Copyright news18
Zohran Mamdani made history by becoming the first Muslim of Indian origin to be elected mayor of New York City. His win came in a closely watched race where he defeated former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. His first day as mayor-elect was packed with interviews, transition announcements and meetings. Yet, amidst all the official work, Zohran also found time to celebrate his roots. A highlight was lunch with Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at Laliguras Bistro in Jackson Heights, an Indian and Nepalese eatery known for its authentic flavours. Zohran posted on X: “A busy first day as your Mayor-elect: early morning interviews, transition announcements and meetings. More to say on all of it tomorrow. But a highlight was lunch with my Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at Laliguras Bistro in Jackson Heights.” Zohran and Ocasio-Cortez posing in all smiles with a serene Lord Buddha image in the background. Zohran and Ocasio-Cortez enjoying tea with momos and aloo-dam among other dishes – ode to his South Asian heritage. The two met for lunch at Laliguras Bistro, a Nepalese eatery in Jackson Heights, Queens. Zohran has long embraced his Asian roots in personal moments. Earlier, a video gained attention that showed him eating rice and dal with his hands during an interview. While some called it “performative politics,” many defended him saying it is just a natural expression of his culture. Other glimpses of his heritage include enjoying a rasgulla, a Bengali sweet delicacy, during his campaign. Another moment was him sipping chai in Forest Hills where he spoke about what it felt like to grow up in New York City. Born in Kampala, Uganda, Zohran’s roots trace directly to India. His mother, Mira Nair, is an Oriya-born filmmaker from Rourkela, and his father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a Ugandan scholar of Indian descent. He spent his childhood between East Africa and New York, where his mother later taught at Columbia University. In 2020, Zohran challenged a four-term incumbent and won the Democratic primary for Queens’ 36th Assembly District, becoming the first South Asian man and the first Ugandan-born person in the New York State Assembly. In 2025, he set his sights on the mayor’s office and focused his campaign on issues like affordability and tackling structural inequality. Throughout his campaign, Zohran often spoke about his Indian heritage and his family’s religious diversity. Visits to two of New York’s oldest Hindu temples in Queens allowed him to reflect on traditions passed down from his mother.
