Wisconsin: Vivek Ramaswamy, an Indian-American entrepreneur originating from Palakkad, Kerala had commanded both attention and criticism in equal measure during a recent debate among eight Republican US Presidential candidates held in Milwaukee.
Despite being the target of criticism from fellow candidates, Ramaswamy, who ranked second in recent opinion polls following Trump, boldly declared himself the “only person on stage who is not bought and paid for. He took these critiques in stride, considering them a “badge of honor,” as reported by CNN. Throughout the debate, he engaged in spirited exchanges with his fellow Republican contenders.
Alongside notable figures such as North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, former Vice President Mike Pence, and South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, Ramaswamy emerged as a significant contender.
In his opening statements, Ramaswamy humorously addressed the question on many viewers’ minds: “Who the heck is this skinny guy with a funny last name, and what the heck is he doing in the middle of this debate stage?” He emphasised the need for an outsider to lead the Republican Party.
Ramaswamy’s stance on various issues was also notable. He expressed his commitment to honouring US treaty obligations in the event of a Russian invasion of a NATO ally, while asserting that Russia would not engage in such actions during his presidency. He pledged to end the conflict in Ukraine under terms aligned with US interests. If elected, he promised to streamline government bureaucracy by dismantling the “administrative state” and reassigning FBI law enforcement agents to other government departments.
Regarding Ukraine, Ramaswamy voiced opposition to increased aid and labelled US support for the country as “disastrous.” He suggested redirecting these resources for domestic use and securing the southern US border.
Born on August 9, 1985, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Indian immigrant parents. His mother was a geriatric psychiatrist, and his father worked as an engineer at General Electric. Ramaswamy attended Harvard University for his undergraduate studies before obtaining a law degree from Yale University. He gained prominence as a second-generation Indian American entrepreneur, founding Roivant Sciences in 2014, leading significant biotech IPOs, and achieving successful clinical trials in multiple disease areas. In 2022, he launched Strive Asset Management, focusing on promoting excellence in American companies.
Married to Apoorva Tewari Ramaswamy, an Assistant Professor at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Vivek Ramaswamy stands as a distinct presence in the political arena as he competes alongside figures like Nikki Haley and Hirsh Vardhan Singh in the Republican primaries scheduled for the following year.
Furthermore, Vivek Ramaswamy has garnered the admiration of the world’s wealthiest individual, Elon Musk, who characterised the Indian American as an exceptionally promising contender. Tucker Carlson, a conservative political commentator, shared the complete interview with Ramaswamy on X (previously known as Twitter) and commented, “Vivek Ramaswamy is the youngest Republican presidential candidate ever. He’s worth listening to.”
He is a very promising candidate https://t.co/bEQU8L21nd
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 17, 2023
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