An Indian American in the White House?

This week we bring our readers a humour-laced opinion piece from an Indian American who would like to see a member of his clan move into the White House. Well, if not the President herself at least the First Lady and considering that the names which have figured in the list of contenders in this category have been mostly those of women, it is not at all unlikely. From Kamala (another name for Lakshmi) to Usha (another name for Durga), it's all in the realm of possibilities.

- BASAB DASGUPTA

Ever since Joe Biden picked Kamala Harris as his running mate in 2020, I have had the dream of seeing an Indian American in the White House (WH) as a grand finale to my bicultural life. When Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race and Ms Harris became the nominee of the Democratic Party, I thought that my dream was within reach because Ms Harris seemed to have a good chance of defeating Donald Trump.

Fortunately or unfortunately, that did not happen, and Trump won the election.

I am not too disappointed because Harris is not a bona fide Indian American; she is only half-Indian, on her mother's side. Her father is Jamaican American. Secondly, she identifies herself as "Black", and I have not heard any comments from her praising or expressing pride in her Indian heritage. Furthermore, she lacks academic excellence and professional achievements, so typical of Indian Americans.

My original hope was that Trump would pick an Indian American as his running mate for 2024. Then, if Trump wins the election, this person could become the Vice President and eventually the president of the US (POTUS) after Trump's term is over.

I was all in for Nikki Haley to be that running mate, even after she declared her candidacy for presidency. She is smart, articulate, easy on the eye and has experience as a two-time governor of South Carolina as well as international experience as a UN ambassador. Many people believe that, had Trump picked Haley as his running mate in 2020, he would have won.

Although her relationship with Trump was occasionally rocky, I believed that she had the political savvy to patch things up and be a loyal confidant of Trump.