Source: News Reports KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, January 10, 2003: A high priest is convinced that Hindu temples have a role in tackling criminal-related problems of Indian youths. Unorthodox and determined, Muthu Kumara Gurukal, 56, gets dejected when he reads the newspapers or hears news about Indian youths getting involved in street fights, crimes and drugs, wants the temples to share…
GO TO SOURCE UNITED STATES, January 12, 2003: “Hindu Temples In North America: A Celebration of Life” by Mahalingum Kolapen is more than compendium of North American Temples. Apart from being informative, the tome also preserves the Hindu legacy and informs the reader about the ancient Indian culture and art form. And more than that, the book showcases the changing…
GO TO SOURCE KANCHEEPURAM, INDIA, January 8, 2003 : In response to the Kancheepuram ashram’s call to start bhajana programs in villages, over 5,000 applications have come in to the ashram. H.H. Sri Jayendra Saraswathi said that bhajana singing was an ancient practice, but has been on the decline over the last few years. So far representatives from 2,000 villages…
GO TO SOURCE PATNA, INDIA, January 12, 2003: The concept of “Hindutva” should be redefined on a broader perspective, salvaging it from what some believe are the “narrow confines” of a particular religion, two religious leaders said. “Love for all fellow beings, refraining from causing any harm to anybody with a spirit of sacrifice and dedication to come closer to…
GO TO SOURCE SOUTH AFRICA, January 15, 2003: HPI ran a story where views from one South African Indian Hindu were quoted opposing Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s recent proposal for dual citizenship for India’s diaspora. Thavashan Govender’s response to this story follows: “I myself am a South African of Indian origin and a Hindu as well. I am…
GO TO SOURCE TEMPLE, TEXAS, January 15, 2003: The Hindu Temple of Central Texas, 4309 Midway Drive, Temple, Texas, announces their kumbhabhishekam. The installation of the Deities and dedication of the temple will be held in three different stages. The first, for Lord Venkateswara and Goddess Padmavati (donated by the Thirupati Thirumalai Devasthanam), will take place on January 17, 18,…
Source: Washington Post BALI, INDONESIA, January 12, 2003: In difficult moments, I Made Pastika hikes briskly up a mint-green mountain toward a cool, silent place above the clouds. At the summit, after a two-hour climb, the Indonesian investigator in charge of solving the worst case of international terrorism since Sept. 11, 2001, sits cross-legged before an ornate, centuries-old temple carved…
Source: Nepal News KATHMANDU, NEPAL, January 9, 2003: Christian missionaries have congregated on the outskirts of the capital city, where they are discussing the pros and cons of a strategic plan which aims to multiply churches across the Himalayas. They plan to achieve this by exploiting the marginal conditions of religious communities in the face of the worsening conflict. More…