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High: 73 High: 69 High: 67 High: 72 High: 71 High: 75 High: 71 3rd y 2 Ma to Low: 53 Low: 60 Low: 60 7th Low: 55 Low: 59 Low: 61 Low: 62 y 1 COMMUNITYNEWS IN BRIEF Ma New York Muslims hold first ‘Muslim day at capitol’ This young lady of Indian origin is no stranger to breaking barriers. In 2011, she made history by becoming the first South Asian to be elected to a political office in Manhattan. She was 28 years old and ran against a 20 year incumbent for District Leader in Lower Manhattan, shocking the political JENIFER RAJKUMAR - establishment by winning with a resounding 70% of the vote. DAUGHTER OF IMMIGRANTS FROM PUNJAB BREAKS ANOTHER BARRIER

By Bidisha Roy families atthe National Women’s Law Jenifer Rajkumar, the ow Jenifer Rajkumar, Center. At the same time, she worked daughter of immigrants from the daughter of at WIN, another nonprofit that aims immigrants from to create the next generation of young Punjab who was born and Punjab who was democratic women leaders. raised in New York, again made Assembly Members take a break from session to meet with constituents (Image Courtesy CAIR New York) CAIR hosted members of the community from Nborn and raised in New York, Now a candidate for City Council across the state headlines when she launched her of State Senator Kevin Parker after revelations host an annual Muslim Day at the Capitol. again made headlines when she in the 2013 election cycle, Rajkumar campaign for the New York City By a staff writer of mass warrantless surveillance of Muslim In New York, CAIR hosted members of the launched her campaign for the says she plans to bring “people- embers of the New York Muslim communities. The bill seeks to “restore public community from across the state, and the New York City Council, running powered, participatory democracy” to Council, running against community participated on Apr confidence inthe NYPD” and to “ensure that event was co-sponsored by the Bangladeshi against incumbent Council Lower Manhattan. Progressives from incumbent Council member 30 in the 1st Annual “Muslim tax dollars are used lawfully and to prevent American Advocacy Group, the Council member Chin. the Lower East Side to Chinatown to Chin Day at the Capitol.” waste, fraud, and abuse by state and local law on Immigrants’ Rights, and the Muslim The young Indian- SoHo and Battery Park City are already MDuring meetings with more than 65 elected enforcement engaged intelligence activities.” Consultative Network. rallying around her campaign, seeking generation of South Asian American American rising star is running officials of the New York State Assembly and The school holiday bill was introduced by “In the recent past, American Muslims to represent the diverse district a greater voice in the Council’s decision youth that want to be involved in public Assembly Member Vanessa Gibson, and Senate, American Muslims addressed upcoming have been ignored, dismissed and even encompassing Tribeca, Wall making. The Village Independent service.” Says Rajkumar, “I am inspired Senator Bill Perkins, and will allow for the bills that directly impact the New York Muslim attacked by politicians seeking to court votes,” Street, Soho, the Lower East Democrats (VID), former Mayor by so many young South Asian children Muslim holidays to be recognized as school community, including a bill to create an said CAIR-NY Executive Director Muneer Side, Chinatown, and Battery Ed Koch’s old club and a prominent that tell me they want to be Senator, or holidays in the city school district of New York independent Inspector General (IG) of the Awad. “However, grassroots efforts such as Park City. Jenifer’s campaign announcement on the steps of City Hall. About 100 supporters gathered political force in Greenwich Village, in Congress, and ask how to be involved. City—whereMuslim students account for one Muslim Day at the Capitol will help reverse from neighborhoods across Lower Manhattan recently endorsed Rajkumar. “VID A deep belief in service runs through NYPD and a bill to recognize Muslim holidays At a Diwali ceremony of every ten students. this trend while advocating for issues that doors.” neighborhoods—specifically, a bus route has led in the fight for progressive, our culture. As Mahatma Gandhi said: in the New York City school district. attended by politicians in CAIR chapters across the United States positively affect our local communities.” to connect Battery Park City withthe community driven leadership for over “Be the change you wish to see in the The IG bill was introduced by the office Manhattan, she was praised New York City Comptroller John Lower East Side and Chinatown. In half a century,” said VID President world.” for her energetic and strong Liunoted that Rajkumar, like him, 2012, she was named a “rising star” in Tony Hoffmann, “Jenifer Rajkumar grassroots operation that represents the first generation in this New York City politics by City & State. embodies that leadership, and we are Dr. Sachin Chopra elected to brought out new voters and country that is emergingand succeeding proud to support her for City Council.” Pratham and MIT Media Lab minorities. “Jenifer Rajkumar in public service. Rajkumar graduated from Stanford St. Joseph’s Medical Board is a true ‘Rajkumari’” said As District Leader since 2011, Law School and the University of Rajkumar’s race is one to keep a Congresswoman Carolyn Rajkumar has become a strong Pennsylvania. “I decided to dedicate close eye on this year, with launch Scratch Pilot Program Maloney. [‘Rajkumari’ is Hindi force in neighborhoods in Lower my life to social justice,” says Rajkumar, the election just around for “princess.”]. Manhattan Manhattan, fighting for much-needed describing her decision to become a thebend this September Borough President Scott public transportation, advocating for civilrights lawyer. As a civil rights lawyer, 2013. Asked about her Stringer praised Rajkumar moreschool space, and acting as a Rajkumar litigated cases on behalf of status as the first Indian for winning “the old- strong advocate for working families. women, minorities, and other vulnerable American elected fashioned way, by getting The powerful Assembly Speaker groups experiencing discrimination on i n M a n h a t t a n , out and knocking on Sheldon Silver thanked her for her the job. She then helped shape Obama Rajkumar notes that “tireless” efforts in helping to restore Care in Washington, DC, working as there is a “whole Jenifer Rajkumar transportation connecting disparate an advocate for low-income women and new and exciting Jenifer reading to kids in her district

