Who is Pandit Rakesh Bhatt, the Hindu Priest from Bengaluru Who Opened Kamala Harris's Big Night

The Hindu priest said that despite differences, the country should remain united. (News 18 Hindi)

The Hindu priest emphasized the importance of unity, saying that despite differences the country must stand as one, speak with a single voice, think collectively, and have their hearts beat in unison

Chants of ‘Om Shanti’ filed the hall as Hindu priest Rakesh Bhatt surprised Americans by starting off the third day of Democratic Convention at Chicago with a Vedic prayer. The United States is heading for presidential elections on November. Incidentally, Vice President Kamala Harris will be officially handed over the responsibility to lead the Democrats in the fight against Republican Party candidate Donald Trump from this stage.

The third day started off with Bhatt’s ‘Om Shanti’ chants. Bhatt is a priest of Shri Shiv Vishnu Temple in Maryland. He prayed for the unity and development of America by chanting Vedic mantras from the stage of the Convention.

The Hindu priest said that despite differences, the country should remain united. “We should speak in one voice. Our minds should think together. Our hearts should beat together. This will make us strong and we will be able to make our country proud by being united,” Bhatt said.

Kamala Harris will address the gathering from this stage on Thursday. Earlier, Rakesh Bhatt had urged Americans to elect a leader who believes in the Vedic concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the whole world is one family).

“We are all part of the world family. Truth is our foundation and it always prevails. Take us from untruth to truth, from darkness to light and from death to immortality. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.”

Rakesh Bhatt is a Madhwa Brahmin. He migrated to America from Bengaluru. Bhatt is trained in Rig Veda and Tantrasar (Madhva) Agama under the guidance of his guru Pejawar Swamiji of Udupi Ashta Math.

Bhatt speaks Hindi, English, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Tulu fluently. He has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in three languages – Sanskrit, English and Kannada. He completed his English and Kannada degrees from Osteen College in Bengaluru and Sanskrit from Sri Jayachamarajendra College in Mysuru. Following his stint at Udupi Ashta Math, he worked at Badrinath and Sree Raghavendra Mrithika Brindavana at Salem and then joined Sri Sri Vishnu Mandir in July 2013.

Democratic Party Deputy Finance Chair Ajay Bhutoria said, “Hindu prayer at the DNC Convention today is a significant moment, showcasing the Democratic Party’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity. It is heartening to see the rich cultural and spiritual traditions of the Indian American community being honored on such a prominent stage.”

The Democrats will officially hand over command to 59-year-old Kamala Harris to take on Donald Trump in the US Presidential elections that will be held later this year. The election campaigns in US suggest that the contest is close. The Presidential polls are scheduled on November 5.