Tulsi Gabbard Becomes First Hindu - American to be Elected to US House


Washington, Nov 7 (I Express) : Tulsi Gabbard today created history by becoming the first Hindu-American to be elected to the the US House of Representatives, winning her Hawaii seat by trouncing her Republican rival in a one-sided contest.

An Iraq war veteran, 31-year-old Gabbard defeated K Crowley of the Republican Party with a handsome margin. Her victory has been cheered by the Hindu-American community across the country.

Though just 50 per cent of the votes had been counted when reports came in, Gabbard had taken a massive unassailable lead of 120,000 votes over her Republican rival in her bid to represent Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District in the US House.

She is also the first female combat veteran to serve in the Congress.

"Although there are not very many Hindus in Hawaii, I never felt discriminated against. I never really gave it a second thought growing up that any other reality existed, or that it was not the same everywhere," Tulsi said in a statement, soon after she took an inaccessible lead over her Republican challenger.

"On my last trip to the mainland I met a man who told me that his teenage daughter felt embarrassed about her faith, but after meeting me, she's no longer feeling that way. He was so happy that my being elected to Congress would give hope to hundreds and thousands of young Hindus in America, that they can be open about their faith, and even run for office, without fear of being discriminated against or attacked because of their religion," Gabbard said.

She was endorsed by US President Barack Obama, during the election campaign.

Proud of her Hindu religion, she is not Indian or of Indian heritage. Her father Mike Gabbard, is currently Hawaii State Senator and mother Carol Porter Gabbard is an educator and business owner.

At 21, she became the youngest person elected to the Hawaii Legislature. At 23, she was the state's first elected official to voluntarily resign to go to war. At 28, she was the first woman to be presented with an award by the Kuwait Army National Guard.

Early during the Democratic National Convention, Gabbard spoke from stage along with Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic Party leader in the US House of Representatives.

"Aloha! I'm Tulsi Gabbard, candidate for Congress in Hawaii and a captain in the Army National Guard," she had said, amidst rounds of applause and cheer from the audience.

Currently a Company Commander with the Hawaii Army National Guard, who has volunteered to serve on two deployments to the Middle East, Gabbard served as Hawaii's youngest state representative in 2002 and is the youngest woman in the US to be elected into such a position.

Having never visited India so far, Tulsi says she is looking to make her first trip to India as an elected member of the House of Representatives.

"As a Vaishnava, I especially look forward to visiting the holy sites of Vrindavan," she said in an earlier interview.

Notably Hawaii is comprised of a majority of Christians with a significant number of Buddhists (10-15 percent of the population).

The number of Hindus living in Hawaii is relatively small, with only two Hindu temples in the entire state, the Iskcon Temple on Oahu and the Aadheenam Temple on Kauai.

Her religion, Tulsi said is not an issue for the election, neither it has been a negative factor in her electoral campaign, she noted.

Tulsi was born in 1981 in Leloaloa, American Samoa, the fourth of five children born to a Hindu mother and a Christian (Catholic) father.

At the age of two, the family moved to Hawaii, the 50th state of the US, also known as the "Aloha State"; which is also the birth place of Obama.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Aubb, Kuwait

    Sun, Nov 11 2012

    Justin Lobo,
    Before commentin on my comments, read what I said, and see if your comments hold any wait against mine.

    Being born and lived in an Arab country, am more aware than you are that the eventhough people of "Arab" origin constitute Muslims, Christians and Jews, yet, majority of the Arab nations have d Islam as the state religion, and Sharia is the basis of all legal matters of these nations.

    Am aware, Nepal became a democratic nation, and also trasnsformed into a secular nation, but you research and find out if Nepal is secular state, and what are the difficulties Christians face in that nation even today, and especially those who get newly converted.

    The same with India, although secular, BJP and Hindu outfits are trying to portray India as a Hindu state by Taliban style of aggression on minorities, and are trying to label India as a Hindu state, which is against our constitution.

    So people like you should realize that Indianness doesn't lie in being Hindu only but being an Indian by heart irrespective of their religion, point of views etc.

