<div class='bc_element' id='bc_element'1 style=' background:#FFFFFF;color:#000000;font-family:Verdana;width:auto;padding:5px;max-height:100%;'><span><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">Donald Trump's win in the 2024 U.S. Presidential election brought unexpected celebrations to Andhra Pradesh, especially in the villages of Vadluru and Saipuram, where the family of Usha Vance, wife of Vice President-elect JD Vance, has deep roots. As news spread of Trump and Vance’s victory, these villages erupted with pride and joy, fueled by Usha’s Telugu heritage and her close ties to her ancestral villages in Andhra Pradesh.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">&nbsp;Celebrations in Vadluru and Saipuram: Honoring Telugu Roots</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">Vadluru village, located just a few kilometers from the town of Tanuku in West Godavari district, was alive with festivities as Usha’s connection to the village was celebrated. Villagers burst firecrackers, offered prayers, and distributed sweets to mark the occasion. It was a proud moment for the village, which felt honored to see one of its own in such a prominent position in global politics.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">P Srinivasa Raju, a former president of Vadluru village, shared his excitement, explaining that the village had gathered at the local Sai Baba temple to pray for JD Vance’s victory before the election results. Coincidentally, this temple was constructed on land donated by Usha’s family, making the celebrations feel even more connected to the community. “We celebrated Usha’s husband’s victory. It is a proud moment that someone linked to our village will be stepping into the White House,” Raju said.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">Many of Usha’s relatives still reside in these villages, with her distant family members offering special prayers in local temples for the success of Trump and Vance. Villagers hope Usha’s heritage and connection to Vadluru will lead to stronger ties with the region and potentially bring positive developments to the area.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">&nbsp;A Family of Scholars: Usha’s Roots in Andhra Pradesh</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">Usha Chilukuri Vance hails from a lineage steeped in education and scholarship. Her family has a long tradition of learning and social contribution that dates back to the 18th century. Her great-grandfather, Veeravadhanlu, raised five sons, all of whom excelled academically. Among them, C Rama Sastri became a professor at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Madras. His son, Radhakrishna, Usha’s father, pursued aeronautical engineering and eventually moved to the United States in the 1980s, where he established his career at the University of San Diego.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14px;">Despite living far from her family’s roots, Usha’s grandmother, Chilukuri Santhamma, a respected honorary professor in physics at Centurion University in Vizianagaram, holds immense pride in her granddaughter’s achievements. At 96, Santhamma remains actively engaged in teaching and social work, commuting regularly to Vizianagaram from her village. Santhamma expressed that Usha, now the Second Lady-designate, embodies the strength, intellect, and resilience of the family. Reflecting on women leaders like Indira Gandhi and Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, Santhamma stated that Usha has the opportunity to elevate Indian heritage on the world stage and serve as a beacon of pride for all Telugu people.</span></p><span></div><a href='null'><div id='bc_element'1 ><img height='400px' width='auto;' class='img_dynaPost' src='/BlitzMobiImages/consumers/company551995499/mediafiles/X3kj9B4W571.tmp'/></div></a><div class='bc_element' id='bc_element'1 style=' background:#FFFFFF;color:#000000;font-family:Verdana;width:auto;padding:5px;max-height:100%;'><span><p style="transition-property: all;"><span style="transition-property: all;">Andhra Pradesh has always taken pride in its diaspora achieving success abroad, and Usha’s rise to prominence as the wife of the Vice President-elect of the United States has been no different. The Indian-American community, particularly Telugu-speaking families, find in her success a reminder of their potential to contribute meaningfully to both the United States and India. Nara Lokesh, IT Minister of Andhra Pradesh, expressed his pride in Usha’s heritage, highlighting that her connection to Andhra Pradesh underscores the global influence of Indians.</span></p><p style="transition-property: all;"><span style="transition-property: all;">JD Vance’s election victory resonated with locals as Usha’s family ties brought a sense of connection to the political event halfway across the world. Villagers in Vadluru see it as more than a personal victory for Usha; they view it as a testament to the contributions of Telugu Indians in global affairs and a bridge connecting Andhra Pradesh to America’s political sphere.</span></p><p style="transition-property: all;"><span style="transition-property: all;">&nbsp;The Influence of the Vance Family and Telugu Heritage on the Global Stage</span></p><p style="transition-property: all;"><span style="transition-property: all;">Donald Trump’s return to the presidency with JD Vance as his Vice President has already sparked discussions about shifts in global politics. The Telugu diaspora and local communities in Andhra Pradesh feel that Usha’s role, though unofficial, will be significant as a bridge between India and the United States. Known as a skilled lawyer, Usha has supported her husband through critical political and personal milestones, and her insights are expected to influence Vance’s perspectives on global issues, including India-U.S. relations.</span></p><p style="transition-property: all;"><span style="transition-property: all;">In his victory speech, Trump acknowledged Usha’s importance in Vance’s life, calling her “remarkable and beautiful.” Observers believe her cultural understanding and heritage could positively influence bilateral relations between India and the U.S., especially in areas such as education, technology, and employment opportunities.</span></p><p style="transition-property: all;"><span style="transition-property: all;">As the world watches the next phase of U.S. politics under Trump and Vance, communities in Andhra Pradesh are hopeful that Usha’s Telugu roots will inspire initiatives that benefit both nations. For her family in Andhra Pradesh, Usha’s journey is a legacy of resilience, intellect, and pride that now resonates on a global level.</span></p><span></div>