In a revelation that highlights his personal connections to India, tech billionaire Elon Musk has disclosed that his son's middle name pays homage to a legendary Indian-American scientist. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO shared this detail during a candid conversation on Nikhil Kamath's 'People by WTF' podcast.
The Chandrasekhar Connection: A Scientific Tribute
Musk explicitly stated that his young son's middle name, Shekar, is inspired by the groundbreaking physicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar. The Nobel laureate, who won the prestigious prize in Physics in 1983, is celebrated for his revolutionary theoretical work on the structure and evolution of stars. His most famous contribution is the Chandrasekhar limit, a critical calculation that determines whether a dying star will become a white dwarf or undergo a catastrophic collapse into a black hole.
"My partner is half Indian. My son's middle name is Sekhar, after the famous Indian physicist," Musk explained during the podcast interview. This naming choice serves as a powerful nod to India's rich legacy in scientific discovery and its global contributions to fundamental knowledge.
Musk's Personal and Professional Ties to India
The revelation further underscores Musk's personal links to the country through his partner, the musician Grimes. Grimes has previously spoken about her Indian heritage, noting that her step-father is Indian and that she enjoyed a "fire childhood in a half Indian household." She has also remarked on the cultural synergy, saying, "Indian culture jives very well with western culture."
Beyond personal ties, Musk has frequently acknowledged India's significant role in the global technology and energy landscape. His decision to name his son after Chandrasekhar bridges a personal affinity with a deep respect for India's scientific prowess.
Views on Talent, Immigration, and H-1B Visa Concerns
During the same wide-ranging discussion, Musk shared his perspectives on skilled immigration to the United States. He acknowledged that "America has benefitted immensely from talented Indians," crediting the community for its substantial contributions to the nation's economy and innovation ecosystem. He has been a vocal advocate for allowing skilled workers to immigrate, arguing it is essential to fill critical talent gaps, especially in his own companies.
However, Musk also pointed to systemic issues, noting that "there has been some misuse of the H-1B Program." He elaborated that while his companies seek and generously compensate the world's top talent, other firms might exploit the system for cost-saving. "Some companies out there... are making it more of a cost thing," he observed, suggesting they might hire visa holders "for a fraction of the cost of an American citizen."
Musk addressed the complex debate around immigration policy, stating, "there's different schools of thought." He critiqued incentive structures that could lead to negative selection, arguing that creating a "massive financial incentive to come to the US illegally and get all these government benefits" creates a problematic diffusion gradient. Despite these challenges, his core stance remains pro-skilled immigration, driven by a constant scarcity of exceptional talent needed to solve complex problems.
The podcast conversation painted a picture of a global CEO who values India's intellectual heritage on a personal level, celebrates its contribution of high-caliber professionals, and engages critically with the policies that govern the global movement of such talent.
