Americans across the country celebrating Kamala Harris’ historic win aren’t the only ones. Diwali came early for some Indians as Harris was announced as the U.S. 2020 vice presidential-elect. Miles away in Harris’ ancestral village in India, Thulasendrapuram residents celebrated her victory with placards, firecrackers, prayers, and other festivities, according to local news reports of the celebrations. “The village was rocked by the sound of bursting crackers,” NDTV, a local Indian outlet reported.
Footage from the festivities depict photos of Harris and congratulatory messages featured throughout the village. “Congratulations Kamala Harris, the pride of our village,” one message read. Villagers told NDTV that they hoped Harris would one day visit Thulasendrapuram, her grandfather’s hometown once she is sworn in. Children and adults alike expressed the pride they had for her win.
"A woman hailing from this small village now holds one of the highest positions in U.S. It's a proud moment," R Kamaraj, a government minister in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, told Reuters.
Celebrations and prayers in the small Tamil town in South India began weeks before Harris’ win. Residents started praying and celebrating for her following her name being on the presidential ticket. While her family moved away from the village years ago—the community has held a heartfelt spot for Harris.
Following the 2020 election results, celebrations only increased. Hundreds gathered in the small village home to mostly farmers to hand out sweets and celebrate a person of Indian descent as vice president of the U.S.
"We feel a sense of euphoria! Very happy, very excited, very proud," S.V. Ramanan, caretaker of the Hindu temple in Harris' ancestral village told NPR. "I hope this scene reaches Kamala. She should know we're here celebrating her.”
Harris has spoken about her Indian roots and the values her trailblazer grandfather has instilled in her many times. Her grandfather was among millions who joined India’s independence movement, she shared—this amongst other conversations inspired her ideals of justice she said. Additionally, Harris garnered a strong following in India during her vice presidential nominee acceptance when she mentioned the support she has received from her “chittis” or aunts in Tamil.
But that is not the only tie Harris has to India. Her uncle Gopalan Balachandran, who lives in New Delhi, has been a long supporter of her and even plans to travel to Washington, D.C., when it is time for her inauguration.
The suspense and delay in results “didn't affect me at all because I studied the data. ... I knew she was going to win. So, I was not tense, except I wanted the final results to come in so that I could go and sleep," he told Reuters.
Watch the beautiful celebrations below: