India
Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden on Tuesday picked California Senator Kamala Harris to be his vice-presidential running mate. Harris will be the first African American nominated for Vice President by a major party. In India, Harris' nomination stirred social media. Well-known business tycoons and celebrities in India have hailed the nomination of Harris as a Democratic VP candidate.
Updated : Aug 12, 2020, 04:21 PM IST | Edited by : Karishma Jain
Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden on Tuesday picked California Senator Kamala Harris to be his vice-presidential running mate. Harris will be the first African American nominated for Vice President by a major party.
"I have the great honor to announce that I've picked Kamala Harris-- a fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the country's finest public servants -- as my running mate," Biden tweeted.
Back when Kamala was Attorney General, she worked closely with Beau. I watched as they took on the big banks, lifted up working people, and protected women and kids from abuse. I was proud then, and I'm proud now to have her as my partner in this campaign.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 11, 2020
A young Kamala Harris in the late 1960s spent her time at a house in Lusaka, Zambia, that belonged to her maternal grandfather -- PV Gopalan, an Indian civil servant on assignment in an era of postcolonial ferment, LA Times reported.
The Indian government had sent Gopalan to help Zambia manage an influx of refugees from Rhodesia, the former name of Zimbabwe, which had just declared independence from Britain.
"My grandfather was really one of my favourite people in my world," Harris, California's junior US senator, said in a recent interview.
Kamala has Indian heritage. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, a Tamil Indian-American who became a leading cancer researcher and activist, passed away from colon cancer in 2009.
From Kamala's name (Shyamala gave her and her sisters Sanskrit names to connect their heritage with their identities) to Kamala's focus on immigration and equal rights, Shyamala has had a profound influence and lasting legacy on her high-flying daughter.
After graduation from the University of Delhi, Shyamala got a PhD in nutrition and endocrinology from UC Berkeley. In addition to inspiring Kamala through service, she was also a civil rights activist.
In India, Harris' nomination stirred social media. Well-known business tycoons and celebrities in India, from Anand Mahindra to Priyanka Chopra, and those in the US, have hailed the nomination of Indian-origin Senator Kamala Harris as Democratic Vice Presidential candidate.
"We should recognise that Kamala Harris isn’t just of Indian descent. She epitomises what the world should be — border-less and interracial," Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra wrote on Twitter.
There will be an explosion of celebrations by Indian communities claiming her as ‘our own.’ But we should recognize that Kamala Harris isn’t just of Indian descent; she epitomises what the world should be—borderless & interracial... https://t.co/2dPhcQ6CEA
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) August 12, 2020
Former PepsiCo Chairman & CEO Indra Nooyi shared that she is encouraged by Joe Biden's selection. "This is a great choice for our country," she added.
I am truly excited and encouraged by @JoeBiden’s selection of @KamalaHarris to be his Vice President. I’ve had the privilege to get to know Kamala personally and find her to be brilliant, loving and committed to building America's future. This is a great choice for our country.
— Indra Nooyi (@IndraNooyi) August 12, 2020
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, the Executive Chairperson of Biocon Limited, shared a photo of Kamala Harris with her family, with the caption "The progressive Indian grandfather who inspired Kamala Harris."
— Kiran Mazumdar Shaw (@kiranshaw) August 12, 2020
Chef Vikas Khanna also took to Twitter to share his two cents.
Khanna, who has lived in the US for 20 years, wrote, "I never thought I would see an Indian-American on a Presidential ticket."
Living in the US for 20 years, I never thought that I would see an Indian American on a Presidential ticket.
— Vikas Khanna (@TheVikasKhanna) August 12, 2020
This is the rise of New America. @KamalaHarris https://t.co/Xb7EZy2ecP
Actress Priyanka Chopra hailed the nomination as a "historical, transformational, and proud moment for all women."
@KamalaHarris pic.twitter.com/tTvmDUxIYx
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) August 11, 2020
Padma Lakshmi, an outspoken feminist and best known as the host of TV reality show 'Top Chef' also shared a GIF of her cheering to Harris's news. Padma Lakshmi was born in Chennai.
#BidenHarris2020 pic.twitter.com/NC4CJxUhXG
— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) August 11, 2020
Indian-origin actress Mindy Kaling, sharing her excitement on Twitter, wrote "Its thrilling! I'm filled with hope and excitement. Thank you, Joe Biden."
(1/2) Was there ever more of an exciting day? For our entire country of course, but especially for my Black and Indian sisters, many of us who have gone our entire lives thinking that someone who looks like us may never hold high office? We work so hard and contribute to the pic.twitter.com/LpG0DvsGuT
— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) August 11, 2020
(2/2) fabric of our lives in America, & now to see @SenKamalaHarris rise to the top like this? It’s thrilling!! I am filled with hope and excitement. Thank you @JoeBiden. Let’s do this! @meenaharris @mayaharris_ @RohiniKos #sisterhood #letsdothis #bidenharris2020
— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) August 11, 2020
The US presidential election will be held on November 3.
(Wth inputs from ANI)