What Mamdani’s win means for the world
Zohran Mamdani has been elected as the new Mayor of New York City, the most populous and economically powerful city in the United States, often seen as a global hub for finance, commerce, and technology. The election drew worldwide attention and became one of the biggest political talking points in recent times. Mamdani’s victory as the first person of South Asian descent, the first Muslim, and the youngest in over a century to become New York’s mayor is nothing short of historic.
While these achievements alone are remarkable, Mamdani’s win carries deeper meaning, not just for American politics, but for the global political landscape. His rise to power in one of the world’s most influential cities is expected to create ripples across political systems and inspire movements far beyond the United States.
When the election process began, Mamdani wasn’t even considered a serious contender within his own Democratic Party. His chances were pegged at barely one percent, and many dismissed him as inexperienced. His turnaround from an underdog to the Mayor of New York is an inspiring story that will find a place in history. Standing up to some of New York’s biggest political heavyweights, Mamdani’s journey has become a modern-day David versus Goliath story, driven by perseverance, conviction, and a clear ideological purpose that will inspire young politicians across the world.
As the campaign progressed, several powerful leaders, including the US President Donald Trump, openly opposed him. Major American corporations also poured money into the race against Mamdani. According to Forbes, at least 26 billionaires collectively spent more than $22 million to support his opponents and run negative ads. Unmoved by these efforts, Mamdani stayed focused on grassroots support. His campaign attracted over 40,000 small donors, with an average contribution of just $98, the lowest in the race. In doing so, he proved that corporate money in politics has its limits.
Besides financial opposition, Mamdani faced intense racist and Islamophobic attacks. He was accused of sympathizing with terrorism, with his main opponent Andrew Cuomo even endorsing such sentiments indirectly. Despite this, Mamdani never hid his Muslim identity and campaigned on a message of inclusion and equality. Instead of responding to hate with hate, he stayed calm and focused on real issues that mattered to people.
His promises, from free childcare and public-funded affordable housing to city-owned grocery stores, rent freezes, and higher taxes on the wealthy, resonated deeply with ordinary New Yorkers. People realized that these were the issues that truly impacted their lives. At a time when most politicians rely on empty rhetoric and divisive narratives, Mamdani’s focus on everyday concerns set him apart.
Unlike many politicians who shy away from ideological labels, Mamdani proudly called himself a “Democratic Socialist” and promised to live by those values. In the heart of global capitalism, his unwavering ideological clarity stood out. Even when Trump mocked him as a “Crazy Marxist,” Mamdani remained composed and refused to engage in vindictive politics.
In a world witnessing rising anti-immigrant sentiment and nationalist movements, Mamdani’s election, an immigrant becoming the Mayor of New York, offers hope. It reinforces the idea that migration continues to be a powerful force shaping human progress and cultural exchange.
During the campaign, a video of Mamdani eating biryani with his hands went viral. While many saw it as a celebration of his cultural roots, others mocked it as “unsanitary” and “third world.” Such comments reflected a lingering colonial mindset rooted in Western superiority. Mamdani, however, stayed true to his heritage, even playing “Dhoom Machale” at his victory event.
What made Mamdani stand out even more was his clear stand on the Palestinian issue. He called Israel’s actions in Gaza a “genocide” and compared the situation to “apartheid.” In a city with about 1.3 million Jewish residents, the second-largest Jewish community in the world, his position was both bold and principled. Mamdani declared that as mayor, he would honor any International Criminal Court warrant against Israeli leaders, including arresting Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited New York. While critics accused him of antisemitism, Mamdani clarified that he opposed Zionism, not Judaism, standing firm on humanitarian grounds.
Even after his victory, it’s widely expected that Mamdani will face hurdles in governing. Trump had earlier threatened to cut federal funding to New York if Mamdani won. But Mamdani has remained defiant, saying he would not be intimidated and would instead asked Trump to “turn the volume up.” His resilience offers a lesson to leaders everywhere about standing firm on values, even under pressure.
In the United States, both major political parties, the Democrats and Republicans are often seen as “the same wine in different bottles,” with little difference in ideology or policy. It remains to be seen whether Mamdani’s victory will push the Democratic Party toward ideological introspection.
