Who is Rakesh Bhatt?
Rakesh Bhatt, a priest at the Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in Maryland, originally hails from Bengaluru, India. He is a Madhwa priest trained in Rig Veda and Tantrasaara Agama under the guidance of his guru, Pejavar Swamiji of Udupi Ashta Matha. Fluent in several languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, English, Tulu, and Sanskrit, Bhatt holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Sanskrit, English, and Kannada. He studied at Osteen College in Bengaluru for English and Kannada and at Jaychamarajendra College for Sanskrit. After serving in Udupi Ashta Matha and briefly working at Badrinath and Raghavendra Swami Koil in Salem, Bhatt joined Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in July 2013.During his prayer at the DNC, Bhatt said, “We are one universal family. Truth is our foundation and always prevails. Lead us from unreal to real, from darkness to light, and from death to immortality. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.”
#WATCH | Chicago, US: Hindu prayers being held at the stage as day 3 of the Democratic National Convention begins. pic.twitter.com/DL0B7RHyeK
— ANI (@ANI) August 22, 2024
Cultural Significance
Ajay Bhutoria, Deputy National Finance Chair of the Democratic Party, called Bhatt’s prayer a significant moment. He praised the party’s commitment to inclusivity, noting that this event showcased the rich spiritual and cultural traditions of the Indian American community. “This moment reflects the growing influence and recognition of our community within the fabric of American society,” Bhutoria said.
Oprah Winfrey to Take the Stage at DNC
On the same day, reports indicated that Oprah Winfrey would be making an appearance at the DNC to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris in her campaign for the presidency. Oprah, who has previously supported both Barack Obama in 2008 and Hillary Clinton in 2016, is set to take the stage just before Minnesota Governor Tim Walz accepts the Democratic vice presidential nomination. Former President Bill Clinton is also scheduled to speak on the same day.
Record-Breaking Viewership
The DNC has drawn significant public attention, with former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama setting a viewership record on the second day of the convention. According to Nielsen data, 20.6 million viewers tuned in, surpassing the first day’s audience of 20 million.
