Close X
Sunday, November 24, 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

    B.C. Logging Firm Ordered To Replant After Audit Of Creston-area Operations

    B.C. Logging Firm Ordered To Replant After Audit Of Creston-area Operations
    It has ordered an unnamed logging operator to develop a plan to replant in the areas it audited.

    B.C. Logging Firm Ordered To Replant After Audit Of Creston-area Operations

    Celebrate Mandela Day and make a difference in South Africa

    Celebrate Mandela Day and make a difference in South Africa
    Projects Abroad calls for volunteers to honour Mandela's legacy by participating in a worthwhile project and giving back to South African communities.

    Celebrate Mandela Day and make a difference in South Africa

    Father Of Bangladesh Attacker Rohan Imtiaz Apologise To Tarishi Jain's Parents

    Father Of Bangladesh Attacker Rohan Imtiaz Apologise To Tarishi Jain's Parents
    An Indian girl was killed in the attack, I can only apologise to India and to her parents ...I can only say I am an unfortunate father. I don't have enough words to apologise

    Father Of Bangladesh Attacker Rohan Imtiaz Apologise To Tarishi Jain's Parents

    Dhaka Attackers Inspired By Controversial Indian Islamic Cleric Zakir Naik, Followed 'IS Recruiters'

    Dhaka Attackers Inspired By Controversial Indian Islamic Cleric Zakir Naik, Followed 'IS Recruiters'
    Two of the five young militants who slaughtered 20 innocent people at the Holey Artisan Bakery in the Bangladeshi capital used to follow three controversial Islamists -- Anjem Choudary, Shami Witness and Zakir Naik.

    Dhaka Attackers Inspired By Controversial Indian Islamic Cleric Zakir Naik, Followed 'IS Recruiters'

    In Pakistan, Gruesome 'Honour' Killings Bring A New Backlash

    In Pakistan, Gruesome 'Honour' Killings Bring A New Backlash
    LAHORE, Pakistan — Parveen Rafiq closed her hands around the neck of her youngest daughter, Zeenat, and squeezed and squeezed until the girl was almost dead.

    In Pakistan, Gruesome 'Honour' Killings Bring A New Backlash

    1-Year-Old Baby Shot In The Head In UK's Bristol, Remains Critical

    1-Year-Old Baby Shot In The Head In UK's Bristol, Remains Critical
    Harry Studley remains in a critical condition in Bristol Children's Hospital after being shot on Friday.

    1-Year-Old Baby Shot In The Head In UK's Bristol, Remains Critical