Usha Chilukuri, Telugu-origin woman, set to become Second Lady in US

In a remarkable turn of events, Usha Chilukuri, a woman of Telugu origin, is set to become the Second Lady of the United States, as her husband, JD Vance, is projected to be elected as Vice President after the Republican Party’s victory in the US presidential election. Vance’s anticipated success follows a significant lead in electoral votes, securing the Republican majority, while his political mentor, Donald Trump, is expected to secure a second term as President.
While the US presidential race traditionally garners global attention, this time, Usha’s family roots in Andhra Pradesh have brought a fresh wave of excitement and pride among the Telugu-speaking community in India. Usha’s rise to prominence parallels the achievements of Kamala Harris, who, with her Indian heritage, made history as the first woman and person of South Asian descent to serve as US Vice President. This time, Usha’s connection to the Andhra Pradesh region has sparked discussions across the state, particularly in her ancestral village of Saipuram, located in Vyyuru mandal of Krishna district.
Usha Chilukuri’s lineage is steeped in academic distinction. She is the granddaughter of the esteemed physicist C Shanthamma, a 96-year-old professor who taught at Andhra University and now resides in Visakhapatnam. Shanthamma, who continues to inspire many with her intellectual contributions, revealed that Usha’s paternal grandfather, T Rama Sastry, was a renowned professor at IIT. Rama Sastry’s children, Radhakrishna and Lakshmi, both migrated to the US in the 1970s and have since built successful careers as professors, Radhakrishna in engineering and Lakshmi in molecular biology, both based in San Diego.
Usha’s roots in Saipuram village, a small settlement in the Krishna district, highlight the journey of a family that has moved across continents to make their mark in the world of academia and beyond. The migration of Usha’s relatives to the United States in the 1970s is a reflection of the broader wave of Indian immigrants who sought better educational and professional opportunities.
Today, Usha herself is a well-educated professional residing in the US, where she has built a reputation not only as the wife of JD Vance but also as a prominent figure in her own right. Her heritage has made her a symbol of achievement for many in her home state of Andhra Pradesh, where her success has become a point of pride.
The election of JD Vance as US Vice President is set to make waves in both American politics and international relations.
The global Indian diaspora, especially those with ties to Andhra Pradesh, is watching closely as Usha Chilukuri prepares to take on the role of Second Lady. While Kamala Harris’s tenure as Vice President has already fostered greater recognition of South Asian influence in US politics, Usha’s story adds another layer to the growing impact of Indian-Americans in the political landscape.