Washington.
The day was quite historic for Indian Americans. In fact, six Indian-origin leaders took oath as members of the US Parliament. This is the first time that six Indian-Americans took oath together in the House of Representatives, the lower house of the US Parliament.
During this, MP Suhas Subramaniam took oath by placing his hand on Bhagavad Gita. While MP Raja Krishnamurthy read an excerpt from Bhagavad Gita during an event. Suhas Subramaniam, Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamurthy, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jaipal and Shri Thanedar have reached the US House. Dr. Ami Bera is the senior-most Indian American Congressman, representing California’s 7th Congressional District since 2013.
took oath on Bhagavad Gita
Suhas Subramaniam, the first Indian-origin MP to reach the US Parliament from the states situated on the East Coast of America, took the oath on the Bhagavad Gita. With this he became perhaps the only MP to do so on a Hindu scripture. His mother, who had come to the US via Dallas airport, witnessed him taking the oath on the Gita. It is noteworthy that 43 year old Tulsi Gabbard was the first Hindu American member of the US House of Representatives. He took oath on Gita for the first time on January 3, 2013. She represented Hawaii’s 2nd parliamentary district. Gabbard, who was the first person to convert to Hinduism as a teenager, is now nominated for the post of Director of National Intelligence. After taking the oath, Suhas Subramaniam said, ‘My parents saw me take oath as the first Indian American and South Asian MP from Virginia. If you had told my mother when she landed at the Dallas airport from India that her son would represent Virginia in the future, she probably would not have believed it, but my story is the hope that America holds. I am proud to be the first, but not the last, because I represent Virginia’s 10th District.
Krishnamurti read part of Geeta
MP Raja Krishnamurthy read an excerpt from the Bhagavad Gita during the bipartisan interfaith prayer meeting. The service was held at the beginning of the first day of the 119th House. According to a press release issued by Raja Krishnamurthy’s office, he was the only Hindu representative to speak at the service. He said, ‘A few years ago, Hindu Americans were not included in prayer services in our nation’s capital. I am grateful that we now also have a place and that I can play a role in sharing the beautiful blessings of Hinduism with my colleagues, whether they are Republican or Democrat. Together we prayed for peace and prosperity, so that we are better prepared to face our country’s biggest challenges.
Congressman Krishnamurthy has been representing Illinois’s 8th district since 2017. He took oath to become a part of the 119th House on Friday. “Serving our communities is the honor of a lifetime,” he wrote in an Instagram post. Last week, as I was sworn in for another term as your representative in Washington, I am extremely grateful and excited for the opportunities ahead.’
