J.D. Vance’s Vice Presidency elevates Usha Vance’s grandaunt to national spotlight

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): As Donald Trump secured victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, the Vice President-elect, J.D. Vance, gained special attention in India due to his wife, Usha. The historic win has brought pride to Usha’s family, particularly her 96-year-old grandaunt, Shantamma, who expressed her joy in a heartfelt conversation.

"It's a moment of happiness for our family, as Usha is part of our bloodline," said the nonagenarian. She went on to add, "Because she belongs to my family, I feel even more joyful." When asked about her message for Usha and the Trump-Vance duo, Shantamma urged them to focus on global perspectives, especially India. She stated, "When it comes to India, they should do positively good things for the country."

Shantamma, who is related to Usha through marriage, Usha’s father is the youngest son of Shantamma’s husband’s brother. Despite being 96 years old, Shantamma continues to inspire others with her unwavering passion for teaching Physics. She commutes over 60 kilometers daily to teach at Centurion University, where she has been a faculty member for the past six years. After seven decades of teaching, her commitment to the subject remains steadfast.

Though she supports herself with crutches after undergoing knee replacement surgeries, Prof. Santhamma teaches with the same energy and discipline she has always maintained. "Age doesn't matter," she says, quoting her mother, who lived to 104. "Health is all in the mind, and we must keep our minds and hearts healthy." Prof. Santhamma believes her purpose in life is to teach until her last breath, much like her idol, Albert Einstein, although she humbly adds, "I can't compare myself to him."