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Hindus have sent early greetings to Japanese communities world over for upcoming Shinto festival of Shichi-Go-San, which falls on November 15.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a release in Nevada (USA) today, expressed warmest greetings on the Shichi-Go-San; wishing long, happy, safe, successful and healthy life to their children.

Rajan Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed that all religions should work together for a just and peaceful world. Dialogue would bring us mutual enrichment, he added.

Shichi-Go-San (Seven-Five-Three), said to have originated in Heian Period, is traditional annual rite of passage and festival day in Japan for three and seven year old girls and three and five year old boys. Parents reportedly visit Shinto shrine with their sons and daughters of these ages dressed in kimono to express gratitude, drive out evil spirits and pray for a long-safe-successful-healthy life of the child. Chitose Ame, long thin red-white candy (decorated with turtles and cranes), symbolizing healthy growth and longevity, is given to children on this day, which is also celebration of the child maturing from infancy to childhood. In Tokyo, worshippers visit Meiji Jingu and other popular shrines.

Shinto, described sometimes as "this-worldly" religion, is indigenous Japanese religious tradition and Kojiki and Nihongi reflect its basic themes.

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Hindus welcome weeklong Diwali celebrations at a British Catholic school

St Joseph’s Catholic Pre-school in Warndon (United Kingdom) reportedly had weeklong activities to celebrate Diwali, Hindu festival of lights.

According to reports, it included learning the story of Ramayana, a major Hindu scripture; making rangoli patterns and clay divas; dressing up in Indian clothes; participating in Indian dancing; etc. The children were excited about these activities and they loved it, reports suggest.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, applauded St Joseph’s Catholic Pre-School for organizing Diwali activities saying that “it is a step in the right direction.”

Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, argued that thus opening-up children to major world religions would make them well-nurtured, well-balanced, and enlightened citizens of tomorrow. It also made a good business sense to know the beliefs of “others” in a global community. Moreover, students should have knowledge of the entire society to become full participants in the society, Zed added.

Mission of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, whose tagline is "Following Jesus in all we do", includes “The rites and practices of the Roman Catholic faith are reverently upheld in the school…”. Warndon, situated on an ancient saltway, is a suburb and civil parish of the City of Worcester in England. Ray Morris is Chairman of the Parish Council.

Most popular of Hindu festivals, Diwali aims at dispelling the darkness and lighting up the lives and symbolizes the victory of good over evil.

Roman Catholicism is the largest denomination of Christianity currently headed by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI from Vatican City.

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