Kamala Harris' rise a powerful counter-narrative to Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric

She's called the female Obama abroad, thanks to her mixed roots. Kamala Harris, the name which has been making a lot of waves in US political circles. Over the last few days, if there's one person who's most searched and talked about, it is none other than this powerful so-called 'Black woman' with roots in India. She is the daughter of Shyamala Gopalan, a native of Chennai who came to the US for a doctoral programme at UC Berkeley. Her father Donald J Harris hails from Jamaica and a professor emeritus at Stanford University. This mixed-race advantage gave Harris a chance to interact with diverse audiences.

Being the first-Indian American and African American to be picked as running mate by a democrat, Kamala Harris, the vice-president nominee gives us Indians and Jamaicans a reason to cheer about.

Why does Kamala Harris' Indian roots matter?

Well, for one Harris takes pride in her roots and in many of her interviews has stated herself that her mom Shyamala Gopalan has imbibed in her and her sister Maya Indian culture. She also has stated that her mother is one of the most influential persons in her life. Harris fondly remembers her childhood in Besant Nagar beach in Chennai where she spent a good time with her grandfather PV Gopalan, who was a freedom fighter.

Harris also credits her knowledge and leaning towards politics of integrity to the conversations she overheard between her grandpa and a few retired friends of his in Chennai. So, India did play a major role in stimulating Harris' intellect. She also admits that she is who she is today because India did shape her thought process to a large extent.

We often talk about the need for women to break the glass ceiling. So Joe Biden picking a non-white to the VP candidate in itself a historic decision. Also, it's a reason for women around the world to celebrate and believe and pursue what they are capable of.

Kamala Harris selection has been endorsed not only by some of the biggest names in India but also the former president of the United States, Barack Obama himself. Check what he posted on his Twitter...

An American lawyer who is now a Senator in California, Kamala Harris is also a flicker of hope for millions of Indians nursing dollar dreams and in a dilemma caused by US President Donald Trump's flip flops on immigration policies.