The Indian diaspora in the US is one of the largest in the country, and Indian Americans are the second-largest immigrant group in the United States. There are nearly 5 million Americans of Indian descent, most of whom are first-generation and second-generation Indian immigrants.
For the first time, a large number of them are overly enthusiastic about the US presidential elections. That is because one of them is on the ballot and, if all goes well, could become the next President of the US. The candidacy of Kamala Harris has brought focus on Indian Americans like never before, and many are not letting go of the golden opportunity.
Indian Americans for Harris is a new campaign that has been launched in support of the Democratic presidential nominee in key battleground states.
The campaign, which was launched on Tuesday, aims at ensuring that the presidential elections make history by electing Harris as the first person of Indian heritage to lead the US, according to the group's members.
"This is the first time we have someone whose mother is from India. She has Indian heritage and culture. What she has learned, I felt that we Indian Americans should support her beyond the party line," North Carolina-based businessman Swadesh 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," said Chatterjee, a 2001 Padma Bhushan award recipient.
Indian Americans for Harris is focusing on North Carolina, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Georgia, the states that could swing the elections. The campaign is encouraging 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.
Ever since Harris replaced Joe Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee, her mixed race has been one of the key points of discussion.
While Harris has never shied away from identifying herself as a biracial person, many, including Trump, have questioned her identity¡ªwhether she was Indian or Black.
According to Indian Americans for Harris, her biracial heritage is a perfect example of America as a melting pot. The US has been a refuge for people from all over the world, and Kamala's background resonates with many in the country, where at least 12.5 percent of the population identifies as biracial.
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