Dr. Sachin Chopra By a staff writer Comcast’s Xfinity launches online destination for Asian-Pacific entertainment r. Sachin Chopra, was recently elected to the Medical Board of By a staff writer “The Xfinity Asia Internet destination is the feature films including: St. Joseph’s Hospital and Nursing first step in providing customers much more 4 Conscience and the Constitution, directed This program covers 2100 students at 8 schools in Mumbai omcast, a global media and technology home. The teaching facility was company, recently launched the Asian-Pacificcontent than ever before,” said by Frank Abe Dfounded in 1888 and is one of the oldest Ruben Mendiola, vice president and general By a staff writer with no background in programming have been Xfinity Asia Internet destination 4Delhi Safari, directed by Nikhil Advani healthcare providers in the tri state area. The Xfinity.com/Asia), an online portal manager of MulticulturalVideo Services. “This hospital has a 115 million dollar operating ratham has recently launched a pilot exposed to basics of flow charts, algorithms, and 4Don’t Lose Your Soul, directed by Jim Choi basic programming concepts such as conditions Cthat brings togethera wealth of Asian-Pacific will be an exciting year as we continue to expand program to develop logical thinking and Chihiro Wimbush budget; 1200 employees; 194-bed acute care entertainment content from a variety of sources new content and offerings for theAsian American hospital and a 200-bed nursing home. competencies and increase awareness and loops. The program uses a combination of 4The Island President, directed by John Shenk lectures and projects to make students familiar in one, easy to navigatelocation. community.” Dr. Sachin Chopra is a graduate of about computer programming for students 4Life of Pi, directed by Ang Lee Pof 5th to 7th standards. This program, launched with the basic concepts. Overall, there are three This is the first step in a larger Xfinity Asia Xfinity TV is also celebrating Asian-Pacific Cornell University, New York Medical main objectives of the program: initiative designed to expand the availability American Heritage Month with a special 4The Reluctant Fundamentalist, directed by College, and NYCOM. He was awarded the with the co-operation of school authorities and 4 ofAsian programming, VOD and tailored collection ofentertainment choices that highlight Mira Nair prestigious “Resident of the Year” Award at supported by members of the MIT Media Lab Foster logical thinking ability in students to aid and Boston chapter of Pratham USA, covers 2100 the current math and science curriculum packages to the Asian-Pacific community Asian-American and Pacific Islander culture and 4Seeking Asian Female, directed by Debbie Lum the Long Island Jewish/ North Shore Health contributions. Thecollection includes movies, students at 8 schools in Mumbai. 4 throughout 2013. In addition, Xfinity customers 4 Sushi: The Global Catch, directed by Mark System at Plainview; and was also honored by Develop skills essential for learning computer documentaries and biographies hand-selected The program makes extensive use of Scratch, a programming will gain access to special programming across Hall the New York State Assembly and the New Xfinity platforms – TV, OnDemand, online and by Chi-hui Yang, the curator ofCinema Asian graphical programming language developed by the 4 Promote a collaborative learning environment Comcast has had a longstanding commitment York State Senate for medical care helping on mobile devices – recognizing the Asian-Pacific America for Xfinity TV. the critical care and underserved populations. Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media A dedicated team of volunteers spent their time to diversity and inclusion since its founding cultural influence on the world ofentertainment. Highlights of Xfinity TV’s Asian-Pacific nearly 50years ago and focuses its efforts in five Chopra thanked his family and colleagues, Lab. Scratch, used by over 1.2 million registered outside of work to undergo training in Scratch In addition, Xfinity TV will offer feature films including Life of Pi, directed by Ang Lee and The Reluctant The Xfinity Asia website features news, American Heritage Month collection include key areas: diversity in governance, attracting and and said he was honored to be a part of the students from 17,000 cities across the world, is and develop the curriculum. Team members from Fundamentalist, directed by Mira Nair blogs, and Xfinity TV programming information Bollywood hits andmusic; HBO’s East of Main retaining amulticultural workforce, developing medical team that is dedicated to patient care. one of the most famous programming tools used the MIT Media Lab also supported the program relevant to theAsian-Pacific community. Content and historical leaders thathave contributed to the and non-subscribers also will have theopportunity Street; Filipino entertainment and events; KPOP; a diverse supplier base, offering a wide selection He said he was eager to bring about change, by young students. with technical and content inputs. Based on the on the site includes award-winning films, news, music and history of this country and the to explore a range of entertainment options K-Drama Fever; anime from Funimation; and of multiculturalprogramming, and community Pratham’s educational technology team has experience from this program, the team plans to and encouraged those around him to improve documentaries, history,bios, sports, anime and world. Xfinity TV customers will have access to online. Content can be filtered by country themed history and biographies from National investment in national, regional and local diverse developed a completely new curriculum tailored improve the course content and roll it out to more the Health care system in the years to come. music featuring Asian-Pacific entertainers, artists a large library of content on Xfinity on Demand, oforigin, genre and more. Geographic. In addition, Xfinity TV will offer organizations. to complement the current syllabus. Students than 500 computer labs over the country.