Kamala Devi Harris, the name we all have seen over the internet for at least once in the recent days. An Indian name making headlines in the international media evokes thoughts upon her significance for Indians. The occasional dropping of this Indian-American woman’s name and flooding of hashtags on her must have raised curiosity about her popularity in India and particularly in USA. Let us proudly look at the woman who is at the front page of the newspapers recently.
Who is Kamala Devi Harris?
Kamala Harris is the first Indian-American senator from California.She is currently in news for being the Vice President pick of Democratic nominee Joe Biden. She is the first African-American and Asian-American to be picked as a vice presidential running mate. She has served as district attorney of San Francisco for two terms.
She is the daughter of Jamaican immigrant Donald Harris and Indian cancer scientist Shyamala Gopalan. She was born in Oakland, California and received her graduate degree from Howard University and law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of Law.
Why is she a significant pick for Vice President?
Her career as an Attorney gained her immense reputation for being a strong and fearless woman. At the start of 2019, she campaigned for her candidacy for president of US in 2020 united states presidential election against Donald Trump. However, by the end of 2019, she withdrew her nomination due to shortage of funds.
Joe Biden chose a black woman as a running mate considering the gravity of the moment. Early in this year, the incident of police brutality against African-American George Floyd emblazed the protests and demonstrations against racial injustice in US and around the globe. Harris’ demographic is pivotal in her nomination on a major party’s ticket which could motivate voters in America.
Significance of Harris’ Indian Roots
USA is the residence of approximately 2.6 million Indian immigrants as of 2020. This population constitutes the 2nd largest immigrant group after Mexicans in USA. These Indian immigrants are at the key strategic view for having an Indian-origin VP nominee in the 2020 Presidential election.
Kamala Hariss was born to an Indian immigrant Shyamala Gopalan who is from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Her mother has helped her in shaping her identity as a tough woman who dares to stand against injustice. She has quoted her mother on many occasions while debating as a senator. She has learnt about civic duty and justice from her parents who came from different backgrounds. Her mother used to tell her to do something about the problems instead of complaining about them. These words became the driving force in her various paths of her life.
She has spoken for women immigrants showing support to H-4 visas. She has commented on Kashmir issue after Modi government repealed the article 370. She has criticized China for its human rights violations. She has been a prominent Indian-American leader at the US senate for 4 years.
Why are her Achievements Historic?
She is a leader with motto and her political ambitions are built on the spirit of social justice. She has proved to be a remarkable woman in the fields of politics and public service.
- She is the first woman to serve as District Attorney is San Francisco.
- She was the first woman Attorney General in California.
- She is notably the first non-white woman to join a major party’s national ticket.
- She has become the first South Asian-American to join US Senate.
Harris, in an interview, has mentioned Indira Gandhi as one of the great women leaders in the history. The history of politics has seldom seen women stepping up the stairs of pre-eminence. Women participation in the leadership of the countries has largely been a trending discussion since last year after the appointment of Sanna Marin as the Finland’s new Prime Minister who is also world’s youngest Prime Minister. Kamala Harris’ candidacy is another crucial development in the women representation in the democracies of the world. Indians will be looking forward at the 2020’s Presidential election this time with an aspect of personal connection to the America’s leadership.