Desi Talk

www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 6 CITY VIEWS April 17, 2026 C ongressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois, announced April 13, 2026, he is endorsing Jay Vaingankar for Congress (JayVaingankar.com) in New Jersey’s 12th District, backing the Gen Z candidate and former BidenWhite House official as a “results-driven leader.” The District 12 Democratic primaries are scheduled to be held June 2, and Vaingankar is one of at least 11 candi- dates vying for the party’s nomination. “In Congress, we need leaders who know how to get things done and who are ready to take on the challenges facing working families,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi is quoted saying in a press release fromVaingankar’s campaign. “From his track record expanding clean energy and working across the federal government to lower costs, Jay Vaingankar has the experience and the drive to deliver results. I am proud to endorse Jay Vaingankar for Congress, and I look forward to his leadership in our nation’s capital.” Vaingankar, a former BidenWhite House and Depart- ment of Energy official, helped implement the Inflation Reduction Act, which his campaign claims, brought mil- lions in clean energy tax credits for New Jersey. His agenda includes lowering the cost of living, bring- ing universal healthcare, and an end to “forever wars.” “I’m honored to have Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s support,” Vaingankar said. “He has built a reputation in Congress for delivering results, strengthening our economy, and standing up for working families. That’s exactly the kind of leadership we need more of inWash- ington. I’ve shown in this campaign that I won’t back down fromMAGA extremists like Laura Loomer, and I’ll bring that same willingness to stand up and fight for NJ- 12 in Congress.” Vaingankar recently announced his campaign has raised over $260,000 and makes the cut as one of five campaigns in the 11-person field to qualify for the na- tionally televised debate on April 26. The Gen-Z candidate has been endorsed by former U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, the Indian American Impact Fund, and AAPI Victory Fund, two leading groups supporting Asian American and Pacific Islander candidates across the country. PHOTO:FACEBOOK @JAYFORJERSEY A poster displaying the endorsement of NJ candidate for Congress Jay Vaingankar by Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. By a StaffWriter Senior House Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi Backs Gen-Z Leader Jay Vaingankar In Race For Congress G eorge Abraham has once again traveled to India to exercise his franchise in the Assembly elections at his home constituency of Changannur in Kerala. For Abraham, this is not mere- ly a routine civic duty, but a deeply personal and emotional journey, one he has undertaken consistently over the years. When asked what motivates him to return election after election, Abra- ham reflects with conviction: “It is a sentiment for my motherland and a passion for the very idea of India.” He adds, with a note of introspection, “I often wonder why people like me had to leave this incredible land, so rich in natural beauty and heritage, to build lives elsewhere.” Having just cast his vote, he remarked, “I have exercised my democratic right, and I hope this small act contributes to keeping the spirit of democracy alive.” Abraham has spent nearly six decades - 58 years - abroad, pri- marily in the United States, after a distinguished 36-year career with the United Nations, where he retired as Chief Technology Officer of the United Nations Pension Fund. Despite his global professional accomplishments, his con- nection to India and particularly to its political and democratic processes has remained unwavering. Politics, in fact, has been a lifelong passion for him. In 1998, driven by a desire to organize and mobilize the Indian diaspora, Abraham, along with veteran Congress worker John Philipose Theng- umcherry, founded the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) in the United States. At the time, there was no comparable global platform for Congress supporters abroad. The initiative gained momentum when the late Oommen Chandy visited the United States, providing the occasion for its formal launch. The organization grew steadily, and in 2001 it received official recognition at a landmark event in NewYork attended by senior national leaders including Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Natwar Singh, and Murli Deora. Today, the IOC has evolved into a well-established global net- work spanning more than 30 coun- tries, currently led by Sam Pitroda as Chairman. George Abraham pres- ently serves as Vice-Chairman of IOC USA and Global Coordinator of its IT and Social Media wing. In recognition of his decades of service, he was con- ferred a Lifetime Achievement Award by Rahul Gandhi during the latter’s visit to NewYork in 2023. Abraham’s political grounding, however, began much earlier. As a teenager, he was actively involved with the All Kerala Balajana Sakhyam, a youth organization under the aegis of Malayala Manorama, where he served as State Treasurer in 1967. He credits the late Pala K.M. Mathew whom he regards as his mentor for shaping his early political and social consciousness. Reflecting on the broader role of the Indian diaspora, Abraham emphasizes the importance of safeguarding India’s democratic and secular values. “It is essential that we uphold the democratic and secular fabric of India. Without that, the nearly 35 million Indians liv- ing abroad would have little moral standing when advocating for justice, equality, and religious freedom glob- ally,” he notes. For Abraham, returning home to vote is more than participation, it is a reaf- firmation of identity, responsibility, and belief in the enduring promise of India’s democracy. By IOC-USA Letter To The Editor: A Lifelong Commitment: George Abraham Returns To Vote In Kerala PHOTO:GEORGE ABRAHAM,IOC-USA George Abraham of IOC-USA, holding up proof of his voting in Kerala elections Kerala elections.