Source: Associated Press SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA, December 29, 2002: Until recently, Cambodia was happy to let the temples of Angkor exist as a beacon of Khmer pride, rising from a jungle canopy like jewels dotting a green silk scarf. Now the ancient Buddhist and Hindu monuments have become the pillars of Cambodia’s nascent tourism industry, and officials are counting on…
GO TO SOURCE CHENNAI, INDIA, December 30, 2002: In a significant ruling, the Chennai high court on Friday said that Personal Laws cannot be declared void, since they do not come under the ambit of the Constitution. The ruling came when a division bench, comprising Justice R. Jayasimha Babu and Justice G. Padmanabhan, dismissed a petition by a Muslim divorcee,…
GO TO SOURCE NEW DELHI,INDIA, December 29, 2002: A three-day concert was held in Bhopal to revive people’s interest in classical music instruments. The instruments, which played a big part in palace concerts, are slowly on the way out with the advent of fast-paced music. Lack of trained musicians also have led to a decline in the use of such…
GO TO SOURCE TAMIL NADU, INDIA, December 27, 2002: South India is the treasure trove of silk saris with gold embroidery — the six yards of fabric has been draped in styles seen today for centuries. However, today many younger women feel it’s too cumbersome for daily wear. Younger girls for centuries have worn the half sari (pavadai thavani) consisting…
GO TO SOURCE UNITED STATES, December 30, 2002: A recent story on the origin of the word “Indian” as it applies to Native Americans gave an incorrect source. Readers wishing further information or have information to add may contact “source” above.
GO TO SOURCE NEW DELHI, INDIA, December 28, 2002: Renovation work on the historic Dakshineshwar ghats in West Bengal is expected to start within a month. Ghats are the steps, often hundreds of feet wide, which lead down into a river or lake, allowing easy access fetching water, bathing, etc. The central tourism and shipping ministries have also decided to…
GO TO SOURCE JAIPUR, INDIA, December 28, 2002: The Akshardham temple attack in Gujarat last month opened the eyes of temple managements all over the India to the threat of terrorism. Taking steps to improve security in this direction, the temple management of the world famous Shri Jain Shwetambar Nakodha Parvathnath temple in Rajasthan has insured its property and pilgrims…
GO TO SOURCE LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES, December 16, 2002: Women in Los Angeles are turning to yoga for exercise, emotional support, and to be with others who are also pregnant. One class is taught by Seva Simran Siri Kaur Khalsa, a certified prenatal yoga instructor. She teaches chanting, stretching, deep breathing, strengthening exercises, and visualizations. Khalsa’s goal is to…
GO TO SOURCE BERLIN, GERMANY, Dec 26, 2002: After the patents of neem and turmeric, it is now the turn of Vastu, an ancient Indian architectural philosophy. It was recently discovered by the Delhi-based Vastu Shastra Institute that Vastu had been registered as a trademark nearly five years ago by a German company. They are considering legal recourse against the…
GO TO SOURCE UNITED STATES, December 29, 2002: With the introduction of GM (genetically modified) corn, soybeans and other crops, a debate has emerged over their long-term effectiveness and safety within the present biological environment. One concern has been the weeds would evolve to resist the herbicides used to destroy them, rendering them immune to the poisons. This concern voiced…