GENEVA: Hindus have criticized the conference on the origins of the universe, being held at Geneva from October 15-17 and organized among others by European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), for not including Hindus. Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, told CERN that inviting prominent theologians and philosophers for debate with scientists was “a step in the right direction", but CERN should have shown some maturity by being more inclusive when it came to the religions. “Actually Hindu cosmology/timeline came comparatively closer to scientific timelines. Rig Veda, oldest existing scripture of the mankind, talked and questioned the origin of the cosmos and Puranas discussed it too,” Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out. How the search for common ground between science and religion over beginnings of universe could be complete and successful by just involving Church of England, CERN officials, professors of philosophy-physics-mathematics-health science-etc., and a college principal. Scholars of Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, with about one billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought, if invited, would have significantly helped the mission, Rajan Zed stressed. Titled “The Big Bang and the interfaces of knowledge: towards a common language?", the purpose of this conference was listed as: “to enable scientists from a range of disciplines to dialogue with philosophers and theologians from the world religions about the nature of the Big Bang Theory". Announcement asked: “What understandings might scientists and theologians share in common? Is it possible to develop a common framework or language"? It was joint venture of CERN, Wilton Park (a United Kingdom government body), and Christian-based Willingham (UK) headquartered Sir Halley Stewart Trust. Founded in 1954, CERN, near Geneva, claims to be “one of the world's largest and most respected centres for scientific research". Rolf Heuer is Director-General. Wilton Park, formally linked to the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, is headquartered in Steyning (West Sussex, UK). Richard Burge and Iain Ferguson are its Chief Executive and Board Chair respectively.
