SourceDURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA, February 14, 2004: After 25 years of compiling information, Joy Brain, a veteran researcher, has produced a CD where South Africa’s 1.2 million Indians will be able to trace their roots back to India. The article explains that South Africa’s Indian community are descendents of indentured laborers who came to South Africa in 1860 to work on…
SourceGEORGETOWN, GUYANA, February 28, 2004: In Central Georgetown today, a Phagwah Mela and Bazaar will be held on the lawns of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s Sanskritik Kendra, Prashad Nagar. The Sabha will also inaugurate an Art and Craft Shop during the Mela. There will be dancing, music, exhibits, games and delicacies, a release from the Sabha said. Alcoholic beverages…
SourceMERIDIAN, MISSISSIPPI, February 21, 2004: When Ralph McLaney, assistant principal at Carver Middle School, resigned from his position rather than paddle a student, the debate over corporal punishment took to the forefront again. The article explains, “A decision last month by the Canadian Supreme Court to outlaw the use of the strap by teachers has left the United States and…
SourceUNITED KINGDOM, February 26, 2004: A Hindu organization in India has denied allegations that it misused money raised from charities in the UK. The denial follows allegations by a British campaign group that activists loyal to the Rashtriya Swayemsevak Sangh (RSS) siphoned off relief money. An RSS spokesman described the allegations as false and baseless. The report, released by the…
SourceNEW YORK, U.S.A., February 25, 2004: The Melting Pot, which includes the nation’s largest metropolitan areas and where most immigrants come in search of their American dream, is becoming less white and more diverse at a pace without precedent. Though there is a tone of implicit racism coming from Jonathan Tilove, the author of this article, he examines some interesting…
SourceHOUSTON, TEXAS, February 29, 2004: Indicorps sends the following press release: Indicorps offers competitive fellowships for Indian-Americans/Canadians interested in spending a full year (August 15, 2004 to August 1, 2005) on unique social service projects in India. This year, the 13 opportunities range in focus from Building Life Skills through Extracurricular Programs to Revitalizing Traditional Art to Organic Farming to…
The Hamilton SpectatorHAMILTON, ONTARIO, February 11, 2004: McMaster University campus should have a cafeteria where vegans and vegetarians will be able to dine by the fall of 2004. The idea for the cafeteria was first promoted by Aaron Orkin, a third-year arts and science student, who along with a friend, wanted to open a kitchen where Jewish, Hindu and Muslim…
Daily PioneerINDIA, February 29, 2004: The article which appeared in the last HPI on the “Year of Mahabharata” had an invalid URL. Following is the full text of the article, as several readers have asked for it: For thousands of years, we have believed in the divinity of Shri Krishna. For us he was a Karmayogi par excellence who gave…
SourceNEW DELHI, February 26, 2004: For years, Hindus have believed in the divinity of Shri Krishna. But scholars question whether Krishna was a historical or mythical character and whether the Mahabharata was actually fought. According to Dr. R. N. Iyengar, of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, we now have an answer. Using modern scientific tools and techniques like computers…
SourceJOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, February 16, 2004: South African Hindus chanted hymns and religious songs as they moved through the streets of Lenasia for Maha Sivaratri, but there were complaints that the annual procession was becoming divided on linguistic lines. Cyril Samuels, vice-president of the Hindu Coordinating Council, which organized the event, said “Despite the huge turnout, it would have been…