August 5, 2008
1. Ayurvedic Herb A Hope For Arthritis Relief
NEW DELHI, INDIA, August 3, 2008: The extract of a herb used for centuries in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine can reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis, the most common inflammatory joint disease, a group of Indian and American scientists has claimed. A clinical trial conducted by Siba Raychaudhuri from the University of California, Davis, and her co-workers in India has shown that the extract of the plant,Boswellia serrata, can reduce pain and significantly improve knee joint function.
Raychaudhuri and her colleagues have described their study as the first to evaluate the efficacy of the extract enriched with a form of boswellic acid on osteaoarthritis. They conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, a rigorous clinical trial in which neither doctors nor patients know whos receiving the drug and whos receiving a placebo on 70 patients with mild and moderate arthritis.
The extract led to statistically significant improvements in pain and joint function, in some cases providing relief within seven days, the researchers said, describing their results in the journal Arthritis Research & Therapy.
The high incidence of adverse effects associated with currently available medications (for arthritis) has created great interest in the search for an effective and safe alternative treatment, Raychaudhuri said.
2. Cambodians Pray for Peace
PREAH VIHEAR, CAMBODIA, August 3, 2008: Buddhist monks and government officials held a peace vigil Friday at an ancient temple near disputed border land, lighting incense and praying in the shadow of armed troops from Cambodia and Thailand. Mist hovered over the mountaintop Preah Vihear temple as some 1,000 people prayed for an end to the tense standoff that started July 15 and has fueled nationalist passions in both countries. "We are gathering here to pray to the souls of our ancestors asking for peace," said Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon, referring to Khmer kings who built the temple from the 9th to 11th centuries. "We also pray for success in our defense of our territory."
3. Ajanta Ellora Conservation and Tourism Development Project Progresses
NEW DELHI, INDIA, August 3, 2008: Shri S. Banerjee, Tourism Secretary, along with Shri E.K. Bharat Bhushan, Joint Secretary & Financial Advisor and Smt. Leena Nandan, Joint Secretary made a site visit on July, 24 & 25, 2008 to review the progress of Ajanta Ellora Conservation & Tourism Development Project. The second phase of the project covers restoration of Ajanta Ellora Caves and other monuments in Aurangabad city which include Bibi Ka Maqbara, Pitalkhora Caves, Aurangabad Caves, Daulatabad Fort, Patnadevi Temple etc. The works to be carried out at these places include structural reinforcement, chemical conservation of the paintings, upgrading the environment and improvement of visitor management systems.
As part of the project, construction of Visitor Management Centers at Ajanta and Ellora are also being undertaken. Apart from the construction of buildings, the Visitor Centers would include multi-media exhibition works and facilities for the tourists visiting Ajanta Ellora Caves. These visitor Centers have been designed to give the tourists a unique experience and information about historical, cultural importance of the Ajanta Ellora Cave Complexes which have been accorded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO.
4. Daily Inspiration
After receiving grace of a God, the devotee can never be the same again, never look at life again in the old way. By grace we are directed deeper into spiritual life, pointed in the right direction, carefully guided on the San Marga, the straight path to our supreme God. After grace has been received, our thoughts are enlivened, our life is inspired with enthusiasm and energy, and we live daily in the joyous knowledge that everything is all right, everything is happening around us in accord with our karma, our dharma and God's gracious will.
Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (1927-2001), founder of Hinduism Today
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