Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that Pope talking of respecting environment, caring for one another, building sincere friendships and embracing poorest at the inauguration of his papal ministry—was a step in the right direction.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that "Servant of the Servants of God" with about 1.2 billion adherents should show exemplary leadership in interfaith dialogue, defending human rights, promoting ecological responsibility, helping the helpless, highlighting European Roma (Gypsies) apartheid and bringing equality to women in all spheres.
Rajan Zed stressed that to effectively curb environmental degradation and save the planet, religions of the world had to come together to form a joint global strategy. Zed urged Pope (his being the religious leader with largest following) to organize a world level environmental summit involving all world religions.
