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.
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…
SourceKOLKATA, INDIA, November 4, 2004: Chinese lamps have taken over the market of traditional Deepavali diyas (oil lamps) and candles in Kolkata. These “Made in China” bulbs are cheaper compared to the indigenous lights, and they are also available in a wide variety of designs like grapes, flowers and rice that give a psychedelic effect. This is affecting local artisans…
SourceNEW DELHI, INDIA, November 4, 2004: Leftist parties have mounted pressure on the UPA government (ruling coalition led by the Congress Party) to impose a cess (tax assessment) on all religious institutions to fund rural development projects. The proposal is part of the Left’s tax-reform blueprint to be discussed with the government before the budget exercise for the next fiscal.…
SourceKATHMANDU, NEPAL, November 4, 2004: An Indian spiritual leader who has followers worldwide plans to reform Nepal’s Maoist insurgents with love and a breathing technique. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the 46-year-old founder of the Art of Living Foundation in India, who preaches conquering anger and other negative emotions through philanthropy and breathing practices, was in Nepal on a three-day visit…
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,…
SourceASSAM, INDIA, November 2, 2004: Monkeys lurking at an ancient Hindu temple in India’s northeast have attacked up to 300 children over three weeks, temple officials said Tuesday. “They hide in trees and swoop on unsuspecting children loitering about in the temple premises or walking by, clawing them and even sucking a bit of blood,” Bani Kumar Sharma, a priest…
SourceNEW YORK, U.S.A., October 24, 2004: East Indians immigrating to the U.S. usually bring Hindu caste traditions in some form to America, the land that the article says prides itself on its standard of egalitarianism. The article points out that the economic and religious foundation of the caste system dates back thousands of years to the origin of Hinduism. It…
SourceVRINDAVAN, INDIA, October 17, 2004: For three days in October a large gathering of Indian women met in Vrindavan to discuss the challenges facing women in India. Foremost on the agenda was female foeticide. Sadhi Ritambhara, also known as Didi Maa, delivered the following message in her speech, “The growing incidents of female foeticide are bound to create a great…