UDAIPUR/VIJAYAWADA: US President Donald Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr has landed, as have Jennifer Lopez and Justin Bieber. Kriti Sanon, Madhuri Dixit and Shahid Kapoor joined in. All are here for the Sunday wedding of Andhra-origin US baron Rama Raju Mantena’s daughter Netra in Udaipur, sending ripples far beyond the erstwhile Rajasthan royal hub also known as the City of Lakes.Not surprisingly, attention has been riveted on Trump Jr, who arrived late Friday accompanied by his girlfriend and proceeded to Leela Palace hotel. He is likely to be under spotlight Sunday, too, when Netra ties the knot with Vamsi Gadiraju against the backdrop of historic Jag Mandir Island Palace.
Columbia University alumnus Vamsi is co-founder of Superorder, a New York-based tech firm that aims to revolutionise the food delivery industry. He also has Telugu roots and was part of Forbes’ list of Under 30 prodigies. Netra completed her undergraduate studies in pharmacology and works in New York.On Saturday, Trump Jr. and Rama Raju — also known as Raj — visited Udaipur City Palace and met Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar of the former Mewar royal family. The meeting was steeped in tradition, with discussions on Mewar’s rich history. Singh presented the two symbolic emblems, which Trump Jr called “special and memorable” and expressed admiration for the region’s historical figures such as Maharana Kumbha, Maharana Sanga, and Maharana Pratap.Udaipur has also turned into a fortress. Security is extensive, involving coordination between local police and US Secret Service. Drones monitor the skies. Lake jetties and hotel perimeters are under close watch, with VIP movements facilitated through dedicated corridors and tight entry checks.Wedding festivities kicked off late Friday with performances by Kriti, Madhuri and Shahid. The celebrations continued Saturday with shows by Lopez — who flew in on a chartered flight from Ireland — and Bieber. The wedding will be followed by a “grand reception” on Nov 24.The Mantenas trace their roots to Vijayawada. Rama Raju moved to the US in 1984, starting seven companies there. His latest is Integra Connect, which offers value-based, precision medicine, leading the industry in real-world data, analytics, and AI capabilities for speciality care organisations.Rama Raju made his fortune by selling the companies he founded in the pharmacy and IT sectors by unlocking their true value. A pharmacy graduate from Vijayawada, Rama Raju is the nephew of Gokaraju Gangaraju, former BJP MP and entrepreneur. Rama Raju made his fortune by selling the companies he founded in the pharmacy and IT sectors by unlocking their true value.In the process of selling his firms, Rama Raju made high-profile connections with global entrepreneurs and celebrities. The connection with the US President’s family happened during the years they both lived in Florida as neighbours. “Raj has a long-standing friendship with Trump’s family. He really wants to bring qualitative change in the lives of cancer patients and has big plans to invest in India’s pharma sector,” said a close friend.
