DNC all set to script history; Indian-origin Senator Kamala Harris to break another glass ceiling
Washington: The Democratic National Convention that begins on Monday is all set to script history by nominating Senator Kamala Harris as the first-ever Black as well as the first-ever American of Indian and African descent as a vice presidential candidate by a major political party.
With the nomination, 55-year-old Harris, who has many firsts to a trailblazing career starting with an attorney from California, would break another glass ceiling in US politics.
Born to a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, Harris was also the district attorney for San Francisco -- the first woman and first African-American and Indian-origin to be elected to the position. She is one of only three Asian Americans in the Senate and she is the first Indian-American ever to serve in the chamber.
She would have several firsts in her role as vice president also: the first woman, the first African-American woman, the first Indian-American and the first Asian-American.
Last week, former US vice president Joe Biden, 77, scripted history by selecting Harris as his running mate. Biden would be formally nominated by the Democratic Party as its presidential candidate at its once-in-four-year convention on August 20.
The four-day Democratic National Convention (DNC) begins on August 17. Harris would deliver her acceptance speech on August 19.
The convention, which was initially scheduled to be held in Wisconsin is now being held almost virtually with neither Biden nor Harris being present at the original convention venue, so would be a majority of the delegates due to the social distancing measures under implementation because of the raging coronavirus pandemic.
The party has lined up its top leaders to address the delegates and hundreds and thousands of party supporters across the country, albeit virtually, during the four nights.
Prominent among them include former president Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama, former secretary of State and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, former president Bill Clinton and House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
According to the DNC leaders, the final night of the convention would have speakers giving an insight into Biden's leadership and character. "Biden will speak about his vision for uniting America to move us forward out of constant chaos and crisis, and for delivering on that promise for all," it said.
"America is not going back to where it was before Donald Trump's mismanagement of the pandemic and subsequent economic crisis, because for too many people, that wasn't good enough. As he leads us out of crisis, Joe Biden will help build back better," the convention said in a statement.
"He will have a historic partner in these efforts: the first female vice president. On Wednesday, you will hear from the Vice-Presidential nominee and many others who are committed to working alongside Joe Biden to achieve his goals to form a more perfect union," it said.
According to Joe Solmonese, CEO of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, amidst all of the chaos and crises the US is facing, Democrats are focused on finding new and innovative ways to engage more Americans than ever before to mobilise the nation to defeat Trump in November 3 polls.
On each of the four days, the convention would begin and conclude with a prayer by different faith leaders. The list released on Sunday did not include any representation from Hindus and Sikhs religious groups.
In addition to political speeches and prayers, the convention will also feature musical performances from some of the most popular artists in the nation.
Prominent among those are Leon Bridges, The Chicks, Common, Billie Eilish, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Billy Porter, Maggie Rogers, Prince Royce and Stephen Stills.
"It will truly be a convention across America, and these incredible artists will help us tell the story of where we are as a country today under Donald Trump's failed leadership, and the promise of what we can and should be with Joe Biden as president," said Stephanie Cutter, 2020 DNC Programme Executive.
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BJP Min. Vijayvargiya trolled for riding scooter without helmet amid water contamination crisis
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Indore: Madhya Pradesh Minister and senior BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya has come under criticism after videos surfaced showing him riding a scooter without a helmet and allegedly without a registration number during his visit to Bhagirathpura, which is hit by a severe contaminated water crisis.
The incident has triggered widespread online backlash and contributed to the growing criticism of the state government's handling of the crisis.
This comes a day after Vijayvargiya was caught on camera using objectionable language while responding to questions from a TV Journalist.
Vijayvargiya had arrived at Bhagirathpura riding a scooter to interact with residents and distribute cheques of ₹2 lakh each to the families of seven deceased persons.
However, the visit saw strong resistance from locals, particularly women, who expressed anger in front of the minister.
Videos of the confrontation were posted on social media by Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari.
In one of the clips, a woman is heard saying that dirty water has been supplied for the last two years and that repeated complaints to the BJP councillor had not resolved the issue.
Patwari, in a post on X, wrote that the entire locality was suffering while the minister “did not even listen to the sister’s words.”
गंदे पानी से 13 मौतों के बाद जब कैबिनेट मंत्री कैलाश विजयवर्गीय अपनी विधानसभा के लोगों से मिलने पहुंचे, तब एक बहन ने उनकी पोल खोल दी।
— Jitendra (Jitu) Patwari (@jitupatwari) January 1, 2026
महिला ने बताया कि पिछले दो वर्षों से गंदा पानी आ रहा है। इस बारे में भाजपा पार्षद को बार बार बताया गया, लेकिन आज तक समस्या का समाधान नहीं हुआ।… pic.twitter.com/4iUsd8omux
Social media users troll Vijayvargiya
“Dear @MPPoliceDeptt, He is Cabinet Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya. He wasn’t wearing a helmet, and the scooter he was using had no number plate,” wrote @NalinisKitchen.
“Kailash Vijayvargiya is in PR Damage control mode. He got so excited that he went on a scooty without helmet & ended up exposing the pathetic pothole and dirt filled road of Indore, city in a state that BJP is in power for almost 20 years now. Self Goal,” wrote @RoshanKrRaii.
“PR damage control turned into a reality check. One scooty ride by Kailash Vijayvargiya exposed Indore’s broken roads, potholes, and dirt—after 2 decades of BJP rule. When optics fail, truth shows up. Self-goal,” wrote another user.
“Look at the filthy streets under the jurisdiction of this incompetent MLA @KailashOnline. On top of that, he roams around the dirty streets in unregistered vehicles without helmets like a goon,” said another post.
10 deaths reported, over 1,400 affected in Bhagirathpura
Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava said on Friday that he had received information about 10 deaths caused by a diarrhoea outbreak linked to contaminated drinking water in Bhagirathpura.
However, local residents have claimed that at least 14 people, including a six-month-old infant, have died due to the health crisis. The health department has not officially confirmed these claims.
According to reports, a leak was found in the main drinking water supply pipeline near a police outpost in Bhagirathpura, at a spot where a toilet has been constructed. The leakage led to contamination of the water supply.
Over the past nine days, more than 1,400 people have been affected by vomiting and diarrhea in the area.
A health department official, citing the situation till Thursday night, said that 272 patients were admitted to hospitals, of whom 71 have been discharged. At present, 201 patients are hospitalised, and 32 of them are undergoing treatment in intensive care units.
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