Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 7 NATIONAL AFFAIRS February 20, 2026 COMMENTARY Mamdani Meets Economic Reality Z ohran Mamdani was happy to promise lower rent for NewYorkers on the campaign trail. But now that he’s the guy stuck with the bill, the mayor is having second thoughts. The socialist seems to be walking back a campaign promise to expand the city’s billion-dollar rental voucher program. The City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement was launched in 2018 to help keep low-income NewYorkers out of shelters by subsidiz- ing permanent housing. The program’s cost ballooned from $25 million in 2019 to more than $1 billion in 2025, making it one of the nation’s largest rental assistance programs. Growing costs didn’t deter Gotham’s City Council from expanding eligibility in 2023. Former mayor Eric Adams (D) refused to implement the profligate expansion, set- ting off a court battle. During the campaign, Mamdani called Adams’s resistance “a ridiculous waste of time dur- ing a housing crisis.” Now, instead of implementing the expansion, he’s trying to negotiate a settlement. The truth is that the vouchers failed to reduce demand for shelter, according to a Citizens Budget Commission report last year. The expanded program would cost $17 billion over five years, according to a separate report from 2024. It makes sense for a city facing a $7 billion budget shortfall to limit funding for a program that isn’t achiev- ing its objectives. More fundamentally, giving people money to pay rent only subsidizes demand and drives up prices. The key is to allow for an increase in the supply of housing to meet the needs of America’s most populous city. Budget shortfalls weren’t Mamdani’s only reality check last week. The freshman mayor apparently may skip a planned “Tax the Rich” rally at the state capital in Albany later this month to avoid annoying Gov. Kathy Hochul (D). Mamdani’s promise to raise taxes on wealthy New Yorkers always depended on the state signing off, but Hochul has been firmly opposed to hiking levies while she’s up for reelection. Mamdani recently endorsed Hochul, causing some heartburn among his fellow travelers in the Democratic Socialists of America. Missing the rally would be another snub for his socialist base. -Editorial Board/ TheWashington Post PHOTO:REUTERS Zohran Mamdani Reported Missing Earlier, Indian Boy Found Dead In San Francisco T he mortal remains of a UC Berkeley student named Saketh Sreenivasaiah from Karnataka, who had been reported missing just a day earlier, have been discovered by local authorities. The Consulate General is in touch with the boy’s parents. In a post on X, the Consulate General wrote, “The Consulate deeply regrets to inform that local police have confirmed the recovery of the body of the missing Indian student, Saketh Sreenivasaiah. We extend our heartfelt condo- lences to his family and loved ones during this profoundly difficult time.” The post also stated that it would provide all necessary assistance to the family. “The Consulate stands ready to provide all necessary assistance to the family, includ- ing coordination with local authorities and arrangements for the repatriation of mortal remains to India at the earliest. Our consular officers are in direct contact with the fam- ily and will support them with all required formalities and services. @MEAIndia ; @ IndianEmbassyUS” The Consulate General had been involved in the search efforts and had regularly posted updates about the boy’s disappearance. A day earlier, in a post on X, the Consul- ate General wrote, “Consulate General of India in San Francisco is deeply concerned about the disappearance of Saketh Sreenivasaiah, an Indian post-graduate student of UC Berkeley, hailing from the State of Karnataka. The Consulate is in touch with the family and also is in contact with the concerned local authorities to locate the student.” The reasons behind this tragedy is yet to be revealed by the American Police. Indian students abroad often complained of alleged discrimination, racist attacks and negligence by authori- ties. In a question raised by MP Asaduddin Owaisi in the Lok Sabha about student safety abroad, the Ministry of External Affairs highlighted its efforts towards keeping Indian students safe. In its answer to the question by the MP, the MEA wrote, “The Government accords high priority to safety and se- curity of Indian students abroad and monitors incidents of violence against them. Violent and untoward incidents against them are immediately taken up by the Indian Missions/Posts abroad with the concerned authorities of the host country to ensure that they are properly investi- gated and the perpetrators are punished.” “Indian Missions/Posts also take steps to maintain regular contact with Indian students enrolled in foreign universities in their jurisdictions and conduct pre-orien- tation sessions with them upon their arrival in foreign lands to brief them on potential challenges, risks, and precautions to be taken while studying overseas, including issue of advisories from time to time,” the statement read. “With the view to ensuring effective communication and timely support, Indian students are encouraged to connect with the local Indian Missions/Posts through various means, including the MADAD Portal of this Ministry, WhatsApp Groups created specifi- cally for Indian students, Consular Camps, Open Houses, emergency hotlines etc.,” the statement read further. “Indian Missions/Posts also remain vigilant, particularly in countries affected by political instability, economic crises, and where the risks of students being misled or ex- ploited may be higher. Any incident affecting Indian students are immediately raised with host Governments to ensure their safety and appropriate redressal. Consular assistance, including emergency medical support, tem- porary accommodation, and other essential services, is extended whenever needed. The Indian CommunityWelfare Fund (ICWF) is utilised to support Indian nationals, includ- ing students, in times of distress and extend assistance when necessary.” “During emergencies, Government of India has undertaken large-scale evacuation operations to protect and bring home Indian nationals, including students. Notable recent evacuation operations include Operation Devi Shakti (Afghanistan), Operation Ganga (Ukraine), Operation Kaveri (Sudan), Operation Ajay (Israel) and Operation Sindhu (Israel and Iran). These efforts demon- strate Government of India’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of Indian students abroad and towards protecting them frommiscreants and unsafe security situations.” -ANI PHOTO:COURTESY ANI A flyer showing the photo of the missing Indion student at a train station. Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed on this page are those of the authors and Parikh Worldwide Media does not officially endorse, and is not responsible or liable for them.