India’s Union Budget 2025 Declares Tax Relief for Middle-Class Families

A United States military aircraft carrying 205 Indian migrants took off from San Antonio, Texas, on February 4, 2025, bound for Amritsar, Punjab. This deportation flight is part of an intensified crackdown on illegal immigration by the Trump administration, which includes stricter border enforcement, according to a spokesperson from the US Embassy. The C-17 aircraft is expected to arrive in India within 24 hours. As part of broader immigration policies, recent measures also include the removal of deportation protections for around 348,000 Venezuelans in the US, as announced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The Trump administration claims these actions are necessary to combat illegal migration and protect US interests. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar responded to the situation, stating that the Indian government welcomes the return of its citizens living illegally abroad and noted an estimated 18,000 Indian nationals currently undocumented in the US. Military flights have also been employed to deport immigrants to other countries such as Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras.

India is currently experiencing an outbreak of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare neurological disorder, primarily in Pune, with approximately 160 reported cases since January. This uptick has led to five suspected deaths and overwhelmed local healthcare, with 48 patients in intensive care, 21 on ventilators, and others discharged, as stated by the Pune Municipal Corporation. According to experts, the outbreak is linked to a strain of the pathogen Campylobacter jejuni, known to cause foodborne infections. Studies by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences suggest that prior infections play a significant role in GBS, with Campylobacter identified in about one-third of tested patients in previous studies. Professor Hugh Willison from the University of Glasgow highlighted that certain strains of Campylobacter can induce GBS by mistakenly attacking nerve cells. Health authorities are responding by conducting extensive surveillance, advising communities on food safety practices, and setting up dedicated hospital wards for GBS patients. The World Health Organization is collaborating with local health officials to monitor the situation amid rising public concerns.

As US immigration policies tighten, Indian professionals are increasingly turning to Hindu temples for divine intervention in securing US visas. The phenomenon has been particularly notable at the Chamatkari Hanuman temple in Ahmedabad, where applicants place their passports before Lord Hanuman and recite hymns, hoping for favorable outcomes. Temple priest Vijay Bhatt claimed that many devotees experienced expedited visa approvals after performing rituals, stating, “If you believe, it will happen.” The situation stems from executive orders issued by former President Donald Trump, which intensified scrutiny of visa applications. This has led to concerns about the future of the H-1B visa program, crucial for skilled workers, with a significant majority of recipients hailing from India. At Hyderabad's Chilkur Balaji temple, devotees perform extensive rituals including 108 circumambulations, demonstrating their dedication. One engineer shared that despite being the only one among eleven applicants to receive approval, she continues to visit the temple regularly. Temple priests report that many go to great lengths—such as dietary restrictions over extended periods—expressing their earnest hopes for visa success.