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Bhai Sahiba Gives Closing Blessing at Governor's Inauguration in New Mexico
01/03/2007
by Ek Ong Kaar Kaur Khalsa
On Monday, January 1st, 2007, Bhai Sahiba of Sikh Dharma International Dr. Bibiji Inderjit Kaur Khalsa gave a closing blessing during the inauguration of New Mexico’s incumbent Governor Bill Richardson and Lt. Governor Diane D. Denish.
Bhai Sahiba Dr. Bibiji Inderjit Kaur giving the blessing at the Inauguration
The inaugural ceremonies at the State Capital in Santa Fe, New Mexico, were marked by two prominent themes: unity among diverse cultures and tongue-in-cheek references to Governor Richardson’s 2008 Presidential aspirations.
Dr. Bibiji Inderjit Kaur, the wife of the late Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji, helped to close the inaugural ceremonies, along with diverse interfaith representatives, by sharing a special blessing for the future prosperity and success of New Mexico and Governor Richardson’s administration.
Other prominent members of the Sikh community in attendance during the inaugural events included Daya Singh Khalsa, Senior Vice President of Akal Security and Dr. Sat Kirpal Kaur Khalsa, Secretary General for Sikh Dharma International and Mukta Kaur Khalsa, Secretary of Foreign and Public Affairs for Sikh Dharma International.
Governor Richardson was re-elected in New Mexico by a margin of 69%.
During her remarks, Denish highlighted an approach to building New Mexico’s future that she termed the “Educonomy.” Investing in creating a first rate education for all New Mexicans in order to attract business opportunities and high-paying jobs to the state.
“Every single child will have a first class education…to prepare them for high-paying jobs in New Mexico,” she said.
Senior VP of Akal Security Daya Singh Khalsa and Secretary General of Sikh Dharma International Dr. Sat Kirpal Kaur Khalsa
Governor Richardson continued on this theme in his remarks, saying, “It doesn’t matter where you come from – every single child can learn. We must keep building an education system based on this belief.”
In addition, the Governor emphasized the need for affordable health-care in New Mexico, and the importance of New Mexico taking the lead as a clean energy state.
“New Mexico already leads the country as a clean energy state,” he said. And he called for the creation of new economy, based on clean, renewable energy, so that New Mexico would become “an exporter of renewable energy and create 1000’s of new jobs.”
But the highlight of the inauguration ceremony came when Joe Garcia, a Native American, President of the National Congress of American Indians and the current Governor of the Okay Owinghe Pueblo in New Mexico, administered the oath of office to Governor Richardson. It was the first time in New Mexican history that a Native American administered the oath of office to a Governor.
In his remarks, Garcia talked about the history-making partnerships happening between the state government and the pueblo governments. “We’ve proven that working together respectfully …provides for the betterment of the people,” he said.
Bhai Sahiba Dr. Bibiji Inderjit Kaur with Governor Bill Richardson
The Governor and Lt. Governor followed the inauguration ceremony with a public reception in the Capitol Rotunda.
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