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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know Community News India Times (March 14, 2026 - March 20, 2026) March 20, 2026 8 US Affairs Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal Endorses Raj Goyle For New York State Comptroller L eading Indian American lawmaker on Capitol Hill, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington, endorsed Raj Goyle, candidate for NewYork State Comp- troller, March 9, 2026. Congresswoman Jayapal is Chair Emerita of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and Co-Chair of the Congressio- nal Progressive Caucus PAC. This endorse- ment comes after Raj Goyle received the support of Congressman Ro Khanna, D-California. “At a time when too many politicians cave to pressure and abandon our shared morality, we need candidates all across this country who lead with courage and compassion. Raj has been a lifelong pro- gressive: fighting for immigrant commu- nities, defending reproductive freedom alongside Planned Parenthood, and holding corporations accountable,” ‘ Jayapal is quoted saying in the press re- lease from Goyle’s campaign. “As Comp- troller, he will use NewYork’s financial power to align our investments with our progressive values — divesting from fossil fuels, ending the use of NewYork pension dollars to fund ICE’s mass detention and deportation, and ensuring NewYorkers’ money is used to uplift their needs. It’s time for a new generation of leaders who put our money where our values are, and build an economy that works for all of us. I’m proud to endorse Raj for NewYork State Comptroller,” Jayapal added. “I am beyond grateful for Congress- woman Jayapal’s support. She is a progressive champion who understands that public dollars should always reflect our values — protecting human rights, strengthening workers, and never fund- ing injustice at home or abroad. And she knows that NewYorkers deserve better than a Comptroller who has been asleep at the wheel. As Comptroller, I will ensure NewYork’s financial power is used to build an economy that works for all of us,” Goyle said. Goyle’s campaign has highlighted his commitment to transparency in state finances, tackling the affordability issue, and long-term fiscal responsibility. If elected, Goyle could become the first South Asian to hold statewide office in NewYork. Goyle is the founder of Phone Free NewYork and the former board chair of the NYC-based public policy think tank 5BORO Institute. A former Kansas State legislator, Goyle was one of the first Indian Americans elected to office in the country and flipped one of the reddest districts in the country. He also helped found Indian American Impact, a pact that supports candidates from the com- munity seeking public office. He faces long-time incumbent Republi- can, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. By a StaffWriter Candidate for NYC Comptroller Raj Goyle. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington. PHOTO:COURTESY GOYLE CAMPAIGN PHOTO: JAYAPAL.HOUSE.GOV E ffective February 2026, Dr. Aseem Shukla began serving as Chief of Pediatric Urology at Cohen’s Chil- dren Hospital, SystemVice Presi- dent of the Pediatric Urology Service Line, and Director of Pediatric Global Services for Northwell Health in NewYork. Dr. Shukla is a pioneer in pediatric ro- bot assisted laparoscopic surgery, having been among the first pediatric urologists trained in the technology in 2004, a press release said. Since then, he has completed nearly one thousand robotic surgery procedures for children of all ages, including the smallest infant, and introduced innova- tive surgical procedures using the robotic platform. Dr. Shukla is also one of the most experienced surgeons in the country in performing the highly complex recon- struction of bladder exstrophy, having completed more than 250 of these rare cases as part of multidisciplinary teams spanning two continents. He also has expertise in the repair of hypospadias, disorders of sexual develop- ment, cloacal malformation, and compli- cations of posterior urethral valves and neurogenic bladder. Until December 31, 2025, Dr. Shukla served as the Endowed Chair and Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery and co- director of the Bladder Exstrophy Program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where he served for 17 years. He held an appointment as Professor of Surgery in Urology at the Perelman School of Medi- cine at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to that, he was the Chief of Pedi- atric Urology at the University of Minne- sota and the urology residency program director. As the Director of Pediatric Global Services, Dr. Shukla provides consultation and strategic input in developing op- portunities for international partnerships and collaborations that serve to increase access to Northwell’s leading pediatric healthcare services for children across the world. Dr. Shukla routinely lectures and participates in surgical workshops and conferences throughout Asia, Africa, South America, and Europe. In 2009, Dr. Shukla initiated a surgical workshop at the Civil Hospital in Ahmed- abad, India, that has become an inter- national model of Indo-U.S. academic collaboration. This collaboration brings together a leading American children’s hospital and India’s most respected pediatric surgeons to address the vast surgical burden of complex urological anomalies in India. The annual Bladder Exstrophy-Epispadias consortium includes academic surgeons, local hospital systems, American disease- specific support groups, and research staff. It has led to the creation of an inter- national Center of Excellence in Ahmed- abad, which is now a referral destination for all of South Asia and Africa. Dr. Shukla completed his residency in general surgery and urology at the Univer- sity of South Florida College of Medicine and his fellowship in pediatric urology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Northwell is the largest healthcare provider in NewYork and the largest nonprofit health system in the Northeast, comprised of 28 hospitals. “I am thrilled to join my good friend, the renowned Lane S. Palmer, MD, and my former resident and now partner, CoreyWeinstein, along with a fantastic clinical care team that is absolutely committed to offering world class pediatric uro. Praising his ylogy care to our NewYork families and those coming to us from across the country,” Dr. Shukla said. Praising his years at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, he added, “As I transition to my new role, I have shared with my NewYork team that I will always keep centered the dictum of my mentor emeritus and former chair of CHOP Urol- ogy, the late Dr. Douglas Canning: “We will always start with the child and move out from there.” Dr. Aseem Shukla Appointed System VP/Chief Of Pediatric Urology @Northwell Health, NY By a StaffWriter PHOTO: LINKEDIN Dr. Aseem Shukla