Bhubaneswar: The newly elected Mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, has a remarkable connection to Odisha through his family. Mamdani is the grandson of Amritlal Nair, a visionary administrator who served as the District Collector of Sundargarh in the late 1950s and the son of Rourkela-born, award-winning filmmaker Mira Nair.
Amritlal Nair is remembered in Sundargarh as a progressive officer who contributed significantly to the district’s educational development. During his tenure in 1958, he was instrumental in establishing Government College, Sundargarh aimed at providing higher education opportunities to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students. The institution continues to serve as a key milestone in promoting education among tribal communities.
Mira Nair, born in Rourkela during her father’s tenure, rose to international fame as a filmmaker, best known for her award-winning film Salaam Bombay!. She was also honoured with the Padma Bhushan for her outstanding contribution to cinema.
Zohran Mamdani, born on October 18, 1991, in Kampala, Uganda, has now carried forward the family’s legacy in public service by emerging as one of the most prominent progressive leaders in American politics. A Democrat and self-described democratic socialist, Mamdani defeated independent candidate Andrew Cuomo in one of New York’s most closely watched elections. He is set to assume office on January 1, 2026.
Mamdani’s campaign focused on social equity and affordability, including proposals such as rent freezes, expansion of public housing, universal childcare, tuition-free education, fare-free buses, and city-run grocery stores.
An alumnus of the Bronx High School of Science and Bowdoin College, where he studied Africana Studies, Mamdani has been actively involved in social justice causes since his student days. Before entering politics, he worked as a foreclosure prevention counsellor and volunteered for various grassroots initiatives.
He was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 2020, representing Queens’ 36th District, and was re-elected unopposed in 2022 and 2024. During his tenure, he sponsored 20 bills, three of which became law.
The mayoral election saw the highest voter turnout in over five decades, with more than two million citizens casting their ballots.
Meanwhile, BJD Supremo and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik congratulated Mamdani, highlighting the Odisha connection.
“Odisha celebrates his global success as Zohran, son of Rourkela-born award-winning filmmaker Mira Nair, is now the first Indian-American Mayor of New York. Wish him success,” Patnaik wrote on X.
Congratulate Indian origin @ZohranKMamdani on becoming the youngest mayor of #NewYork. #Odisha celebrates his global success as Zohran, son of Rourkela born award winning filmmaker Mira Nair, is now the first Indian-American mayor of New York. Wish him success. #ZohranMamdani pic.twitter.com/nnmJ2EDF6n
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) November 5, 2025
