SourceJAFFNA, SRI LANKA, January 28, 2005: While the world’s heart and money go out to tsunami victims who lost their homes, another group of refugees looks on in despair. Muthuthampy Joganathan has been in temporary shelters for 15 years since he was evicted by the Sri Lankan army from his house near Sri Lanka’s northern coast, an area then engulfed…
SourceBHOPAL, INDIA, January 28, 2005: A number of steps have been taken in Madhya Pradesh toward the goal of promoting the the Sanskrit Language. As part of these efforts, scholarships are being provided to over 44,000 Sanskrit students in the state. Assistance is also being provided for modernization of traditional Sanskrit Pathshalas (training schools). In order to improve the condition…
SourceCHENNAI, INDIA, January 29, 2005: (HPI note: It was reported the police entered the mutt with their shoes on, and made the arrest during worship.) This is how the State Government described the Kanchi Sankara Mutt while challenging a notice issued by the National Human Rights Commission over the alleged violation of the sanctity of the Mutt during the arrest…
SourceWASHINGTON, D.C., January 21, 2005: Buried in a CBS report on President’s George Bush’s wife’s inaugural gown was this short item: “In 2002, Mrs. Bush decided to get serious about her health. She began to work out with a personal trainer and watch the food that she ate. She has lost 20 pounds since she began to get serious about…
Paras RamoutarTRINIDAD, January 28, 2005: Another case of unfair treatment, racism and discrimination has won the favor of Trinidad and Tobago’s Court of Appeal. The subject is the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha’s (SDMS) request for a radio licence to promote Hinduism and Indian Culture. This request was denied by the Telecommunications Authority two years ago. The SDMS took the matter…
SourceDEHRADUN, INDIA, January 28, 2005: Pilgrims intending to undertake Kailas Manas Sarovar Yatra this year will have to pay higher fees. The Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam has now pegged the amount at US$352 per passenger against last year’s $318 in addition to $600 to be paid to the Chinese Government for visiting the site, its Director D. K. Sharma said.…
Press ReleaseKAULA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, January 22, 2005: The Malaysia Hindu Sangam issued the following press release: “It is with deep regret that Datuk A.Vaithilingam, President Malaysia Hindu Sangam, resigns from the Executive Committee of the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism (MCCBCHS). Datuk Vaithi has already tendered his resignation on December 1, 2004 but the MCCBCHS did…
SourcePHUKET, THAILAND, January 24, 2005: Lek looks nervously at the Patong sea shore as he describes the passengers who climbed into his tuk tuk minivan late at night on January 6. “Go to Kata Beach,” the seven foreign tourists told him, after agreeing on a 200 baht fee. He drove a while, but then felt numb all over his body.…
SourceUSA, January 24, 2005: Thousands of donors have placed their faith in India Development & Relief Fund (IDRF) again as their “Charity of Choice,” according to this IDRF press release from their website, “source.” With their overwhelming support, IDRF’s donation receipts for tsunami relief and rehabilitation have exceeded $600,000. While the tide of direct giving by individual donors has receded,…
SourceCHICAGO, ILLINOIS, January 22, 2005: Many men of the Sikh faith wear a small sword under their clothing. Orthodox Jews often refuse to move illegally parked cars on Saturdays. Outsiders may photograph statues in Buddhist temples, but not in Hindu ones. These are some of the insights in a series of videos the Chicago Police Department uses to train its…