Early Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Joe Biden and Kamala Harris (File)
New Delhi:
On Sunday, locals set off firecrackers at Kamala Harris’ ancestral home as India celebrated the victory of the U.S. vice president-elect, with her uncle hailing her achievement as historic and an inspiration to women and girls.
Ms Harris – daughter of breast cancer specialist Shyamala Gopalan from the southern Indian city of Chennai paid tribute to her late mother, who “believed so deeply in an America where a moment like this is possible “in a national speech with the president. elect Joe Biden on Saturday.
In the village of Thulasendrapuram in Tamil Nadu, once the home of Ms Harris’ maternal grandfather PV Gopalan, celebrations erupted with people lighting firecrackers, praying in her main temple and waving posters featuring the face of vice -president elect.
Women in the village made a rangoli – a colorful folk art piece drawn on the ground – with the words “Congratulations to Kamala Harris”.
“It’s a matter of pride for all women,” housewife Arul Mozhi Sudhakar told AFP.
– ‘Lots of firsts’ –
Ms Harris’ uncle, academic Balachandran Gopalan, said her late sister would have been proud of her daughter and the family would converge in Washington from across the United States and from India, Canada and Mexico to attend at its historic inauguration.
“Her mother would have been very happy. She would have asked Kamala to continue what she is doing,” a 79-year-old academic in the nation’s capital told AFP as a huge media contingent crowded in front of her home.
“Can you think of any other country where a first generation immigrant would go to the top office … It’s a lot of firsts. And at a significant time in US history. she being there as vice president means a lot. “
Her niece’s lifelong accomplishments – she was also California’s first black attorney general and the first woman of South Asian descent elected to the U.S. Senate – would be an inspiration to other Indo-American immigrants, he added.
“Many (Indo-American) kids who were previously interested in the annual spelling contest are now going to be interested in American politics,” he joked.
“I think young children, especially young girls, are more motivated and enthusiastic. That’s a good thing.”
Mr Gopalan said he had new hopes for his pioneering niece – including a presidential race.
– ‘Ray of hope’ –
In Delhi, people applauded the Indian origins of the Harris family.
Yash Iyer, 25, told AFP: “It is a moment of pride for us as Indians as well as she traces her roots here.”
“Kamala Harris as Vice President of the United States is a monumental achievement not only for the United States and Indians, but also for women around the world,” Smitashree Mishra, who works in the area of international health and development.
“What I take away from this victory is a glimmer of hope, the hope of staying strong in a society that constantly judges you on archaic notions of gender, race and ethnicity … I am proud as a woman to see another woman represent our point of view in the politics of the most powerful country in the world. “
Trader Murlidhar Aggarwal said Ms. Harris’ success showed people from minority backgrounds can “reach the highest offices” in the United States.
“Even in India it should be like this – the only thing that should matter is that the person is qualified for the job.”
Early Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Mr Biden and Ms Harris.
“Your success is revolutionary and is a source of immense pride not only for your chittis, but also for all Indo-Americans,” Prime Minister Modi wrote of Ms. Harris.
“Chitti” is a Tamil term of affection for her mother’s younger sisters, which Ms. Harris used to accept the Democratic nomination for vice-president.
Biden-Harris’ victory made Sunday headlines in India.
Ms Harris “Makes History,” The Sunday Express said with the headline: “Finally”.
