What Were Kamala Harris' Diwali Visits To India Like?

Vice President Kamala Harris, also the Democratic candidate for president, shared memories of her childhood travels to India with her mother in an op-ed published just days before the November 5th general election. Harris recounted how these trips were instrumental in fostering a deep connection to her heritage.

Kamala Harris Reflects On Childhood Visits To India During Diwali

"Growing up, my mother raised my sister and me to appreciate and honour our heritage," Harris noted, explaining that almost every other year, her family would travel to India to celebrate Diwali. She fondly recalled time spent with family there: "We would spend time with our grandparents, our uncles, and our cousins."

As Vice President, Harris continued celebrating Diwali, hosting festivities at her official residence. She described it as an opportunity "not only to celebrate the holiday, but to celebrate the rich history, culture, and heritage of the South Asian American diaspora," adding that this community shares "a shared sense of possibility and belief in the promise of America."

Kamala Harris, stepped into the United States Presidential race on July 21, poised to become the first woman to occupy the highest office in the nation. 

Kamala Harris On Visiting India

In June 2023, addressing a luncheon hosted by her and Secretary of State Antony Blinken in honour of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kamala Harris noted that the history and teachings of India have not only influenced her but have shaped the entire world. She shared how India has inspired millions of people around the globe throughout history with regard to philosophy and theology, the power of civil disobedience, and the commitment to democracy. 

Harris recalled her visits to India during her childhood, sharing that when she and her sister Maya were growing up, their mother would take them to India almost every year. She said that the trips were so that they would understand where they came from and what produced them. She recalled spending time with her grandparents, uncles, and aunts and understanding the love for good idli.

She added that they travelled to India when Chennai was called Madras and shared that her grandfather was one of her favourite people in her life. She revealed that they were penpals throughout her childhood and added that he had a great influence on her. She also added that her grandfather, as she thinks he would have done with each of his grandchildren, convinced her that she was his favourite grandchild.

Kamala Harris On Her Grandfather

Harris recalled how she was the only family member whom her grandfather allowed to accompany him for his morning routine. Her grandfather was a retired civil servant and used to consistently take long walks on the beach with his retired friends and debate about the issues of the day. She fondly recalled how she used to hold her grandfather’s hands during these walks and listen intently to the conversations.

She disclosed that although she didn’t completely appreciate the significance of the debate as a child, she did recall that she understood stories of freedom fighters, the country's founding heroes, and the independence of the country. She also said that she recalls them talking about fighting corruption and fighting for equality regardless of one’s beliefs or caste.

Harris noted that her conversations with her grandfather largely influenced her thinking from a very young age. She also narrated how her grandfather taught her lessons about what it meant to have a democracy and how to keep one. She mentioned that these lessons had inspired her to find her interest in public service. Looking back, she said those conversations have influenced her and her thinking and have been guiding her ever since.

She shared that a large part of who she was was because of the lessons that she learned from her grandfather PV Gopalan and from her mother Shyamala’s dedication, determination, and courage. She proudly said that that was the reason she was standing before the world as the vice president of the United States.

She also thanked Indian PM Modi for his leadership and his pivotal role in helping India emerge as a global power in the 21^st century. She thanked Modi for his leadership in the National Space Council, and for the joint work on the Earth Science Satellite, which helped to address the climate crisis.