City of Redding (California, USA) has appreciated distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed for providing first historic Hindu invocation at City Council meeting on July 16.
A “Mayor’s Certificate” signed by Redding Mayor Rick Bosetti and awarded to Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, said: In recognition and appreciation for providing the Invocation at the City Council meeting on July 16, 2013, in the City of Redding, California.”
Rajan Zed delivered the first Hindu invocation of Redding City Council, incorporated in 1887, containing verses from world’s oldest existing scripture still in common use Rig-Veda; besides lines from Upanishads and Bhagavad-Gita (Song of the Lord), both ancient Hindu scriptures; after sprinkling few drops of water from river Ganga of India, considered holy by Hindus.
Zed is a global Hindu and interfaith leader, who besides taking up the cause of religion worldwide, has also raised huge voice against the apartheid faced by about 15-million Roma (Gypsies) in Europe. Bestowed with World Interfaith Leader Award; Zed is Senior Fellow and Religious Advisor to Foundation for Religious Diplomacy, Spiritual Advisor to National Association of Interchurch & Interfaith Families, etc.
Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal. There are about three million Hindus in USA.
Sacramento River courses through Redding, which claims to be “Jewel of Northern California” and whose vision is to “build neighborhoods rather than homes”.