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…
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…
SourceNEW DELHI, INDIA, January 18, 2005: The burning of a train carrying Hindu pilgrims, which triggered religious riots that killed some 1,000 people, was caused by an accidental fire and not Muslims as charged by Hindu nationalists, an inquiry panel said. Retired judge U.C.Banerjee, heading a railroad department inquiry into the train burning, said Monday: “The fire … can at…
Source SAMANTHAPETTAI, INDIA, January 16, 2005: Rage and fury has gripped this tsunami-hit tiny Hindu village in India’s southern Tamil Nadu after a group of Christian missionaries allegedly refused them aid for not agreeing to follow their religion. Samanthapettai, near the temple town of Madurai, faced near devastation on the December 26 when massive tidal waves wiped it clean of…
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…
SourceDELHI, INDIA, January 12, 2005: The Supreme Court today termed as “lawful” the construction of US$44 million Akshardham temple complex on the banks of river Yamuna in Delhi. The court has dismissed a suit challenging the allotment of land to the society constructing it. The court said all the Land Use Plans have been adhered to and clearance of expert…
SourcePOOMPUHAR, INDIA, January 14, 2005: For generations, the people of Poompuhar have spoken of the days when their sleepy fishing town was the capital of a powerful kingdom, and traders came from Rome, Greece and Egypt to deal in pearls and silk. Then, more than 1,500 years ago, it was gone. The thriving town, according to ancient Tamil-language texts, was…
SourceKUNIGAL, INDIA, January 6, 2005: The head of Adichunchanagiri Mutt, Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji, had a miraculous escape when his helicopter made an emergency landing on an agricultural field following a technical snag near Narasandra village in the taluk yesterday. The Seer was proceeding from Bangalore towards Sringeri to attend some programs, in his helicopter yesterday morning. When the chopper was…