Carolina, January 14: NIKKI Haley, the daughter of Sikh immigrant parents from Amritsar, made history on Wednesday as she became the first woman governor of South Carolina and the first Indian American woman to take the state’s top office.
With her left hand on a Bible held by her husband Michael, Haley, born Nimrata Randhawa, took the oath of office as the state’s first non- white governor in an afternoon ceremony on the steps of the statehouse in Columbia.
Her daughter Rena, 12, and son Nalin, 8, watched as Haley, dressed in an off- white coat over a grey- green knee- length dress, raised her right hand to take the oath of office. Michael, who is a member of the South Carolina National Guard, was in his army uniform.
At 38, the mother of two is the second Indian- American governor of a US state after Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal, who became the first with his election three years ago. The 116th governor of South Carolina is also the youngest sitting chief executive of an American state.
In her inaugural address, Haley proudly recollected her Indian heritage. “ I stand before you today, the proud daughter of Indian immigrants,” Haley said.
“ Growing up in rural, small town South Carolina, my family experienced this state and this country at its best. No, not every day was perfect. No, we were not always free from the burdens faced by those who look and sound different,” she added.
“ But we counted our blessings, and my parents reminded me and my brothers and sister every day how blessed we were to live in this country. We saw the constant example of neighbours helping neighbours,” she said after being administered the oath by the State Supreme Court Chief Justice, Jean Toal.
“ For us, happiness existed in not knowing what we didn’t have, and in knowing that what we did have was the opportunity to better our lives through hard work and strong values,” she added.
The inauguration started with a prayer service at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral across from the statehouse grounds. A bagpipe procession opened the ceremony.
An open house at the governor’s mansion and a gala on Wednesday evening rounded out the activities.
Haley, who defeated Democrat Vincent Sheheen in a 51 per cent- 47 per cent vote in November, has — like fellow Republican Jindal — been mentioned as a “ long shot” presidential candidate for 2012.
RISE OF A STAR
Grew up in Bamberg, South Carolina, where her Sikh parents were the first Indian immigrants the small town had ever seen.
Her father, Ajit Randhawa, is a retired professor of biology.
Her mother, Raj Randhawa, is a businesswoman who runs an upscale clothing firm.
Haley was born and raised as a Sikh. She identifies herself today as a Christian.
She still attends Sikh services out of respect for her parents’ culture.
Haley credits her mother for instilling a fighting spirit in her.
She needed that spirit to overcome a roller- coaster gubernatorial campaign.
She was the target of racist attacks and her campaign was hit by allegations of sexual relationships and affairs.