    DisAgree Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Justin Lobo, Bangalore

    Fri, Nov 09 2012

    @Aubb, Kuwait
    Are all arabs muslims!!!!!!!! How then you say a muslim call himself an arab.
    Nepal ceased its kingdom status five years before.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • John Tauro, M'lore / Kwt

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    Dear commentators, Instead of lauding and appreciating Ms.Tulsi Gabbard's election and her past achievements, why compare her with Mrs.Soniaji when there is nothing in common between them? While Tulsi Gabbard is a US citizen of American origin, Soniaji on the contrary acquired Indian citizenship through naturalisation or registration. Soniaji is an immigrant while Tulsiji is indigenous. Soniaji's entry to politics resulted in the exit of Sharad Pawar compelling him to form his own NCP. Such events did not happen in the U.S. where a citizen, irrespective of religion, is entitled to hold public office. The issue is not worth debating.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • INDIAN, India

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    Mr Aub...No certainly not, and that is proof of the fact for some beleive that Hinduism only existed in India which is certainly not the case. For that matter because Nepal is the only Hindu state, doesnt mean that Every Hindu is a Nepali...so even if india were to be a Hindu state ...it still wouldnt have meant that every Hindu would be Indian as Hinduism is also now practised elsewhere, which will take some time for many to reliase.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Aubb, Kuwait

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    Further to my earlier comments, I would like to ask you simply because one is a Hindu, does it mean he is Indian, or connected to India??

    Can a Indian Muslim call himself Arab simply because he is Muslim??

    After all India is not officially Hindu state, whereas Nepal is officially the only Hindu state (Kingdom) in the entire world.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • Namith, Kottara

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    Congrats . We are really proud Tulsi, Help all Indians in your constituency and support Obama in war against Trerrorism

    DisAgree [3] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • INDIAN , INDIA

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    Dear Boniface, It does not show BJP's poor mentality but Congreess' selfish mentality wherein Ms. Sonia Gandhi and Mr. Singh have been kept as puppets for equally competent but egoisitic leaders like Chidambaram, Pranab, Antony, Khursheed, Sibal to rally around her...just imagine what would happen if there was no Gandhi...how would they allow anyone elase amongst them to become PM...no way..so they have chosen the next one now Mr Rahul Gandhi

    There is a difference between religion and nationality...unfortuantely in India...religion is always preferred over country by many...becuase that is how we can be divided and ruled ...even in US 95% of the blacks have voted for Obama, that is the way their country has been divided....

    No one has objected to Christian becoming PM...but just be logical and think on which of the issues has Sonia ever spoken and is she really a candidate who has ever spoken on anything other than from a prepared speech.

    But yes the problem in India is even if compentence is questioned, it is always communalised.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Stephen, mangalore

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    @ Indian, India
    I feel, any Hindu, whereever he resides in world, is considered, Hindustani originated as Hinduism has its root in India.

    Also, pls respect Daughter-in-law in your family, in a same manner, how Daughters are being respected.
    Accept Daughter-in-law as part of your family. Don't consider her outsider.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • jason, mangalore/kuwait

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    Mr Rakesh Shetty
    wer r u my dr y no comments feel really sorry for u

    DisAgree [4] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Indian, India

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    Mr Stephen...

    Where are people hiding, who always make noise against Sonia Gandhi's role in Indian Politics ???no one is hiding v r here only

    Why didn't they protest against Tulsi for contesting American elections ???.....Tulsi is neither a Indian or of indian heritage...so why should anyone protest

    Why didn't they speak when a person of Indian origin ruling Fiji country ???...they didnt speak because the ruler has to govern the people where as per stats ..PIO number is 313,798 (37.6%) (2007 census) out of a total of 827,900 people living in Fiji.... most people there are of indian origin which he has to govern there...i dont think there are enuf of italian origin here .....unless your are one

    why "Hum kare to pyaar... tum karo to atyachaar" policy ???...agreee with you hum kar rahein pyaar and tum kar rahein ho atyachhar..

