When TV channels reported US President-elect Donald Trump’s decision to appoint Indian-American biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy as the co-head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), alongside billionaire businessman Elon Musk, a small town in the southern Indian state of Kerala, thousands of miles from Washington, erupted with joy.
Kerala, located on India’s southwestern coast, is renowned for its stunning landscapes, including backwaters, beaches, forests, and hills. It is commonly called “God’s Own Country” – as the state’s official tourism campaign tagline goes.
Bells echoed from temples in the Brahmin neighborhood of Vadakkenchery, 300km north of Kerala’s capital, Thiruvananthapuram, accompanied by the recitation of hymns. Residents organized special prayers and pujas, and shared sweets in celebration.
“This is a proud moment for us and our ‘boy’,” said P. Padmavathy, who once worked as a maid at Vivek Ramaswamy’s ancestral home.
The modest single-story house, nestled along a narrow village lane and marked by two lion statues at its gate, belongs to the Ramaswamy family. Vivek Ramaswamy’s father, Ganapathy, lived there before emigrating to the United States in the early 1970s. He later married Dr Geetha Ramaswamy, a geriatric psychiatrist. Vivek’s younger brother, Shankar, has also made his mark as a pharmaceutical entrepreneur.
During the celebrations, relatives and friends of Ganapathy reminisced about Vivek’s visit to their Brahmin neighborhood, known as Agraharam, in 2018, accompanied by his wife and children.
“I vividly recall the day I met Vivek Ramaswamy six years ago,” said 68-year-old V.R. Ramaswamy, a close friend of Vivek’s father and a businessman from Vadakkenchery.
“Balannan (Brother Balan, as Vivek’s father is affectionately called in the village) introduced Vivek to me. He was just 33 years old then but spoke with the confidence of a seasoned businessman and diplomat. He shared his vision for his biotech company and his dream of developing medicine for Alzheimer’s. So, it didn’t surprise me when he mentioned his ultimate goal of becoming the US president. This appointment as the head of DOGE is just the first step,” he said, adding: “Trump must have seen his immense potential.”
Ganapathy’s neighbor and relative, 62-year-old V.S. Venkataraman, a businessman from Vadakkenchery, believes that Vivek enjoys the blessings of the village deities. “Vivek’s family members are devout temple-goers and make it a point to visit local shrines whenever they come to India,” he said.
“When Vivek was running for the Republican presidential nomination, Balannan asked me to pray for his son’s success. All the Brahmins in our neighborhood joined in, hoping he would make history.” In India’s varna system, Brahmins hold the highest position in the caste hierarchy.
Venkataraman was referring to Vivek Ramaswamy’s unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination in early 2024. Despite a strong start, his campaign ended after a disappointing finish in the Iowa caucuses in January. Shortly after, he formally endorsed Donald Trump for the presidency.
Venkataraman believes Trump has repaid that loyalty by entrusting Vivek Ramaswamy with a significant role. “I always expected Trump to reward him with a fitting position,” he said.
‘Future president’
The celebration extends beyond the Brahmin settlement, as people from all religions, castes, and political affiliations join in expressing their joy over Vivek Ramaswamy’s new role.
Youngsters admire his skill in balancing business and politics, elders commend his strong work ethic, and members of various political parties highlight his commitment to fostering good relations with India. “It’s a matter of great pride for us that someone from our town has secured a key position in the United States,” said M. Kannan, a local taxi driver.
For many in Vadakkenchery, Vivek Ramaswamy became a familiar name through media reports.
“We are thrilled and proud of his achievement. It has become a point of pride for our town,” said P.K. Jayakumar, who oversees the administration of the Nagasahayam Temple in Vadakkenchery. “We learned about his candidacy and subsequent cabinet appointment from the media, and now we can’t stop talking about it.”
Residents of Vadakkenchery feel their town’s prominence has soared since Ramaswamy began making global headlines.
“Our town gains recognition every time he achieves something remarkable. Anyone looking into his background will see his roots are here in Vadakkenchery. It’s a tremendous honor for us,” said singer Prajeesh Varma.
The town is now gearing up to host a grand reception for Ramaswamy when he visits his ancestral village. “The event will involve not just the Brahmin community but everyone in the village. It’s going to be a grand celebration,” said V.S. Venkataraman. “However, it may take some time, as he’s very busy right now.”
Jayakumar shared similar sentiments. “We owe him a grand welcome, and we will ensure it’s a fitting tribute to his achievements,” he said.
Those who have followed Ramaswamy’s televised debates and interviews in international media are confident he has what it takes to lead the US. “He has the skills and determination to become the president of the world’s largest democracy. It’s just a matter of time – perhaps four or eight years, depending on the circumstances,” predicted V.R. Ramaswamy.
‘Not so good for Indians’
Experts in international relations, however, argue that Ramaswamy’s policies, steeped in American nationalism, are unlikely to benefit India.
Ramaswamy is a staunch Trump supporter and has aligned himself with the “America First” movement, a stance he emphasized during his campaign. Analysts warn that this approach could lead to stricter H-1B visa policies, potentially reducing opportunities for Indians to work in the US.
Dr Karamala Areesh Kumar, an international relations expert and assistant professor at St. Joseph’s University in Bangalore, highlighted that Ramaswamy’s campaign rhetoric was overtly ‘America-focused’ and closely aligned with Trump’s views.
“Indians shouldn’t expect any special advantages from his appointment. In fact, tougher visa regulations might make things harder for them,” said Kumar. “There’s little Vivek Ramaswamy can or will do to change that.”
Kumar suggested two possible reasons behind Trump’s decision to appoint Ramaswamy. “First, Trump might see him as a potential Republican candidate for 2029. Second, Ramaswamy could serve as a strategic shield for Trump – his presence might deflect criticism when Trump enforces policies against migrants. Trump could point to Ramaswamy, the son of Indian immigrants, as evidence of his inclusivity.”
Kumar also noted that the euphoria surrounding Ramaswamy’s success is part of a familiar pattern among Indians celebrating the achievements of leaders with Indian heritage. “We saw it when Rishi Sunak became the British prime minister and Kamala Harris assumed the role of US vice president. It’s largely media-driven sensationalism, with little substance beyond that,” he remarked.