Indian-Americans Celebrate Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris

Enlarge this image


Vice President-elect Kamala Harris delivers an address to the nation from Wilmington, Del., on Saturday. Harris will not only be the first Black, and first female, vice president. She’s also the first Indian American and the first Asian American elected to the office.





Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images



hide caption



toggle caption


Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images



Elections
‘Game-Changer’: Kamala Harris Makes History As Next Vice President

Some Indian-Americans are calling Harris’ election an early Diwali present. The Indian festival of lights begins this weekend.

Along with Harris’ victory, all four other Indian-American Democrats in Congress were re-elected this past week. (Though another Indian-American lost his bid for a House seat in Texas.) Together with Harris, who served in the U.S. Senate, they have been dubbed by some Indian media as the «Samosa Caucus — after the popular Indian snack.

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Indian-born Democrat from Illinois, called Harris’ election «a transformative, meaningful moment for our country.

«I’m very grateful that my children will see Kamala Harris, along with Joe Biden, as a role model when she enters office, Krishnamoorthi said in a statement.

In a statement emailed to reporters, the U.S.-India Business Council congratulated Harris and President-Elect Biden, calling their victory «truly a barrier breaking moment, and one that celebrates the diversity of America.

The U.S. India Political Action Committee on Sunday called Harris’ election «one of the most inspirational days for young girls everywhere, especially Black and Indian girls. A victory for decency, class, truth, maturity and unity.

The Washington-based Hindu American Foundation also issued a statement noting Harris’ South Asian background, congratulating her and Biden, and pledging to work with their administration.

Despite President Trump’s friendship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, surveys done before the election showed Indian-Americans overwhelmingly planned to vote for Biden and Harris.