    DisAgree [8] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.bhandarkar, M

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    Ryan-
    Why 'shame' about Sunny Leone'?
    Has she 'exploited'anybody or anybody's assets? Coming to body and assets well....Oh Boy!
    Please appreciate 'beauty'!! There's nothing 'shame'ful in it! This goes for the 'agrees' too you have with you!

    DisAgree Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • nasir, manglore

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    It's looks even she not visited to india .

    DisAgree [2] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Stephen, mangalore

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    Where are people hiding, who always make noise against Sonia Gandhi's role in Indian Ploitics ???

    Why didn't they protest against Tulsi for contesting American elections ???

    Why didn't they speak when a person of Indian origin ruling Fiji country ???

    why "Hum kare to pyaar... tum karo to atyachaar" policy ???

    Grow up people... come out of well.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • Tony Pinto, Mumbai - Dubai

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    boniface, mangalore by this theory for SONIA love she is looting countries wealth and transferring to her home country.....FIRST boniface you should know who is SONIA her proper country of birth RUSSIA or ITALY or now SWISS.

    DisAgree [11] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rupesh, Mangalore, Mumbai

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    Whether in America Candidates are elected on Cast and religion wise...... why it was mentioned as Indian Hindu why not Indian ?..

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Kanta, udupi

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    Proud ???? ok why we are not supporting SONIA ???

    DisAgree [7] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Bhandarkar., M

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    Dear Aubb...
    Thank you for sharing information and giving the correct picture.I agree with 'Bonafice'-Why should religion be brought in here?
    Tulsi Gabbard is
    Tulsi Gabbard
    Over her Religion
    Why be a 'Bard'?
    Why go Ga Ga
    Like a ..tard??

    DisAgree [3] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ryan, Kuwait

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    When we people proud of Tulsi, we are shame about Sunny Leone too...!

    DisAgree [7] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • boniface, mangalore

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    Why religion is potrayed here. One should not forget that, she is an American and will be called as an American only, not as Hindu even if she is.

    Again Mr. Aubb, Kuwait has already clarified in this respect. yet if we consider she is Hindu settled in Americ and won election, which shows how american respect others. Then why In India BJP is making so much issue about Sonia Gandhi. It shows our poor mentality.

    India was ruled by British and we remained their slaves as history says. Now we drived them out some 65 years ago, yet we are slaves of our own people. Then they looted India, now our own elected people be it Congress, BJP or JD or any other party are looting poor people in one way or other. Then they divided us by religion now our leaders are dividing our country by religiion and other issues. One can compare the total states in India when we got Independence and just see how many states are now in India. Just for the sake of power. Justice is denied to innocent. This was what British doing and now our leaders continuing.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • Raj, Udupi

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    Valerian Dsouza, Udupi/Mumbai
    Swami Vivekanand is a dynamic personality.If you read his stories you will also came to know how Americans insulted him and his dress code.But his speech made whole Ameica zero...We all Hindustani proud of him.

    DisAgree [14] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • S.M. Nawaz Kukkikatte, udupi

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    Tulsi Gabbard you made proud to be an indian. Congratulations!

    DisAgree [10] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Arun R, Mangalore

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    Hello guys, Tulsi was born and bought up by purly American parents. Tulsi's mother got converted Hinduism and gave her an indian name. She has no roots in India. Why should we Indians feel proud about her? just because she follows Hinduism? This is not fair.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [33] Reply Report Abuse

  • Romo Pinto, Mangalore

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    Congrats Tulsi Gabbard. I don't understand, why here people mix up their comments with religion, Just congratulate her for which she is deserved. She was a veteran army officer too. Hinduism and Buddhism is a peaceful religion in the western countries and also they easily mingle with the mainstream.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jenna, Bithul/USA

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    This is the beauty of America! Everyone is equal here, first come first served. No VIP lines, here your voice is heard. God bless America along with my India.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [30] Reply Report Abuse

