Thulasendhrapuram Rejoices Over Harris’s Success
Thulasendhrapuram, a small village in the state of Tamil Nadu, India, is abuzz with excitement over Kamala Harris’s potential nomination for the United States presidential race. Situated 186 miles from Chennai and 8,700 miles from Washington DC, this village is the ancestral home of Harris’s maternal grandparents. A large banner featuring Harris adorns the village center, with special prayers being offered to the local deity for her success.
Villagers Follow US presidential race closely
The villagers have been keenly following the US presidential race, particularly after Joe Biden’s withdrawal and Harris’s emergence as a potential nominee. “It is not an easy feat to be where she has reached in the most powerful country in the world,” Krishnamurthi, a retired bank manager from Thulasendhrapuram, told the BBC. Harris is viewed as a symbol of hope and possibility for women everywhere.
Celebrations of Harris’s achievements
“Everybody knows her, even the children. ‘My sister, my mother’ – that is how they address her,” said Arulmozhi Sudhakar, a local representative. The community previously celebrated Harris becoming vice president with fireworks, posters, and a communal feast featuring traditional South Indian dishes like sambar and idli.
Harris’s connection to Thulasendhrapuram
Harris is the daughter of Shyamala Gopalan, a breast cancer researcher who moved from Tamil Nadu to the US in 1958. After their mother’s death, Harris and her sister Maya visited Chennai to immerse her ashes in the sea according to Hindu traditions. The villagers feel a deep connection with Harris’s journey, eagerly anticipating her official candidature announcement.
The villagers’ support extends to the spiritual realm, with prayers at the Dharma Sastha Temple in Thulasendhrapuram continuing until the Democratic Party announces Harris’s nomination. “Kamala’s chithi (mother’s younger sister) Sarala visits this temple regularly. In 2014 she donated ₹5,000 rupees on behalf of Kamala Harris,” said Natarajan, the temple priest. The villagers hope that one day Harris will visit them or mention their village in her speeches.
