In a historic turn of events, Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old Ugandan-born politician, has been elected as New York City’s youngest mayor in over a century and the first Muslim to hold the position. His victory has ignited widespread celebration, particularly among Indians and Ugandans, who took to social media to express their pride and joy. Mamdani’s win was marked by a vibrant Bollywood-style street party, where he paid homage to his Indian heritage by quoting Jawaharlal Nehru’s iconic “Tryst with Destiny” speech from India’s independence era. His maternal uncle, Vikram Nair, expressed immense pride in Mamdani’s achievement, noting the overwhelming requests for celebratory gatherings. Mamdani’s mother, Mira Nair, an acclaimed Indian filmmaker, and his father, Mahmood Mamdani, a Columbia University professor, were visibly emotional during the victory rally. The event concluded with the title track of the Bollywood blockbuster “Dhoom,” symbolizing the fusion of cultures in Mamdani’s campaign. While his multi-racial outreach and embrace of his Indian and Muslim identity garnered significant support, his past criticism of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “war criminal” has sparked controversy. Despite this, Mamdani’s victory has been hailed as a milestone for diversity and youth in politics, inspiring hope and debate across the globe.
‘Badhai!’ In India, a celebration for Zohran Mamdani’s New York mayoral win and his roots
