SourceKANCHEEPURAM, INDIA, January 20, 2005: (HPI note: In granting the senior Shankaracharya bail, the India Supreme Court specifically said the testimony of co-accused in a case was not of much value unless supported by independent evidence, which they concluded did not yet exist in convincing form in this case.) The Tamil Nadu police investigating the Shankaraman murder case today received…
SourceKANCHIPURAM, INDIA, January 20, 2005: The Manager of Vaishno Uttaranchal Mutt (monastery), Srinivasacharya, was found murdered inside its premises this morning. The body of the 40-year-old temple official, hailing from Patna, was found in a pool of blood inside a hall, said the police. Senior police officials have rushed to the spot. The murder was the second such killing of…
SourceUSA, January 19, 2005: Newsweek magazine printed the following letter from Aseem Shukla of the Hindu American Foundation, along with a rebuttal. The article in question dealt with the theological reaction of Christianity, Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism. The views of each, with the exception of Hinduism, were represented by educated members. Only in the case of Hinduism did the article…
SourceSUVA, FIJI, January 15, 2005: The father of two 16-year-old boys who appeared in court yesterday for sacrilege in a Hindu temple was fined US$78 by the Suva court yesterday for failing to be a good dad. This is the first time in Fiji legal history that such a sentence has been handed down. Juvenile Court magistrate Ajmal Khan said…
SourceANNOUNCEMENT: Meera Publications has released its January 2005 newsletter. The mission of the newsletter is to focus on celebrating India’s cultural heritage. Features of this January edition include; five most essential things you can provide to your children, the celebration of Makar Sakranti on January 14th, a recipe for Sesame Seed sweet balls here, a book of the month feature…
SourceUNITED KINGDOM, January 19, 2005: Ripin Karla (“source”) writes: The speed with which people have responded to the latest Tsunami disaster is extraordinary. At the moment the focus is on immediate relief but there are several private charities and public bodies starting to plan and act for reconstruction. I have received several e-mails about plans to build houses and community…
SourceNEW DELHI, INDIA, January 14, 2005: Ushering in the new festival season, Lohri, which marks the new harvest, was celebrated in parts of north India. In Tamil Nadu, the festival is celebrated as Pongal, as Bhugali Bihu in Assam and Sankranti in central Indian states. While it is known by different names in various parts of the country, what is…
SourceBANGALORE, INDIA, January 18, 2005: American Evangelist Benny Hinn is planning a three day Festival of Blessings, beginning this Friday in Bangalore. Organizers expect up to three million people to attend. But the prayer meetings are running into a lot of opposition with Hindu religious leaders. Hindu religious leaders from around Karnataka met in Bangalore’s Shankara mutt to discuss their…
SourceKAULA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, January 14, 2005: About 20 Malaysian Volunteers from various Hindu Organizations are now actively involved in their services especially in Baticola, Ampara and Trincomalee areas in Sri Lanka. Mr. T. M.Ramachandran of the Hindu Seva Sangam (HSS), popularly known as Ramaji, as mobilized about 1,000 youths of local Hindu Seva Sangam in those areas. Rama has commented…
SourceCHENNAI, INDIA, January 15: In what could kick off a political storm, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa this evening sent a communication to Governor S. S. Barnala that her government was exploring ways to take over the Kanchi mutt and could even bring an ordinance to this effect. This is a U-turn from her statement in the Assembly, shortly…