Tilak on duty: US Air Force allows Indian-American soldier to sport Hindu symbol on forehead

In a landmark move, the US Air Force has reportedly allowed a soldier of Indian origin to sport a 'tilak' while in uniform.

Darshan Shah works as an aerospace medical technician at the Francis E Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming. He has been seeking permission for wearing tilak as a part of his uniform since 2020 when he started attending basic military training.

Darshan was reportedly granted the waiver on February 22.

Shah reportedly said that the tilak is his "way of getting through hardships and difficulties in life." He said, "It provides me guidance. It’s given me a load of great friends and an overall understanding of who I am in this world.”

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