Source: Press Reports KANCHIPURAM, INDIA, December 31, 2002: The Sankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt recently released a book that contains guidelines for NGOs (nongovernmental organizations), many of which have faced criticism for indirectly inciting religious conversions through their development initiatives. “Government Schemes and the Role and Responsibilities of Non-Government Organizations,” published by a new NGO in the state called…
GO TO SOURCE CHENNAI, INDIA, December 31,2002: Evangelists D. G. S. Dinakaran and Paul Dinakaran sparked a controversy by sending a letter to Matchi Shiva Sokkalinga Raja Vadivu Thevar, an ardent Siva devotee and authority on Saivism, expressing their happiness over Raja Vadivu’s visit to “Prayer Tower,” the headquarters of the Jesus Calls Trust in Chennai, and requesting him to…
Source: Deccan Chronicle HYDERABAD, INDIA, December 29, 2002: It was recently announced that the State government will be pulling out of low revenue earning or “loss-making” temples. The priests of at least 24,000 temples which earn below US$500 each per annum must now search for ways to generate resources. Following the government’s decision, these temples will not get the minimum…
Source: Associated Press DELAWARE, UNITED STATES, December 30, 2002: Evangelist Leroy Jenkins plans to move to Columbus, Ohio, as part of a real-estate deal in which a Hindu temple would be placed at the site of his current church in the state of Delaware. Jenkins said he wants to operate his church in a former hotel on Columbus’ east side,…
GO TO SOURCE BURLINGTON, UNITED STATES, December 31, 2002: You probably don’t know this, and it has nothing to do with Hinduism, but Sandi Weld of Sorrento, Florida, just won the 72nd World Champion Liar Contest over hundreds of competitors. Weld won by writing: “When I moved to Iron Mountain, Michigan, (a real mining town) I brought my pet sheep.…
GO TO SOURCE DINDIGUL, INDIA, December 29, 2002: Bharathan cannot resist crushing a flower or fruit that he chances upon. His experiment with 426 plants and natural substances for over 15 years has resulted in 120 color-fast, eco-friendly, natural dyes. The 39-year-old’s passion for natural colors began in school. Bharathan’s pictures stood out for the brilliance of the turmeric’s yellow,…
Source: Rajiv Malik, HPI Correspondent Delhi NEW DELHI, INDIA, December 18, 2002: Hundreds of Tibetans and a large number of New Delhi’s social elite gathered to attend the closing ceremony of the Tibetan Festival of Compassion. The festival included the presentation of the Light of Truth Award to The People of India. The award has been instituted by the International…
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…