SourceSEVILLE, SPAIN, December 18, 2003: More than 40 religious leaders from around the globe met in the southern Spanish city of Seville on Monday. Leaders representing Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism launched a new collaborative board, and discussed hostility and hospitality between the different faiths. While the media highlight religious conflict, “many important initiatives” are also being taken to…
The Trinidad GuardianMARTINIQUE, FRANCE, December 19, 2001, Nicole Etiene, 50, of Fort de France, Martinique, will receive the Upanayan Sanskar (sacred thread) at the Munroe Road, Chaguanas temple of Pundit Samsundar Ramdeen today. He is among five people who will be ordained as pundits in the ceremony. Etiene, whose native language is French, said yesterday that he was following in…
SourceJAIPUR, INDIA, December 20, 2003: The newly elected Minister of Education of Rajasthan, Ghanshyam Tiwari, created history on his birthday. He broke an ancient tradition and took his wife and daughter inside the sanctum-sanctorum of the Ghushmeshwar Siva temple in Siwad. In the process, Tiwari opened the temple area to all women, many of whom have expressed resentment at being…
SourceDELHI, INDIA, December 19, 2003: An animal welfare group is urging Indians to steer clear of wearing leather with an advertising campaign featuring singing cows. “Do I make myself clear? Keep your hands off my rear!” croons a cow in the 30-second TV advert. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) hopes the lip-synched bovines will persuade Indians…
SourceNEW DELHI, INDIA, December 19, 2003: An industrialist sat in front of the television at 7 a.m. On the television screen in front of him is one of India’s best-known gurus who chanted a prayer in Sanskrit before launching into a soothing lecture on how to cope with stress. “Begin each day with a pure thought,” he advised. “When you…
SourceKAUAI, HAWAII, December 20, 2003: Hinduism Today magazine is seeking a copy of a recent issue of Mantram magazine (by SGA Media) which carried on article on the cartoon strip “Dilbert.” If you can loan us yours, please e-mail “source.”
SourceNEW DELHI, INDIA, December 16, 2003: The Delhi High Court on December 15 upheld the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s (MCD) ban on all restaurants serving nonvegetarian food within a hundred meters of a temple. Justice S.K. Kaul observed that the ban should be enforced near all temples across the city. Six years ago, the MCD had revoked the license of…
SourcePONDICHERRY, INDIA, December 18, 2003: The French Institute of Pondicherry will soon celebrate its golden jubilee. Is that not an ideal age to look at a rejuvenation course? The IFP is currently undergoing a deep transformation. It is breaking away its partitions, and opening up, yet keeping itself focused. Those who are already familiar with the Institute will appreciate, thanks…
SourceMUMBAI, INDIA, December 17, 2003: Despite pressures from politicians of different hues, authorities have demolished more than 900 illegal roadside shrines in India’s financial capital over the past several weeks. Most structures were occupying large chunks of footpaths. Many had been in existence for years, some for decades. Over the past weeks, civic officials have worked out a comprehensive plan…
SourceHOUSTON, TEXAS, December 2003: “What’s a country in Asia that loves cows, believes in hundreds of Gods and is filled with horrible poverty and pollution?” That’s easy — India, of course. “I heard they even sleep on beds made of needles at night.” Misinformation about India is rampant. Schoolbooks often give incorrect information leaving teachers with nowhere to turn to.…