Usha Chilukuri's grandaunt who never met her, hopes she remembers her Godavari roots

Usha Chilukuri Vance is currently making headlines in the US, ahead of the presidential elections. Usha, the wife of JD Vance, Donald Trump's vice-presidential running mate in the upcoming 2024 US presidential election, hails from a modest village in West Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh. A distant relative from her hometown hopes she will remember her Godavari roots and find ways to contribute to India.

C Shantamma, a 96-year-old physics professor based in Vizag, is gaining attention due to her distant relation to Usha Chilukuri Vance, despite never having met or spoken to her.

"I am related to Usha through my husband (C Subramanya Sastry). She is the granddaughter of my brother-in-law who worked as an IIT professor," Shantamma told a vernacular news channel on Wednesday.

Subramanya Sastry's oldest brother, C. Rama Sastry, is Usha Chilukuri Vance's grandfather. Her parents, C. Radhakrishna and Lakshmi, immigrated to the US around 1980.

According to the nonagenarian, who still teaches physics as an emeritus professor at a private university in Vizianagaram, Usha's family belonged to Vadduru village near Tanuku town in the lush green West Godavari district.

She was delighted to see Usha emerging as the spouse of a US vice-presidential candidate from the Republican Party, and conveyed her heartiest congratulations to the accomplished lawyer.

"I consider her a very important person. She would have had many powers. Also, she would have endured many difficulties," said Usha's grand aunt, noting JD Vance's contribution and efforts in promoting her success.

Describing Vance as a supportive husband, she mentioned that he likely helped Usha a lot in her career with a conducive atmosphere.

Further, she called on Usha to remember her Godavari roots and always chip in for India in whichever way possible from her end.

Vance, 39, was formally accepted the Republican vice-presidential nomination on the third day of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee in US on Wednesday, making him among the youngest Americans to ever hold that position.

Trump and his running mate Vance will challenge President Joe Biden and his Vice-President Kamala Harris from the Democratic Party in the November 5 presidential election.

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