1. Seven Million Expected for Nasik Kumbha Mela
Source

NASHIK, INDIA, July 20, 2003: Over the coming months, seven million pilgrims will re-live the ancient ritual of traveling to the Maharashtra town of Nashik for the Kumbh Mela. At exactly 11.51 AM on July 30, 2003, as the Sun and Jupiter enter the constellation of Leo, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims will plunge into the Godavari, just as their spiritual forefathers have done for centuries to celebrate Kumbh Parva.

Nashik has never experienced anything on the scale of this year's preparations. The last Kumbh (1991-92), saw an investment of about US$4.5 million. This time, the figure is closer to US$97 million and provides for upgraded roads and new water/sewage systems. Trimbakeshwar, located 30 km away from Nashik and the source of Godavari, has similarly benefitted from the funding and has included a 25-acre Sadhu Gram for the expected holy men. In Nashik, 103 acres have been utilized as accommodations for the expected 250,000 sadhus.

The Kumbh period extends from 11:51 am on July 30, 2003, to 11:49 pm on August 27, 2004. The flag hoisting ceremony will be held on July 30; the Shahi Snans will be held at Nashik on August 17, August 27 and September 1, and at Trimbakeshwar on August 12, August 27 and September 7. The concluding ceremony will be held on August 27, 2004

2. Kerala Elephants to Retire at 65
Source

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA, July 24, 2003: Taking a serious note of growing cruelty towards captive elephants and their violent reaction to human captors, the Kerala Government has issued norms for their upkeep which, among other things, insists that the tamed elephants should be retired from working at the age of 65.

The set of rules issued recently had clear-cut norms for their menu, healthcare, working conditions and qualifications for mahouts, according to a reply furnished in the Assembly by Forest Minister K. Sudharakaran. With quite a few cases of harassed tuskers running berserk and goring mahouts to death being reported, the owners had been asked to appoint mahouts with a minimum of three years experience, with an assistant to help. There should be periodical check-up of elephants by vets, and the mahouts should carry the fitness certificates while the elephants were being taken out. No elephant should be marched for more that 30 km a day, and during the night reflectors should be kept on them to avoid being knocked down by vehicles. They should not be made to work at times of masth and bathed at least once every day. Use of nylon leash or barbed iron chains is banned.

3. Gujarat Police Arrest Christian Priest for Throwing Ganesha Icon
Source

AHMEDABAD, GUJARAT, July 21, 2003: Gujarat police arrested a Christian priest from Junagadh on charges of "offending another's religion," officials said here. A complaint was registered against Reverend Suresh Thaker who runs the Grace Ministry of India, an orphanage at Talala in Gir region of the district, alleging he threw a statue of a Deity belonging to a former employee, Veraval circle police inspector S. V. Rathore said. Offending another's religion is a serious offence, and a case has been registered against the priest under various sections of the IPC, Rathore said. Talala police said the complainant Gopal Patel, former driver of the orphanage, had alleged the priest had flung a Ganesh icon.

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