The 2020 US presidential bid of first Indian-origin Senator Kamala Harris has thrilled the Indian-American community which considers the "groundbreaking" announcement a "proud moment" and a reflection that Indian-Americans have “finally arrived.”
Harris (54) officially launched her campaign for the US presidential election in 2020 to take on President Donald Trump on Monday 21 January, saying she was "honoured" to announce her bid on a day when Americans celebrated Martin Luther King Jr who sought inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi.
A rising party star and vocal critic of President Trump, Harris is the fourth Democrat to join the battle for the party's nomination in the next year's elections.
‘Thinking of My Mother,’ Says Harris
After becoming the high-profile Senator from California, Harris, whose mother Shyamala Gopalan migrated from Tamil Nadu to the US as a young student for higher studies, has maintained a distance from the Indian-American community, which has felt proud of her accomplishments.
Indian-Americans constitute one percent of the American population and are one of the fastest growing minorities in the country.
‘Proud to See Our Own Run for Presidency’
While it's too early to say on the results of the grilling presidential primary that would conclude with the Democratic National Convention in July 2020, the Indian-American community leaders said, Harris, who is of mixed parental heritage from India and the Caribbean has a fair and clear shot at the White House.
“It’s a proud moment for the Indian-American community to see one of our own announce to run for the president,” eminent philanthropist and venture capitalist MR Rangaswami, founder of Indiaspora, told PTI.
‘A Champion for Values’
Indian-American Impact Fund, a political action committee that supports Indian-American candidates, said it was "thrilled" by Senator Harris' "groundbreaking" announcement.
“As the first viable Indian-American candidate for president of the United States, she is a trailblazer for our community and a champion for our values. We applaud her decision and look forward to supporting her enthusiastically in the days and months ahead,” it said.
Eminent Indian-American Frank Islam, who was closely associated with the Hillary Clinton campaign in 2016, said Harris will be a formidable challenger.
“She has personal story – a child of mixed race that will resonate well with the Americans. She is not well known but her work as a prosecutor will demonstrate her toughness but her record will be under scrutiny,” Islam said.
But, How to Pronounce ‘Kamala’
Apart from expressing their happiness, Indian Americans also schooled others on how to pronounce ‘Kamala.’
Not Just Indian-Americans, Others are ‘Thrilled’ Too
(With inputs from PTI.)
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