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Hindus have welcomed the reported decision of Russian prosecutors of not appealing against rejection by Tomsk regional court in Siberia (Russia) of proposed move to ban their ancient scripture Bhagavad Gita (Song of the Lord).

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that it was a “step in the right direction”.

According to reports, Tomsk Region Prosecutor’s Office, which initiated the case in June 2011, will not appeal the court’s decision to refuse to declare Bhagavad Gita as extremist. In March last, Tomsk regional court reportedly reaffirmed the December lower court ruling.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, thanked the Prosecutor’s Office for this reported decision saying that it was a right and sensible move befitting a democratic, open-minded and pluralistic society.

Rajan Zed said that Bhagavad Gita was one of the holiest scriptures of Hinduism and banning it would have deeply hurt the devotees. Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken lightly. No faith, larger or smaller, should be maltreated, Zed argued.

Zed noted that attempt at banning Bhagavad Gita was apparently an attack on religious freedom and belittling of the entire community.

Rajan Zed stressed that this philosophical and intensely spiritual poem, often considered the epitome of Hinduism, was highly revered by Hindus. Besides being the cornerstone of Hindu faith, Bhagavad Gita was also one of the masterpieces of Sanskrit poetry and a world treasure 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., Zed stated.

Established in 1604, Tomsk, one of the oldest towns in Siberia, is a major center for Russia’s IT industry and houses Siberia’s oldest university Tomsk State University. Nikolay Nikolaychuk is reportedly the acting Mayor.

Fowler City Council in California to have 1st Hindu invocation in 104 years

Fowler City Council in California (USA) will reportedly have its first Hindu invocation on June five since the city was incorporated in 1908, containing verses from world’s oldest existing scripture.

Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed will deliver the opening prayer from ancient Sanskrit scriptures before the City Council. After Sanskrit delivery, he then will read the English translation of the prayer. Sanskrit is considered a sacred language in Hinduism and root language of Indo-European languages.

Zed, who is the President of Universal Society of Hinduism, will recite from Rig-Veda, the oldest scripture of the world still in common use, besides lines from Upanishads and Bhagavad-Gita (Song of the Lord), both ancient Hindu scriptures. He plans to start and end the prayer with “Om”, the mystical syllable containing the universe, which in Hinduism is used to introduce and conclude religious work.

Reciting from Brahadaranyakopanishad, Rajan Zed plans to say “Asato ma sad gamaya, Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya, Mrtyor mamrtam gamaya”, which he will then translate as “Lead me from the unreal to the Real, Lead me from darkness to Light, and Lead me from death to Immortality.” Reciting from Bhagavad-Gita, he proposes to urge Councilmembers to keep the welfare of others always in mind.

Zed has been awarded “World Interfaith Leader Award” and is Senior Fellow and Religious Advisor to New York headquartered Foundation for Religious Diplomacy, Spiritual Advisor to National Association of Interchurch & Interfaith Families, etc.

Fowler, whose tagline is "The Blossom Trail City", is located in an area full of lush grape vineyards. City of Fowler claims: With its distinct “Americana” atmosphere…it’s a great place to live and work. David Cardenas, Daniel T. Parra and David Elias are Mayor, Mayor Pro-Tem and City Manager respectively.

$18.5 million Hindu temple complex approved in UK’s Northampton

Hindus have welcomed the reported unanimous approval of about $18.5 million Hindu temple and high-tech community complex by Northampton (East Midlands, United Kingdom) Borough Council’s planning committee on May 29.

Called “Northampton Kutumbh Centre” (wider family), besides a spectacular Hindu temple, it also reportedly plans to include state-of-the-art and eco-friendly sports, recreation and leisure, education, enterprise, arts and entertainment facilities on about 4.3 acres; providing structure for events, exhibitions, meetings, indoor and outdoor sports, clubs, crèche and nursery, housing complex for seniors, elderly daycare, library, etc.; and using solar and geo-thermal pump technology. It reportedly plans to include a cinema to exhibit Bollywood films and will  have facilities for badminton, indoor cricket, five-a-side football, etc., sports; classes in yoga, pilates, martial arts, gymnastics, reiki, dancing and music; health workshops; vegetable gardens; etc. It will reportedly use green and organic material for roof to attract wildlife habitation. Construction will reportedly be launched next year, completing in 2014.

Meanwhile, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, applauded efforts of project leaders and Northampton and surrounding community to realize this wonderful and all-inclusive 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 complex would focus in this direction. He 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.

It is being built by Indian Hindu Welfare Organisation, a voluntary charity organization established in 1996 and focused on enriching the lives of Northampton’s Hindus by meeting their social, cultural, welfare and health needs.  Neelam Aggarwal is the Chairperson while Atul Karavadra is the Treasurer.

Northampton, about 67 miles north-west of London, is a large market town in England on the River Nene. It has Britain’s largest market square dating from 1235, its Northampton Museum and Art Gallery has a world-class collection of historical footwear, and Diana-Princess of Wales (1961-1997) is buried at Althorp. About five percent of its population is of South Asian descent and it hosts University of Northampton. Roger Conroy and Les Marriott are Mayor and Deputy Mayor respectively of Northampton Borough Council.

Each year Northampton has a public celebration of Diwali, which includes procession around town center lead by dhol drums, workshops and performances in Market Square, henna painting, sari-tying, etc.