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Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award for chaplain Rajan ZedDear Sir/Madam: As you might have noticed recently in American, Indian and world media, Mr. Rajan Zed, a Hindu chaplain from Reno, Nevada, USA, read opening prayer from ancient Sanskrit scriptures in the United States (US) Senate in Washington DC on July 12, thus creating history, because it was the first Hindu prayer ever delivered on the Senate floor since its formation in 1789. He stood-up unfazed on the Senate floor despite protests by some fundamentalists and won everybody over with his enormous courage, religious faith, and self-belief in short time allotted to him. He recited from Brahadaranyakopanisad, Tattiriya Upanisad, Bhagavad-Gita and ended with the "Peace, Peace, Peace be unto all", which is the English translation of "Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti." Mr. Zed recently addressed the congregation of Unitarian Universalist Church of Northern Nevada, Unity Church of Today of Minden (Nevada) and Annual Ramadan Dialog and Friendship Dinner of Sierra Foundation. He has been invited to address Annual Diocesan Conference of Catholic Diocese of Reno in January next. He has worked single-handedly for the preservation of Indian heritage in northern Nevada and adjoining California. He delivered for the first time Hindu prayer in Sanskrit in Nevada State Assembly and Nevada State Senate in March and May respectively since their formation in 1864. In August, he delivered Hindu prayer for the first time in the history of California State Senate. Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Divas, which is very prestigious and highly respected, is also involved in preservation of cultures and peace. I think that it will be very befitting to award Mr. Rajan Zed with "Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award" during the January 2008 Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Divas for the work he is doing to advance the cause of culture and peace.
Sincerely,
Dharam Loonaa, Journalist |
