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.”
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.…
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…
SourceNEW DELHI, INDIA, December 15, 2003: A four-day conference on Religions in the Indic Civilization will begin in New Delhi, India, on December 18, 2003. The aim of the conference is to encourage secular studies of religious traditions in India: Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Bahaii, Jainism, Buddhism, Neo-Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Sikhism, including their various sects and branches. The Conference also hopes…
The Arizona RepublicSCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA, December 15, 2003: A colorful display of Gods and Goddesses can be seen at the Hindu Temple of Arizona in one of the least diverse parts of the Valley — Scottsdale. Bakshi Pitaji, the hospitable “father” of the temple, said that when he moved to the Valley in 1998, the only space he had to do…
SourceCHENNAI, INDIA, December 14, 2003: Calling the month-long rejuvenation camps for elephants at the Mudumalai Sanctuary and Top Slip in Coimbatore district a success, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today said the camps will now be held every year. Although there was criticism when the camps first started, the benefits of holding the camps were praised by visitors and conservationists, she said…