Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu lawmaker in the U.S. Congress, has been named as the chairperson of the World Hindu Congress to be held in Chicago next year.
Held once every four years, World Hindu Congress (WHC) is a global platform for Hindus to connect, share ideas, inspire one another and impact the common good.
Organised by the World Hindu Foundation, the first Congress was held in New Delhi in 2014. The second WHC will take place in Illinois in Chicago from September 7 to 9 next year.
The three-term Democratic Congresswoman from Hawaii, Gabbard is currently the co-chair of the House Congressional caucus.
Abhaya Asthana, coordinator of WHC, said that the organising committee was looking for a recognised leader who is courageous, bold, principled, progressive, accomplished, articulate and above all a practising Hindu.
Ms. Gabbard is an Iraq war veteran and a member of the powerful House Foreign Relations Committee.
The inaugural WHC held in November 2014 had seen participation of 1,800 delegates from 53 countries.
