KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, August 21, 2004: Nanban newspaper reported on the need for Hindus to understand traditional rituals and customs and the importance of getting the right people involved in them. The daily quoted Malaysia Hindu Academy president T. Vairenraj as saying that the younger generation should understand the various religious rituals. He said according to the Hindu dharma there were customs and rituals to be observed for the birth of a child to the final rites for the deceased. He lamented that the Hindus today showed no interest in observing these rituals. Vairenraj said this during the launch of a book in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday titled Final Rites in English on Hindu rituals to be held during funerals. The book is a joint effort with A. Hemalatha and it was launched by Swami Kugabakthnandha. Chief priest Muthukumara Gurukkal urged family members to perform the final rites for their loved ones rather than surrendering their duties to funeral directors under package arrangements. He hoped the Hindus would take these rituals seriously after reading the book.
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