A portrait of Dalip Singh Saund, the first Indian-American Congressman, was unveiled at a ceremony in the United States Congress in Washington, DC.

The family members of the late lawmaker were present on the occasion on Wednesday, along with several Congressmen, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Democratic Congressman Joe Wilson said in a statement, 'After three years, I am so grateful that this honour has been properly bestowed upon the Honourable Dalip Singh Saund.

'As the first Indian-American ever elected to the House of Representatives, Congressman Saund has played a vital role in the great history of this body.'

Saund was a member of the US House of Representatives from the state of California from January 3, 1957, to January 3, 1963. He became the first Indian-American and Sikh member of the US Congress.

Born in Chhajulwadi, Punjab, India, he received his bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of Punjab in 1919.

Saund immigrated to the US, originally to study agriculture at the University of California. He obtained a master's degree (1922) and a PhD (1924), both in mathematics. He, thereafter, remained in the US, becoming a successful farmer.

Image: Six-year-old Melina Van Fleet, great grand-daughter of Dalip Singh Saund, unveils the first Indian-American Congressman's portrait in the US Congress

Text: UNI | Photograph: Paresh Gandhi