First American to take oath on Bhagavad Gita, ardent devotee of Lord Krishna, Tulsi Gabbard appointed US intelligence chief

WASHINGTON: Tulsi Gabbard selected as director of National Intelligence, is the first Hindu member of American Congress taking oath on Bhagavad Gita. This was announced by US President elect Donald Trump. Tulsi, earlier in Democratic Party later switched to Republican Party, as being a staunch supporter of Trump. He said Tulsi’s appointment as director of intelligence is part of her efforts to secure key positions over experienced ones.

Tulsi, was in the race against Trump in the US elections last time, but withdrew at the last minute. Tulsi, who was with the Democratic Party till 2022 later switched to Trump’s Republican Party. Tulsi was one among the candidates considered by Trump for the vice-presidential candidate. Tulsi, a Hindu American, had complained that a section was spreading religious hatred against when she decided to compete against Trump. She withdrew from the fray after being in the forefront for some time.

Though her mother is an American, Tulsi is an ardent devotee of Hinduism. As the first Hindu member of the House, she took oath on Bhagavad Gita. This had grabbed headlines then. Not only Tulsi, her mother is also interested in Hinduism. Tulsi’s siblings were also given Hindu names. Many had mistaken her as an Indian.

She was interested in surfing, martial arts, yoga and keerthanas. She had an in-depth study on Bhagavad Gita. She then became close to Hindu religion. She had many times clarified that Lord Krishna had given her knowledge and spiritual comfort throughout her life.

She had shown her skill in the military service. Tulsi, a member of the army national guard for two decades, had served in Iraq and Kuwait. She served in Kuwait from 2008-2009 and was one of the first women to enter a Kuwaiti military facility. In 2015, she was promoted from the rank of captain to major.