N. S. Rajaram On the New Pope

SourceBANGALORE, INDIA, October 1, 2000: Navaratna S. Rajaram wrote this essay five years ago dealing in large part with the work of Cardinal Ratzinger, the newly elected Pope: The Pope and the Vatican have shown their true face. In a just released document titled “Declaration of Lord Jesus” (written by Ratzinger) the Vatican proclaims non-Christians to be in a “gravely…

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Virginia Hindu Parents Challenge School Textbooks

SourceFAIRFAX, VIRGINIA, USA, April 17, 2005: (HPI note: This article in the Washington Post is titled, “Wiping Stereotypes Of India off the Books, Fairfax Parents Win Nuanced Lessons on Homeland.”) Fairfax County businesswoman Sandhya Kumar teaches her three daughters about other countries, cultures and religions. She wants them to take pride in their Indian heritage and Hindu faith — and…

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New Hindi Feature Film Insults Hindu Priests

SourceVARANASI, INDIA, April 9, 2005: A new Hindi feature film called “Dharma” has traditional Hindu priests who perform religious ceremonies on the banks of the river Ganga in Varanasi “up in arms.” The priest are insulted and outraged by two particular scenes in the movie. The news release said, “What has particularly angered the Pandas is a scene in which…

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Bangladesh – A Holy Land for Hindus and Buddhists

SourceBANGLADESH, April 12, 2005: A mosaic of religious sites permeate Bangladesh otherwise known as Bengal and the region boasts the birth of many religious personages on its soil. Dr. Sachi G. Dastidar explains, “Over the millenniums several places have become famous tirthas or places of pilgrimages in Bengal. A large concentration of those places are in today’s Bangladesh. Many notable…

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Kashmir Pundits Complains About Condition of Hindu Shrines in Valley

SourceJAMMU, INDIA, April 18, 2005: In order to discuss the present position of religious places of Hindus in the Kashmir Valley, Soan Kashmir Front held a meeting under the leadership of S.L. Pandita, its president. Members said that most of the religious places of Hindus were in deplorable condition in the Valley. They said that property of most of the…

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Kalidasa’s Play Shakuntala Premiers in Trinidad

By Paras RamoutarPORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD, April 18, 2005: An episode from the famous epic, Mahabharata, will premier in the form of the “Shakuntala” play on April 26 at Queen’s Hall, Port-of-Spain. The play is being presented by Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Co-operation, Nrityanjali Theatre and the Ministry of Culture, according to a spokesman for the Indian High Commission. The play…

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Big Temple Planned for Minnesota

SourceMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, USA, April 13, 2005: A magnificent temple is under construction in Minneapolis in the American Mid-West. Coming up on 40 pristine acres in Maple Grove area, the Vishnu temple when completed (most likely in 2006) would become one of the most imposing Hindu structures in the U. S., says this article. Being constructed by the Hindu Society of…

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Hinduism Today Needs Spiritual Quotations

SourceKAUAI, HAWAII, April 18, 2005: Hinduism Today is requesting quotes for its popular “Quotes and Quips” page. Single short quotes or collections of quotations on Hindu philosophy, culture or way of life are all welcome. Quotations can be from recognized spiritual leaders, ordinary Hindus or non-Hindus. In addition to Hinduism we occasionally run quotes on vegetarianism, general quotes on religion…

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Hindu New Year Celebrated

SourceTAMIL NADU, INDIA, April 14, 2005: Varusha Pirappu, or the birth of New Year, marks the beginning of the first month in Tamil calendar Chithirai. (HPI note: There are also other calendars in use in India with different New Years.) In contrast to the Roman calendar, where the New Year begins on January 1 always, the Tamil calendar year does…

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Thousands Bathe In Ganges To Welcome New Year

SourceHARIDWAR, INDIA, April 13, 2005: Thousands of Hindu devotees today heralded the traditional new year and a harvest festival by bathing in the holy Ganges river. Hindus consider a bath at Haridwar in northern India, one of the holiest spots along the Ganges’ 2,000-km (1,250- mile) journey from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal, as most auspicious and millions…

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