Paras Ramoutar TRINIDAD TOBAGO, April 15, 2007: India-based Chinmaya Mission is breaking barriers here with the commencement of a program to train both male and female as pandits. The Mission’s spiritual leader, Trinidad-born, but India-trained, Swami Prakashananda, said that the training is organized for social work, not for people to use the Pandit’s knowledge as an income earner. “Although most…
www.chinapost.com.tw KAULA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, April 7, 2007: Islamic authorities took away the baby of a Muslim woman who is living as a Hindu in defiance of the law in the latest case of religious conflict straining ties in multiethnic Malaysia, officials said Friday. Revathi Masoosai’s 15-month-old daughter was taken by the Islamic Religious Department in southern Malacca state on March…
www.ions.org RISHIKESH, INDIA, April 14, 2007: (HPI note: The following pressrelease is from Parmarth Niketan.) Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji(Muniji), President and Spiritual Head of Parmarth Niketan Ashram,Rishikesh (Himalayas), India is a highlighted speaker at the majorconference organized by the Institute of Noetic Sciences, calledConsciousness in Action, from the August 9 to 12, 2007 in Palm Springs,California. The conference brings together…
www.hindustantimes.com KAMPALA, UGANDA, April 13, 2007: Uganda’s government assured Kampala residents of their safety on Friday, a day after rioters targeting Asians (as Indians are called in Uganda) stoned one man to death during a protest over plans by an Indian firm to develop part of a rainforest reserve. Soldiers patrolled the capital where police fired tear gas and bullets…
www.smithsonianmagazine.com MUMBAI, INDIA, April 14, 2007: The Dharavi squatter settlement in Mumbai is often described as the biggest slum in Asia. It sits between two rail lines in the northern part of the city, on a creek that once sustained a thriving fishery. The creek is now a sump of sewage and industrial waste, and the air above Dharavi is…
www.msnbc.msn.com NEW YORK, NEW YORK, April 12, 2007: A New York-based nonprofit is hoping to strike a philanthropic spark with Karma Tycoon, a new online game that aims to entertain teens while also giving them an appreciation for the business side of charitable works. The game is the creation of DoSomething.org, a not-for-profit that aims to inspire younger generations to…
www.hinduamericanfoundation.org WASHINGTON, D.C., April 10, 2007: The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) is currently accepting applications for participation in its third annual summer internship program. Motivated interns will work with members of the Hindu American Foundation Executive Council to complete self-contained projects over the course of the summer. Internships are designed for 20 hours of work per week and will last…
presidentofindia.nic.in NEW DELHI, INDIA, April 11, 2007: The Indian Musical Academy recently honored Maestro Ali Akbar Khan, Vidhwan Dr. Balamuralikrishna, Smt Girija Devi, Maestro Illyaraja and Asha Bhonsle for their outstanding musical achievement. Indian President Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam’s gave a speech at the event and his remarks included his personal experience with music’s religious expression. A few…
rachel.smith@bbc.co.uk LONDON, ENGLAND, April 13, 2007: HPI received the following request from Rachael Smith, who created the well-made “Karma Lives” documentary about the UK Hindu community. “Are you a Hindu family expecting your first baby between May and October? Do you know anybody that is? Would you be willing to share your family’s journey through pregnancy? My name is Rachel…
www.canada.com ONTARIO, CANADA, April 12, 2007: The Niagara River, which leads to Niagara Falls, could become Canada’s stand-in for the sacred Ganga in India. As the tradition of sending ashes back to India’s holy rivers becomes less popular with second- and third-generation Canadian Hindus, Ontario’s Hindu community wants a waterway designated for traditional burial rituals. The chosen river or lake…