When Usha Vance’s grandfather’s Telugu accent made IIT students fall in love with him
IIT alumni worldwide are celebrating Usha Chilukuri, granddaughter of esteemed IIT professor Rama Sastri, as she becomes the first Indian American Second Lady of the US. Known for his Telugu-accented English and dedicated teaching, Rama Sastri left a legacy in IIT lore, from humorous mess fee debates to a transformative MIT stint. Usha, Yale and Cambridge-educated, embodies this legacy, marrying JD Vance, Trump’s running mate. This milestone connects IIT’s academic heritage with the pinnacle of American politics.