International desk:

Hakikul Islam Khokan,Md.Nasir,Helal Mahmudul,Bapsnews:Among the South Asian community activists who worked tirelessly during New York City’s mayoral election, Ahmed Sohel was one of the Bangladeshi American community members who devoted considerable time and effort to Zohran Mamdani’s campaign. As a media professional, community organizer, and dedicated volunteer, Sohel contributed both to media coverage of Mamdani’s campaign and to grassroots outreach efforts. Yet, behind his commitment to the historic campaign lies a personal story of injury, surgery, and a prolonged recovery—one that has left him disappointed by what he describes as a lack of outreach from the mayor’s office.News by Bapsnews. From Door-to-Door Canvassing to Election Night Sohel began supporting Mamdani well before the Democratic primary, organizing a group of volunteers and going door to door to engage voters and promote the candidate’s message. His involvement extended beyond his work as a media professional covering Mamdani and his campaign team. He also took an active role in grassroots campaigning, continuing his efforts after Mamdani won the primary and throughout the general election campaign.।His involvement in various social and political organizations gave him opportunities to connect with people across different segments of the community. He used those connections to help raise awareness of Mamdani’s campaign and encourage support for his candidacy. According to accounts from members of the community, Sohel was still campaigning on the final night before the election, braving heavy rain and continuing his outreach efforts until the last moments of the campaign. Mamdani’s historic victory was supported by people from many backgrounds, including members of the Bangladeshi American community. Sohel was among those who contributed their time, energy, and personal commitment to the campaign. For many Muslim New Yorkers, Mamdani’s election as the city’s first Muslim mayor carried particular historical and emotional significance. Sohel shared that sense of hope and enthusiasm and worked to help advance a campaign that resonated with many in the community. An Injury at the Inauguration Changes Everything  Sohel’s campaign experience took an unfortunate turn on January 1, 2026, when he was injured while covering Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s inauguration outside New York City Hall. Despite the bitter winter cold, Sohel attended the event in his capacity as a media professional, intending to cover the historic occasion. According to his account, as the ceremony was nearing its conclusion, he was caught in a crush of people amid heavy crowding and jostling. During the incident, he fell near a nearby fence and sustained a serious ligament injury to his leg. His injury subsequently required surgery. Months later, he says, he has yet to make a full recovery. He continues to undergo regular physical therapy and rehabilitation as he works toward regaining his mobility and returning to his normal routine. The circumstances are particularly difficult for Sohel: after devoting substantial time and effort to Mamdani’s campaign, he suffered a significant injury while covering the mayor’s own inauguration. The incident has brought him not only physical pain and a lengthy recovery but also disappointment over what he considers a lack of personal outreach following the accident. “I Worked Day and Night, Yet No One Checked on Me” In an interview with this correspondent, Sohel expressed his disappointment over the absence of contact from the mayor’s office following his injury. According to Sohel, he gave his time and energy to Mamdani’s campaign as a committed volunteer, doing what he could to support the candidate’s electoral efforts. He said he had hoped that someone from the mayor’s office would reach out after learning of the accident that occurred while he was covering the inauguration. His expectation, he explained, was not for a political appointment, financial assistance, or personal favors. Rather, he had hoped for a simple gesture of concern—someone checking on his health, acknowledging his situation, and offering good wishes for his recovery. For a community volunteer who says he worked tirelessly in support of a campaign, such a gesture would have represented a meaningful expression of appreciation and human compassion.।As of the time of writing, Sohel says he has not received such an inquiry from the mayor’s office. The office’s perspective on the matter has not been included in this account. Continuing to Support Mamdani Despite Personal Disappointment Despite his injury, surgery, and ongoing rehabilitation, Sohel says he continues to support Mamdani and highlight the mayor’s work on social media. He remains interested in the।administration’s initiatives and continues to share information about efforts he considers beneficial to the public. His continued engagement reflects his stated commitment to the mayor’s work, even as he expresses disappointment about the lack of outreach following his accident. Sohel’s experience also highlights the broader role played by volunteers during election campaigns. Across New York City, Bangladeshi Americans from different generations and professional backgrounds participated in Mamdani’s campaign. Young organizers, longtime community members, and women volunteers all contributed in their own ways. For many, the campaign represented an opportunity to participate in civic life and be part of a historic moment in the city’s political landscape. Yet, once an election is over, the contributions of grassroots volunteers can quickly fade from public view. Their work often involves long hours, personal sacrifices, and sustained commitment without any expectation of compensation or recognition. Sohel’s experience raises a question about how political campaigns and elected officials acknowledge the people who volunteer their time and effort—not only during election season but also when those individuals face personal hardship. A Humble Appeal to the Mayor’s Office Sohel hopes that his story will eventually reach Mayor Zohran Mamdani or someone on his staff. His appeal is straightforward: he would appreciate a personal inquiry about his condition and a message wishing him a speedy recovery. As a Bangladeshi American community organizer and media professional, Sohel says he has no personal demands or expectations of political favors. What he seeks, he emphasizes, is a simple gesture of humanity toward someone who devoted considerable time and energy to the mayor’s electoral campaign and was subsequently injured while covering the inauguration. His story serves as a reminder that political campaigns depend not only on candidates, public appearances, and media coverage but also on volunteers who work behind the scenes, often sacrificing their personal time and comfort to advance a cause in which they believe. For Sohel, the physical consequences of his injury remain an ongoing challenge. His hope is that the message will reach the mayor’s office and that someone will take a moment to acknowledge his situation. Whether Mayor Mamdani or a member of his staff will reach out remains to be seen. For now, Sohel continues his rehabilitation and says he remains supportive of the mayor’s work, while hoping for a gesture of compassion from the administration he helped campaign to elect.Seniors journalists & www.ibnnews24.com Editor in Chief Hakikul Islam Khokan was their for covering.