Indian village cheers for Kamala Harris during swearing-in as US vice-president

Residents celebrate with fireworks as the Indian-American politician with strong roots in their home takes her oath of office

‘If she supports India, she will be the president,’ says one villager, who proudly displays a wall calendar with pictures of Harris and Biden in his shop

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Villagers in Thulasendrapuram, India hold posters of Kamala Harris and set off pyrotechnics to celebrate her swearing-in as US vice-president. Photo: Reuters

Published: 5:59am, 21 Jan 2021Updated: 3:32pm, 21 Jan 2021

Residents of a tiny Indian village surrounded by rice paddies flocked to a Hindu temple, setting off firecrackers and praying and as they watched Kamala Harris, who has strong roots in the village, take her oath of office and become the US vice-president on Wednesday.

Groups of women in bright saris and men wearing white dhoti pants watched the inauguration live as reporters broadcast the villagers’ celebrations to millions of Indians.

The villagers chanted “Long live Kamala Harris” while holding portraits of her and blasted off fireworks the moment she took the oath.

Earlier, the villages adorned their temple with flowers, offering special prayers for Harris’ success. Her maternal grandfather was born in the village of Thulasendrapuram, about 350km (215 miles) from the southern coastal city of Chennai.

A villager prepares food with US Vice-President Kamala Harris' name displayed at Thulasendrapuram village on Wednesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

“We are feeling very proud that an Indian is being elected as the vice-president of America,” said teacher Anukampa Madhavasimhan.