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NORTH AmERIcAN Newsline SEPTEMBER 03, 2021 | The Indian Eye 28

satish Poondi leaves Wilentz,

joins three-month-old law firm

Our Bureau The “Make Edison Great
Edison, NJ Again” mailer told voters
that the “Chinese and Indi-
fledgling firm has hired ans are taking over our town.”
embattled Edison attor- A U.S. Postal Inspector last
A ney Satish Poondi as a year implicated Poondi as a
partner. Poondi has given up his member of the controversial
partnership at the Wilentz firm Edison Eight, a group of local
to join Trenk Isabel, a three- political activists allegedly re-
month-old, seven-lawyer firm sponsible for the mailer. But a
headed by West Orange Mu- grand jury empaneled earlier
nicipal Attorney Richard Trenk, this year to probe the mailer
according to a report in New has not resulted in any charges.
Jersey Globe. Still, several attorneys at the
Edison Councilman Ajay Wilentz firm publicly acknowl-
Patil alleged in February that edged that Poondi was putting
Poondi, the former co-chair- the once-powerful law firm into
man of the New Jersey Dem- a tough position, according to a
ocratic South Asian American report in New Jersey Globe.
Caucus, was one of the master- Poondi backed Mahesh Bha-
minds behind the distribution gia for the Democratic nomina-
of a racist flyer sent out anon- tion for mayor in June. Bhagia
ymously during a 2017 school lost the primary to Sam Joshi by
board campaign, the report said. a 61%-32% margin.

dCSaff to give awards to emerging filmmakers

Our Bureau artistic campaigns to save the
environment, be kind to each
Washington, DC other, accept differing beliefs,

CSAFF is Washington be happy, participate in the arts,
DC’s leading cultur- all because life is short,” said
Dal diversity platform, the statement.
showcasing films from South Following are the awards
Asian countries as well as the that will be given out to encour-
global South Asian diaspo- age emerging filmmaker partic-
ra. DCSAFF provides an open ipation: Best Feature -- Film
platform to bring to the fore- Raahgir; Best Male -- Actor
front important conversations Adil Hussain for Raahgir; Best
around social issues, reduce Female Actor Tillotama Shome
discrimination, and engage in for Raahgir; Best Director --
social change. Goutam Ghose for Raahgir;
“We have screened movies Best Story – Bittersweet; Best
about women’s issues, LGBTQ Short Film -- Tikkun Olam;
acceptance, political corruption, Best Child Actor -- Shahida
religious extremity, atrocity of Neera; Best Supporting Actor
the caste system, exploitation -- Rudhraksh Jaiswal for The
of labor laws, human trafficking, “Given the present atmo- focus on the big picture, which Tenant; Best Rising Star Di-
and many more important social sphere of hate, divide, terrorism, is unity and attainment of joy. rector -- Sushrut Jain for The
issues impacting South Asians and conservative fanaticism im- We promote our audience and Tenant; and Special Mention by
around the world,” said a state- pacting America, DCSAFF’S community at large to engage Jury; and Best Actor in Short
ment from the organization. theme encourages people to in various social causes through Film -- Shishir Sharma in Dvaita.

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