Close X
Wednesday, November 6, 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

    Expert Tells Trial: Starving Diabetic Teen Had No Ability To Fight Disease

    Expert Tells Trial: Starving Diabetic Teen Had No Ability To Fight Disease
    CALGARY — A medical expert says a starving diabetic teen would have had next to no immune response to fight off disease.

    Expert Tells Trial: Starving Diabetic Teen Had No Ability To Fight Disease

    India's NSG Membership 'Appears Positive'

    India's NSG Membership 'Appears Positive'
    On Wednesday, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto voiced support for India's membership during Modi's brief visit to Mexico City. 

    India's NSG Membership 'Appears Positive'

    Oops! Pakistani Defence Minister Calls Female Lawmaker 'Tractor Trolley' In National Assembly

    Oops! Pakistani Defence Minister Calls Female Lawmaker 'Tractor Trolley' In National Assembly
     Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif caused outrage after he called portly female opposition lawmaker Shireen Mazari a "tractor trolly" in the National Assembly on Wednesday, evoking strong criticism on social media.

    Oops! Pakistani Defence Minister Calls Female Lawmaker 'Tractor Trolley' In National Assembly

    New Brunswick Toddler Who Inspired Bone Marrow Drives Dies Of Leukemia

    New Brunswick Toddler Who Inspired Bone Marrow Drives Dies Of Leukemia
    Marlie Curwin's death was announced by her aunt, Kellie Curwin, in a post on the 'Help for Marlie' Facebook page.

    New Brunswick Toddler Who Inspired Bone Marrow Drives Dies Of Leukemia

    Donald Trump Turns To Object Of His Ridicule: A Teleprompter

    Donald Trump Turns To Object Of His Ridicule: A Teleprompter
    A pair of teleprompters flanked the podium at the Trump National Golf Club in suburban New York City, and the celebrity businessman appeared to be reading from them as he delivered a speech that featured far less of his trademark bluster.

    Donald Trump Turns To Object Of His Ridicule: A Teleprompter

    Modi Praises Indian Americans

    Modi Praises Indian Americans
    Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the joint sitting of US Congress on Wednesday, praised the manifold contributions of the Indian-American community to the US.

    Modi Praises Indian Americans