GO TO SOURCE PUNE, INDIA, December 9, 2002: Seventy-five-year-old Malatibai Joshi is no ordinary teacher. She belongs to the first and the most elite batch of women purohitas (priestesses) in the city. Trained by none other than the late Shankarrao Thatte, who opened the doors of priesthood to women in 1975, Malatibai on Sunday presided over a unique gathering of…
GO TO SOURCE PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA, December 9, 2002: For Ramesh Chhagan, founder of the only Hindu school in South Africa at the mainly Indian township of Laudium here, three decades of community work has reaped a special award. “It left me with a warm feeling, as it was totally unexpected,” said Chhagan. Involved in education for 19 years before…
GO TO SOURCE NEW DELHI, INDIA, December 6, 2002: “Mega diverse” countries in the developing world, including India, have just finished meeting in Peru where they decided to push for patent requirements which specifically protect the holders of traditional knowledge. These countries, rich in natural resources, are still debating some of the common issues, positions, experiences and possible strategies against…
Source: The Daily Post SUVA, FIJI, December 13, 2002: Fiji must be run by Fijian leadership, says senator Mitieli Bulanauca, speaking in the Senate yesterday. Senator Bulanauca asserts, “Fiji must be led by Fijians forever because without that, Fiji will not be in peace, there will be turmoils even worse than the previous ones. The Fijian people will be a…
GO TO SOURCE UNITED STATES, December 9, 2002: As more and more people in the United States prefer cremation over burial for themselves and their loved ones, it is found that no one law governs disposition of remains nationwide. With permission from the owner, many states allow for scattering ashes in any manner you wish on private property. However, the…
GO TO SOURCE DHAULI, INDIA, December 10, 2002: Nearly 100 Buddhist monks and pilgrims from Myanmar, Japan, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Cambodia were in Dhauli to plant a peepal tree symbolizing peace. Dhauli is the site of the 3rd century BCE Kalinga War, one of the bloodiest wars in ancient Indian history, and following which Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism.…
GO TO SOURCE UNITED STATES, December 10, 2002: Following is a verbatim report from a Christian news organization on missionary work in India: “A ministry in India is finding that its social and educational ministries are bearing much fruit when combined with a spiritual emphasis. This particular ministry, begun 30 years ago, cares for 95 children of leprous parents in…
GO TO SOURCE WASHINGTON D.C., U.S.A., December 6, 2002: An exhibition at the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery here, “The Sensuous and the Sacred: Chola Bronzes From South India,” doesn’t waste much time. Its opening salute to this glorious art of the Chola period consists of three spectacular bronzes of God Siva as Nataraja, Lord of Dance. In each, Siva balances…
GO TO SOURCE MULAMKUNNATHKAVU, INDIA, October 29, 2002: After 19 years, a yaagam is being organized at Mulamkunnathkavu, Trissur district, for April 2003. Performed by Rig Veda expert Vaidikan Thekkat Neelakandan Namboothiri, training for the yaagam began in October of 2002. The purpose of the ceremony is to cleanse the environment by burning ghee, seeds and healing herbs. Readers may…
Source: New Jersey Media Group BERGEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY, November 28, 2002: This heart-warming article describes a Hindu family living life following Hindu values and ideals. Kokila and Kishor Vyas were honored by the New Jersey Parents Foundation last July as Parents of the Year. Kokila recalls a message delivered by a Hindu priest at a festival in 1986 who…