'Grandfather category': Usha Vance recalls how her kids bonded with PM Modi during India visit
Vance family's visit to India in April (ANI photo)
US Vice President
JD Vance's wife, Usha Vance, on Monday heaped praise on Prime Minister
Narendra Modi
for his hospitality after the Vance family visited India in April.
Usha said meeting PM Modi was very special, and her kids put him in the "grandfather category" after meeting him.
"Meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that was really very special. My kids saw him — they were sort of sleep-deprived in Paris, and they saw an Indian man with a white beard and white hair, and they just put him in the grandfather category immediately," Usha said.
"They are very into him; they just love him, and he really cemented his status by giving our five-year-old a birthday present that day. When we were able to visit his home, they just sort of ran up.
They were hugging him. He was just incredibly kind and generous to them," said US Second Lady Usha Vance on meeting PM Modi during their visit to India.
Usha claimed that JD Vance had a very productive conversation with PM Modi, and the visit was a real opportunity for them to "cement the personal relationship."
"I think it was a very productive conversation for JD Vance and the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi), of course.
But also, I think it was a real opportunity for us to kind of cement that personal relationship that they have, which I think is only to the good," she said.
"There was a puppet show that was a particular highlight, with sort of puppeteering from all over the country, including from Andhra Pradesh, where my family is from. There were bits from the Ramayana, there were sort of comedic bits with animals, and it was a huge hit. My kids have been trying to recreate it at home with construction paper," said US Second Lady Usha Vance on meeting PM Modi and their visit to India.
JD Vance, along with his family, was on a four-day visit to India, which was also his first official visit to the country since assuming office.
JD Vance is married to Usha Chilukuri Vance, a Yale Law graduate and accomplished attorney whose family hails from Andhra Pradesh.
Fluent in Telugu and deeply connected to her cultural heritage, Usha is one of the most prominent Indian-American women in conservative legal circles. She's also been a transformative influence in JD's life—not just personally, but spiritually.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
15 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Findings to spruce up economic data, urban-rural gauges
The upcoming population census will improve the representativeness of sample surveys conducted to track important economic metrics and the changing equations between urban and rural agglomerations in the country, thus aiding more informed policy making, experts reckoned. Pronab Sen, former chief statistician of India says that the recent surveys being conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO) have become less reliable as they have been drawing their samples from the previous census, which was conducted way back in 2011. 'The new census data will help in improving the samples that are used for NSO surveys, thus increasing their representativeness of the things happening in the Indian economy, particularly on parameters like consumption, health and labour markets,'he noted. TCA Anant, adjunct professor, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, and a former chief statistician said the census will be helpful in determining the true extent of urbanisation as well as the gender mix of the population. 'A lot of economic data is based on samples drawn from rural and urban stratums. Data on rural-urban division is quite fuzzy. From the time the last census was conducted, urbanisation has occurred at a rapid pace and we have been underestimating it since then… so the new data will help define urban-rural areas better,' he said. The next census' findings will also help identify the extent of India's ageing population and vulnerability levels. 'We have no reliable estimates of the senior citizens in the country, which affects our measure of the penetration of pension products in the country,' pointed out said Mukesh Anand, assistant professor at the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy. PC Mohanan, former acting chairman of the National Statistical Commission, said the Census 2027 data will be helpful to arrive at better estimates of employment indicators, particularly for the Periodic Labour Force Surveys (PLFS) and the Reserve Bank of India's KLEMS database. Moreover, the universal survey's data will also be used to update the National Population Register. 'However, one thing that will be a bit tricky will be the conduct of caste census, as the government is yet to come up with the methodology and the questionnaire,' Mohanan averred. In 2023, Shamika Ravi, member EAC-PM had said all major surveys in India that were conducted after 2011, and used the Census 2011 for the sampling frame, have significantly overestimated the proportion of the rural population.
Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
From Tourist Family to Lal Salaam: Watch these Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu OTT releases on Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar
Get ready for a diverse lineup of fresh OTT releases this week, packed with everything from heartfelt family dramas to thrilling paranormal tales. Whether you're into emotional journeys, socio-political stories, or gripping suspense, platforms like JioHotstar , SunNXT, Aha Tamil, and Netflix have you covered. With star-studded casts and compelling narratives, these new arrivals promise to keep you entertained and hooked. Here's a quick look at what's coming your way, perfect for updating your watchlist right now! Tourist Family JioHotstar June 2, 2025 Starring Sasikumar and Simran, Tourist Family tells a heartfelt story of a Sri Lankan family making their way to Tamil Nadu in search of a better life. With strong performances from Mithun Jai Shankar and Kamalesh Jagan, the film won hearts during its theatrical run and scored big at the box office. Now streaming on JioHotstar, Tourist Family continues to get rave reviews from viewers. Lal Salaam SunNXT, OTTplay Premium June 6, 2025 Directed by Aishwarya Rajinikanth, Lal Salaam is a Tamil drama that's finally making its OTT debut after a 2024 theatrical release. Set amid intense socio-political tension, the film follows two young aspiring cricketers trying to make their mark. And yes, superstar Rajinikanth makes a memorable extended cameo, adding extra charm to this story that's all about peace and hope. Devika and Danny JioHotstar June 6, 2025 This fresh Telugu series tracks Devika, a young woman on the brink of marriage, whose life takes an unexpected turn when Danny arrives. Starring Mazaka's Ritu Varma and Surya Vashistta, and directed by B Kishore, the series blends romance, drama, and a life-changing prophecy that'll keep you hooked episode after episode. Vadakkan Aha Tamil, OTTplay Premium June 6, 2025 In Vadakkan, a paranormal investigator heads to a Kerala island after mysterious deaths, only to encounter a sinister force. Featuring Kannada actor Kishore, Shruthy Menon, and Merin Philip, and directed by Sajeed A., this Tamil-dubbed thriller is a technically brilliant and gripping watch that won't let you look away. Retro Netflix Streaming Retro follows a gangster who's sworn off violence, trying to lead a peaceful life for his wife's sake. Directed by Karthik Subbaraj, the star-studded cast includes Suriya, Pooja Hegde, Joju George, Jayaram, and more. The film releases on Netflix in multiple languages—Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam—so everyone can catch this intense drama.
News18
27 minutes ago
- News18
Trump's New Visa Vetting Process Sends Indian Students In Frenzy To Delete Social Media Posts
Last Updated: The Trump administration announced a new process that includes social media profile screening of visa applicants, causing Indian students to delete posts and social media accounts. Indian students are rushing frantically to delete social media posts in a desperate bid to escape the Trump administration's crackdown on international students, after it announced a new process that includes social media profile screening. An internal cable from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the social media posts of visa applicants will be scrutinised before allowing them entry. The move came amid a broader crackdown on international students after pro-Palestinian protests engulfed US university campuses last year. This move has sparked alarm among Indian students applying for US colleges and sent them into a frenzy to delete their social media posts that the Trump administration may see and deem sufficient enough to deny them entry into the country. How Social Media Vetting Has Affected Students? Amid Trump's strict social media checks for visa applicants, a growing number of Indian students are not only deleting their posts but removing their accounts altogether to avoid circumstances that derail their plans to study in the US. A student named Manya (name changed), who was selected for a master's programme at an Ivy League university, has deleted her Instagram and LinkedIn profiles after her visa counsellor warned her that her political posts may pose a threat to her application, according to a report by India Today. Another student, Diljeet (name changed), turned his social media handles to private settings. They are among the students who are concerned that their political views, humour or activism may be misinterpreted by US authorities, which would eventually result in the rejection of their visas. Even the smallest hint of political activism may lead to the rejection of a US visa, says Mamta Shekhawat, founder of 'Immigration authorities require student visa applicants to provide their social media handles for the previous five years, allowing them to make character evaluations and determine whether and how the applicant's professional and academic background matches the visa objectives," she said. Will This Protect Students? However, visa counsellors have warned that such a drastic step, such as the sudden deletion of content or social media handles, could raise suspicion that can lead to suspicion among US vetting authorities. They have also warned that even liking or sharing content could be considered illegal. Shekhawat asserted the importance of responsible online behaviour, saying students need to be careful about what they delete, as this pattern might become evident during the vetting process. Pro-Palestinian views or perceived anti-American sentiments could invite extra scrutiny on the applicants. A PhD student at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) began erasing his social media presence, after a US university paused his post-doctoral appointment, as per reports. However, he remains unsure about whether it would be enough to get the visa. What Is Social Media Vetting? The US State Department's directive indicates a plan to issue updated guidance on social media vetting for all student and exchange visitor (F, M, J) visa applicants to scrutinize applicants' online activity and thereby assess their eligibility for entry. 'Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued … in the coming days," a Tuesday diplomatic cable reportedly said, as reported by Politico. Officials will review social media profiles for content that could deem them inadmissible, and posts – like the ones on terrorism and antisemitism – could trigger intensified scrutiny. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Indian students United states us visa rules Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 04, 2025, 23:03 IST News world Trump's New Visa Vetting Process Sends Indian Students In Frenzy To Delete Social Media Posts
