DISTINGUISHED HINDU statesman Rajan Zed has sent early greetings to Tamils world over on upcoming Pongal festival; praying for their happiness, peace, and prosperity.

In a release in Nevada (USA) today, Zed, who is the president of Universal Society of Hinduism, expressed warmest wishes to Tamils on four-day ancient harvest festival of Pongal, whose origins are sometimes traced back to around 200 BCE.

Rajan Zed urged them that in addition to celebrations on Pongal, they should each take a vow of undertaking at least one charitable project during the coming year for less fortunate members of the community. Charity is duty of all of us and it should be undertaken with modesty and sympathy. Pongal will be celebrated January 14-17.