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US vice president and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris paid tribute to her late mother, Dr Shyamala Gopalan Harris, an Indian immigrant whose courage and dedication to her family continue to inspire her just days ahead of the November 5 elections. Harris reflected on the values her mother instilled in her, from honoring her heritage to championing causes that make a difference—a legacy she says drives her vision for America today.
“My mother, Dr Shyamala Gopalan Harris, came to the United States from India alone at the age of 19,” Harris wrote in a post, sharing a cherished photo of her younger self alongside her mother. “Her courage and determination made me who I am today.”
Through an op-ed in South Asian publication The Juggernaut, Harris recounted her family’s journey from India to America and the legacy of courage, sacrifice, and ambition that her mother instilled in her. The story of Shyamala, who arrived in the United States alone at 19 to pursue a graduate degree in California, is central to Harris’s own life and career.
Growing up, Harris says she and her sister Maya were raised with a deep appreciation for their Indian heritage. Their mother made it a point to take them to India nearly every other year, especially during Diwali, a time filled with family gatherings and rituals. “Growing up, my mother raised my sister and me to appreciate and honor our heritage. Nearly every other year, we would go to India for Diwali. We would spend time with our grandparents, our uncles, and our chitthis,” Harris shared.
She added, “And as Vice President, it has been my honor to host Diwali celebrations in my home – the Vice President’s Residence. Not only to celebrate the holiday, but to celebrate the rich history, culture, and heritage of the South Asian American diaspora, which is bound together by a shared sense of possibility and belief in the promise of America,”
In her op-ed, Harris detailed the ambitions that drove her mother: to raise her daughters with integrity and to make strides in the fight against breast cancer. “My mother had two goals in her life: to raise her two daughters, my sister Maya and me, and to cure breast cancer,” Harris wrote.
She fondly recalled trips to India as a child, particularly to visit her grandfather, PV Gopalan, a retired civil servant in Chennai (then Madras). Harris often joined him on long morning walks along the beach, where he spoke passionately about democracy, justice, and the importance of standing up for one’s beliefs. “Those lessons first inspired my interest in public service,” she wrote, noting that her grandfather’s influence continues to guide her today as both Vice President and presidential candidate.
As Election Day came closer, Harris highlighted her commitment to ensuring healthcare equity for all Americans—a mission closely tied to her mother’s legacy as a cancer researcher and the struggles she endured battling cancer herself. “South Asian Americans are often overlooked by our healthcare system, especially with conditions like heart disease and diabetes,” Harris wrote.
Addressing the issue of immigration, Harris articulated a vision for an immigration system that balances security with compassion. “I reject the false choice between securing our border and creating a system of immigration that is orderly and humane,” she wrote. Harris voiced support for a bipartisan border security bill aimed at curbing illegal crossings while also protecting immigrants, many of whom, she noted, come from communities like hers.
On foreign policy, Harris drew a sharp contrast with her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, critiquing his record on diplomacy and commitment to US alliances. “As Vice President, I have expanded our relationships with key South Asian partners, including India,” she said. Unlike Trump, whom she described as “unfit” due to his connections with authoritarian leaders, Harris pledged to reinforce America’s alliances and uphold its leadership on the world stage.
Harris’s mother Shyamala Gopalan arrived in California in the early 1960s, where she met Jamaican economist Donald Harris during the fervent days of the civil rights movement.
Born in 1964, Kamala Harris grew up amid a climate of activism and social change, often attending marches with her mother. After her parents’ divorce, she was primarily raised by her mother, who worked long hours and kept a tight budget.
Harris often recalls how her mother would sit late at night with a cup of tea, sorting through bills and ensuring that her daughters would have a future that was stable and fulfilling.
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