In a small rural community in Tamil Nadu, villagers gather to pray for Kamala Harristhe American vice-president whom they consider to be the daughter of their ancestral land.

This is the village of Thulasendrapuram, and Harris’ rise to prominence has created a wave of enthusiasm here.

The village is the birthplace of her maternal grandfather, and although Harris has never visited the village and she no longer has any immediate family living here, as far as the villagers are concerned, the connection runs deep .

Temple priest M. Natarajan said, “His victory will be our victory. If our prayers reach God, she will triumph. »

What are Kamala Harris’ Indian roots?

Harris’ grandfather, Gopalan Gopalan, moved from the village to the city of Chennai, where he worked as a senior government official.

Her daughter, Shyamala Gopalan, left India to pursue higher education in the United States, where she would later marry and give birth to Kamala.

The Vice President is an integral part of conversations in the village and her image appears on billboards and banners throughout the community.

“The granddaughter of our village ancestors is running for president of the United States. It’s a great honor,” Natarajan said.

This new fame brought tangible benefits to the village. The temple, which received donations from Harris’ relatives, recently began construction of a new water storage tank, financed by a bank.

Why are Indian women inspired by Kamala Harris?

The float is expected to carry a plaque bearing Harris’ name as a tribute to her and her family roots.

“Harris” links with India are a central part of her personal history and she has often spoken fondly of her Indian heritage.

It owes its name to the Sanskrit word “Kamala” meaning “lotus flower”.

On the campaign trail, Harris frequently highlights the values ​​instilled in her by her mother and grandfather.

In a recent campaign video titled “Mother,” Harris paid tribute to her mother’s journey from India to the United States and her work as a pioneering researcher.

The video ends with the phrase: “This daughter of Shyamala, this daughter of American history, is ready to lead us forward.”

The villagers also recognize the importance of his rise and his success is a source of pride.

How has Kamala Harris’ ancestral village benefited from her success?

His name is prominently displayed on the donor plaques in the temple, alongside that of his grandfather. A large banner outside the temple wishes her “success in the elections” and calls her “the daughter of the country”.

For many women in Thulasendrapuram, Harris is an emblem of empowerment.

The village, like much of rural India, still struggles with entrenched gender inequality. Yet Harris’ ascension to the White House has deeply affected local women who see her as a symbol of possibility.

Arulmozhi Sudhakar, a local politician, observes that Harris’ candidacy marks a momentous change for women in villages like Thulasendrapuram.

Sudhaka said, “In the past, women were not even allowed to leave their homes. Today, a woman from our village is running for president of the United States. This brings immense joy. The younger generation will see her as a role model and will attract her. inspiration from her.”

Harris’s 2020 victory as vice president was celebrated in Thulasendrapuram, where residents set off firecrackers in joy.

More recently, the village has seen an increase in international visitors. Two American tourists and a British visitor, all dressed in shirts emblazoned with the slogan “Kamala Freakin’ Harris,” visited the temple to pay tribute to the village’s ties to the vice president.

For Manikandan Ganesan, a small business owner in Thulasendrapuram, Harris’ presidential campaign put the village in the global spotlight.

Ganesan said: “It would be wonderful if she visited us one day. Just mentioning that she might come here would be enough to make us all very happy. Her success is a source of great joy for our community.”

This article contains additional reporting from the Associated Press