Sparks City Council in Nevada (USA), incorporated in 1905, launched its day with Hindu prayers on July eight afternoon, 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. 

Councilmembers, city employees and public were seen standing in prayer mode with their heads bowed down during the invocation. Mayor Geno R. Martini introduced Zed, who was wearing saffron colored attire, a ruddraksh mala (rosary), and traditional sandalpaste tilak (religious mark) on the forehead.

Just before the Hindu invocation, from left to right are— Councilmember Mike Carrigan, Mayor Geno R. Martini, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, City Manager Shaun Carey and councilmember Ron Schmitt.