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Kamala Devi Harris and the destiny-changing coconuts from Chennai – by NARAYANAN V  Kamala Devi Harris (right) with mother Shyamala Gopalan (left) and aunt Sarala Gopalan in a family picture taken in 2005. – Special Arrangement Joe Biden has selected the Senator from California as his vice-presidential running mate. The Senator from California is Joe Biden’s pick for vice-president in the US election The Varasiddhi Vinayagar Temple at Besant Nagar in Chennai has a special place in California senator Kamala Harris’ heart. Not just because her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was in the committee when the temple was constructed. But because nine years ago, when Joe Biden’s new running mate contested California’s Attorney General election, she called her maternal aunt Sarala Gopalan with a request: “Chithi (aunt), please pray for me and break coconuts at the temple.” ...