In the quiet village of Thulasendrapuram, nestled among the coconut trees and rice paddies of southern India, a collection of large blue posters featuring the face of US Vice President Kamala Harris have appeared, wishing her success in the upcoming November presidential election. Although it has been more than a century since Harris’s grandfather was born here, her family’s ties to the village remain strong, winning her admiration from residents far removed from Washington, DC.
Harris’s grandfather, PV Gopalan, was born in Thulasendrapuram before moving to Chennai and later Delhi, where he worked as a civil servant in British-ruled India. This laid the foundation for Harris’s mother, Shyamala Gopalan, to pursue studies in the US, where she eventually met Kamala’s father, Donald Harris.
Despite Harris’s rise in US politics, her family has stayed connected to their roots. Her uncle and aunt continue to visit the local temple, where a donation was made in her name in 2014. Residents of Thulasendrapuram remember Harris’s family fondly and express pride in their ancestral link to the US Vice President.
Siva Kumar, a local priest, and shopkeeper N Maheshwari recall the family’s deep connections to the village, noting that they still sponsor prayers and maintain a presence. During the 2020 election, villagers celebrated Harris’s victory with prayers and sweets, and many say they plan to do the same if she wins the presidency.
While Harris has not returned to the village since childhood, locals remain hopeful that her potential presidency could strengthen ties between the US and India. However, some are realistic about the impact it would have on their daily lives. Despite this, the village continues to follow Harris’s journey, finding pride in her Indian heritage and their shared history.
