Author: Akancha Mishra

Usha Vance, the Second Lady and wife of vice-presidential nominee JD Vance, has spoken out about the racism her family has encountered, especially the recent wave of online hate aimed at Indian Americans. When JD was named Donald Trump’s running mate, parts of the MAGA-aligned online world erupted with discriminatory remarks that forced the Vance family into an uncomfortable spotlight. Speaking to The Free Press, Usha didn’t mince words. “Is it great when people try to ‘normalize Indian hate’? Definitely not. It’s awful,” she stated bluntly. A particular flashpoint was former DOGE staffer Marko Elez’s social media post that read,…

In the financial year 2025, India experienced an unprecedented surge in demat accounts, reaching a record-breaking total of 192.4 million. This growth was driven by the addition of 41.1 million new accounts—marking the highest-ever increase in a single year. On average, approximately 3.42 million accounts were opened each month, setting a new benchmark for annual account creation. Although the total number of accounts surged, the annual growth rate eased slightly from 32.2% in FY23 to 27.1% in FY25 due to the expanded base. Demat accounts, which allow investors to hold securities like stocks and mutual funds in digital format, are…

India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, addressed the ongoing debate surrounding US tariffs under President Donald Trump during the News18 Rising Bharat Summit. Responding to concerns about trade tensions, Jaishankar stated that India’s plan is straightforward: continue constructive dialogue with the US, with the goal of finalizing a bilateral trade agreement by fall this year. He emphasized that it’s too early to measure the actual effects of the tariffs, saying, “I don’t think we can talk about the impact yet, because it’s not fully clear.” Instead of reacting hastily, India has focused on engaging with the Trump administration directly and…

Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company, recently divested approximately $5.15 million worth of company stock. As reported in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2025, the sale included Class C Capital Stock executed at prices ranging from $157.23 to $159.97 per share. This comes at a time when Alphabet’s stock is nearing its 52-week low of $147.22, reflecting a nearly 20% drop in 2025 amid broader tech industry challenges. The stock sales were part of a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plan, created on December 2, 2024, which allows executives to…

Narendra Modi unveils the Pamban Bridge, a milestone project enhancing India’s railway connectivity. Costing $66 million and spanning 2.08 kilometers over the Palk Strait, it is the country’s first vertical-lift railway sea bridge. This new structure links Rameswaram, a prominent pilgrimage destination, to the Indian mainland, replacing the 110-year-old bridge decommissioned in 2022 due to aging and high maintenance.  A trial run was successfully completed ahead of the bridge’s official inauguration. During the inauguration, PM Modi remotely activated the bridge’s vertical-lift mechanism, demonstrating the operation of its 72.5-meter central span. The span can rise up to 17 meters to allow…

Renowned personal finance expert and author Ramit Sethi has ignited a wave of online discussion after criticizing the economic consequences of President Donald Trump’s newly introduced tariffs. In a widely shared post on X, Sethi highlighted how these import duties will sharply raise the cost of everyday goods, disproportionately affecting the very Americans who supported the policy. Sethi, known for his bestselling book “I Will Teach You To Be Rich,” expressed concern that the tariffs—ranging from 20% to 46%—on a range of imported household products will hit working-class families the hardest. Items like sponges, towels, coffeemakers, and power tools, mostly…

Effective April 1, 2025, the Hindu University of America (HUA) proudly welcomes Dr. Mahadevan Seetharaman as the new Dean of the California College of Ayurveda (CCA). This transition marks a new chapter for one of the most esteemed institutions of Ayurvedic education in the West. Founded in 1995 by Dr. Marc Halpern, a pioneer in the field, CCA holds the distinction of being the first state-approved Ayurvedic school in the U.S. Over the past three decades, it has grown into the largest and most respected center for Ayurvedic studies nationwide. Following its integration into the Hindu University of America in…

Speaking at the “Make America Wealthy Again” event in the White House Rose Garden, US President Donald Trump announced a 26% reciprocal tariff on India, citing trade imbalances. He acknowledged that while the imposed tariffs were not entirely reciprocal, they marked progress toward fairer trade. Trump proclaimed April 2, 2025, as “Liberation Day,” calling it a long-awaited milestone. “Today represents the resurgence of American industry and the reclaiming of our economic future. We will restore America’s prosperity.” During the announcement, Trump presented a chart comparing tariffs imposed by India, China, the UK, and the European Union, alongside the new US…

On the occasion of India’s first Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw’s 111th birth anniversary, actor Vicky Kaushal took to social media to pay a heartfelt tribute to the legendary military leader. The actor, who portrayed Field Marshal Manekshaw in the biographical film “Sam Bahadur,” shared a poignant message honoring his remarkable legacy and immense contributions to India’s military history. On Thursday, the ‘Uri’ actor posted a black and white photograph of Sam Manekshaw on his Instagram stories. Alongside the image, he wrote, “Happy Birthday, Legend.” To further commemorate the occasion, Vicky added the song “Banda,” composed by Shankar Mahadevan and Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy,…

Dr. Jayanta “Jay” Bhattacharya officially stepped into his role as the 18th Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on April 1. Nominated by former President Donald Trump in November 2024 and confirmed by the Senate on March 25, Bhattacharya takes over from Matthew J. Memoli, who had been serving as Acting Director since January 2025. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expressed confidence in Bhattacharya’s leadership, stating that his tenure will reinforce NIH’s commitment to rigorous scientific research. He emphasized their shared goals of addressing chronic diseases and advancing public health under the “Make…