Mamdani’s victory has undoubtedly turned a new leaf in the present political scenario across the world. It has opened about a new ray of hope for the dwindling “issue based inclusive politics” all around the globe. It is curious to know how Mamdani’s own journey unfolds after a new chapter in his political journey. Whether his promise of issue based inclusive politics with “Democratic Socialism” at its helm reaches its logical end is another equally curious thing to watch out in the near future.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Jammu and Kashmir enter maiden Ranji Trophy final; Bengal left stunned
Kalyani (West Bengal) (PTI): Sixty seven years after their maiden appearance, Jammu and Kashmir stormed into the Ranji Trophy finals for the first time on Wednesday, upstaging two-time former champions Bengal by six wickets in the semifinals here to add another historic chapter to a fairytale season so far.
Auqib Nabi's stunning nine-wicket match haul and their IPL star Abdul Samad's fearless strokeplay ensured that the side once labelled "perennial underachievers" now stands one step away from the title.
Chasing a modest 126 at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground, J&K rode on Samad's unbeaten 30 off 27 balls (3x6, 1x4) and rookie Vanshaj Sharma's composed 43 not out off 83 ball (4x4) as the pair stitched an unbroken 55-run stand for the fourth wicket to seal history on the fourth and penultimate day of the semifinal.
In a heartwarming gesture, Samad, who had done the bulk of the damage, allowed the 22-year-old Vanshaj to finish it in style and the youngster launched Mukesh Kumar over long-on for six to spark wild celebrations in the visiting camp.
From strugglers to history-makers
======================
Jammu and Kashmir had played 334 Ranji matches before this season, winning only 45. It took them 44 years to register their first victory, against Services in 1982-83.
Knockout appearances were rare. A breakthrough came in 2013-14 when they edged Goa on net run rate to reach the quarterfinals, and in 2015-16 they stunned Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium under state icon Parveez Rasool.
But consistency eluded them for decades as this season, under coach Ajay Sharma and captain Paras Dogra, they transformed belief into results.
After an opening loss to Mumbai, they bounced back with innings wins over Rajasthan and key victories against Delhi and Hyderabad to enter the knockouts.
A dramatic 56-run win over Madhya Pradesh in the quarterfinal, powered by Nabi’s 12/110, brought them to the semifinals for the first time.
Bengal's big names, bigger letdown
=======================
With four India internationals in Mohammed Shami, Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar and Shahbaz Ahmed, and India A star batter Abhimanyu Easwran along with home advantage to boot, this was Bengal's game to lose.
They did exactly that after folding for 99 in 25.1 overs on day three that set Jammu and Kashmir a paltry 126 to win.
Resuming at 43/2 on the penultimate day, J&K lost an early wicket but Bengal failed to sustain pressure despite Akash Deep's relentless 15-over morning spell (3/46) and Shami's probing 1/24 from 24 overs.
There were anxious moments when Shubham Pundir was cleaned up and Dogra edged behind -- a low diving catch by Abishek Porel off Akash Deep eventually upheld after review.
But Bengal looked fatigued and short of ideas once Samad counterattacked. The IPL batter, retained by Lucknow Super Giants, turned the tide in a single over against Akash Deep that fetched 18 runs.
He did not spare Shahbaz either, dancing down the track to deposit him over mid-wicket and then through covers as J&K crossed the 100-run mark.
From there, shoulders dropped in the Bengal camp.
The introduction of part-time options and a visible dip in intensity underlined a campaign that promised much but fizzled when it mattered most.
Nabi's season for the ages
==================
The foundations of Jammu and Kashmir's win, however, were laid by Nabi.
"Last time we missed it in the quarters but we did all the hard work and we deserved it," said Nabi after winning the man-of-the-match.
The 29-year-old pacer followed his 12-wicket match haul in the quarterfinal against Madhya Pradesh with another devastating effort, finishing with nine wickets in the match, including a five-for in the first innings, to take his season's tally to 55 wickets at an average of under 13.
Nabi had also contributed with the bat playing a decisive knock at No.9.
J&K had posted 302 in their first innings, reducing the deficit to 26, thanks to Dogra's gritty 58 (112 balls), Samad's counterattacking 82 (85 balls) and a crucial late surge from Nabi (42 off 54) and Yudhvir Singh (33) in a 64-run last-wicket stand.
Dogra's milestone
===========
For 41-year-old captain Paras Dogra, it was a week of personal and collective milestones.
In a career spanning 24 years across Himachal Pradesh, Pondicherry and now J&K, Dogra also became only the second batter after Wasim Jaffer to score 10,000 Ranji Trophy runs.
Introduced to the game by his father Kultar, Dogra's journey has been one of endurance and quiet steel.
"It's a big achievement, never thought about it. I enjoyed the journey full of ups and downs. The game makes you a strong human being," Dogra said.
His resolute half-century in a 143-run partnership with Samad in the first innings set the tone for the side's resilience.
