Hindu Press International October 31, 2008

October 31, 2008

Scenes of Diwali, All Around the World
A Quieter, More Comtemplative Diwali
Diwali Colors Dazzles Students in Texas
Skandha Sashti Festival Begins
Daily Inspiration

1. Scenes of Diwali, All Around the World

www.hinduismtoday.com

HPI note: HPI has received reports of Diwali celebrations from the four corners of the world. Click on the links below to read some of them:

KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA: http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/004200810282180.htm

THE WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON, DC, USA:
http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/oct/29us.htm

LEICESTERSHIRE, UK:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/leicestershire/7694682.stm

NEW DELHI, INDIA:
http://www.ddinews.gov.in/Homepage/Homepage+-+Headlines/eeq2.htm

HOUSTON, TEXAS, USA:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/6081140.html

NEW YORK CITY, NY, USA (Caribbean Hindus):
http://www.caribbeanworldnews.com/entertainment_one.php?sid=1373&a=2&cut=301&ad=entertainment

STATEN ISLAND, NY, USA:
http://www.silive.com/living/advance/religion/index.ssf?/base/living/122431232723200.xml&coll=1

LE MOULE, GUADALOUPE (in French):
http://www.coconews.com/pub/clicpub.php?campagne=686&portail=1

NEPALESE PRIME MINISTER'S RESIDENCE, KATHMANDU, NEPAL:
http://news.indiainfo.com/2008/10/29/0810292014_prachanda_hosts_deepawali_tea_reception.html

USA (Barack Obama wishes Hindus a "joyous Diwali")
http://www.indiajournal.com/pages/event.php?id=4960

SIDNEY, AUSTRALIA:
http://www.tamilsydney.com/content/view/1484/37/

CALIFORNIA, USA:
http://www.indiajournal.com/pages/event.php?id=4969

2. A Quieter, More Comtemplative Diwali

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

NEW DELHI, INDIA, October 29, 2008: This year's festival of lights this year is a quieter affair than usual. The police issued fewer licenses to firecracker vendors and came down heavily on their illegal sale, and as a result crackers are not that readily available in the city. Environmentalists foresee a significant dip in the noise and pollution levels on Diwali night.

The Delhi Police's licensing department issued about 1,000 licenses this year, compared to about 5,000 that are normally given out. Firecrackers have also become almost 40% more expensive than last year, both due to the shortage and rising costs of raw material.

Many are happy with the trend. "Bursting crackers is not the only way of celebrating Diwali. In the fun of things, nobody realized the highly harmful impact crackers have on health, specially those of children and people with breathing problems. Each year, air and noise pollution levels were going up unimaginably high, harming not only human beings but also animals," said a senior government official in the environment department.

3. Diwali Colors Dazzles Students in Texas

www.dailytexanonline.com

AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA, October 29, 2008: Fireworks illuminated the night sky for Diwali, a traditional Indian celebration that represents the victory of good over evil. The Hindu Students Council hosted a Diwali celebration Tuesday night on the Main Mall.

Candlelit steps, with piles of shoes strewn at the bottom, welcomed Hindu and non-Hindu students to a ritual of mock sacrifice, called havan. The ritual was led by a priest and involved a fire ceremony, which was meant to bring prosperity and luck to the new year.

"[Diwali celebrates] a universal idea," said Santanu Rahman, Multicultural Information Center program coordinator. "Anyone can connect to it. There is a huge visual aspect, but the meaning is very powerful." "Diwali is the largest Hindu holiday of the year," said Nikhil Nayak, president of Hindu Students Council. "We celebrate in an authentic style."

It is hard for students to go home and celebrate Diwali traditionally with family, said Ronak Shah, council co-chair. "Our goal was to recreate the atmosphere," Shah said.

4. Skandha Sashti Festival Begins

www.hinduonnet.com

MADURAI, INDIA, October 29, 2008: The Skandha Sashti festival began at Tiruparankunram Sri Subramaniaswamy temple here on Wednesday.

The devotees would take bath in the Saravanapoikai, go around the Tiruparankunram hills and take food only once during the festival. Soorasamharam would be held on November three, temple sources said.

The festival is celebrated by Hindus worldwide, but especially the Tamil community. The festival culminates in November 3.

5. Daily Inspiration

www.hinduismtoday.com

Think twice before you talk. Think thrice before you act.
Sri Sri Sri Sivaratnapuri, Tiruchi Mahmigal founder of Kailasa Ashrama, Bangalore

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