Washington, USA: Menka Soni has set a remarkable milestone in the United States by becoming the first Indian-American woman to take her oath of office on the Bhagavad Gita after being elected to the Redmond City Council in Washington State. While speaking to ANI, Soni explained that she wanted her swearing-in ceremony to reflect her personal beliefs, cultural roots, and spiritual identity.

“I am deeply spiritual. I keep a small temple in my home, I follow a vegetarian lifestyle, and I observe festivals such as Navratri, Holi, and Diwali. Even though we live abroad, India is always a part of us,” she said.

She added that choosing the Gita for the oath felt meaningful and natural. “When it came time to take the oath, I wanted the teachings of the Gita with me. My values are in harmony with it, and it represents my culture. I was granted permission to use it.”

Soni’s achievement adds to the growing list of Indian-origin public officials in the US who have selected the Bhagavad Gita during their oath ceremonies.

Earlier this year in February, Kash Patel, an American official of Indian descent, took his oath as the ninth Director of the FBI using the Bhagavad Gita.

Similarly, in January, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam — the first Indian-American elected from the US East Coast — also used the Gita during his swearing-in.

Before them, Tulsi Gabbard, now serving as the Director of National Intelligence, became the first Hindu American to take her oath for the US House of Representatives on the Gita in 2013, while representing Hawaii.