P. V. Gopalan was a doting father, a wise dadiar, and a much-respected government servant. He was also Kamala Harris, the United States Vice President, granddad. His complete name was Painganadu Venkataraman Gopalan. He was born in 1911 at Thulasendrapuram village in the Tamil Nadu region of India.
He was born in a Tamil Brahmin family. He lived when India was under British rule. Even at that time, he was a firm believer in fairness, education, and serving others. These are the values he carried throughout his life.
Quick Facts About P. V. Gopalan
| Full Name | Painganadu Venkataraman Gopalan |
| Birthdate | 1911 |
| Age | 87 (at the time of his passing) |
| Occupation | Indian Civil Servant |
| Husband/Wife | Rajam Gopalan |
| Died | February 1998 |
| Parents | Not Known |
| Grandchildren | Kamala Harris, Maya Harris |
| Children | Shyamala Gopalan Harris, Balachandran, Sarala, Mahalakshmi |
| Net worth | <$1 million |
A Life in Public Service
Gopalan began his career in the Imperial Secretariat Service. This was a part of the Indian government during British rule. After India became free, it changed into the Central Secretariat Service.
He worked diligently and progressed to higher positions. In the 1950s, he was Under Secretary in the Transport Ministry. Part of his major work was assisting individuals who had escaped East Pakistan, now Bangladesh. He assisted them in settling and restarting their lives.
Afterwards, he was Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Employment, and Rehabilitation. He worked on job schemes and assistance to refugees. He always prioritized people.
Work in Zambia
During the 1960s, Gopalan shifted to Zambia, an African country. It was newly independent. He was Director of Relief Measures and Refugees. There, he assisted individuals who were escaping war and threat in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).
Gopalan also became President Kenneth Kaunda’s advisor in Zambia, its first leader. The Zambian government respected him and was grateful for his advice. His efforts benefited a lot of people in need.
Family Life
P. V. Gopalan was married to Rajam Gopalan. They had four children who all turned out well in life:
- Shyamala Gopalan Harris (Kamala Harris’s mother): She gained a Ph.D. in endocrinology and immigrated to the U.S. She became a scientist and cancer researcher.
- Balachandran Gopalan: He received a Ph.D. in economics and computer science.
- Sarala Gopalan: She was a doctor and an obstetrician in Chennai.
- Mahalakshmi Gopalan: She was an information scientist with the Government of Ontario in Canada.
All his children were educated and hardworking, just as he wished them to be.
Kamala Harris and Her Grandfather
Kamala Harris was taken to India by her parents when she was a child to visit her grandparents. She used to go for morning walks with her grandfather. He spoke about democracy, corruption, and the rights of women as they walked. These conversations remained with her throughout her life.
Kamala attributes her grandfather to making her have faith in justice and fairness. He taught her that leaders ought to be concerned about people. She frequently talks about how much she was influenced by him.
READ ALSO: Kamala Harris Net worth, Age, Husband, Family, Facts & More
A Lasting Legacy
P. V. Gopalan died in 1998. But his teachings remain. His effort benefited people during difficult times. He did the right thing even when it was difficult. He taught his family the value of serving others.
His granddaughter, Kamala Harris, is currently the first woman and first woman of color to be elected Vice President of the United States. She frequently states that her path was influenced by her grandfather’s values.
