Skills for the perfect 'comeback': Insights from Mamdani's guidebook

Swinging around a tree in the signature open-arm lean of Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, Zohran Mamdani asks, "Hey! Have you ever voted before?" Just a year ago, most New Yorkers were unfamiliar with him. Today, he's the city's first South Asian Muslim mayor and its youngest in generations.

Early in his campaign, he polled as low as 1%, but on election night in Brooklyn, he secured over 50% of the vote, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo. His victory, overcoming wealthy investors, false propaganda, and even threats from President Trump, was both a political and personal triumph. Against such a backdrop, we're examining the skills Mamdani taught us for crafting the perfect comeback.

Leader's mentality

Mamdani was a Cricket team founder who turned into an activist. Like many South Asian kids, his first love was cricket, to the extent that he co-founded his school's first cricket team.

That same drive later fueled his activism at Bowdoin College, where he co-founded Students for Justice in Palestine and co-authored a call for an academic boycott of Israeli institutions. 

Creating engagements through music

Mamdani was once a fledgling rapper, performing under the names Young Cardamom and later Mr. Cardamom, carving out a niche in the local hip-hop scene.

During his first campaign for state parliament, he described himself as a 'B-list rapper,' although his 2019 track 'Nani,' a tribute to his grandmother, gained renewed attention as his mayoral candidacy gained momentum. Fans and critics alike often joke that being mayor is just his second career; his first was rapping.

A great public speaker with multiple languages

Mamdani doesn't just speak English; he's fluent in six other languages, including Hindi-Urdu, Bengali, Spanish, Arabic, and Luganda. He showcased his skills in a Bangla-language video with Shahana Hanif, the first Bangladeshi Muslim woman on the New York City Council, concluding with the playful line, "Amar Bangla valoi na?" His multilingualism isn't just impressive; it helps him reach communities often overlooked by mainstream campaigns, discussing issues that matter, such as affordability.

Love for diverse culture creates common ground

Mamdani's love for diverse cultures is reflected in his diet. He treats breakfast as a daily ritual, often starting with egg and avocado toast and a steaming cup of tea, a combination that might inspire New York cafés to rethink their menus. He mixes food with fun and culture, which creates a common ground with people.

In a June video on X, he explained ranked-choice voting using a mango lassi, accompanied by Bollywood clips.  He even rapped in English and Hindi while sharing desi snacks.

Beyond videos, Mamdani turns the city itself into a canvas for his food adventures. In Astoria, he organised a citywide scavenger hunt that ended at his favourite Middle Eastern café and regularly spotlights family-run 'hidden gems' across the outer boroughs, far from Manhattan's glossy dining scene. Even after becoming mayor-elect, he enjoyed a lunch of tea, momos, and aloo dum at a Nepalese restaurant in Queens, showing that food has always been a big part of his life. 

Connecting people, bridging gaps

Zohran Mamdani often brings Bollywood flair to his politics. He used pop culture references in his speeches and campaign videos, which connected more people, as the city is filled with people from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

At his victory speech, he played the 'Dhoom Machale' as he celebrated with his family.

An unapologetic spirit

Mamdani faces criticism and controversy head-on, whether shrugging off backlash for eating biryani with his hands or challenging political norms in his campaigns. His fearless approach turns potential missteps into moments of connection, demonstrating that culture, personality, and conviction can transform the way politics is conducted. 

Mamdani's triumph is a lesson for those who struggle. Those who are told that they can't achieve something or fall behind can nurture these skills to connect more deeply with people, irrespective of the field they are working in. From creating businesses, building relationships, doing project works, or running election campaigns like Mamdani, connecting people is the key.

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