Kamala Harris, the United States’ first female Vice President, is renowned for the diverse background that enriches her public persona. Beyond her well-documented political career and achievements, her Indian heritage plays a significant role in shaping her identity. This connection to her Indian roots comes through her maternal lineage, primarily influenced by her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris.
Shyamala Gopalan Harris, Kamala’s mother, was a remarkable figure in her own right. Born in Chennai, India, she moved to the United States in the early 1960s to pursue higher education. At the University of California, Berkeley, Shyamala earned a Ph.D. in endocrinology and met Donald Harris, a fellow student from Jamaica, whom she married. Their daughter, Kamala, was born in 1964. Shyamala was a dedicated scientist and a passionate activist for civil rights and social justice. Her commitment to these causes, along with her work in breast cancer research, deeply influenced Kamala, shaping her worldview and career.
In a 2020 event titled ‘South Asians for Biden,’ Kamala shared how her mother instilled a love for traditional Indian dishes like idli in both her and her sister, Maya. Kamala also fondly recalled spending time with her grandfather in Chennai, highlighting her strong familial connections to India.
Kamala’s maternal grandparents, P. V. Gopalan and Rajam Gopalan, were notable figures in Indian society. P. V. Gopalan was a civil servant known for his advocacy for social justice, while Rajam was a homemaker who played a vital role in raising Shyamala and her siblings. Despite living in the United States, Shyamala made sure that Kamala and Maya maintained a strong link to their Indian heritage through the celebration of Indian festivals like Diwali and the integration of Indian cuisine and customs into their lives.
Harris’s journey is a testament to the American dream and demonstrates how diverse backgrounds can profoundly enrich public life.
