Menka Soni, newly elected Indian American city councillor in Redmond city in Washington state took oath of office on Bhagavad Gita, the sacred Indian scripture.
Soni, the founder-president of women empowerment NGO AmPowering, joins a growing number of Indian origin leaders who have in a strong cultural symbolism chosen the Gita during official swearing-in ceremonies. Earlier this year, FBI Director Kash Patel also took the oath of office on the Gita.
During a recent visit to Lucknow, India, Soni told Indian news agency ANI that her upbringing and faith have always been important to her, and holding the Gita was a way to honor those values.
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“I have been spiritual since childhood. Holding the Gita during the oath was my way of honoring my values and India’s cultural legacy,” she told the agency.
“I am very spiritual. I have a temple in my house, and l am a vegetarian… When I had to take the oath, I wanted the teachings of the Gita to be with me,” she said.
Soni, who serves on five boards in Seattle, spoke about her priorities for Redmond, including affordable housing, community support, and safety for all residents. “My work has always centered around inclusivity, empowerment and creating a safer, more equitable Redmond,” she said.
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One of her goals is to get Diwali recognized in Redmond, she said expressing hope that it could be formalized by the next quarter so that it may be observed as a holiday by next Diwali.
Soni also applauded New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani for being a strong voice for the community.
“He established a connection with the people,” she said. “Today, Zohran and others like me should be involved because, as an Indian community, we represent a large country…”
Soni has over 30 years of corporate leadership experience at companies like Microsoft, T-Mobile, Starbucks, and GM, and over a decade of grassroots service through organizations like One Redmond Foundation, the Redmond Arts & Culture Commission, and nonprofit AmPowering.