Uncle says nomination by Biden a pleasant surprise
HE ALSO recalled his elder sister Shyamala’s grit and determination who went to UC Berkeley at a very young age of 19 in 1958. ‘She was bold and independent. Managed it all by herself, all alone in the US. She broke new ground,’ he adds. He also remembers Shyamala bringing her two daughters from Zambia decades ago.
Just hours after Kamala Devi Harris scripted history by becoming the first African-American woman, the first Indian-American and the first AsianAmerican to be appointed as running mate of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in the November presidential elections, her uncle G. Balachandran shared his joy with this newspaper
“Kamala takes care of her mother Shyamala Gopalan who broke new ground way back in 1958,” said Balachandran from New Delhi. Though he had expected the nomination, the official announcement by Biden was a “pleasant surprise”. “Kamala is quick on her feet, has established herself as a good debater and has a lot of things going forward. We are proud of her,” he adds.
Shyamala had brought her daughters to Chennai quite often where her parents settled after Gopalan retired from government service. Kamala, the eldest grandchild, was Gopalan’s favourite and both of them used to spend time walking on the beach. When asked about her grandfather’s influence on Kamala, Balachandran says, “My father had retired by then and settled in Chennai. He used to take her to Elliot’s beach. She also used to have long chats with him.” Probably, he must have kindled Kamala’s interest in public service.
He also recalled his elder sister Shyamala’s grit and determination who went to UC Berkeley at a very young age of 19 in 1958. “She was bold and independent. Managed it all by herself, all alone in the US. She broke new ground,” he adds. He also remembers Shyamala bringing her two daughters to Zambia decades ago where his father was posted then.
He signs off saying, “It is common thinking, not progressive thinking or being liberal, that will take you places. All human beings are equal regardless of their colour, gender, race or nationality.”