How Indian-Americans are powering Kamala Harris' historic presidential bid

NEW DELHI: A group of Indian-Americans on Tuesday launched a support campaign for Vice President Kamala Harris for the upcoming US presidential elections against Republican nominee Donald Trump. The 'Indian Americans for Harris' campaign is aimed to garner support for Kamala in battle ground states and ensure her election as the first person of Indian heritage to lead the country.
Listing North Carolina, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Georgia as key battleground states, North Carolina based businessman Sw desh Chatterjee said the 'grassroots' campaign plans to mobilise Indian Americans in such states to come out and vote for Harris to make her the first person of Indian origin as the president of the US.
"This is the first time we have someone whose mother is from India. She has got Indian heritage and culture. What she has learned, I felt that we Indian Americans should support her beyond the party line," Chatterjee told PTI.
"It has never happened in the history of the US "to have somebody named Kamala running for the highest office in this country", he added.
According to campaign's website, Kamala's bi-racial heritage is a perfect example of America as a melting pot. Kamala's background resonates with many in the country, where at least 12.5 per cent of the population identifies as biracial.
Members of the group said the time has come to celebrate that Indian-Americans, one of the most successful immigrant groups in the US, will have one of their own in the highest office, as a leader of the free world.
The group said, "We urge you to support Kamala Harris as she is the right choice for the right time. As the world grapples with inequities and disharmony, we need her to lead the US and the free world."
"As the first woman of Indian descent to serve as Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris represents a significant milestone in our community's history. Her leadership and values resonate with our collective aspirations for a more just, equitable, and inclusive America," it added.
Following US President Joe Biden's exit from the presidential election race, Kamala was elected as the Democratic nominee against former President Donald Trump just 100 days before the November 5 poll.