Originally published in IndicaNews on July, 2 2024

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU- Mohandas Gandhi, an Indian born Britain certified Barrister-in-Law, went to South Africa in 1893 to resolve a property dispute between two Indian-Muslim Gujarati traders, Dada Abdulla Seth and his relative, THK Mohamed. The South Africa Court system needed a British trained Gujarati lawyer.

On June 7,1893, Gandhi was traveling in the First-Class Compartment of the train from Durban to Charleston on the way to Pretoria to attend the legal case proceedings. At 9 PM that Wednesday night, he was thrown away from the train at the Maritzburg Train Station, because only white people could travel in the First-Class compartments.

Originally published in WAND on Feb. 16, 2024.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Illinois nonprofit organizations could soon be eligible for state grant funding to build or renovate early childhood properties. A proposal in Springfield could expand the child care construction grants for non-public schools.

The Early Childhood Construction Grant Program was created in 2009 to provide state funding to help public schools and nonprofits give better learning environments for young kids.

Illinois awarded $45 million to community programs and public schools in 2011. Then, lawmakers earmarked $100 million for the program through the historic 2019 Rebuild Illinois capital spending plan.

Last week I met with advocates for after-school funding and stood with them in support of $50 million going toward our after-school programing. I say that it’s time to prioritize and value after-school programing. Two schools I represent serve primarily low-income and minority families and students who rely on these programs. It is imperative that we secure this funding for our working-class and middle-class families.