KENTON, UK, August 2, 2004: The Swaminarayan Hindu temple in Westfield Lane, Kenton, has been granted planning permission for an extra story. The application received unanimous approval at Harrow Council’s development control meeting on Wednesday last week. The additional floor will provide accommodation for a day center for elderly members of the community. It will include a reading area, meditation areas, library, dining room, kitchen and an office. The application was praised as an “excellent and well though out scheme” by members of all parties. Councillor Marilyn Ashton (Conservative) said: “The temple is a wonderful landmark and an integral part of the community. “The extra community facilities were desperately needed and the new floor will mean there will be proper space for these vital projects. “I wish the people involved every success.” Councillor Navin Shah (Labour) said: “I welcome this application as it will bring a great benefit to the community.”



HPI adds: Our founder, Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, long advocated that Hindu temples in the West establish just such elderly centers at the temple, and even housing facilities nearby.

NEW DELHI, INDIA, August 5, 2004: Dharan Mandrayar is thespian Sivaji Ganesan’s brother V.C. Shanmugham’s son. Dharan has just completed a project that is very close to his heart at the moment–White Rainbow, which was premiered recently in New Delhi where it was well received, says this article. White Rainbow is being produced for a global audience, by Dharlin Entertainment, in partnership with Sivaji films and Prabhu Movies. “White Rainbow deals with a societal issue, an anathema still prevalent in India, particularly in Vrindavan. I have dwelled into the callousness of a society that metes out gross injustice to the widows, and the sad part is that most of us hardly know the extent of the atrocities committed on the hapless widow of Vrindavan,” said Dharan in an interview with Sify.com. “Vrindavan is often referred to as the ‘City of Widows.’ The epithet may sound disconcerting, but the veracity cannot be ignored. The widows in Vrindavan, young and old are sexually exploited and physically abused in every way possible. Shorn of the last vestige of dignity and ostracized as an ‘inauspicious’ presence in the family, many of them are brought to Vrindavan and abandoned. They are illiterate and have no trained skills to support themselves,” Dharan added. The film is scheduled for release in September. It had a special screening in New Delhi and also screened at the Mill Valley (U.S.) Film Festival.

TEXAS, USA, July 25, 2004: This years Hindu Heritage Camp took place from July 20-25 at the Gordon Campsite in Richmond, Texas. Here is a summary of the report sent to HPI:



Summer camp is probably one of the most popular activities kids pursue in their months off from school; attending such camp gives them the chance to escape from what can sometimes be boring and unproductive summer days and participate in activities they enjoy. Hindu heritage Camp is one specifically for the children of the Houston Hindu community. The youth-organized HHC is a place where Hindu youths can integrate with one another and learn about their religious and cultural values.The Hindu Heritage Camp, sponsored by Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America and Hindu Students’ Council has been giving back to the community in this way for over 20 years. The results delivered by the camp — an interest in Hinduism and desire to interact with Hindu peers — has kept parents sending their kids back to the camp year after year. Hindu Heritage Camp is a great environment and a great atmosphere to get away from daily life, television, cell phones and cars. At the camp everyone is kept busy and can learn how to get in touch with your religious side. Camp incorporates a variety of activities such as Holi, Garba-Rass, Shakha, Surya Namaskar, bhajans, a talent show, skits, crafts and educational discussion session. HHC truly encompassed all the aspects of Hinduism into a single week of continual fun.



The camp provides an amazing opportunity for Hindu children to explore and connect to their culture and heritage in all of its various aspects. Attending the Hindu Heritage Camp also gives youth an opportunity to meet others with the same upbringing, giving many campers some of their closest friends in life. This year the main goal was to teach campers practical use of Hinduism in daily life. Some of the main topics discussed were: Ayurvedic practices, vegetarianism, karma, Hinduism in American literature, misconceptions of Hinduism, marriage rituals, ahimsa, Hindu symbols, and the value of education.