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

    Orlando Shooting: Trump Calls Obama 'Fool', Clinton 'Weak'

    Orlando Shooting: Trump Calls Obama 'Fool', Clinton 'Weak'
    Trump also appeared to suggest that Obama might be complicit in such attacks. 

    Orlando Shooting: Trump Calls Obama 'Fool', Clinton 'Weak'

    Transgenders In Pakistan Protest Attack On Member For 'Refusing Sex'

    Transgenders In Pakistan Protest Attack On Member For 'Refusing Sex'
    The transgender community also criticised the police for not providing them security in the wake of rising incidents of attacks on community members.

    Transgenders In Pakistan Protest Attack On Member For 'Refusing Sex'

    Clinton, Trump Take Opposite Tacks As Shooting Shakes Race

    The worst mass shooting in U.S. history shook the presidential campaign Monday, sending Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump scrambling to position themselves as best-qualified to lead a nation on edge over terrorism and gun violence.

    Clinton, Trump Take Opposite Tacks As Shooting Shakes Race

    A Personal Quest To Document Is Massacre Of Iraqi Yazidis

    A Personal Quest To Document Is Massacre Of Iraqi Yazidis
    The walls and even the windows of Bahzad Farhan Murad's office are covered with lists. 

    A Personal Quest To Document Is Massacre Of Iraqi Yazidis

    9-Year-Old Indian-Origin Girl Is The Youngest Developer At Apple Developer Conference WWDC 2016

    9-Year-Old Indian-Origin Girl Is The Youngest Developer At Apple Developer Conference WWDC 2016
     the US-based technology giant has invited her to its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in San Francisco.

    9-Year-Old Indian-Origin Girl Is The Youngest Developer At Apple Developer Conference WWDC 2016

    Worst Shooting In US History: State Of Emergency Declared In Orlando, 50 Killed By Islamic Radical

    Worst Shooting In US History: State Of Emergency Declared In Orlando, 50 Killed By Islamic Radical
    The gunman, named by officials as Omar Mateen, 29, was killed by a SWAT team after he took hostages at Pulse, a popular gay night club.

    Worst Shooting In US History: State Of Emergency Declared In Orlando, 50 Killed By Islamic Radical