Another city declares Oct 25 as ‘Rajan Zed Day’

Rajan Zed with Mayor Robyn Stearns
Rajan Zed with Mayor Robyn Stearns

EXETER, CA: City of Exeter in California has become the seventh city in USA to declare October 25 as “Rajan Zed Day” after Hindu and interfaith statesman Rajan Zed.

Cities of Hartford (Connecticut), Taylorsville (Utah), Madera (California), Sparks (Nevada), Chowchilla (California) and Sanger (California) have already declared October 25 as “Rajan Zed Day”. City of Reno (Nevada) has also proclaimed a day in Zed’s recognition twice in the past.

A proclamation, signed by Mayor Robyn Stearns, mentioned Zed’s intent to “bring various religious communities together throughout the world so that all may live in peace and mutual trust, and may enrich their experiences through dialogue.”

“Increasing awareness of the plight of Roma (Gypsy) people of Europe and the issues that surround their treatment and living conditions”, was listed among his diverse efforts in this proclamation.

“City of Exeter thanks Rajan Zed for his efforts to share his faith, outreach, and concerns for humanity with our community”, the proclamation read. October 25 is Rajan Zed’s birthday.

Zed, President of Universal Society of Hinduism, opened the Exeter City Council on April 23 with its first Hindu invocation in 102 years of incorporation containing verses from world’s oldest existing scripture, and after sprinkling few drops of water from river Ganga of India considered holy by Hindus.

Located at the base of the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, female majority “Citrus Capital of the World” Exeter is known for the “sweetest oranges in the world”, whose population takes “great pride in the town’s heritage” and which was recognized as “One of America’s Prettiest Painted Places”.

There are 29 murals in its “outdoor art gallery” and more are planned. Jack Allwardt and Randy Groom are Mayor Pro Tem and City Administrator respectively.

Sonia Sidhu
India Post News Service