Latest news with #Santhamma
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Science
- Time of India
US Second Lady Usha Vance's grandmother, Prof Chilukuri Santhamma, continues to empower future generations even at the age of 96
1 2 Visakhapatnam: Long before Usha Chilukuri Vance gained prominence as the US Second Lady, her grandmother, Prof Chilukuri Santhamma (96), had already earned renown in India. Despite her advanced age, she remains a beacon of knowledge, working as a physics professor at a private university in Vizianagaram while commuting nearly 150 kilometres each day. Beyond her academic accomplishments, Prof Santhamma embodies a profound philanthropic spirit. She selflessly donated her Visakhapatnam residence — currently valued at approximately Rs 10 crore — to Vivekanand Medical Trust . She is even in the process of authoring a research publication on group theory. Rising at 3 am every day to cook and pack her lunch for the university, she exemplifies the discipline and resilience that have defined her remarkable career. She insists that her commitment to research and teaching will continue till God grants her the strength to do so. Born in Machilipatnam on March 8, 1929 — a date now celebrated worldwide as International Women's Day — Prof Santhamma displayed academic brilliance from an early age. During her intermediate studies at Mrs AVN College in Visakhapatnam, she distinguished herself as the top student at Andhra University. A recipient of Raja Vikrama Deo gold medal, she later pursued higher education at the Jeypore Vikrama Deo College of Science and Technology (popularly known as AU Science College) on the Andhra University campus. Incidentally, her first day at Andhra University was on August 15, 1974, a day that coincides with India's Independence Day. Her illustrious teaching career began in earnest in 1956 when she joined Andhra University as a lecturer. Even after retiring in 1989, her passion remained undiminished; she returned as an honorary faculty member at Andhra University, devoting herself entirely to research and teaching. Later, when Prof GSN Raju — a former vice-chancellor of Andhra University and one of her former students — assumed a leadership role at Centurion University (eventually being promoted to chancellor), he invited her to join the faculty there. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like UK: Prefab House With Toilet And Bath - Shocking New Price (2025) LocalPlan Learn More Undo Prof Santhamma's scholarly pursuits extend well beyond the confines of physics. Her significant expertise in atomic and molecular spectroscopy has earned her widespread acclaim. At the same time, her deep engagement with ancient Indian texts — the Puranas, Vedas, and Upanishads — demonstrates that true scholarship transcends disciplinary boundaries. Among her notable literary contributions is 'Bhagavadgeetha – The Divine Directive', an English interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita's slokas. She also oversaw the publication of a comprehensive seven-volume work on Vedic Mathematics, originally authored by Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Bharati Krishna Tirthaji. Under her mentorship, 17 students earned doctoral degrees and four have completed their MPhil studies, further cementing her legacy as an inspirational educator. Prof Santhamma says she derives immense joy from teaching and sharing knowledge, and enriching my students' lives. "I loved learning and teaching since I was a child, which is why I chose this profession. Even at this age (96), educating young minds remains my top priority. My heart fills with joy every time I engage with my students, and as long as God grants me the opportunity, I will continue to teach," she says. Usha is the granddaughter of her husband Subramanya Sastry's eldest brother, Rama Sastry. "She seems to have inherited the sharp intellect and acumen that runs in our family. Both my husband (Subramanya Sastry) and his elder brother (Rama Sastry), who is Usha's grandfather, served as university professors. Our family also holds deep societal concerns. My husband, in fact, spent two years in jail during the emergency period as he was the Andhra Pradesh chief of RSS at the time," she reminisced. Centurion University chancellor and former Andhra University vice-chancellor, Prof GSN Raju, fondly recalls the profound impact of Prof Santhamma's teaching and cherishes the time he learned and worked alongside her at Andhra University. "She is an exceptional teacher and researcher, renowned for spearheading innovative projects. She is highly prolific in publishing research papers in international journals. I consider myself fortunate that she was my teacher at Andhra University, where she taught Physics during my BTech studies in the early 1970s. It is an honour that she dedicated her book 'Bhagavadgeetha – The Divine Directive' to me — an indication of her personal affection," he said. Even at the age of 96, she continues to guide students towards a bright future by conducting extensive research and authoring books on Vedic Mathematics, he noted. "She is one of the few professors actively researching this field and has also translated works from Telugu into English. I am deeply grateful for her wisdom and mentorship. I have been honoured to be considered her best student — having topped all branches as a gold medallist with an unbroken record CGPA of 10 and scoring 94 marks in physics under her guidance in my first year," Prof Raju recalled.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Why did revenue officials visit Usha Vance's 96-year-old grandmother in Vizag? US vice president's India trip sparks local buzz
