Indian Folk Art, a Delight in Anonymity

Source: The Nation, Thailand BANGKOK, THAILAND, February 4, 2003: The Indian Embassy recently brought 40 Madhubani paintings from India to display at Bangkok’s National Gallery where they were on display until January 30. This exhibition by women from the Indian state of Bihar, highlighted centuries of a folk art tradition Madhubani women have created for religious and secular ceremonies. All…

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Hindu Encyclopedia Seeks Editor

GO TO SOURCE RISHIKESH, INDIA, February 4, 2003: The Encyclopedia of Hinduism is seeking an editor based in India to professionally review thousands of articles and edit the English to a uniform excellence. Those interested, or with recommendations, may email “source” above.

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Gandhi Peace Prize Awarded to Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan

GO TO SOURCE NEW DELHI, INDIA, January 30, 2003: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, established with the blessings of Mahatma Gandhi, has been awarded the coveted Gandhi Peace Prize for 2002. A five-member jury, headed by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, chose Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan because of its “significant contribution towards spreading peace and harmony among all religions and communities on the…

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Magazine Apologizes for Offensive Gandhi Representation

GO TO SOURCE WASHINGTON, USA, January 31, 2003: A massive online protest by Indians and pacifists from many countries has forced Maxim, a British and American soft-porn magazine, to apologize for its literal Gandhi-bashing caricatures in its latest issue. In that issue, a martial arts expert is show in a series of cartoons “exercising” by beating up a character that…

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India McDonald’s Controversy Over “No Beef” Posters

GO TO SOURCE VADODARA, INDIA, February 2, 2003: It seems to be a no-win situation for the US fast food chain McDonald’s which has now stirred up activists here for posters saying beef is not sold in its outlets. Sarvadharm Jivdaya Samiti activists entered an outlet on Saturday, asking that the display boards be removed. SJS activists said the boards…

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Major Variety of Edible Bananas May Wiped Out

GO TO SOURCE MONTPELLIER, FRANCE, January 16, 2003: Edible bananas, whose botanical forebears are traced back 10,000 years to southeast Asia, may be changing in the next decade. Research conducted by Belgian scientist, Dr. Emile Frison, head of the French-based International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain, indicates that the Cavendish Banana, which is eaten across the planet,…

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Indian-Americans Give Generously for India’s Social Causes

GO TO SOURCE NEW DELHI, INDIA, January 31, 2003: An average Indian-American contributes up to US$300 a year for social causes in India. If just half the Indian population in the US donated that much, India would receive more than $250 million for social causes every year, says a survey on the giving patterns of the Indian diaspora conducted by…

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Malaysia Hosts Third International Conference on Muruga Worship

GO TO SOURCE KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, January 21, 2003: The Third International Conference Seminar on Murugan-Skanda will be held in Malaysia, May 1-4, 2003. Scholars and devotees from around the world will be attending the conference as delegates and representatives of the Tamil diaspora from 45 countries are expected to participate. The inaugural function will take place at Batu Caves,…

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Kerala Minister Urges State to Pass Forcible Conversion Law

GO TO SOURCE PATHANAMHTITTA, INDIA, February 2, 2003: Union Minister of State for Defense and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Rajagopal urged the Kerala government to pass legislation curbing forcible conversions and check what he termed the “onslaught” against Hinduism. Inaugurating the 91st Annual Hindu Matha Parishad at Cherukolpula on the banks of river Pamba here, he said the government was duty…

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Ayodhya Sadhu Stands for New Temple

GO TO SOURCE LUCKNOW, INDIA, January 21, 2003: Standing on his feet for thirty days, Pagal Das, a sadhu under personal vows, has attracted huge crowds of pilgrims. Pagal decided to undertake these tapas in Ayodhya near the Sri Ram Janmabhhomi-babri Masjid site and has vowed to keep standing until the proposed Ram Temple has been constructed. Despite cold temperatures…

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