SourceLONDON, UK, November 20, 2003: The two Britons who broke the icon of Lord Rama at the Ealing Road Sanatam Mandir in Wembley last month have been sentenced. The Brent Magistrate Court on November 17 sentenced Toby Champney to two months imprisonment for “racially aggravated criminal damages.” His fellow Christian preacher, Benjamin Lloyd Jones was fined US$681 for racially aggravated…
SourceMUMBAI, INDIA, November 11, 2003: When Bhagwanji Raiyani read in a newspaper that there were more than 800 illegal shrines in Mumbai he decided to do something about it. In 2002, he asked the Mumbai High Court for their demolition. One year later, the high court ordered that all illegal shrines — temples, mosques or churches — should be demolished.…
SourceKAUAI, HAWAII, November 22, 2003: HPI thanks the many readers who sent in their comments on the caste and jati system. Several mentioned, without citing references, that the system became hereditary and solidified after the Muslim invasions. There is some information on this at “source,” an article on caste. HPI is interested to know if there is evidence of the…
SourceUSA, November 22, 2003: Hindus in America are about to be faced with Thanksgiving and its traditional turkey feast. It’s not a Hindu holiday, of course, there is no obligation to celebrate and the turkeys would appreciate it if you didn’t. However, for those who by choice or social obligation find it necessary, there is a vegetarian alternative, several in…
News ReportTOKYO, JAPAN, November 21, 2003. Mention of a staged “Mahabharata” at once brings to mind Sir Peter Brook’s 10-hour version of the Hindu epic poem, which debuted at the Avignon International Drama Festival in 1985. This inspired version by Director Satoshi Miyagi staged recently in Tokyo lasts just two hours. The original “Mahabharata,” written in Sanskrit, comprises 100,000 stanzas,…
SourceNEW DELHI, INDIA, November 19, 2003: Nisha Sharma, who hit the headlines six months ago for sending her fiance to jail for demanding dowry, has married a software engineer. The marriage was solemnized at a quiet ceremony at her residence in Noida on the outskirts of Delhi. Her husband’s name is Ashwin Sharma. Nisha became an icon for millions of…
SourceNEW YORK, USA, November 17, 2003: As the holiday season approaches, a recent article in The Business Review had this suggestion for corporate gift giving to international clients. It is notable for including advice — a bit, anyway — on giving to Hindus. “Be sure you know the customs pertaining to gift giving in that country. You don’t want your…
SourceKAUAI, HAWAII, November 21, 2003: Hinduism Today magazine is preparing an article with replies to common questions about Hinduism, such as why are there so many Gods, why the dot on the forehead, why do you worship cows, etc. One of the common questions is about caste: Isn’t the caste system a kind of unfair discrimination? We’re working to formulate…
SourceLONDON, ENGLAND, November 20, 2003: The National Hindu Students Forum writes, “Hindus have been successful in both preserving their culture and assimilating into British culture. This is evidential in Hindu students being amongst the highest achievers in schools and universities, low unemployment rates and proportionally lower convicted prisoners. However, leaders and politicians have recently tried to find existence of schizophrenic…
SourceJAMNAGAR, GUJARAT, November 20, 2003: Due to unavoidable circumstances the proposed 5th International Seminar on Ayurveda for Better Health which was scheduled to be held during January 5-7, 2004 as a part of 38th Foundation Day Celebrations of the Gujarat Ayurved University at Jamnagar is cancelled.