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Lodi City Council in California (USA) had its reportedly first Hindu invocation on June six evening since it was incorporated in 1906, containing verses from world’s oldest existing scripture.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed delivered the invocation from ancient Sanskrit scriptures before the City Council. After Sanskrit delivery, he then 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 President of Universal Society of Hinduism, recited 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 started and ended the prayer with “Om”, the mystical syllable containing the universe, which in Hinduism is used to introduce and conclude religious work. Reciting from Bhagavad-Gita, he urged councilmembers to keep the welfare of others always in mind.

Before the historic Hindu invocation at Lodi City Hall, from left to right are—Councilmember Bob Johnson, Councilmember Phil Katzakian, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, Mayor JoAnne Mounce, Mayor Pro Tempore Alan Nakanishi, and Councilmember Larry D. Hansen.

Rajan Zed presented a copy of Bhagavad-Gita to Mayor JoAnne Mounce who welcomed and thanked Zed. Zed sprinkled few drops of water from river Ganga of India, considered holy by Hindus, around the podium before the prayer. Zed stated before beginning the invocation: It is a historic moment of pride for the community when the prayers from ancient Sanskrit scriptures are being read in this great hall of democracy of this great city of Lodi.

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.

Lodi, which claims to be committed to “quality growth”, is being marketed as “Northern California’s hottest new wine country destination” as about 40% of California’s premium wine grapes are said to be grown in this region. Female majority town (male 48.8%, female 51.2%), whose about 30% residents speak a language other than English at home, houses “The Serpentarium”, which has "bearded dragons" and where one can learn about snake breeding process. Prominent people associated with Lodi include baseball player Jason Bartlett, basketball player Bill Cartwright, soccer player Patrick Ianni, actress Mary Castle, model Bridget Marquardt, vintner Robert Mondavi and post-hardcore band A Skylit Drive.