Jyeshtha Krushnapaksha Shashthi, Kaliyug Varsha 5115
It would be a red letter day when Bharat's anti-Hindu politicians realise that which even American politicians have realized !
On one hand we have America, which takes congnizance of religious needs of Hindu students and institutes Hindu Prayer stations; and on the other, we have the anti-Hindu Congress politicians, who include anti-Hindu material in textbooks and try hard to destroy the thread of faith that links Hindu students to their religion !
Martin Methodist College (MMC), a United Methodist Church institution in Pulaski (Tennessee, USA), reportedly has a “Hindu station” in its 24-hour interfaith prayer room.
This prayer room, at the corner of Criswell Hall, has Christian and Jewish stations also. “The interfaith prayer room is safe place for students to be with their God…", MMC Campus Minister Reverend Laura J. Kirkpatrick McMasters was quoted as saying.
Applauding MMC for provision of dedicated Hindu prayer station, distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, described it as “a step in the right direction”. Zedcommended MMC for recognizing the intersection of spirituality and education, which was important in Hinduism.
Rajan Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, urged other USA universities and colleges, both public and private, to respond to the spiritual needs of diverse student body and provide dedicated Hindu prayer/meditation rooms for rituals, quiet reflection, festivals and spiritual exercise, which would help in their personal growth.
Byron R. Trauger and Ted Brown are Trustees Chair and President respectively of MMC, which was founded in 1870.
Mission of United Methodist Church, 11-million-strong global church created in 1968, is to “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” and it emphasizes on "Christian living". Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal. There are about three million Hindus in USA.
