SourcePARIS, FRANCE, November 12, 2003: The oral tradition of Vedic chanting has been declared an intangible heritage of humanity by UNESCO. In a meeting of jury members on November 7, 2003, at Paris, Mr. Koichiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, declared the chanting of Vedas in India an outstanding example of heritage and form of cultural expressions. The proclamation says that…
SourceMUMBAI, INDIA, November 4, 2003: The ancient language of Sanskrit has become prevalent once again at schools and universities in the country. At Mumbai University, this article says that the number of students registered for courses at the University’s Sanskrit department has gone up from 175 to 260 in the last 4 years. Dr. G.P. Mahulikar, head of the University’s…
SourceBIHAR, INDIA, November 5, 2003: In an attempt to dissuade the practise of dowry in a state that has witnessed a rise in dowry death cases, the Rabri Devi government requires any of its male employees who get married to declare in writing that they never received any dowry. To back up the statement, it also has to be signed…
SourceDELHI, INDIA, November 11, 2003: The Voice of India, founded by Ram Swarup and Sita Ram Goel, has published a number of highly influential books on Hinduism. Twenty-seven have now been digitized and put on-line at “source.” They include: Ayodhya and After: Issues Before Hindu Society by Koenraad Elst; Collapsing Pakistan by N.S. Rajaram; Defence of Hindu Society by Sita…
SourceWASHINGTON, D.C., November 2, 2003: As a Muslim, Priscilla Martinez wanted her children to learn as much about their faith as they did about reading and math. For help, she turned to Christian resources. Martinez joined the Christian-based Home school Legal Defense Association, which helped her with the paperwork for a religious exemption allowing her to teach her children at…
HPIKAUAI, HAWAII, November 12, 2003: Our apologies for letting slip by a statement in yesterday’s report that called Varuna the “Hindu God of the Wind” in the article Wind Power in Tamil Nadu. Vayu is the God of the Wind, and Varuna is God of the Sea.
SourcePESHAWAR, PAKISTAN, October 31, 2003: The Peshawar Cantonment Board (PCB) has served a notice on the Hindu minority members to vacate houses occupied by them for 130 years in cantonment areas. The notice, Hindu leader Ram Lal told Daily Times, gave the Kali Bari residents till Friday (October 31, 2003) to vacate around 70 homes and a Hindu temple. However,…
SourceWASHINGTON, U.S.A., October 25, 2003: Known as “A Stairway to Heaven” the ancient Himalayas, including the regions of present-day Nepal, Kashmir and Tibet, produced religious art that was a hybrid of the Buddhist and Hindu religions. An art exhibit of 163 objects from this region is now showing at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery until January 11. Incorporating icons that…
SourceMUPPANDAL, TAMIL NADU, November 1, 2003: It has been ten years since the first 80-foot blade windmill was installed at Muppandal. Since that time income for the villagers has risen and thousands of new jobs have been created to accomodate the wind energy producers. Koilpillai Gopal, a barber explains, “In 10 years my daily income has gone up to 450…
Deccan ChronicleNEW DELHI/HYDERABAD, INDIA, November 5, 2003: In an Indian version of a chain letter, rumors sent thousands of people rushing to Ganesha icons to light lamps and make wishes on Wednesday. The word was: “Light five diyas before Lord Ganesha and your wish will come true.” Phones were ringing in homes across the country and the SMS message that…