US neta with Indian heritage: New York City mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani has Mumbai connection
NEW DELHI: When Zohran Mamdani announced his mayoral bid last October, few New Yorkers outside political circles had heard his name.
Now, the 33-year-old state lawmaker is emerging as a potential frontrunner to lead America's largest city—and could soon become its youngest mayor in generations and the first Muslim and Indian American to hold the post.
Mamdani declared victory in the Democratic primary from a rooftop bar in Queens on Tuesday evening, shortly after former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo conceded. Though the final outcome hinges on a ranked-choice count scheduled for 1 July, his early lead has already stirred national attention.
You Can Also Check:
Mumbai AQI
|
Weather in Mumbai
|
Bank Holidays in Mumbai
|
Public Holidays in Mumbai
Behind Mamdani's rapid rise is a story shaped by migration, art, scholarship, and activism—grounded in his Indian heritage.
Born to Indian parents with global lives
Zohran Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, to Indian parents—both widely recognised in their respective fields.
His mother,
Mira Nair
, is one of India's most acclaimed filmmakers, celebrated for works like Monsoon Wedding, The Namesake and Mississippi Masala.
His father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a prominent scholar of postcolonial studies at Columbia University in New York.
Both Nair and Mahmood were born in India—Nair in Rourkela, Odisha, and Mahmood in Mumbai.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting
Luxeartisanship
Buy Now
Undo
They later lived and worked across Africa, Europe, and the United States. Zohran spent his early childhood in Uganda and South Africa before moving to New York at the age of seven.
Mahmood Mamdani, now regarded as a leading public intellectual, was raised in Kampala by Gujarati Muslim parents. In the 1960s, he was selected for the landmark Kennedy Airlift programme, which sent East African students to study in the United States during the decolonisation era.
He earned his undergraduate degree in political science at the University of Pittsburgh, where he became active in civil rights movements—a legacy of activism his son would later embrace.
From rap and cricket to politics
Zohran Mamdani attended the prestigious Bronx High School of Science, where he co-founded the school's first cricket team. He later studied Africana Studies at Bowdoin College in Maine and helped launch a chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine.
Before entering politics, Mamdani dabbled in music as a fledgling rapper, performing under the stage name 'Mr. Cardamom.' His lyrics often reflected themes of race, identity and social justice.
In 2020, he was elected to the New York State Assembly from Queens, representing Astoria. Since then, he has been vocal on housing rights, climate justice, and immigrant protections—an agenda shaped by both his upbringing and his family's intellectual legacy.
Earlier this year, he married Syrian American artist Rama Duwaji. The couple met on a dating app and now live in Astoria.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
4 death penalties secured, 458 cases fast-tracked in a yr
Lucknow: As part of its 'Operation Conviction' campaign, the Uttar Pradesh govt has secured four death penalties and fast-tracked 458 cases of heinous crimes under the new criminal laws since July 2024. These include death penalties for four criminals in Badaun, Hathras and Kanpur Dehat, life imprisonment for 10, over 20 years' jail for 19, and under 20 years' jail for 425 offenders. Total number of convictions secured in the last two years, since July 2023, has crossed 97,000, officials said. Union home minister Amit Shah hailed UP's legal efficiency at the Central Zonal Council meeting in Varanasi earlier this week and termed it as a model for the country. Director general, prosecution, Deepesh Juneja said swift trials, robust evidence presentation, and video testimony helped fast-track convictions and saved Rs 25 crore through reduced court appearances. "The transformation of UP under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is drawing national and international praise. Since July 1, 2023, due to the govt's zero-tolerance policy on crime, the state's 'Operation Conviction' has secured over 97,185 convictions," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "The swift implementation of three new criminal laws and fast-tracking of 458 key cases since July last year have bolstered this drive. Union home minister Amit Shah lauded these efforts in the recent CZC meeting in Varanasi," Juneja added. "Effective implementation of the three new criminal laws is not only propelling UP towards a crime-free status but also setting an exemplary model for the entire nation. At least 458 heinous cases registered under the new laws have seen convictions. These include death penalty for four criminals, life imprisonment for 10, imprisonment of less than 20 years for 425 offenders, and over 20 years' imprisonment for 19 others," he said. "The prosecution effectively presented evidence and witness testimonies, making full use of the provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to strengthen and expedite the judicial process. The govt also ensured witness protection, systematic evidence collection, and timely presence in court — all essential elements of a fair trial," he said. "Since July 1, 2024, effective use of digital documentation and witness statements via video conferencing has taken place in the hearing of 25,000 cases across the state. This significantly reduced the need for police and govt witnesses to appear repeatedly in court, resulting in an estimated cost saving of Rs 25 crore for govt," he said.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
39 minutes ago
- First Post
Melissa Hortman honoured at funeral attended by Biden, Harris after tragic shooting
