WASHINGTON: Indian history and teachings have influenced and shaped the world, US Vice President Kamala Harris has said, stating that the country has inspired millions of people through her philosophy.
He also praised the extraordinary impact american indians have done in the US with a record number of members of the United States Congress who are of Indian descent.
She also said that India is a “very important” part of her life and that she is deeply connected to the country.
“History and teachings in and from India have not only influenced me, but of course they have shaped the whole world,” Harris said in her speech at a luncheon hosted by her and Secretary of State . anthony blink in honor of the prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday.
“Throughout history, India has inspired millions of people around the world, whether through philosophy and theology, the power of civil disobedience or commitment to democracy,” said the Party leader. 58 year old Democrat.
“As I look around this room, I am struck by the extraordinary impact that Indian Americans have had on our country in all facets of life,” he said. Take, for example, the historical number of members of the United States Congress with Indian ancestry: Representatives Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Shri Thanedar. And they’re known as the “Samosa Caucus,” for those of you who didn’t know, he said.
“And across our country, we see the impact of Indian Americans, from the C-suites of corporate America to neighborhood businesses, from Hollywood studios to university research labs across the country,” he added. Harris.
Harris, during her remarks, recalled her trips to India as a child.
“India is a very important part of my life,” he said.
“When my sister Maya and I were growing up, our mother would take us from the Bay Area to India almost every two years. The purposes of those trips were many, among them that we fully understand where she came from, what produced her; so that we could spend time with our grandparents, with my uncle and our chittis; and really understand the love of good idli,” she said to laughs from guests at the US State Department luncheon.
“We traveled to visit my grandparents in what was then called Madras. And I’ll tell you, my grandfather was one of the most favorite people in my life, really. We were pen friends, in fact, throughout my childhood,” he said.
Harris said that her grandfather had a great influence on her.
“I was the eldest grandson. So, as I’m sure many of you know, culturally, being the oldest has a certain meaning. And so, I took full advantage of that status in our family. And my grandfather, of course, convinced me, as he did, I think, with every one of his grandchildren, that we were his favorites. However, on those visits, I was the only member of our family my grandfather allowed to join him on his morning routine,” Harris said.
“You see, when we used to go there as kids, my grandfather was retired from his career as a civil servant. And his morning routine, every morning, was to take long walks on the beach with his retired friends. And they, as retired officials, debated the issues of the day,” said the vice president.
“I would take my grandfather’s hand on these walks and listen carefully to him and his friends. I’ll tell you, as a child, I don’t think she fully appreciated the substance and importance of the discussions that they would have. But I clearly understood and remember stories about the freedom fighters and founding heroes of the nation and about the independence of India. I remember them talking about the importance of fighting corruption and fighting for equality, regardless of one’s belief or caste,” she said.
The vice president said that conversations with her grandfather at a young age influenced her way of thinking.
“Throughout these walks, I remember my grandfather teaching me lessons not only about what it means to have a democracy but also about how to maintain democracy. I believe it is these lessons that I learned at a very young age that first inspired my interest in public service. I look back now and realize how much these conversations influenced me and my way of thinking, and how they have guided me ever since,” he added.
“In fact, it’s a big part of who I am today – these lessons I learned from my grandfather, PV Gopalan, and from the dedication, determination and courage of his daughter, my mother, Shyamala. And that is why I stand before you today as Vice President of the United States,” Harris said.
He thanked Prime Minister Modi for his leadership role in helping India emerge as a world power in the 21st century.
“You have helped revitalize the Quad. His leadership at the G20 is making new strides in climate finance. And you have been an advocate for international institutions and global solutions to global challenges,” he said.
“And as a personal point of honour, as Chairman of the National Space Council, I thank you for your leadership in space and for our joint work on an Earth science satellite, which will help us address the climate crisis. And I’ll also thank you because when you and I first met at the White House, I asked you to join the Artemis Accords: a commitment to the safe and transparent use of space. I am happy to report, as you have, that you have joined the Artemis Accords,” he added.
“Over the past two and a half years, you and I have advanced cooperation on climate, clean energy, terrorism, cybercrime, public health, and vaccine production. And during this journey, our countries have launched new areas of cooperation, from artificial intelligence to semiconductors,” he added.
During his address to the US Congress on Thursday, Modi said: “There are millions here who have roots in India. Some of them sit proud in this chamber. There is one behind me, who has made history”.
He was referring to Harris, the first female vice president and the highest-ranking official in US history, as well as the first African-American and first Asian-American vice president.
