From Vadakkanchery to top US Govt post: Vivek Ramaswamy's Kerala roots
Palakkad: The village of Vadakkanchery in Palakkad district in Kerala, is filled with pride and joy after it was announced that Vivek Ramaswamy, a prominent Indian-American entrepreneur, will head the U.S. Government Efficiency Department. Vivek’s family roots trace back to Vadakkanchery, where his father, V. G. Ramaswamy, hails from. The news of his appointment has brought great happiness to his relatives and local community. "It's happiness beyond words," says Jayasree, daughter of Vivek's maternal nephew, Dr. Meenakshisundaram, reflecting the deep sense of pride shared by the village.
Though Vivek was born and raised in the United States, his family has always kept close ties to Vadakkanchery. Vivek’s father, V. G. Ramaswamy, moved to Ohio with his family over 50 years ago, but they made frequent visits to the village during special occasions. Vivek has visited Vadakkanchery on several occasions, and locals remember him fondly from his stays at the family home, "Balavihar," and at the residence of his relative, Advocate V. M. Prasad, in Kalpathi, Palakkad.
A rising star in business and politics
At just 38 years old, Vivek Ramaswamy has already made a prominent mark in the business world. He is the founder of Strive Asset Management and the biopharmaceutical company Roivant Sciences. Known for his outspoken views, Vivek has authored books such as Woke, Inc. and Nation of Victims. He studied at Yale University. His mother is Dr. Geetha Ramaswamy. Vivek's wife, Dr. Apoorva Tiwari, have roots in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and together they have two young children, Karthik (4) and Arjun (2.5).
Vivek Ramaswamy's recent political appointment by Donald Trump to lead the U.S. Department of Efficiency places him among notable figures like Elon Musk, who was also named to this position.
Visit to Palakkad
Vivek and his wife Apoorva last visited Palakkad in May 2018, just before the COVID-19 pandemic. During this visit, he spent time with his relatives in Vadakkanchery and also visited Guruvayur temple. Advocate V. M. Prasad, a relative, shared that Vivek's grandmother, Thankam Ammal, and his own grandmother, Lakshmi Ammal, are sisters, pointing out the deep family connections that bind Vivek to the place.