Usha Vance: The Next Rising Star of Indian Heritage on the Global Stage | Vijayawada News – Times of India

VISAKHAPATNAM: Andhra Pradesh was happy with Donald Trump becoming the 47th President of United States on Wednesday, thanks to the Telugu heritage of Usha Vance, spouse of Vice President-elect JD Vance, a key supporter of Trump. The parents of Usha Chilukuri (Usha Vance), soon-to-be Second Lady, hail from Andhra Pradesh. Usha, who met Vance while studying law at Yale University, has been married to him since 2014.
Speaking to TOI, Usha’s grandmother Chilukuri Santhamma (96), an honorary professor at Centurion University in Vizianagaram despite her advanced age, expressed her pride and joy at the news. “The day JD Vance was nominated as the vice-presidential candidate, I predicted his win. Women like (former Prime Minister) Indira Gandhi and (India’s first woman cabinet minister) Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit brought honour to India. Now, it’s Usha’s turn to elevate the prestige of our country even further. I heard that she has been a pillar of support and guidance for JD Vance through his personal, professional, and political milestones. I also came to know that she has supported Trump on legal matters, as she is well-versed in the legal profession. Usha must have inherited the sharp intellect and acumen that runs in our family,” said Santhamma.
She said before she left for the university on Wednesday morning, she was told that Republicans were leading in the vote count. “Later in the day, someone informed me of their victory. It’s a proud moment for our family. Out of my deep commitment to the welfare of the country, I hope to see them contribute to education and employment opportunities in India,” added Santhamma, who travels 60 kilometres either side to Vizianagaram to continue her passion for teaching and social service.
IT minister Nara Lokesh described Vance’s election as a “moment of great significance” for the people of Andhra Pradesh. “Usha Vance, the Second Lady-designate, has her roots in Andhra Pradesh. We are proud that people of AP origin are making their mark in various fields across the world,” he said in a social media post.
In his victory speech, President-elect Donald Trump praised Vance and his “remarkable and beautiful wife Usha”, highlighting their shared journey and accomplishments.
Usha Chilukuri hails from a long line of scholars, with roots tracing back to Saipuram village in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. Her family has a rich history of education, dating back to the 18th century when Chilukuri Buchipapayya Sastri, a renowned scholar, lived in the village. Some of her relatives, who also currently reside in Saipuram and Vadluru village in West Godavari, offered special prayers at local temples praying for the victory of Republicans.
Usha’s great grandfather, Veeravadhanlu, had five sons — Rama Sastri, Suryanarayana Sastri, Subrahmanya Sastri, Venkateswarlu, and Gopala Krishnamurthy — all of whom were highly educated and accomplished in their respective fields. Among them, Rama Sastri moved to Madras (now Chennai), where he became a professor at the Indian Institute of Technology. He married Balatripura Sundari, and together they had three sons and a daughter, Sharada. While their three sons later moved to the United States, their daughter Sharada stays in Chennai.
Rama Sastri’s son, Radhakrishna, followed in his father’s academic footsteps and pursued a career in aeronautical engineering. After completing his studies, Radhakrishna moved to the United States, where he now works at the University of San Diego. He married Lakshmi, who hails from the village of Pamarru in Krishna district. Usha is their daughter.