Harris’ mother, Shyamala Gopalan, a breast cancer scientist, hailed from Chennai.
He also praised the extraordinary impact american indians have done in the US with a record number of members of the United States Congress who are of Indian descent.
She also said that India is a “very important” part of her life and that she is deeply connected to the country.
“History and teachings in and from India have not only influenced me, but of course they have shaped the whole world,” Harris said in her speech at a luncheon hosted by her and Secretary of State . anthony blink in honor of the prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday.
“Throughout history, India has inspired millions of people around the world, whether through philosophy and theology, the power of civil disobedience or commitment to democracy,” said the Party leader. 58 year old Democrat.
“As I look around this room, I am struck by the extraordinary impact that Indian Americans have had on our country in all facets of life,” he said. Take, for example, the historical number of members of the United States Congress with Indian ancestry: Representatives Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Shri Thanedar. And they’re known as the “Samosa Caucus,” for those of you who didn’t know, he said.
“And across our country, we see the impact of Indian Americans, from the C-suites of corporate America to neighborhood businesses, from Hollywood studios to university research labs across the country,” he added. Harris.
Harris, during her remarks, recalled her trips to India as a child.
“India is a very important part of my life,” he said.
“When my sister Maya and I were growing up, our mother would take us from the Bay Area to India almost every two years. The purposes of those trips were many, among them that we fully understand where she came from, what produced her; so that we could spend time with our grandparents, with my uncle and our chittis; and really understand the love of good idli,” she said to laughs from guests at the US State Department luncheon.
“We traveled to visit my grandparents in what was then called Madras. And I’ll tell you, my grandfather was one of the most favorite people in my life, really. We were pen friends, in fact, throughout my childhood,” he said.
Harris said that her grandfather had a great influence on her.
“I was the eldest grandson. So, as I’m sure many of you know, culturally, being the oldest has a certain meaning. And so, I took full advantage of that status in our family. And my grandfather, of course, convinced me, as he did, I think, with every one of his grandchildren, that we were his favorites. However, on those visits, I was the only member of our family my grandfather allowed to join him on his morning routine,” Harris said.
“You see, when we used to go there as kids, my grandfather was retired from his career as a civil servant. And his morning routine, every morning, was to take long walks on the beach with his retired friends. And they, as retired officials, debated the issues of the day,” said the vice president.
“I would take my grandfather’s hand on these walks and listen carefully to him and his friends. I’ll tell you, as a child, I don’t think she fully appreciated the substance and importance of the discussions that they would have. But I clearly understood and remember stories about the freedom fighters and founding heroes of the nation and about the independence of India. I remember them talking about the importance of fighting corruption and fighting for equality, regardless of one’s belief or caste,” she said.
The vice president said that conversations with her grandfather at a young age influenced her way of thinking.
“Throughout these walks, I remember my grandfather teaching me lessons not only about what it means to have a democracy but also about how to maintain democracy. I believe it is these lessons that I learned at a very young age that first inspired my interest in public service. I look back now and realize how much these conversations influenced me and my way of thinking, and how they have guided me ever since,” he added.
“In fact, it’s a big part of who I am today – these lessons I learned from my grandfather, PV Gopalan, and from the dedication, determination and courage of his daughter, my mother, Shyamala. And that is why I stand before you today as Vice President of the United States,” Harris said.
He thanked Prime Minister Modi for his leadership role in helping India emerge as a world power in the 21st century.
“You have helped revitalize the Quad. His leadership at the G20 is making new strides in climate finance. And you have been an advocate for international institutions and global solutions to global challenges,” he said.
“And as a personal point of honour, as Chairman of the National Space Council, I thank you for your leadership in space and for our joint work on an Earth science satellite, which will help us address the climate crisis. And I’ll also thank you because when you and I first met at the White House, I asked you to join the Artemis Accords: a commitment to the safe and transparent use of space. I am happy to report, as you have, that you have joined the Artemis Accords,” he added.
“Over the past two and a half years, you and I have advanced cooperation on climate, clean energy, terrorism, cybercrime, public health, and vaccine production. And during this journey, our countries have launched new areas of cooperation, from artificial intelligence to semiconductors,” he added.
During his address to the US Congress on Thursday, Modi said: “There are millions here who have roots in India. Some of them sit proud in this chamber. There is one behind me, who has made history”.
He was referring to Harris, the first female vice president and the highest-ranking official in US history, as well as the first African-American and first Asian-American vice president.
Harris’ mother, Shyamala Gopalan, a breast cancer scientist, hailed from Chennai.
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