Author: Akancha Mishra

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…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Chile an “important friend and partner” in Latin America during President Gabriel Boric Font’s first official visit to India. The leaders engaged in extensive discussions at Hyderabad House, identifying new avenues for cooperation in trade, strategic partnerships, and research initiatives. Highlighting Chile’s geographic significance, PM Modi described the country as India’s gateway to Antarctica. A letter of intent was signed to enhance collaboration in this domain, reinforcing India’s commitment to scientific research and exploration in the region. The two nations also emphasized expanding bilateral trade relations, particularly through a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. PM Modi…

Kash Patel’s first month as FBI Director has seen decisive actions aimed at tackling critical law enforcement issues highlighted during the Trump administration, such as violent crime, gang violence, and drug trafficking. Republican lawmakers have commended Patel for his transparency, particularly his efforts in releasing long-awaited documents to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. Patel’s leadership has already led to significant achievements, such as the capture of three high-profile fugitives from the FBI’s most-wanted list. Among them was Arnoldo Jimenez, wanted for the 2012 murder of his wife, Donald Eugene Fields II, accused of child sex trafficking and rape, and…

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to visit London next week, from April 8-10, where she will engage in discussions related to bilateral trade and investment. Additionally, she will hold talks under the India-United Kingdom Economic and Financial Dialogue, a key mechanism aimed at strengthening economic cooperation between the two nations. During her visit, Sitharaman is expected to meet with her UK counterpart, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves. The India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue serves as a crucial institutional platform that facilitates discussions on enhancing trade and investment between India and the United Kingdom. According to a senior official,…

The Association of Indians in America – New York Chapter (AIA-NY) hosted its inauguration ceremony, welcoming Beena Kothari as the new President along with the Executive Committee. The event, held in New York, saw an attendance of over 150 distinguished guests, including elected officials, community leaders, and media representatives. The ceremony began with the singing of the American and Indian national anthems by Bina Sabapthy, Jyoti Gupta, and Roopam Maini, followed by a Ganesh Vandana performance by Hamsaasya School of Dance. Harsh Vyas and Jasbir Jay Singh served as the event’s emcees. In her address, President Kothari emphasized the significance…