Bikram Yoga “Franchise” Challenged In Lawsuit

SourceUSA, June 17, 2004: (HPI note: This article appeared in the prestigious magazine, the Economist, several months ago.) The term yoga has become mainstream in America. Americans have been trying bikram yoga and ashtanga yoga in popular classes across the land. When Patanjali, a yoga master, wrote his great works in second century BC, he probably never envisioned that the…

Continue reading

Latest Indian Census Reports Increased Rate of Growth for Muslim Community

Rajiv Malik, HPI CorrespondentNEW DELHI, September 7, 2004: “In terms of growth of different religious communities, Hindus showed a decline over the previous decade, their population growing by 20.3% during 1991 and 2001 as compared to 25.1% during 1981-91. The Muslim population on the other hand, grew by 36.0% during 1991-2001, compared to 34.5% during 1981-91.” These statistics were revealed…

Continue reading

Icon-Makers in Mysore are Encouraged to Use Environmentally Friendly Substances

SourceMYSORE, INDIA, September 3, 2004: As Ganesha Chaturthi approaches this year, environmentalists are encouraging devotees and icon-makers to use biodegradable materials to make the icons and to paint them with natural dyes and vegetable oils. So far this call to protect the rivers, lakes and the sea from the onslaught of harmful substances during the celebration has been voluntary. However,…

Continue reading

Mahatma Gandhi Inspires New Canadian Museum

SourceWINNIPEG, CANADA, August 29, 2004: Mahatma Gandhi’s long walk through history has paused in an unlikely spot, the central Canadian prairie city of Winnipeg. A life-size statue of the “father of the nation” complete with his signature walking cane, has arrived in central Canada to become the showpiece of a new Museum for Human Rights. The 500-kilo bronze statue created…

Continue reading

Stamp Issued to Honor Sanskrit Grammarian Panini

SourceDELHI, INDIA, August 30, 2004: The Department of Posts has released a postage stamp today in commemoration of India’s Heritage in Grammar and Mathematics which was influenced by the accomplishments of Panini, one of the greatest grammarians of all time whose work revolutionized the use of language not only in India but also in the rest of the world. The…

Continue reading

More Delhi Cremation Grounds Privatized

SourceDELHI, INDIA, August 30, 2004: Delhi’s Municipal Corporation has given the go-ahead to the second phase of privatization of cremation grounds in the city. The move, they expect, would put an end to the harassment that people have to put up with while performing the last rites at crematoriums. Complaints had been received about people being harassed by officials over…

Continue reading

Hindu Organizations And Leaders Appeal For A Ban On CD’s Portraying Hindu Gods And Godessess In An Indecent Manner

Rajiv Malik, HPI Correspondent.NEW DELHI, INDIA, September 5, 2004: “A large number of CD’s are being sold in the market today which portray the Hindu Gods and Goddesses in an extremely indecent manner, and I have appealed in writing to the President of India, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Chief Minister of Haryana and the leader of the opposition in…

Continue reading

Indian Railway Schedule Goes On-Line

SourceDELHI, INDIA, September 2, 2004: Pilgrims and regular travelers will be delighted to use the comprehensive schedule of India’s railways now posted on the Internet for the first time. Click “source” to go to the site.

Continue reading

South Africa’s Largest Temple Inaugurated

SourceLENASIA, SOUTH AFRICA, September 5, 2004: The largest Swaminarayan Hindi Mission temple to be built in SA has taken more than 18 months to complete and will open next week. Nine hand-carved doors made of Burmese teak, a solid cherry-wood throne and 12 containers of imported decorative artwork have been used to decorate the US$1.2 million Hindu temple in Lenasia.…

Continue reading

Tiruchendur Murugan Temple Gets Improvements

SourceTUTICORIN, INDIA, September 4, 2004: Tiruchendur is all set to get improved infrastructure facilities, including a state-of-the-art bus terminus at a cost of US$682,000, with financial assistance from the Tamil Nadu Urban Finance Infrastructure Development Corporation, which has come forward to finance the implementation of various developmental schemes in the district to the tune of $2.5 million. In Tiruchendur, all…

Continue reading