New Delhi: 38-year-old Vivek Ramaswamy is making waves among Republican presidential candidates in the upcoming US elections. As potential contenders vie for the Republican Party’s nomination, Ramaswamy stands out with each debate, gaining increasing support in recent fundraising events.
Speaking ‘Palakkad Tamil’
A video featuring Vivek Ramaswamy, a US presidential candidate, conversing in Tamil has gone viral on various social media platforms. In the video, a local Tamil Nadu native approaches Ramaswamy, expressing his hopes for Ramaswamy’s presidency.
The young man is seen congratulating Ramaswamy, stating, “I have no questions for you. I am here to congratulate you. I hope to see you as the President of the United States very soon.” Ramaswamy graciously acknowledges the sentiment.
‘I also speak Tamil but…’
To the delight of the crowd, the man reveals that his parents hail from Tamil Nadu’s Vellore. Ramaswamy responds in Tamil, saying, “Naanum Tamil pesuven, meaning I also speak Tamil…but Palakkad Tamil.” The young man wholeheartedly endorses Ramaswamy’s leadership and congratulates him again in Tamil.
Expressing gratitude, Vivek Ramaswamy urges the man to vote for him to help elevate America.
This heartwarming interaction occurred a few days ago during Ramaswamy’s campaign in New Hampshire, USA. While he is currently based in the US, Ramaswamy’s family roots trace back to India. Born into a Tamil-speaking family in Palakkad, Kerala, a border district with a significant Tamil-speaking population, Ramaswamy’s connection to the language and culture is evident.
We’ve been tricked into “celebrating” all the ways we are “diverse.” But we forget all the ways we’re really just the same: bound by a common set of ideals as Americans. E Pluribus Unum. pic.twitter.com/yAYRhZILXI
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) September 24, 2023
Who is Vivek Ramaswamy?
Ramaswamy was born in USA’s Ohio on August 9, 1985. His parents, originally from India, have an educational background in India. His father, Ramaswamy, studied at the National College of Technology in India, while his mother, Geetha, attended Mysore Medical College. The family eventually relocated to the US when Ramaswamy’s father secured a job there. Hailing from Palakkad, Kerala, his family belongs to the Tamil-speaking Brahmin community.
As Vivek Ramaswamy pursues his political aspirations in the United States, his connection to his Indian heritage, exemplified by his ‘Palakkad Tamil,’ continues to resonate with supporters both in the US and abroad.
