In the small village of Thulasenthirapuram in Tamil Nadu, hopes and prayers are fervently directed towards the 2024 US presidential elections. This village, known as the ancestral home of US Vice President Kamala Harris’ maternal grandparents, has been conducting special pujas for her success in the presidential bid.
Kamala Harris, an Indian-origin Senator, has become the Democrat's presumed nominee after President Joe Biden withdrew from his re-election campaign on Sunday. Harris, who was endorsed by Biden, has secured enough Democratic delegates pledging to support her, clearing her path to the nomination.
The villagers believe that Harris’s connection to their community runs deep, with her ancestors having prayed at the local Dharma Sastha temple. The current residents are now praying for her victory.
Parimala, a resident of Thulasenthirapuram, expressed her belief in Harris' potential to contribute to the village's development if she becomes president. "If Kamala Harris becomes President, she will surely contribute to the development of our village," she stated.
The sentiment is echoed by the Dharma Sastha temple priest, Natarajan, who emphasized the collective hope of the villagers. “People here are praying for her victory, and once she wins, she should visit this village,” he said.
In the past, Kamala Harris called India a “very important” part of her life, while emphasizing her connection to the nation. “The history and teachings in India and of India have not only influenced me, they, of course, have shaped the entire globe,” Harris had said.
Kamala Harris's mother, Shyamala, went to the US for higher studies after graduating from Delhi University. There, she met Donald Harris, and the two got married. Kamala Harris, who grew up in Oakland, California, became the first Indian-origin US senator. If Harris succeeds in the 2024 race, she would be the first woman to hold the presidency and the second African-American to hold the post.
