Author: Akancha Mishra

A large gathering of locals and members of the Indian diaspora gave a rousing and heartfelt welcome to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he arrived at his hotel in Jeddah on Tuesday afternoon. The Prime Minister was greeted with vibrant cultural performances and chants of “Modi-Modi” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” as the atmosphere reverberated with energy and pride. Adding to the celebratory fervor, Saudi singer Hashim Abbas performed the iconic patriotic song “Ae Watan…”, drawing cheers and applause from the audience, including Prime Minister Modi himself. “I have a deep love for India, and people often told me that…

Indian American biotech leader Reshma Kewalramani, President and CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, has been named to TIME100, TIME magazine’s prestigious list of the world’s most influential people. Joining her is Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, who is currently guiding Bangladesh as Chief Adviser of its interim government. Kewalramani, who immigrated to the U.S. from India at age 11, became the first woman to lead a major U.S. biotechnology company when she was appointed CEO of Boston-based Vertex in 2020. A trained nephrologist, the Indian American scientist has built a career around developing transformative medicines—most notably leading to the approval…

In a monumental stride toward discovering life beyond Earth, Indian-origin astrophysicist Dr. Nikku Madhusudhan and his research team have identified what may be signs of biological activity on K2-18b, an exoplanet orbiting a cool dwarf star about 120 light-years away. Their findings revolve around the detection of dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a molecule on Earth exclusively linked to living organisms like marine algae. Dr. Madhusudhan, born in India in 1980, earned his undergraduate degree in technology from IIT (BHU), Varanasi. He later advanced his studies at MIT, where he completed his master’s and Ph.D. in planetary science under the mentorship of…

India is set to launch a $4 billion Design-Linked Incentive (DLI) program aimed at boosting electronics innovation. The initiative will focus on strengthening the nation’s position in the global tech industry by promoting high-value patents and reducing dependence on imported components, targeting 30 sectors in semiconductors and 30 in electronics manufacturing. Spanning multiple years, the program is structured to reward companies based on their capital investment and revenue. The broader goal is to nurture an environment that promotes indigenous design capabilities, encourages research-driven growth, and shields the industry from global supply chain disruptions. The proposal, grounded in recommendations made by…

British entrepreneur and digital creator of Indian origin, Erim Kaur, has turned her personal story into a multimillion-dollar success. Her luxury hair care brand, ByErim, has brought in more than $4 million in global revenue since its launch in 2019, as reported by CNBC Make It. The brand’s rise is largely credited to Kaur’s powerful online presence, which includes over 700,000 followers on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. At 30, Kaur attributes her achievement to a strong connection with her core audience—young men and women of Indian heritage looking for beauty guidance rooted in culture and identity. “I’ve always wanted…

In a historic declaration, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has officially recognised April 14, 2025, as “Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar Day,” marking the 134th birth anniversary of India’s Constitution architect and one of the world’s most respected human rights advocates. The proclamation honours Dr. Ambedkar’s unwavering commitment to democracy, gender equity, and social justice. Mayor Adams remarked, “Dr. Ambedkar stood for the rights of farmers, tenants, and the marginalized. His powerful message to ‘educate, agitate, organise’ resonates deeply with New York’s values of inclusivity and diversity.” Dr. Ambedkar, a Columbia University alumnus, drew inspiration from his time in New…

President Droupadi Murmu, during her official visit to Slovakia, participated in the Slovakia-India Business Forum in Bratislava, where she underlined India’s strong intention to deepen its economic partnership with Slovakia. Addressing an audience of business leaders and dignitaries, she emphasized that the forum is a valuable platform to identify shared opportunities and establish profitable collaborations. Murmu noted that her visit included a large and diverse business delegation from India, indicating the eagerness of Indian enterprises to explore Slovakia’s growing potential. Highlighting the strength of bilateral relations, she pointed to the automotive sector as a standout area of cooperation—citing Jaguar Land…

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…