SourceBHUBANESHWAR, INDIA, October 6, 2003: The annual Durga festival celebrated by India’s Bengali devotees culminated last week with the sacrifice of thousands of goats, sheep, and buffaloes. At the Manikeswari temple in eastern Orissa, 2,000 animals were sacrificed. Ambika Mohapatra animal rights activist says, “Animal sacrifice is illegal under India’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act of 1960 and the…
SourceMUMBAI, INDIA, September 28, 2003: From humble beginnings when her musical abilities were used to support her mother and four younger siblings, Lata Mangeshkar’s career escalated with each decade, culminating with the prestigious “Dada Saheb Phalke Award.” In the 1940’s, she acted in eight Hindi and Marathi films while she strived to become a playback singer (“recording artist” to Americans).…
SourceLONDON, ENGLAND, October 9, 2003: Indian communities across the world have celebrated Dussehra in different ways. In Slough, U.K., the effigies of the demon king Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Indrajit were burnt followed by a magnificent fireworks display. It was enjoyed by over two thousand people including the Mayor of Slough, Councillor Laurie Gleeson. An array of free entertainment kicked off…
SourceNEW YORK, USA, October 10, 2003: Thousands took part in a Diwali gala in New York that saw a bit of everything — food, craft, a photo exhibition, a health fair, cultural show and a colorful fireworks display. The annual “Festival of Lights” was held at Lower Manhattan’s South Street Seaport. Over 100,000 people visited the 70 vendors and booths…
SourceBALI, INDONESIA, October 8, 2003: Dr. Somvir of the faculty of Udayana University in Bali is an academic, a Hindu missionary and an Indian in love with Indonesia. He says his mission in life is to spread Hindu values, come what may. Somvir is a popular figure in Bali. He hails from Haryana in India and studied at Delhi University.…
SourceUSA, October 7, 2003: Mourning elephants, altruistic lions and compassionate cows are at the heart of a unique new initiative by Compassion in World Farming Trust (CIWF Trust) to encourage a different approach to understanding the role of animals in society by understanding their inner minds and feelings. A website and interactive forum at animalsentience.com have been launched by the…
The Daily PioneerINDIA, October 5, 2003: Pujaries have been invoking Maa Durga on behalf of others for decades, but their prayers are yet to be answered. While most manage to keep on in their profession, their progeny are not willing to take up priesthood anymore. Their sole complaint — thousands are spent on decorating the puja pandals (worship places set…
SourceTORONTO, CANADA, October 9, 2003: On the occasion of the festival of Dussehra last week, the Toronto Star published a photo of an icon of Goddess Durga which was nearly finished but unclothed. An icon in this state would never been shown in public. These large statues are worshipped for the festival and then placed in the river or ocean.…
SourceCHAM VILLAGE, VIETNAM, September 25, 2003: The Cham ethnic group’s Kate Festival opened at the Cham Village in Phuoc Huu commune, Ninh Phuoc district, Ninh Thuan province, on Wednesday. The festival, held annually on the first ten days of the seventh month of the Cham Calendar, is an occasion for the Cham people to express their gratitude to their God,…
SourceNEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, July 15, 2003: Not all robots look and act like the Terminator. The idea behind ArtBots, billed as a talent show for robots, is to show kids of all ages the softer side of bots. Fear of potentially rabid robots and other supposedly sentient technology is what motivated ArtBots organizers to host the show held…