Hari GaunderAUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, November 7, 2004: It was the first time ever the Hindu Festival of Lights, Deepavali, was celebrated in the New Zealand Parliament, in Wellington on November 2 and the Indians are grateful to the government for recognizing their contributions towards the nation. The Prime Minister, Helen Clark, lit a lamp in the traditional style and created…
SourceNEW DELHI; INDIA; November 2, 2004: Puppeteer Dadi Pudumjee has become the first Indian to perform at NewYork’s legendary La MaMa experimental theatre off Broadway (here). He showed an avant-garde version of the ancient Vikram-Betaal myth — where a king carries a riddle-telling corpse on his shoulders — to the theatre, now a global arts center that was started by…
SourceLONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, November 3, 2004: The banks of the river Thames has yielded many exotic items, including a series of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, some of which could be more than a century old, says this article. The four Deities discovered include Durga, Ganesha, Vishnu and Hanuman. the statues are made of stone or metal. Other discoveries include two…
SourceNEW YORK, NEW YORK, November 2, 2004: Erica Kubersky and her sister, Sarah, have turned their distaste for meat and all goods derived from animals, into a vigorous business selling vegan products–that is, imitation leather shoes, bags and motorcycle jackets–at MooShoes, their boutique in Lower Manhattan. MooShoes is one in an expanding roster of shops catering to people who, from…
SourceGUWAHATI, INDIA, November 5, 2004: Hundreds of VHP protesters went on a rampage in Guwahati after police tried to stop them from holding a march to protest the demolition of two ancient Hindu temples by the civic administration. The protesters ran through the streets pelting stones, burning tires and smashing a bus before they were arrested. Police have tightened security…
SourceSAYREVILLE, NEW JERSEY, October 28, 2004: When the Dwarkadhish Hindu Temple on Washington Road wanted to close down a major thoroughfare for a 10th anniversary celebration parade from Kennedy Park to the temple, Borough officials were initially somewhat reluctant to allow the parade. The officials were concerned about the safety of residents in the Lakeview senior community as well as…
SourceBANGALORE/LUCKNOW, INDIA, November 6, 2004: With the Hindu festival of lights, “Deepavali,” round the corner, pottery makers of Bangalore, famous for their craftsmanship, are working round the clock to meet the festive rush. While “diyas,” or earthen lamps, are made all over the country, the ones made here are considered to be the best in southern India. Potters here have…
HPIKAUAI, HAWAII, November 7, 2004: HPI reader Steven Pheiffer is seeking a source for the traditional Deepavali lamps, “small clay diyas with wax and wick inside, painted and decorated in a festive manner.” If someone knows a mail-order source, kindly write him at skanda2@earthlink.net.
SourceCOLOMBO, SRI LANKA, November 6, 2004: Life in the Muslim stronghold of Katthankudy in eastern Sri Lanka was brought to a standstill for five days recently as the orthodox Jamiat- ul-Ulema indulged in violent protests against a “Sufi” group, which was allegedly spreading “Hindu” ideas. The followers of the Jamiat-ul-Ulema demolished the Rahmaniya and Ibrahimiya madrasas (theological schools) in Katthankudy,…
SourceLONDON, ENGLAND, November 2, 2004: The following press release is from Jay Lakhani of the Hindu Council UK. The new National Framework for Religious Education was launched on 28th October by the Secretary for state for Education, Charles Clarke. Hindu Council UK had been fighting hard to incorporate some key Hindu ideas in the new framework. Full details can be…