By james art SCOTTSDALE, AZ (Diya TV) — Maya Harris, sister of Vice President Kamala Harris, participates in a Diwali celebration in Arizona as part of the Harris-Waltz campaign for Indian voters ahead of the 2024 election. Harris is happy to be able to participate in this event, which was held here, in Scottsdale because she thinks good triumphing over evil is a great Diwali message. She urged this community to exercise their right to vote in this great swing state.
In remarks to the 100 or so in attendance, Harris reflected on the inspiring journey of her mother, Dr. Shyamala Gopalan, who immigrated to the United States from India in 1958. “It was almost unheard of for a young woman to travel that distance on her own,” Harris said, describing her mother as “fierce” and “brave.” She also shared her mother’s teachings on unity, citing a message often repeated by the vice president: “We all have much more in common than what separates us.”
Harris’ visit comes as both parties step up efforts to reach out to Native American voters, the nation’s second-largest immigrant voting bloc. As Arizona increasingly became one of the major battleground states, the mobilization of minority communities in particular, such as South Asians, took a central role in the Democratic campaign.
Simi Singh, co-director of South Asia for Harris in Arizona, hosted the Diwali event. “It’s been a hot and difficult month,” Singh said, adding, “That’s the wonder of this movement. Show up and do something. Cultural traditions include the lighting of oil lamps and the vibrancy of marigold flowers, which are meant to bring good luck in Hindu culture.
Many in attendance wore traditional saris and kurtas, but regardless of their attire, were vocal in their praise of Harris’ words. Attendee Priyanka Kotwal said she was moved by Harris’ account of her mother’s journey, adding that it resonated with many Indian American families.
A similar Diwali campaign speaks to a broader strategy that Democrats have used in their preparations to reach out to various communities before an election. Vice President Harris’ Indian and Jamaican heritage serves as a beacon for these efforts, albeit at times questionable.
After the latest polls showed an extremely tight race between Harris and former President Donald Trump in Arizona, it was a crucial moment for Maya Harris’ turnout call. Indian American voters continue to top the list in terms of concern about inflation, new surveys report. Indian American voters have long been loyal Democratic voters, but the number of Republicans has grown significantly in recent years.
As the campaign continues, these events remind voters of their role in shaping the nation’s future and the importance of culture and politics in the process.