Washington D.C., July 21 — In a surprising political move, U.S. President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race, paving the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to become the Democratic candidate of choice. Although it remains unclear whether other senior Democrats will challenge Harris for the party’s nomination, Biden has endorsed her as the preferred candidate.
The India Connection
Kamala Harris, who made history in 2020 as the first Indian-American and African-American woman to become Vice President, now aims to achieve another milestone by running for President. If she secures the Democratic nomination, Harris will be seeking to become the first Indian-American and African-American woman to hold the highest office in the United States.
Harris’s Indian roots trace back to her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, a cancer researcher and civil rights activist from Tamil Nadu. Raised by her single mother, Harris often speaks about the significant influence her Indian heritage has had on her life and values.
Family Ties and Cultural Roots
Kamala Harris’s maternal uncle, Gopalan Balachandran, a former consultant at the Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA) in Delhi, and her grandfather, P.V. Gopalan, who worked on refugee rehabilitation in India and later served as an advisor to the Zambian President, have both contributed to her deep connection with India. Her grandfather’s wife, Rajam, was also known for her social work.
Harris’s visits to Chennai, where she immersed her mother’s ashes in the sea according to Hindu traditions, and her fond memories of walks with her grandfather discussing Indian freedom fighters, highlight her strong ties to her Indian heritage.
Celebrating Indian Culture
During her vice-presidential campaign in 2020, Harris often reminisced about her mother’s love for good idli, an Indian dish, and even participated in cooking masala dosas with Indian-origin actor Mindy Kaling. These moments underscored her pride in her Indian roots and her desire to honor her heritage.
A Celebrated Victory
Harris’s ancestral village of Thulasendrapuram in Tamil Nadu celebrated her 2020 victory alongside Biden with traditional festivities, including bursting crackers, distributing sweets, and drawing colorful kolams. Special pujas were performed at the Sri Dharma Sastha Temple to thank the deity for answering their prayers for her success.
As Kamala Harris steps into the spotlight as a potential presidential candidate, her journey reflects a blend of rich cultural heritage and a commitment to public service, drawing inspiration from both her Indian and American identities.