SourceGENEVA, SWITZERLAND, July 8, 2003: According to the Human Development Report (HDR) 2003, social indicators that comprise life expectancy, adult literacy, education and per capita income positioned India as number 127 out of 174 countries. Last year, it ranked 124. The reason for the drop: other countries are performing much better than India in tackling basic human needs. While India…
SourceLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, JULY 2003: Traveling by air and ordering a vegetarian meal can be like playing Russian roulette. You simply don’t know what will appear on your tray. Vegetarians who are planning to travel by plane may wonder what vegetarian food choices are available. Vegetarians in Paradise (“source”) provides a chart of airlines who serve vegetarian/vegan meals as well…
SourcePITHORAGARH, NEPAL, July 11, 2003: The Kailash-Mansarovar yatra came to an abrupt halt on the third day of the pilgrimage on Thursday when landslides blocked the road at Teentola, about 15 km from Dharchula, leaving the pilgrims stranded at Tawaghat, police said. This group is coming from India directly into Tibet, and not via Nepal through which most of the…
SourcePORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD, July 10, 2003: More than 158 years after the first Indians arrived in Trinidad and Tobago, plans are afoot to restore the island where more than 200,000 indentured Indian laborers were brought to work on sugar plantations. The project, which will be completed in three phases, is expected to cost US$1.8 million, and will reflect the period 1869…
sfgate.comNEW DELHI, INDIA, July 5, 2003: The pharmacy clerk pulls a box of skin lightening cream from a glass cabinet, places it on the counter and says it’s obvious why he sells so much of it. Women want to be beautiful and the key to that is inside the box, which has a series of drawings showing a woman growing…
Charisma News ServiceKATMANDU, NEPAL, July 11, 2003: A Christian missionary and two local Christians jailed for four months on alleged proselytism charges in Nepal’s western region have been released from jail. Earlier this year, they were on their way to visit a Christian family in the Pyuthan District when they were stopped and interrogated by police. After finding Bibles and…
SourceLAUTOKA, FIJI ISLANDS, July 8, 2003: Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam of Nadi, Fiji, has announced the celebration of the 9th Anniversary of Maha Kumbhabhishekam of the Sri Siva Subrahmanya Swami Temple on July 15, 2003, and the opening of new Navagraha Prathista on July 17-20, 2003. Sri K. V. Ravi Gurukal from the Sri Siva Subramanya Temple in Thirutani,…
SourceLONDON, ENGLAND, July 6, 2003: The arrest of Vaman Ghiya last month by the Indian police on allegations of stealing antiques has sent shock waves through London’s antique trade world, and is likely to lead to an investigation of Sotheby’s, the British auction house. A six-month investigation by the Indian police, called Operation Blackhole, has identified four more icons listed…
SourceJAMMU AND KASHMIR, July 9, 2003: The annual Amarnath pilgrimage got under way Wednesday morning amid confusion and chaos, as the first group of 3,500 devotees left for the Himalayan cave shrine from the Maulana Azad Memorial stadium. Charges of police harassment and protests by the pilgrims delayed the start by over two hours. The discontent against repeated frisking and…
SourceHYDERABAD, INDIA, July 6, 2003: Because of a public outcry and litigation in the high court, the Andhra Pradesh government has backed off from its demand of US$7,774,202 from Lord Venkateswara shrine at Tirupati, however lesser known temples may not be so lucky. The Naidu government has initiated moves to take away temple lands and distribute them among poorer sections…