Harmeet Dhillon, the at-large Indian-American delegate from California, delivered the invocation to start the second day of the Republican National Convention July 19.
In a hall filled with thousands of Republican delegates, and a convention televised live the world over, Dhillon walked onto the stage in a navy blue suit with an Escada fitting jacket, and a large navy and gold shawl draped over one shoulder.
After introducing herself as a “Sikh-American” Dhillon said it was an honor to be asked to deliver the prayer of a religious order that was the 5th largest in the world.
“A Sikh always covers her head when offering prayers,” she said, and took time to place the shawl over her head. She then began the prayer in Gurumukhi in a singing cadence.
Following that she appealed to Wahe Guru in English, “Please bless these delegates with integrity … Please protect us from evil and create prosperity for all Americans. Forgive us our shortcomings ….” All those in the congregation bent their heads and closed their eyes as they listened to the Sikh prayer.
She then reverted to Gurumukhi ending with — “Nanak naam chardi kala. Tere bhane sarbatt da bhala.” She received a standing ovation as she walked off the stage.
Dhillon is a noted attorney with a private practice in California. She is a recognized trial lawyer with a private practice, and a long-time Republican political activist. She has been recognized in the list of Northern California Super Lawyer in business litigation by Thomson/West Publishing, an accolade reserved for the top 5% of lawyers in the jurisdiction. She served in the U.S. Department of Justice.
Born in Punjab, she came to the United States as a small child with her family. She attended public schools in North Carolina, where her father started his medical practice, and she graduated from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. She majored in Classical Studies at Dartmouth College, where she was the editor-in-chief of The Dartmouth Review. She did law at the University of Virginia Law School.
A lifelong Republican, she served as Vice Chair of the California Republican Party over the last few years until recently. On May 1, Dhillon became the first woman-of-color ‘National Committeewoman’ to the Republican National Committee, when the California GOP elected her at the state convention. With that election, Dhillon also became the first Indian-American on the RNC, and has promised to stir things up during her four-year stint at the high table.
The post Indian-American Delivers Invocation On 2nd Day Of GOP Convention appeared first on News India Times.