The Indian Panorama

Tag: Rajan Zed

  • Melville in New York to have $9 million Hindu temple in 2016

    Melville in New York to have $9 million Hindu temple in 2016

    LONG ISLAND, NY (TIP): Two-storey BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir complex, currently under construction on a 5-acre plot with cost estimates of $9 million, besides a spacious sanctuary, will also include classrooms. In addition to worship services, it will also offer educational programs, cultural classes and activities, religious lessons, free health clinics, children and youth activities, humanitarian projects, etc., and shall make efforts in social outreach. All its statues were sculpted in India, reports suggest. Meanwhile, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) applauded efforts of BAPS, temple management and volunteers, and area community for realizing this Hindu temple complex.

     

    Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, further said that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this new temple would help in this direction. Zed stressed that instead of running after materialism; we should focus on inner search and realization of Self and work towards achieving moksh (liberation), which was the goal of Hinduism. Originally envisioned in 1988, its Bhumi Pujan ceremony was held on November 11, 2012 and its foundation stone was laid on October 27, 2013. Community leaders associated with raising of this temple include Harshad Bhatt, Girish Patel, etc.

     

    Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), headquartered in Ahmedabad (India), is a socio-spiritual Hindu organization revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan in the late 18th century. Its followers take five lifetime vows: No Alcohol, No Addictions, No Adultery, No Meat, No Impurity of body and mind. It envisions “a society whose joy lies in the joy of others”. With Pramukh Swami Maharaj as the current Spiritual Guru, it has over 3,850 centers and over 880 sadhus worldwide.

     

    Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents. There are about three million Hindus in USA.

     

    Melville, an affluent hamlet in Huntington (New York) known to Native Americans as Sunsquams, houses US headquarters of several national/international corporations and hosts operations for various Fortune 500 companies.

  • Following New York, Hindus urge rest 49 US states to allow Diwali school holiday

    Following New York, Hindus urge rest 49 US states to allow Diwali school holiday

    NEVADA (TIP): Hindus have welcomed reports of New York Governor’s signing the bill allowing school holiday on Diwali, most popular of their festivals.

    Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada , December 25, describing it as a step in the right direction, urged other 49 US states also to do the same.

    Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that it would be a positive thing to do in view of presence of a substantial number of Hindu students at schools around the country, as it was important to meet the religious and spiritual needs of these students.

    Rajan Zed indicated that schools should make efforts to accommodate the religious requirements of Hindu students and show respect to their faith by not conducting regular business and scheduling classes on Diwali. We did not want our students to be put at an unnecessary disadvantage for missing
    tests/examinations/papers, assignments, class work, etc., by taking a day-off to observe Diwali.

    If schools had declared other religious holidays, why not Diwali, Zed asked. Holidays of all major religions should be honored and no one should be penalized for practicing their religion, Zed added

    Rajan Zed urged all US schools, both public and private, to seriously look into declaring Diwali as a holiday, recognizing the intersection of spirituality and education. Zed noted that awareness about other religions thus created by such holidays like Diwali would make all students well-nurtured, well-balanced, and enlightened citizens of tomorrow.

    Zed further says that Hinduism is rich in festivals and religious festivals are very dear and sacred to Hindus. Diwali, the festival of lights, aims at dispelling the darkness and lighting up the lives and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Besides Hindus, Sikhs and Jains and some Buddhists also celebrate Diwali, which falls onNovember 11 in 2015.

    Hinduism is oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and moksh
    (liberation) is its ultimate goal. There are about three million Hindus in US.

  • Only 22% Americans know a Hindu

    Only 22% Americans know a Hindu

    NEVADA (TIP): Only 22 percent Americans know someone who is Hindu, according to a Pew Research Center survey published on July 17. This number is lowest than any other religion/denomination surveyed. Catholics rank highest with 87 percent, followed by evangelical Christians, Jews, Atheists, Mormons, Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus. Americans express warmest and more positive feelings towards Jews (average rating 63); followed by Catholics, evangelical Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, etc., the survey adds.

    Reacting to this survey findings, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) , July 18, , urged American Hindus to make outreach efforts towards non- Hindu communities, do charity, invite others to visit Hindu temples/ashrams, offer help to neighbors, be good role models, act for the benefit of all, volunteer, try to stay pure and exhibit warmth and love towards fellow Americans. Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that ancient Hindu scripture Bhagavad-Gita (Song of the Lord) urged us to act selflessly without any thought of personal profit.

    Rajan Zed suggested to each American Hindu to take a vow of undertaking at least one charitable project during this year for less fortunate members of the community. Quoting scriptures, Zed stressed that charity was a duty, which should be undertaken with sympathy and modesty. Headquartered in Washington DC, “Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world”. Alan Murray is President. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksha (liberation) is its ultimate goal. There are about three million Hindus in USA.

  • Congratulating BJP on election victory, Indo- Americans hope for India’s economic revival

    Congratulating BJP on election victory, Indo- Americans hope for India’s economic revival

    Indo-Americans have congratulated Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its leader Narendra D. Modi on landslide victory in India’s parliamentary elections. Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, commended Modi’s statement that he would rule for all Indians. Zed, who is Chairperson of Indo-American Leadership Confederation, expressed hope that the new Indian government would take India to the next level, bring its past glory back, revive India’s stalled economy, and make it an economic powerhouse and major cultural influence.

    Rajan Zed further hoped that the new government would skillfully capitalize India’s many strengths to move India forward; end poverty and endemic corruption; bring development to rural areas; successfully handle economic, environmental and social issues; and strengthen India-US relations. Zed also congratulated multi-lingual India for successfully completing world’s biggest exercise in electoral democracy with about 814 million eligible voters.

  • Hindus Laud US Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard For Oath Of Office On Bhagavad-Gita

    Hindus Laud US Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard For Oath Of Office On Bhagavad-Gita

    NEW YORK (TIP): Hindus have applauded Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu recently elected to 113th United States (US) Congress, for taking the Oath of Office on ancient Hindu scripture Bhagavad-Gita (Song of the Lord), who was sworn on January three as a member of the US House of Representatives in Washington DC. Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, said that as Bhagavad-Gita talked about endeavoring constantly to serve the world’s welfare without any thought of personal gain, it should be the treatise for all the politicians and rulers of the world. Rajan Zed pointed out that Bhagavad-Gita also told us about selfless action and selfless service, always keeping focus on welfare of others and be guided by compassion in our work.

    Zed noted that this philosophical and intensely spiritual poem was often considered the epitome of Hinduism. Besides being the cornerstone of Hindu faith, Bhagavad-Gita was also one of the masterpieces of Sanskrit poetry and had been commented by hundreds of authors and translated into all major languages of the world. It was a dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna, just before the beginning of the great Mahabharata war, in which Lord Krishna gave spiritual enlightenment to the warrior Arjuna, who realized that the true battle was for his own soul. Its 700 verses in 18 chapters considered the nature of action, the religious and social duty, the human relationship to God, the means of liberation, and the nature of sacrifice, etc., Rajan Zed added.