In her first campaign appearance at Delaware as Presidential candidate Joe Biden's running mate, California Senator Kamala Harris on Wednesday talked about her Indian descent and discussed the importance of family in her life.
Harris talked about how her parents, Jamaican and Indian immigrants, met while protesting for civil rights in Oakland in the 1960s.
"My mother and father, they came from opposite sides of the world to arrive in America. One from India and the other from Jamaica in search of a world-class education. But what brought them together was the civil rights movement of the 1960s. And that is how they met as students in the streets of Oakland marching and shouting for this thing called justice in a struggle that continues today," Harris said.
Her mother Shyamala Gopalan is a Tamil Indian-American who became a leading cancer researcher and activist, passed away from colon cancer in 2009.
From Kamala`s name (Shyamala gave her and her sisters Sanskrit names to connect their heritage with their identities) to Kamala`s focus on immigration and equal rights, Shyamala has had a profound influence and lasting legacy on her high-flying daughter.
Harris accused US President Donald Trump of the mishandling of coronavirus. The US leads the world with more than 5 million coronavirus cases "because of Trump`s failure to take it seriously from the start," Harris said"His refusal to get testing up to and running, his flip-flopping on social distancing and wearing masks.
"His delusional belief that he knows better than the experts. All of that is a reason and the reason that an American dies of Covid-19 every 80 seconds," Harris said regarding Trump.
Harris also honoured the women who helped pave the way for her and acknowledged the work needed to curb the coronavirus pandemic.
"After the most competitive primary in history, the country received a resounding message that Joe was the person to lead us forward and, Joe, I am so proud to stand with you. And I do so mindful of all the heroic and ambitious women before me whose sacrifice, determination and resilience make my presence here today even possible," Harris said.
The California Democrat said she was "incredibly honoured by this responsibility" and that she was "ready to get to work."
The United states is headed for its Presidential election on November 3.
(With ANI inputs)