  • Evans Christopher Sumitra, Udupi/New York, USA

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    Tulsi Gabbard became the first Hindu American. She was not an Indian but chose to have an Indian name and mabe some Indian culture. Any way congratulation on being elected to US House. We wish you all the very best to you and your family.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • prashan, mlore/dubai

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    One member from Hindu relgion and america became rule model to the pepole. But in India where 80% hindus live prominister from 2% Sikh population, president from Muslim religion and nobody cares...really we need to look inside our house and admire ourselves.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Aubb, Kuwait

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    Dr.Prakash Harischandra, Galveston,

    I would like to bring to your knowledge that Tulsi Gabbard is the daughter of Mike Gabbard, Senator, Hawaii, and Carol Porter Gabbard both U.S. citizens and not connected to India in anyway.

    It was Carol, who converted to Hinduism, from Catholicism who gave Indian names to her children and raised them as vegetarians too.

    Tulsi Gabbard doesnt belong to the Indian diaspora as you mentioned as she is simply not elegible for P.O.I. status or Indian citizenship until she marries an Indian/U.S. citizen/other country citizen with P.O.I. status or Indian citizenship.

    However, she may assimiliate herself with the Indians on the basis of her religion, as may foreginers do.

    Governor Bobby Jindal has Hindu roots, but was converted to Catholicism, was not born or has been to India, but belongs to Indian diaspora, thru the P.O.I. channel, as his parents were born in our beloved India, and migrated to U.S.

    For your further information, when I visited Guyana, South America, which has a Hindu president and a sizeable Hindu population I found that they were not connected to India, either by language, or social connections except that they called themselves Hindus, and one could find them more westernised due to their close association with mainland U.S.
    I must also say, that Indo Guyanese as they are called, do not even appreciate the way things happen in India, although they rank amongst the poorest countries of the world.

    However, anyone who has goodwill towards India, is a welcome ambassador, as we live in global village irrespective of our language, religion, culture and point of view.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [84] Reply Report Abuse

  • Santhosh.dc, Mangalore

    Thu, Nov 08 2012

    America "The role model".
    Can we learn something from them...?

    DisAgree [1] Agree [37] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rathnakara A, Shirva

    Wed, Nov 07 2012

    Congratulations! you made us to feel proud. Welcome to India!

    DisAgree [5] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • ISMAIL.K.PERINJE, PERINJE-YANBU/KSA

    Wed, Nov 07 2012

    TULSI & AMERICAN's GE KOTI KOTI PRANAMAGALU.....

    DisAgree [4] Agree [28] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr Prakash Harischandra, Surathkal/Galveston

    Wed, Nov 07 2012

    A small Step and a gian leap in assimilating the Indian Diaspora and affirming that USA is a country of Religious Harmony, Kudos to the lady.

    DisAgree [7] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • Valerian Dsouza, Udupi/Mumbai

    Wed, Nov 07 2012

    Great America is because its great people.
    Americans lauded the wisdom of Swami Vivekananda.
    But Shri. Modi, K.P Bhat ?
    Always harping on same issue ! Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin, religion, her Son, his friends etc.
    Mr. Modi, praising his Gujarathis for settling in foreign countries!
    Same time, HATING Sonia Gandhi, came as Daughter in law of Indira Gandhi,her for foreign origin! Christian origin etc!
    WHAT AN EXAMPLE AND PHILOSOPHY ? Don't know when these leaders learn to have some introspection, become fair and harmonious to accept like how others accept us!

    DisAgree [20] Agree [69] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lakshmi Ortez, Houston, Texas

    Wed, Nov 07 2012

    I am very inspired by this victory of Tulsi Gabbard. She will help people of minority religions in the United States to see they too can achieve great things and it may also help other people get over prejudices or fear they may have about Hindus. I think she will be very good in Congress.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [30] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vivek, Udupi

    Wed, Nov 07 2012

    That's America - Issues and qualifications first.
    Discrmination on the basis of caste, religion,colour or race is none

    DisAgree [3] Agree [68] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Tulsi Gabbard Becomes First Hindu - American to be Elected to US House



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