Hortman was shot to death in a pair of attacks two weeks earlier by a man posing as a police officer that Minnesota's chief federal prosecutor has called an assassination. The shootings also left her husband, Mark, dead and a state senator and his wife seriously wounded read more Attendees take their seats before funeral services for Mark and Melissa Hortman at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, Minn. AP Democratic former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman was honored for her legislative accomplishments and her humanity during a funeral Saturday where former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris joined the over 1,000 mourners. Hortman was shot to death in a pair of attacks two weeks earlier by a man posing as a police officer that Minnesota's chief federal prosecutor has called an assassination. The shootings also left her husband, Mark, dead and a state senator and his wife seriously wounded. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Melissa Hortman will be remembered as the most consequential speaker in Minnesota history. I get to remember her as a close friend, a mentor, and the most talented legislator I have ever known,' Gov. Tim Walz said in his eulogy. 'For seven years, I have had the privilege of signing her agenda into law. I know millions of Minnesotans get to live their lives better because she and Mark chose public service and politics.' Neither Biden nor Harris spoke, but they said in the front row with the governor. Biden also paid his respects Friday as Hortman, her husband, Mark, and their golden retriever, Gilbert, lay in state in the Minnesota Capitol rotunda in St. Paul. Biden also visited the wounded senator in a hospital. Hortman was the first woman and one of fewer than 20 Minnesotans to lay in state at the Capitol. It was the first time a couple has been accorded the honor, and the first for a dog. Gilbert was seriously wounded in the attack and had to be euthanized. Hortman, who was first elected in 2004, helped pass an expansive agenda of liberal initiatives like free lunches for public school students during the momentous 2023 session as the chamber's speaker, along with expanded protections for abortion and trans rights. With the House split 67-67 between Democrats and Republicans this year, she yielded the gavel to a Republican under a power-sharing deal, took the title speaker emerita, and helped break a budget impasse that threatened to shut down state government. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Walz said Hortman saw her mission as 'to get as much good done for as many people as possible.' And he said her focus on people was what made her so effective. 'She knew how to get her way, no doubt about it," Walz said. 'But she never made anyone feel like they'd gotten rolled at the negotiating table. That wasn't part of it for her. She didn't need someone else to lose to know she'd won.' 'She certainly knew how to get her way. No doubt about that,' Walz said. 'But she never made anyone feel that they'd gotten rolled at a negotiating table. That wasn't part of it for her, or a part of who she was. She didn't need somebody else to lose to win for her.' The governor said the best way to honor the Hortmans would be by following their example. 'Maybe it is this moment where each of us can examine the way we work together, the way we talk about each other, the way we fight for things we care about,' Walz said. 'A moment when each of us can recommit to engaging in politics and life the way Mark and Melissa did – fiercely, enthusiastically, heartily, but without ever losing sight of our common humanity.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Dozens of state legislators who served with Hortman attended. The Rev. Daniel Griffith, pastor and rector of the Basilica, led the service. Other clergy present included Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Saint Paul and Minneapolis Archdiocese. The man accused of killing the Hortmans at their home in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park on June 14, and wounding Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette, at their home in nearby Champlin, made a brief court appearance Friday. He's due back in court Thursday. Vance Boelter, 57, of Green Isle, surrendered near his home the night of June 15 after what authorities called the largest search in Minnesota history. Boelter has not entered a plea. Prosecutors need to secure a grand jury indictment first. His lawyers have declined to comment on the charges, which could carry the federal death penalty. Friends have described Boelter as an evangelical Christian with politically conservative views. But prosecutors have declined so far to speculate on a motive. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Anomalies in land acquisition for Gorakhpur corridor: SP chief
Lucknow: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday alleged irregularities in the acquisition of land for the heritage corridor being built in Gorakhpur. Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, he demanded that the land compensation for the heritage corridor be determined based on market value rather than consent-based agreements. The SP chief alleged that "govt is forcibly getting traders and residents to sign the consent letter by putting pressure through the administration and police so that they do not have to pay more compensation." "If the people of Gorakhpur speak up and reveal the secrets, then instead of a heritage (virasat) corridor, a custody (hirasat) corridor will have to be built there," he said. Akhilesh claimed there were irregularities in land acquisition for other heritage projects also due to which the BJP had to face electoral reverses in these areas. "This is not just about one district, but the whole state. In this game, a few BJP leaders benefit while the public is being cheated," he said. He said this was the reason why "BJP lost in Ayodhya and narrowly escaped defeat in Varanasi in LS polls. Now it's the turn of Mathura and Gorakhpur". The SP chief alleged that BJP workers, in the presence of police, blocked roads and threw eggs and stones at vehicles of an SP delegation that went to Gorakhpur on June 25. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The anime RPG everyone's talking about is finally free! Nikke: Goddess Of Victory Play Now Undo Calling the bulldozer a symbol of injustice, he asked SP workers not to be afraid of "bulldozer, eggs or black flags". Instead of the "fake heritage corridor", a corridor of development will be built when the SP govt will comes to office, he said. Targeting CM Yogi Adityanath, he said, "Think, he's building the heritage corridor now, when he's down to his last budget...." "If he truly wanted to do something for Gorakhpur, he should remember his first announcement... that he will build a metro (metro rail service) in Gorakhpur along with Jhansi," he said.
