News

SourceWASHINGTON, D.C., May 11, 2005: A US Congress-mandated commission advised the Government on Wednesday to blacklist Pakistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan for alleged violation of religious freedom and beliefs. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom also sought the removal of India from the Government’s list of “countries of particular concern” following “significant” improvements in that country since the defeat of…

SourceBHOPAL, INDIA, April 27, 2005: Yoga and meditation exercises are being required in all the government schools in Madhya Pradesh from the next academic session in view of an all-out development of the students. The Commissioner, Public Instructions, has issued instructions to all the district education officers to make arrangements in all the primary, middle, high and higher secondary schools…

SourceSOUTH CAROLINA, USA, May 5, 2005: Dr. K. L. Seshagiri Rao, editor of the The Encyclopedia of Hinduism Project, makes the following request: “We would like to invite scholars from different Hindu theological schools and traditions who may review articles slated for inclusion in the Encylopedia from a North Indian perspective to insure an even-handed treatment of all points. We’d…

SourceMADURAI, INDIA, May 9, 2005: Probably after five months one could see the visible smile back on their faces. Many have worked day and night for this to happen. But, behind their smile one could read the sorrow lines, which run deep. Having lost their kith and kin in front of their eyes to the giant killer waves is something…

SourceHATTON, SRI LANKA, May 6, 2005: It is an unusual folk theatre where actors as well as spectators perform together. The subject deals with the life and death of Lord Kama, the Hindu God of love and passion. The whole village participates in the long-running theatre – a play can go on for 11 or 30 days – that eventually…

SourceLONDON, ENGLAND, May 4, 2005: Britain has sanctioned a grant of US$67,000 pounds to the Hindu Council, UK, part of which would be used for its cultural projects for children. Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Fiona Mactaggart, said the grant was for meeting the cost of the Hindu Council website and its pilot cultural projects for children, according to an…

SourceSANGRAMGARH (KUNDA), UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA, April 30, 2005: It is a dream come true for Jagannath Patel. And practically so for all the 2,500-plus villagers in this nondescript hamlet of Kashipur situated in Kunda tehsil of Pratapgarh. For it was Jagannath’s unusual dream in January led them to dig out icons of a Goddess coupled with the remains of a…

SourceKATHMANDU, NEPAL, May 7, 2005: Nepal’s Maoist guerrillas admitted responsibility for the gunning down of a prominent Hindu fund raiser, saying he was killed for trying to garner support for King Gyanendra and “committing other crimes in the name of religion.” Nepal was stunned on Friday by the murder of Narayan Prasad Pokhrel, a 47-year-old who had shot to prominence…

SourceBANGALORE, INDIA, May 9, 2005: Mamta was not allowed for darshan at the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangapatna by the temple authorities because she was in a wheelchair. Mamta, Deputy Superintendent in the Central Excise Department, saw them close the door of the sanctum sanctorum on her. Finally, she was carried inside and had darshan (sight of the Deity) from…

SourceKATHMANDU, NEPAL, May 6, 2005: Narayan Pokharel, president of the Nepal branch of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, died when six gunmen opened fire in the district of Rupandehi. No one has admitted carrying out the attack. However, police say the manner in which it was carried out hints at the involvement of Maoist rebels. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has its…