Here’s Why Kamala Harris is Getting So Much Media Exposure in India
Indian American Senator Kamala Harris has become the centre of media and national attention and for good reasons.
Indian American Senator Kamala Harris has become the centre of media and national attention and for good reasons.
She was announced as former Vice President Joe Biden’s running mate in the 2020 election which makes her the first African American and Asian American vice presidential running mate on a major party ticket. She was the first South Asian American to become a US Senator.
One of the prime reasons why Kamala’s name is buzzing and getting a lot of media exposure in India is because of her Indian lineage. Kamala’s mother Shyamala Gopalan is a Brahmin Tamilian.
During her childhood, Kamala and her sister Maya often visited Chennai and that kept her connected to her roots. She had deep conversations with her maternal grandfather in Chennai which also shaped her personality.
She even spoke about her parents in her latest speech where she mentioned that they came from two opposite sides of the world, one from India and the other from Jamaica in search of a world-class education.
Kamala’s mother has been the biggest influence in her life and career choices. Her mother made a bold decision of emigrating from Tamil Nadu to America all alone in pursuit of higher studies. She was a woman with modern views. It was there she met her husband Donald J Harris. Kamala grew up going to a black Baptist church and a Hindu temple.
Speaking of Kamala’s liking of South Indian culture Dr Sarala Gopalan in Chennai told Times of India, “Kamala likes south Indian culture, food and clothes, and knows its traditions. I had gone for Kamala’s wedding in the US in 2014. The ceremonies included both Indian and Jewish traditions as her husband is a Jewish American. They had garland exchange, mangalasutra and all that.”
In her maiden speech in Wilmington, Delaware Kamala opened up about her family saying, “Family is everything to me too. And I cannot wait for America to get to know my husband Doug and our amazing kids, Cole and Ella.” Cole and Ella are her stepchildren. It’s time to wait and watch how this multi-faceted senator with Indian roots, who has many accolades to her credit, creates magic in the 2020 elections.
