In a remote village in southern Andhra Pradesh, India, a celebration marked the announcement of Donald Trump’s claim of victory in the US election, as locals took pride in knowing Usha Vance, a descendant of their village, would soon become the “Second Lady.” Usha Vance, a successful lawyer and academic, is married to JD Vance, Trump’s running mate.
Hopeful Celebrations in Vadluru Village
While Usha Vance was born and raised in San Diego, California, her family’s roots trace back to the village of Vadluru in Andhra Pradesh. Residents there offered prayers and hopes that Usha’s success might bring positive changes to their village. “We feel happy,” shared Srinivasa Raju, 53, a Vadluru resident. “We support Trump.”
Local Hindu priest Appaji expressed his desire for Usha Vance to honour her roots and bring improvements to Vadluru. Standing in saffron robes before a Ganesh idol, he prayed for a Trump victory, saying, “If she can recognize her roots and do something good for this village, then that would be great.”
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Historic Family Ties Inspire Pride
Usha’s great-grandfather hailed from Vadluru before her father, Dr Chilukuri Radhakrishnan, moved to Chennai and eventually to the United States for his higher studies. Now 38, Usha studied at Yale and Cambridge, eventually marrying JD Vance in 2014. Together, they have three children.
“We feel proud of Usha because she is of Indian origin,” said Venkata Ramanayy, 70, expressing hope that Usha’s success could potentially benefit their community. Though Usha has not yet visited the village, locals say her father visited the Vadluru temple three years ago.
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Trump-Era Relations Viewed Favorably
Many villagers reflected on US-India relations during Trump’s previous presidency. “We have already seen the governance of Trump — very good,” Ramanayy added. With approximately 4.8 million people of Indian descent in the US as per the 2020 census, Usha’s story resonates with the larger Indian-American journey of success and aspiration.
Other Villages Celebrate Indian Heritage Figures
Some 730 kilometers southwest in Thulasendrapuram, the ancestral home of Kamala Harris’s grandfather, villagers reflect on their connection to the current Vice President. “She is inspiring this village,” said TS Anbarasu, 63. “Any school in the surrounding area, students know about Kamala Harris.” Anbarasu emphasized the community’s pride, saying they would treat Harris like family if she visited.
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As Usha Vance steps into the public spotlight as the wife of JD Vance, many in her ancestral village hope that her achievements may create a positive ripple effect across the globe, ultimately benefiting their own lives.
