| Greetings from India! You're reading Meanwhile, Back Home, our daily newsletter specially curated for our overseas readers. While you were asleep, it was a whirlwind of a day here in India. We've got the top highlights lined up for you.
Dear reader, Back home, a new US visa rule requiring F, M, and J applicants to share five years of social media handles has left Indian students scrambling to clean up their digital trails. Many are archiving political posts, locking down accounts, and stressing over vague phrases like “violations of American values.” With little clarity on what might raise red flags, fear and uncertainty are high. Still, education experts urge calm: “Be authentic, not paranoid,” advises GradRight. Harvard, meanwhile, is preparing remote options for students unable to travel. One student sums it up: “Even memes feel risky now.”
Back home, a controversy brewing continents away in the United States of America over the colonial-era debate of savage and civilized is also making waves in India. It began with Texas Congressman Brandon Gill’s post on X, slamming NYC mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani for eating rice with his hands in a resurfaced video. “Civilized people in America don’t eat like this,” Gill wrote. “If you refuse to adopt Western customs, go back to the Third World.” Mamdani, born in Uganda to Indian parents, defended the practice, stating that eating with hands is cultural. Armed with memes and history lessons, social media users were quick to jump on either side of the fence. Users quickly dug up photos of Gill's own father-in-law, right-wing commentator Dinesh D’Souza, eating with his hands, and even pointed to Gill enjoying pizza and hot dogs with his. Adding fuel to the fire, Gill’s wife, Danielle D’Souza Gill, defended his comments. “I always use a fork.” The episode has sparked a wider cultural reckoning over food, identity, and American racism.
💡Spotlight US President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind a Senate bill that could slap a staggering 500% tariff on countries still trading with Russia namely, India and China. The move, designed to throttle Russia’s war economy, is gaining steam fast and could reshape US relations with two of its biggest trade partners. Here’s what you need to know: 📌 Strongly backed Supported by 84 senators across party lines, the proposed law would empower the President to penalise countries buying Russian oil or goods. The motive is to dry up Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war chest and push Russia toward negotiating peace in Ukraine. 📌 In the crosshairs Both India and China import discounted Russian oil, which Senator Lindsey Graham says keeps “Putin’s war machine going.” The bill aims to force their hand through sheer economic pressure, but the fallout could be enormous. If passed, the law could spark a tit-for-tat trade conflict, especially with India, a key US strategic and economic partner. 📌 Caution advised While initially cool on the idea, Trump has now signaled support, reportedly greenlighting the bill while golfing. Still, reports suggest the administration is urging some softening of the bill’s language.
☕ Spill the Expresso An untimely death Actor Shefali Jariwala, 42, died of cardiac arrest on Saturday. Her husband, Parag Tyagi, was questioned, but the autopsy revealed no signs of foul play, said close friend Pooja Ghai. Parag, reportedly numb with grief, was walking their dog when Shefali collapsed. Though rushed to the hospital, she was declared dead on arrival. Ghai said Shefali’s disciplined health habits and revealed she had taken an IV drip earlier that day. The police have registered a case of accidental death, with the final cause pending.
🚨 Must Read Express Investigation: In a single day, a ghost account with just ₹556 opening balance moved crores — ₹3.72 crore in, ₹3.33 crore out — without triggering bank alarms. The account, under the name “Jeevika Foundation” linked to an unoccupied East Delhi flat, is now under probe in six states. Victims include a retired Air Force officer and a top ad executive trapped in digital arrest scams. Despite bank claims of KYC compliance, alerts failed. As blame shifts among institutions, Indian Express uncovers how cyber scamsters moved stolen funds in plain sight.
📚Book Nook What youngsters are reading Manga, manhwa, and manhua are no longer just cult favorites. They are reshaping how young India chills, connects, and feels. From late-night scrolls to cosplay at Comic Con, these stories are everywhere. Emotional, dramatic, and wildly addictive, they are speaking to a new generation. Have a good day, Until tomorrow, Aishwarya Khosla
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