Close X
Monday, November 25, 2024
ADVT 
International

Sikh-American Delegate Harmeet Dhillon Begins Republican Party Convention 2nd Day With 'Ardaas'

Darpan News Desk IANS, 20 Jul, 2016 12:12 PM
    In a first for the Republican Party, a Sikh-American woman opened the second day of the national convention here with the 'Ardaas'- a Sikh prayer.
     
    Harmeet Dhillon, vice chairwoman of the California Republican Party, delivered the Sikh prayer on the national stage here in Punjabi and then translated it into English.
     
     
    It was the first such instance for the Republican National Convention but it was not the first time the 47-year-old San Francisco lawyer upended expectations, the Los Angeles Times reported.
     
    Born in Chandigarh, she emigrated with her parents to England and then to the Bronx, New York.
     
    Her father, an orthopedic surgeon, soon moved the family to rural Smithfield in central North Carolina.
     
    Taking the stage minutes before Donald Trump was officially nominated as the party's candidate for president, Dhillon led the convention in the Sikh prayer yesterday.
     
    After the pledge of allegiance and the national anthem, Dhillon took the stage and explained that it was Sikh custom to wear a headscarf for the traditional prayer.
     
    Dhillon, a delegate from San Francisco, covered her head with a shawl after stepping up to the podium.
     
    "I've said this prayer before I could walk," she said.
     
     
    The prayer- called Ardaas- is a Sikh prayer that is recited before performing or after undertaking any significant task. And Dhillon hoped her reading it would show that the Republican Party truly does have a big tent.
     
    "I think this is an inclusive party. I've never felt anything but included since Day One," Dhillon was quoted as saying by The Mercury News.
     
    Trump today clinched the Republican Party's presidential nomination to run against Democrat Hillary Clinton in the November polls, a stunning rise for an outsider after months of controversial campaigning that saw him crushing 16 well-established party rivals.
     
    Diversity was showcased by the party in Cleveland as when California's Republicans formally proclaimed their support for Trump, the state party turned to Shirley Husar, who is black, to make the announcement.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Donald Trump Moves To Turn Around His Presidential Campaign's Ugly Numbers

    Donald Trump Moves To Turn Around His Presidential Campaign's Ugly Numbers
    WASHINGTON — The early numbers from Donald Trump's general-election campaign are so ugly that not even the swirliest, most sophisticated comb-over could mask their historic hideousness.

    Donald Trump Moves To Turn Around His Presidential Campaign's Ugly Numbers

    Betting on Britain's high-stakes EU vote breaks record

    Betting on Britain's high-stakes EU vote breaks record
    LONDON — As if the stakes were not high enough in Britain's nail-biting vote this week, people are betting record amounts of money on its outcome.

    Betting on Britain's high-stakes EU vote breaks record

    Obama Signs Major Overhaul Of Toxic Chemicals Rules Into Law

    WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has signed into law the first overhaul of toxic chemical rules in 40 years.

    Obama Signs Major Overhaul Of Toxic Chemicals Rules Into Law

    Have 'Successfully' Blocked India's Nuke Group NSG Bid: Pakistan

    Have 'Successfully' Blocked India's Nuke Group NSG Bid: Pakistan
    Pakistan has a strong case to gain NSG membership on merit and non-discriminatory basis, Mr Aziz said in a statement.

    Have 'Successfully' Blocked India's Nuke Group NSG Bid: Pakistan

    Girls Should Not Be Called 'Girls': UK Schools Told

    Girls Should Not Be Called 'Girls': UK Schools Told
    Leading single-sex private schools in the UK have been told not to use the words 'girls', 'young women' and 'young ladies' because they might offend pupils who are questioning their gender identity.

    Girls Should Not Be Called 'Girls': UK Schools Told

    India Always Tried To Maintain 'Hegemony' In South Asia: Pak

    India Always Tried To Maintain 'Hegemony' In South Asia: Pak
    Answering a question about Indo-Pak ties in an interview to Samaa TV, Mr Aziz said India has always tried to maintain its hegemony in the South Asia region.

    India Always Tried To Maintain 'Hegemony' In South Asia: Pak