On Day of Big Bath, Tragedy Hits Kumbha Mela

SourceNASHIK, INDIA, August 27, 2003: Thirty-seven pilgrims, including 28 women, were killed and 57 injured today in a stampede and drowning at the Kumbh Mela here. The stampede occurred in a narrow, winding bylane leading to the banks of the Godavari in Nashik around 12:40 pm when devotees walking down towards the ghats jostled with those returning after the holy…

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Britain Recognizes Need of Romany-Speaking Gypsies

Newindpress.comLONDON, UK, August 26, 2003: There are about 42,000 Gypsy children in British schools, and education authorities have now realized that the education system has largely ignored their special needs. Historically the Gypsies began their journey from the Indus valley in northern India, travelled through Persia, and reached Hungary and other parts of eastern Europe about 1,000 years ago. They…

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Trinidad And Tobago Prime Minister Appears at Krishna Leela Festival

SourceTRINIDAD & TOBAGO, August 25, 2003: Addressing the final leg of a nine-day religious drama festival entitled “Krishna Leela” yesterday, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning, said one of the major reasons why he attended the function was that he “fully recognized that the Prime Minister of this country is not just the Prime Minister of his political…

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Hindu Support Group Formed at Okinawa Bases

SourceCAMP FOSTER, USA, April 14, 2002: Thanks to the efforts of Chaturbhuj N. Gidwani, the Okinawa American Hindu population has formed a Hindu study group and meets twice a week on U.S. military bases at Kadena Air Base and Camp Foster, according to this report from last year. “There are many people in the military with an Indian background. I…

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Eight Annual Chariot Festival in Paris Rescheduled for September 7

SourcePARIS, FRANCE, August 28, 2003: The Sri Manika Vinayakar Alayam temple in Paris is celebrating its annual chariot festival for Lords Ganesha and Murugan on September 7, 2003. Originally scheduled for August 31, around Ganesha Chaturti, it was postponed at the request of the government due to the World Athletic Championships being held in the city that same week. Every…

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Archeological Society of India Says Temple Existed at Ramjanmabhoomi Site

SourceLUCKNOW, INDIA, August 25, 2003: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) said a temple-like “massive structure” existed beneath the disputed site in Ayodhya in its 574-page report. The ASI report, submitted on August 22, was opened by the three-member Full Bench, comprising Justice SR Alam, Justice Khem Karan and Justice Bhanwar Singh on Monday. The bench has given six-week time…

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NCERT Scoffs at Historians’ Case Against Textbook Error

News ReportDELHI, INDIA, August 25, 2003: The NCERT has dismissed eminent historians’ allegations that its new history text books are “saffronised.” The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is an apex resource organization set up by the Government of India, with headquarters at New Delhi, to assist and advise the Central and State Governments on academic matters related…

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New Rail Service to Famous Belur Math

SourceKOLKATA, INDIA, August 18, 2003: Pilgrims and tourists alike now have a third option for transportation if they choose to visit Belur Math in West Bengal. On August 16 of this year, Rail Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated a rail link service to the historic site where Sri Ramakrishna lived. Previously the article points out, “This architectural splendor of West Bengal…

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Prime Minister Appeals to the Public to Stop Female Feticide

SourceNEW DELHI, INDIA, August 11, 2003: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee spoke candidly about female feticide in the country and appealed to the public at large to stop the practice. Delivering his speech at a function to give away the fifth Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh award, Vajpayee said, “More than 1.5 million cases of female feticide have taken place in the…

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