In a 2018 speech, Senator Kamala Harris recalled the first visits to her grandparents in Chennai
Chennai:
On annual trips to India as a child, Kamala Harris strolled the wet beaches of Chennai with her maternal grandfather and friends, listening intently as they discussed democracy and the need to treat everyone. world on an equal footing.
Ms Harris, born to an Indian mother and a Jamaican father who both immigrated to the United States to study, made history Tuesday when U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden picked her as vice -president.
In a 2018 speech, Senator Harris recalled those first visits to her grandparents in Chennai.
“I was not aware of it then, but it was those walks on the beach with my grandfather in Besant Nagar that had a profound impact on who I am today,” Ms. Harris said today. ‘hui, 55, in New York.
Her grandfather, who was one of the millions who joined the independence movement, later became a senior government official.
On Wednesday, reporters and the film crew from local and national news stations crowded into the quiet, tree-lined street where Ms Harris had spent time with her mother’s family.
Former apartment of the maternal grandparents of US Senator Kamala Harris where she occasionally visited, in Chennai
A letterbox with her aunt’s name embossed was the last link with Ms. Harris’s family in Chennai, after the aunt sold her ground floor apartment.
Her aunt, gynecologist Sarala Gopalan, told a news channel that she had been up since 4 a.m. local time after hearing that Biden had chosen her niece as vice president.
“She’s very caring and kind to people, and that’s what I love most about her,” Ms. Gopalan said. “If I send her a message right now telling Kamala that I need you, the next day she will be there.”
Kamala Harris’ uncle, Gopalan Balachandran, spoke of his love for South Indian and American cuisine.
His uncle Gopalan Balachandran told of his love for South Indian and American cuisine. His taste for music also indicates his diverse upbringing, he said.
“She loves India, she loves Indian music, but she also loves jazz.”
Ms Harris had a Twitter trend in India as business leaders and politicians praised her.
“First Indian and Asian woman to be nominated as an official candidate for vice-presidency. Well done,” BJP national secretary general Ram Madhav wrote on Twitter.
On social media, users joked about how hyper-competitive Indian parents in the United States will now push their children to aim even higher.
“The bar for achieving ‘desi’ has suddenly been raised!” Said Indian opposition MP Shashi Tharoor, using a Hindi word to describe Indians.
“Beta (son) what are you doing these days? Oh, just a Harvard professor? Not even a mayor yet?”