: For people of , the visit of US Vice-President J D Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance to India was more than just a formal diplomatic engagement; it felt like a heartfelt homecoming. As Usha was seen dressing her children in traditional Indian attire during their visit to landmarks such as the Akshardham temple Monday, many Telugu people felt an immediate, personal connection. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Some even described JD Vance's India visit as akin to visiting his in-laws' place. Meanwhile, amid the Vance family's visit, revenue officials in AP started inquiries into Usha's links to various parts of the state, including her 96-year-old grandmother, Professor Santhamma, who stays in Visakhapatnam. Santhamma said she was unaware of Usha's visit till revenue officials from West Godavari arrived at her home to seek details about her relationship with the US Second Lady . 'What is your connection to Usha Vance? Have you ever met her? Since JD Vance became Vice-President, have you or any of your relatives been informed about her visit?' the officials reportedly asked. According to sources, the inquiries were made to allow for any last-minute adjustments to Usha's travel plans while she is in India. 'Recently, some relatives told me that Usha enquired about my whereabouts. I was told she really liked the physics lessons I teach and the lectures I give (at Centurion University in Vizianagaram),' Prof Santhamma said. 'She praised my continued teaching even at this advanced age. Were AP part of her itinerary, Usha would certainly come to Visakhapatnam to meet me. I am proud to see our granddaughter in such a great position,' she added. Residents of Vadluru village in West Godavari district, where Usha has some familial roots, also expressed their wish for her to visit the place. VS Raju, a local resident, said that the village is proud to see an Andhra girl rise to one of the highest positions in the world. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'Their family shares a deep connection with our village, so we humbly request that they visit us, especially now that they are in India,' said Raju. Satyanarayana, another resident of the village, recalled that 'Usha's family was into agriculture in the village about 70 years ago and donated land for the construction of Sai Baba temple'. The Vance family will be in India till April 24, with plans to travel across various regions besides a meeting with PM Narendra Modi. Usha Chilukuri hails from a scholarly lineage rooted in Saipuram village in Krishna district, with some later migrating to various parts of AP and the globe. Her family's legacy dates back to the 18th century, beginning with the intellectual contributions of Chilukuri Buchipapayya Sastri. Her great grandfather, Veeravadhanlu, had five sons, all of whom were highly educated.
The Hindu
21-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Passionate researcher and teacher, Prof. Santhamma at 97 is confidence personified
Even as U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance and his wife Usha Chilukuri arrived on a four-day visit to India on Monday, the flurry of activity that was witnessed at the residence of Ms. Usha's grandmother, Chilukuri Santhamma, soon after Mr. Vance became the Republican nominee, is missing now. Prof. Santhamma, 97, who had retired as a professor of physics from Andhra University more than three-and-a-half decades ago, continues to teach students of Centurion University, Vizianagaram, even today. 'Ms. Usha's grandfather Rama Sastry, the youngest of the four Chilukuri brothers, was a native of Vadluru in West Godavari district. Chilukuri Subramanya Sastry, the husband of Ms. Santhamma, was the third brother, while Dr. Sharada is the daughter of the eldest of the four brothers. Rama Sastry's son Radhakrishna had settled in the U.S.,' says Prof. Santhamma. 'I have not received any information from Ms. Usha on her visit to India. An official from the West Godavari Collector Office came to our flat and sought information about Ms. Usha and her relatives in India. I told him that her paternal aunt Ms. Sharada, who lives in Chennai, is the right person to contact in order to know more about her,' she tells The Hindu. 'In fact, I have come to know of her visit to India through the official. I saw Ms. Usha last time as a child when she visited India to meet Dr. Sharada, an anaesthetist in Chennai,' she adds. I heard through our relatives that she liked my lectures on physics, Prof. Shantamma chuckles, and says: 'I am not against Indians going abroad for higher studies or working for a short period there. They should return to India and serve their motherland.' Woman of grit At 97, Prof. Santhamma is a woman of grit and determination. She had undergone knee replacement surgery for both her knees about two decades ago but that doesn't deter her from continuing to teach. 'I haven't stopped working. I can do everything except climbing stairs. I am still going to college. I take classes for three hours a week and devote the remaining time to my research work,' she says, exuding confidence. On her area of research, she explains, 'I am doing research on Spectroscopy, Vedic Mathematics and Bharadwaja Maharshi's Vimana Sastram. And professing her passion for research, she declares, ''There is no such thing as completion of my research, it will stop when this breath stops.'
