journey across the nation, the governor and I are proud to welcome these monks to ‘The People’s House,’ a place where we are committed to ensuring that all people feel seen and welcomed,” said First Lady Moore. “As a state, we know that in order to create change and build a better future —we must work together. We thank the monks for being an inspiration to all Marylanders, and showing us how we can unite our communities, uplift our society, and build meaningful connections under the one common goal of peace.” The walk began in FortWorth, Texas, last year on Octo- ber 26, 2025. Rooted in Theravada Buddhist teachings of nonviolence, mindfulness, and loving-kindness, the pil- grimage was launched to raise awareness for peace after lead monk Venerable Bhikkhu Paññkra said he observed a lack of mindfulness across the nation and the world. The group initially brought only 1,000 “peace bracelets” to share along the journey, but by the end, they had distrib- uted hundreds of thousands. “When we started out in FortWorth, Texas, we were alone. We are not alone anymore,” said Venerable Bhik- khu Paññkra. “After this walk, we are not alone. We have so many people walking with us on this path, together, for the better. So I am honored, I am grateful, that I chose this walk for peace.” By a StaffWriter HOTOS:CourtesyOffice of Lt.Gov.Aruna Miller Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller, left, Governor Wes Moore, second from left, and First Lady Dawn Moor, greet the Buddhist monks’ delegation in Annapolis, MD, Feb. 12, 2026. Buddhist monks and members of the public as well as Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller, at a welcome ceremony in Annapolis, Maryland, look on as the leader Bhikkhu Paññãkãra, addresses a public gathering on the final stop in their Walk for Peace Feb. 12, 2026, which began in Fort Worth, TX, last October.