Plan to Develop Shrine to Planet Saturn in Thirunallar

SourceCHENNAI, INDIA, September 27, 2003: The central government is studying the possibility of promoting the small temple town of Thirunallar, where there is a shrine of Lord Saneeswarar (Saturn), as a heritage site. Minister for Tourism and Culture Jagmohan will visit Karaikal, the small enclave near the union territory of Pondicherry on the Bay of Bengal, to assess the site…

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Politeness Leads To Heart Trouble

SourceLONDON, ENGLAND, September 29, 2003: Experts have warned that the cultural trait among Asians of eating out of politeness everything that is served to them and not refusing seconds (and thirds!) is contributing to the already high levels of risk of coronary heart disease within the community in Britain. According to John Lawson of the University of Huddersfield, numerous studies…

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Meteorite Strikes Orissa Village

SourceBHUBANESWAR, INDIA, September 28, 2003: Two people have been injured and several homes badly damaged by a meteorite crashing into a village in the coastal state of Orissa. The fiery object crashed to earth shortly after sunset. Witnesses reported a bright fireball briefly lighting up the night sky and causing panic among local residents, the PTI report said. Reports from…

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Mata Amritanandamayi’s Birthday Celebrations Conclude

SourceKOCHI, INDIA, September 27, 2003: Curtains came down on the four-day birthday celebrations of Mata Amritanandamayi with several social service and charitable programmes being announced as the spiritual leader turned 50 today. Speaking at the valedictory of the celebrations, Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat applauded the humanitarian programmes and projects successfully launched by her. An all-India free legal cell comprising…

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Indian Minister Attends Global Summit on Medicinal Plants in Mauritius

SourceSRINAGAR, INDIA, September 27, 2003: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Ch. Lal Singh attended the Global Summit on Medicinal Plants in Mauritius. More than one hundred participants from all over the world were present on the inaugural function. Speeches by the dignitaries of the different countries delivered on the different aspects of the medicinal plants and showed their keen…

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Malaysian Hindus are Advocates for Peace

SourceKUALA LUMPAR, MALAYSIA, September 23, 2003: Seeking peace and harmony, Hindus in Malaysia have worked with their communities and the government to establish harmonious relationships. Dato Samy Vellu, Malaysia India Congress president, spoke at the World Hindu Peace Pilgrimage and said, “The government recognizes each religion’s existence as part of the religious mosaic of the country and had allowed people…

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Request for Magazine Coverage of Hindu Girl’s Coming of Age Ceremony

SourceNEW YORK, NEW YORK, September 27, 2003: HPI has received the following request: “A national magazine for teenage girls, ym, is working on an article about different coming-of-age ceremonies that American girls participate in. So far we will be featuring an Apache ceremony, a bar mitzva and a quinceanera. One of the rites of passage we are most interested in,…

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Obesity, Graveyards and Cremation

SourceNEW YORK, NEW YORK, September 28, 2003: If you’re obese and think your problems end when you die, think again, suggests this article in the New York Times. Like the airline industry, the article says, which was warned in May that passengers were heavier than they used to be, and was asked to adjust weight estimates accordingly, the funeral industry…

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Youth in the United Kingdom Gather to Celebrate Their Hindu Identity

SourcePRESTON, UNITED KINGDOM, September 17, 2003: Gathering together to celebrate their culture, faith, and identity, 3,000 Hindu youth participated in the “Get Connected” Hindu Youth Festival 2002. Every aspect of the event was a reflection of Hindu culture in some way, from the grand opening paying respects to Lord Ganesha to the greeting of guests by offering a sweet and…

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