Queens to Rourkela: The story of Zohran Mamdani's transcontinental roots

Okay, so here's the low-down in a casual vibe: Zohran Mamdani—he’s the guy you keep hearing about as the radical young candidate in New York’s mayoral race. But what does he have to do with Odisha?

Born in Kampala, Uganda in 1991, Zohran is the son of Mira Nair (the celebrated Indian-American filmmaker originally from Rourkela, Odisha) and Mahmood Mamdani, a Ugandan-Indian academic heavyweight based at Columbia University. So yes, Odisha is the starting point for this whole story: Mira grew up in Rourkela and Bhubaneswar—her father Amrit Lal Nair was a key figure in helping set up the Rourkela Steel Plant, and Odisha has landmarks like Nair Stadium and Nair Chowk named after her family.

Life for young Zohran was pretty global—first Uganda, then Cape Town at age five, and moving to NYC at seven. His upbringing mixes East Africa, South Asia, and the west—he speaks Hindi, has Bollywood vibes, and is deeply into social justice.

Zohran jumps into NYC's 2025 mayoral race with radical platforms—free bus rides, universal childcare, rent freeze, city-owned grocery stores, and tax hikes on the wealthy. His campaign is peppered with Bollywood references, Hindi lines and earthy charisma: “Aaj uske paas building hai... aapke paas – aap ho” (You have yourself)

Back in Odisha, people are geeking out. They’re proud that Mira’s son could become NYC’s first Indian-American Muslim mayor. Rourkela nostalgia, pride in the diaspora—social media feeds are buzzing. Some fans in Bhubaneswar are even pitching cultural exchanges—imagine a Bali Jatra fest in Queens! . That’s how strong the emotional link is.

Why Odisha matters
Roots, not just bloodlines: His mom, Mira, grew up in Odisha. That connection makes Zohran’s candidacy feel personal to locals.

Diaspora pride: Seeing someone with Odisha roots rise globally—especially in politics—is huge for state pride.

Cultural bridge: He’s turning that link into action—campaign videos in Hindi, cultural nods, and the imagination of Indo‑NYC cultural exchanges.

Odisha people are hyped—not just because he’s their girl’s kid—but because his success feels like theirs, and he bridges worlds: Uganda, South Africa, NYC, and Odisha. He’s using that hybrid energy in a campaign that’s loud, edgy, and full of heart—calling himself a socialist underdog with Bollywood flair, cooking skills, and a global justice mission.