SourceSUVA, FIJI, October 29, 2004: The hours allowed for the use of firecrackers on Deepavali will cause discomfort to devotees, the Fiji Retailers Association says. The Mineral Resources Department has designated firecrackers to be shot between 5pm and 10pm on Deepavali, the Hindu Festival of Lights. But the association said some Hindus lit firecrackers before they started their prayers and…
SourceSUVA, FIJI, October 30, 2004: Whipping, beating, belting, slapping or hitting used to be popular means of disciplining students. Such cruel punishment subjects a person to physical violence and constitutes corporal punishment. Corporal punishment appears to have been in the school system for a long time. In earlier days it was acceptable for teachers to beat children as parents beat…
Religion News ServiceVATICAN CITY, October 28, 2004: When European Union leaders gather in Rome to sign their new constitution Friday, October 29, they will rebuff Pope John Paul II and his effort to acknowledge Christianity in the historic document. The Roman Catholic pontiff has often voiced concern about Europe’s increasingly secular society. In the signing of a constitution that does…
SourceNEW DELHI, INDIA, October 21: After “detoxifying” history textbooks, HRD minister Arjun Singh has turned his attention to “desaffronising” school holidays, begins this Times of India report. Following complaints from Christians over last year’s decision by then HRD minister M M Joshi to have the winter break in January instead of December, Arjun Singh has decided to revert to the…
SourceCOLOGNE, GERMANY, October 22, 2004: This year’s Durga Puja festival, celebrated here by the Germany-based Bengali community with much fanfare and devotion, has turned into a veritable show of Hindu-Muslim amity. Many Muslims are taking part and lending a helping hand in the organization of the Oct 19-23 festivities at the Buergerzentrum Chorweiler – the local town hall – of…
SourceNAGPUR, INDIA, October 23, 2004: As many as 65,000 people have embraced Buddhism at Deeksha Bhoomi here on Dhamma Chakra Pravartan Din yesterday. The day is celebrated to commemorate the adoption of Buddhism by Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar along with hundreds of thousands of people in 1956. The special function was supervised by Japan-born Indian monk Bhante Nagarjun Surai…
SourceLEICESTER, UK, October 26, 2004: With the flick of a switch, 6,000 bulbs will illuminate this city to mark the start of one of the biggest Deepavali celebrations outside of India. More than 70,000 people are expected to attend official events in this Asian dominated city over two days beginning October 31. The switch-on will follow a ceremony with cultural…
SourceYORKVILLE, ILLINOIS, October 26, 2004: In keeping with the Hindu values of unity and dharma, over 50 youth from across 9 Midwestern states and representing 14 different universities and 3 high schools came together at the Hindu Youth Retreat this past weekend (October 16-17, 2004). A core team of vibrant youth, led by the Hindu Students Council (HSC, “source” above)…
SourcePARIS, FRANCE, October 23, 2004: The UNESCO Executive Board unanimously decided to take action on the misuse of religious symbols and expressions at its 170th session in Paris on October 12 on a proposal by Sri Lanka. Fifteen countries cosponsored Sri Lanka’s proposal recommending that the UNESCO General Conference in 2005 adopt a Resolution on this issue that has received…
SourceRAJASTHAN, INDIA, October 21, 2004: A unique art form was discovered in Jaipur where the canvas is not cloth or paper, but sheer water. Sanjhi — paintings that float on water — are made as a tribute to Lord Krishna during this festive season. Over 200 years old, this rare art and has been kept alive by just one family…